Fifth-generation luxury bedmaker Harrison Spinks was established in 1840 but is today focusing on the future more than ever, while still maintaining its family-run roots. In this article, MD Simon Spinks gives an insight into Harrison Spinks, its recent innovation and what’s next for the business – including another world first …
“This year has been a real turning point for us,” says Simon. “We’ve just made the pledge to go foam- and glue-free, which is a significant milestone for both Harrison Spinks and the industry.
“For the last 10 years our core business objective has been trying to change the way the world sleeps. We’ve been relentless in looking for more sustainable ways of working so we can look after our planet for future generations. It is for this reason we have made the commitment to not develop any new mattresses containing foam or glue, and to eliminate foam from any existing product by 2020.
“Because of the dangers of foam and the negative effect it has on the environment, we use sustainable fillings and grow nearly 800 tonnes of natural fibre fillings for our mattresses each year. By farming our own materials and manufacturing our own components we have been able to save more than 1300 tonnes of CO2 every year.
“But our foam- and glue-free commitment isn’t the only turning point. We have just launched a world first in the furniture and bedding industry – a 100% recyclable, glue-free pocket-spring system, Cortec.
“Cortec uses Harrison Spinks’ unique patented eco-spring design and technology. By developing the finest high-tensile wire ever to be used in a core unit, and sonic-welding each spring pocket rather than using glue, Cortec delivers a new dawn for comfort technology.
“The individually pocketed springs are extremely durable, providing ultimate support, and are distributed at a high density to create more points of contact, providing greater body contouring accuracy for superior comfort. Cortec will form part of the Harrison Spinks mattress offering in the UK and, as it is a foam replacement component, has many other uses within furniture in the UK and furniture and bedding worldwide.
“But this is just the beginning. At the AIS, NBF and Minerva shows, we’ll be unveiling another industry-leading innovation, Synergy – a brand new, contemporary, foam-free mattress collection from Harrison Spinks which uses our Cortec fully sustainable eco-spring system and micro springs.
“The result is quite simply an amazingly comfortable mattress which is perfect for a healthy night’s sleep (being foam and chemical free) and fully recyclable, so we are all doing our bit to protect the environment.
“We’ll also be unveiling an incredibly exciting heritage brand partnership with rural TV presenter Adam Henson – our Adam Henson by Harrison Spinks collection. At the heart of every Adam Henson mattress is carefully selected and rare-breed wool from the fleeces of sheep reared on Adam’s and other local Cotswold farms. Naturally soft, springy and absorbent, this lustrous wool works in harmony with our ultra-responsive Cortec springs to deliver the best night’s sleep.
“Our Cortec springs form the supportive core of every mattress in the Adam Henson range. Cradling the body and reacting to individual movements, they work together with layers of HD and Microlution springs to reduce pressure points and roll together, significantly improving sleep quality.
“As we progress on our journey, we will be making more of the Harrison Spinks name – starting with rebranding Harrison across to Harrison Spinks. We have a host of exciting new products up our sleeves including a new Harrison Spinks pillowtop collection for our independents, and a collection of contemporary bedframe designs that don’t use foam.
“Our hard work has been recognised with three Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in Innovation, Sustainable Development and International Trade, which are testament to the dedication and creativity of our team. We’ve always been about innovation and quality, and are proud to have brought a number of firsts to the bed industry – however, this is just the start for Harrison Spinks, with so much more to come.”
Visit Harrison Spinks on stands G10 and G20 at the NBF Bed Show, taking place in Telford this month.
Pictured: Simon Spinks, MD, Harrison Spinks
