Simon Spinks, chairman of Leeds-based mattress and bed manufacturer Harrison Spinks, has been awarded an OBE in this year’s list in recognition of his contribution to the mattress and bed industry, having dedicated a 35+ year career to creating sustainable, quality sleep for all.
Twenty years ago, concerned with the environmental impact of mattress manufacturing, Simon focused on ways to replace the glues and foams that make mattresses almost impossible to recycle, meaning millions end in landfill each year. He created the finest wire gauge pocket springs available globally, reducing steel mass by up to -80% compared to traditional springs.
To date, Simon holds 100 patents globally, relating mainly to innovations in pocket spring and equipment design, delivering material and energy efficiencies of some 60% compared to traditional manufacturing methods. Simon also invented the Microcoil, using his fine wire to create a small, glue-free pocket spring that sits at the top of the mattress.
He has enabled other manufacturers to embrace his ideas, again reducing reliance on foams globally, creating a new category within the mattress market.
In 2008, Simon acquired a farm on which to grow his own natural, sustainable and biodegradable mattress fillings. Harrison Spinks is now one of the UK’s largest growers of industrial hemp, which is carbon negative with zero waste. It also offsets company Scope 1 & 2 emissions. As well as other responsibly sourced materials such as recycled cashmere, wool from his mattresses feature Traceable British Wool which was another industry first.
The company also weaves its own luxury mattress tick which, due to its high wool content, is naturally fire retardant, meaning no FR chemical treatments are used in mattress production.
His personal drive and vision continue to deliver growth within a socio-economically diverse area of West Yorkshire, growing the family business from some 50 employees to over 650, across three businesses.
He says: “To receive the award was a total surprise and an absolute honour. I have been very fortunate to have a career in an industry that I truly love and where I have been able to combine a number of passions including, luxury sustainable sleep and innovation in engineering. It could not have been possible without the support and contributions of my family, colleagues and peers past and present. I am thrilled and delighted."
Simon was twice National Bed Federation president, and is currently the chair of the NBF's Sustainability Forum. Under his guidance, Harrison Spinks has been awarded eight Queen’s/King’s Awards for Enterprise, and currently holds awards in Innovation, Sustainability and International Trade.
