Bed Buyer 2023

BEDBUYER

RAW AMBITION

Naturals for all, proclaims H Living

BOUNCING BACK Mark Tuley on Sealy UK’s reinvention

BEDS AHEAD What to expect from this year’s Bed Show

GETTING PERSONAL Prestige Beds’ James Dunne talks shop

Celebrating 100 years of sleeping on it

LEAVE THE REST TO US

Welcome to another edition of Bed Buyer, Furniture News’ annual supplement dedicated to all things NBF!

With the Bed Show upon us once again, it’s time to take another deep dive into our industrious, innovative and irrepressible bed sector, which has been working overtime to deliver a wealth of new products, components and services at this year’s exhibition.

Looking for fresh floor models, more intuitive service partners, or a snapshot of the latest trends? If so, a journey to Telford this month is in order – and, across the following pages, you’ll get a good idea of what you can expect to find there.

Read on, and you’ll also find insights from some of the industry’s leading lights. On p50, James Dunne, operations director at award-winning Lancashire independent Prestige Beds, reveals his views on life (both personal and professional), and his hopes and concerns for the sector’s future. On p46, we look at the NBF’s Bed Industry Awards, before celebrating the NBF members that took gold in Furniture News’ own Readers’ Choice Awards this year (p49).

Leading the charge, however, is our top story. Back in spring 2020, when the world was coming to terms with the impact of a global pandemic, the 267 employees of Sealy UK’s factory in Aspatria were informed that their workplace faced closure.

What ensued is a story best told by Sealy UK’s indomitable CCO Mark Tuley, whose unique perspective brings to life a journey of rescue and reinvention. Discover how the business, under new ownership, hit reset on its top brand, put proprietary technology first, and is already eyeing significant growth – starting on p6.

The Furniture News team will be back at this year’s show, and I’ll again be helping judge the NBF’s Component Supplier and (on-site) Bed Product of the Year awards. I can’t wait to get a sneak peek of some of the best the show has to offer – and for the reveal of this year’s winners at the exhibition’s gala dinner. You’ll find unrivalled coverage of them all in our official Bed Industry Awards supplement in November’s issue –good luck to all the entrants.

Until then, enjoy Bed Buyer, and the Bed Show. I hope to see you there!

“It’s time to take another deep dive into our industrious, innovative and irrepressible bed sector

DIRECTOR (FURNITURE NEWS PORTFOLIO)

Sam Horscroft 07764 650655 sam@gearingmediagroup.com Twitter @FurnitureNewsAD

SALES EXECUTIVE

Caroline Littler 07861 231461 caroline@gearingmediagroup.com

OVERSEAS AGENT

Casey Loo (Asia) +65 973 00123 (WhatsApp) casey@apsmediagroup.com

PRODUCTION

PRODUCTION MANAGER James Ash james@gearingmediagroup.com

DIGITAL MANAGER Nyall McCurrach nyall@gearingmediagroup.com

COPY ADMINISTRATOR

Steve Merrick 01424 776108 production@gearingmediagroup.com

ACCOUNTS

GENERAL MANAGER

Wendy Williams 01424 817433 wendy@gearingmediagroup.com

CHAIRMAN

Nigel Gearing

SUBSCRIPTIONS (UK-£65, Europe-£85, RoW-£95) subscriptions@gearingmediagroup.com

REPRO, PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION

Stephens & George

Gearing Media Group Ltd 4 Red Barn Mews, High Street Battle,

Bouncing back

From near-closure to full brand reinvention, Sealy UK has come a long way in the last three years. As the brand prepares to celebrate its latest innovations at this month’s Bed Show, CCO Mark Tuley recounts the unique challenges the bedmaker has overcome since May 2020 …

www.sealy.co.uk

Remember those first weeks of lockdown in 2020? The best-case scenario meant day-to-day routines halted, fear of infection, and relentless uncertainty as to how things might turn out.

But the employees at Sealy’s manufacturing plant in Aspatria, Cumbria received a further blow, when parent company Silentnight Group, faced with the challenges of Covid-19, decided to close the 46-year-old factory.

On 4th May 2020, a consultation began concerning the plant’s closure, and the fate of its 267-strong workforce. Representing trade union GMB, Chris Preston told the BBC: “The GMB and the workforce are of course shocked and saddened with this development and appreciate the uncertainty and concern this announcement by the employer will cause the workforce at what is already a difficult time for staff.”

Some will be familiar with what followed. Suffice to say, three years later, Sealy UK is entering a new chapter in its long history, having already transitioned from recovery to rapid growth. New ownership has overseen the transformation of the Aspatria site –installing three new spring machines and overhauling five more, reinstating the ovens, the introduction of proprietary technology, and the launch of an entirely new product range. The business is already the recipient of numerous industry awards, and the brand has been redefined, making it once again a familiar sight on the shop floor.

When one considers what could have been, the success story is all the more poignant.

Sealy UK’s CCO Mark Tuley – previously the sales director at Silentnight Group – has a unique perspective on the transformative journey, which he has chosen to disclose to Furniture News. What follows is his account of the acquisition process, the brand’s reinvention, and his conviction that the new Sealy UK is going to be the best yet …

Rescue mission

We’re in this position today because the Covid lockdown prompted Silentnight Group to review its cost base, and it concluded that it would shut down manufacturing in Aspatria and transfer operations to Barnoldswick.

At the same time, Sealy of Australia picked up on this news from an article on the BBC. This was a trigger moment for the Sealy Joint Ventures team (Tempur Sealy International and Dyer Holdings), which prompted a conversation that would dramatically change our fortunes.

A team from Sealy of Australia, who are the day-to-day operations partner in the global Sealy Joint Venture, were immediately dispatched to the UK, while Silentnight announced the potential of a buyout. The 90-day consultation period then began.

Some strings had to be pulled to allow border crossings during Covid restrictions, but the inspectors managed to leave Australia, and come and stay in a four-star hotel near the factory (there’s worse places to be holed up during a pandemic!).

The purchase ensured the continued employment of the factory’s 267-strong workforce

Mark

Tuley with Sealy UK’s new MD, Simon Dyer

Once Silentnight knew there was an opportunity for the business to be saved, they offered their full support. All parties pulled together to make the process a rapid success, and paperwork was signed on the last weekend of October.

Silentnight’s CFO, Paul McKoen, conducted the ceremonial handing over of keys, and, on a personal note, having handed in my notice for the first time in my life, I left Silentnight Group and joined Sealy UK on 1st November, along with every Sealy employee, who officially transferred to the new business.

New beginnings

Traditionally, Sealy Posturepedic’s reputation had always been built on its unique product proposition and technology. Over the years, this had been watered down to a more generic offering in the UK.

The new ownership team were quick to establish that the global Sealy strategy within the joint venture was to offer a real point of difference in relation to the product, and that this was based on scientific research that results in unique and proprietary spring technology.

One of the other changes we had to adapt to was the pace of transformation – our new owners cannot be accused of being ponderous when it comes to change! There is a tried-and-tested formula within

the joint venture, and they were adamant about speedy change, starting with the introduction of an entirely new product range and the discontinuation of all our old ranges.

New co-owners Tempur Sealy International and Dyer Holdings already had a proven strategy for successful expansion into new territories. In this case, changes were set out from the bottom up, and this began with large-scale investment in the site, manufacturing capabilities and supporting the local teams. A further team of specialists were dispatched from Australia to help set up the site, install machinery and train the workforce.

Like a giant game of Tetris, the Aspatria site was entirely remodelled and rearranged, and the team retrained and reskilled, whilst maintaining full capacity production at the same time.

Buildings were gutted, rearranged and rebuilt for optimum product flow, three new spring machines were shipped over, and five existing ones refurbished. At that time, the process, of course, had its challenges,

but looking back, it ran surprisingly smoothly. Within a few short months of transition to new ownership, we were ready to present our new offering to our customers.

Again, due to Covid restrictions, trade shows were cancelled and meetings disrupted, but none of that would stop us unveiling the new product range to the industry.

Redefining the brand

Over the years, the Sealy Posturepedic range had lost its point of difference, and with that, some of its brand standing and the premium positioning that its original reputation had been built on.

New ownership ushered in a new era. We now have a unique and premium product offering. The Sealy of Australia approach uses scientific research to develop the products, and rigorous testing to ensure product performance criteria.

Sealy Posturepedic is based on three fundamentals – genuine support, true comfort and dependable durability. If a product does not deliver on all three of these, then it’s just not a Sealy Posturepedic.

In our drive to offer consumers greater innovation, we’ve introduced a completely new consumer alternative in the premium mattress sector – a new spring system that provides orthopaedically correct support for the body during rest. This is backed by intellectually respected scientific research, and the Orthopaedic Advisory Board.

And we will continue to innovate, developing new coil geometries that will

spring technology is at the heart of the products’ identity

The brand livery is again becoming a common sight

“If a product does not deliver on all three of these fundamentals, it’s just not a Sealy Posturepedic

keep us at the forefront of spring system design. Our new R&D centre in Brisbane opened in 2020, and is one of the largest in the world. We continue to invest in the understanding of new technologies, new materials and new production methods.

In early 2022 we called last orders on the ‘old’ Sealy products and went to market with the ‘all-new’ Sealy range. This was accompanied by a completely new look and feel for the brand’s reinvention, and a new retailer support package in place.

At first, not all of our customers welcomed the change with open arms. The wholesale change, the new premium product range and associated price points caused our customers to rethink and re-evaluate Sealy, and where we sat within the market.

Some people said we must be mad to make such a change, but we brought them on the journey. The sales team faced some significant challenges in this period of change too, as we took the brand upmarket.

But we soon discovered that many of our retailers supported us, and in fact wanted us to operate in this new space – and now we’ve got a proposition that gets us into new places.

In the last 12 months, it’s been amazing to see how the belief in our product and our business has taken hold, and it’s gathered pace quickly as we grow and succeed.

Working with customers

Whilst we are not prepared to compromise our new direction, we appreciate there needs to be a degree of flexibility, albeit in

line with our principles and newly defined product segments.

We will always want to be accommodating to retailers and their needs – and that means working together, but, at the same time, stepping up to a more premium product. Moving into the premium space has created a halo effect, too – the wider Sealy range is now selling better.

Fundamentally, throughout the whole process, our new owners have listened and understood – they have been incredibly supportive. It’s been encouraging, to say the least. We’ve learned a great deal from Sealy of Australia’s bestpractice approaches – and, in turn, our business in the UK provides the opportunity for the global business to learn new approaches to things like sustainability and flammability treatments that have a much greater impact here, and these could be

applied to Sealy products across the globe, possibly breaking new ground in other territories.

I’ve just come back from visiting Sealy’s head office and manufacturing facility in Brisbane. I also visited a number of retailers, and I now have an even greater understanding of our direction. Sealy is the number-one brand in Australia, with significant market share – there’s a very good blueprint there!

There’s a lot of focus on recruiting and developing the right people to take the business into the future. As well as cultivating the right attitude, that means ensuring staff have multiple skillsets – the possibility to move from sales to production, or finance to marketing, for example. There’s plenty of examples of strong progression opportunities and succession in Sealy around the world.

I’m now looking forward to the next phase of our journey. We’ve taken the first steps and built a solid platform, we know our forward plan, and we’re already reaping the benefits. We’re starting this FY in a strong position indeed, and we’re launching more innovation later this year.

We’ve truly come a long way since that first lockdown.

VISIT SEALY UK ON STAND B40 AT THE BED SHOW

“Some said we must be mad to make such a change, but we brought them on the journey

Posturepedic Elevate Ultra

The latest Highgrove range has all your customers covered.

Highgrove is delighted to unveil its 21st Anniversary Collection at The Bed Show, with virtually every brochure model represented on the stand plus a few new and exciting specifications.

These range from innovative new comfort and support technologies, including our latest AdvantEdge ® Pocket Spring System, health promoting CopperSleep®, temperature controlling ChiroGel® and our latest ErgoMatic adjustable and Ottoman specifications being unveiled for the first time.

Total Support all the way.

There has never been greater customer choice from Highgrove. Each of our beds has clear benefits for better sleep and is backed up by high quality in-store point of sale supplied free of charge to our appointed stockists.

Whatever your customers want, we’ve got it and available with our 7 day Express Delivery Service.

We’ve got some great Show Offers and look forward to you visiting our Stand F120 at the Bed Show, 26 and 27 September, Telford International Centre.

Calls to end mattress recycling "postcode lottery"

Last month, the NBF called on the Government to support its plans for a nationwide programme to fund a service enabling everyone to recycle their used mattresses.

Around 4.75 million mattresses every year end up in landfill or are incinerated in the UK – equivalent to an area almost four times the size of the City of London, and enough to fill Wembley Stadium twice or the Royal Albert Hall 22 times, says the NBF.

While some parts of the country are well equipped with facilities to recycle end-of-life mattresses, either at the local household waste recycling centre or via a household collection service, many are not, with the fragmented system amounting to “a postcode lottery”, says the association.

Last September, the NBF’s fourth report on the rate of mattress recycling in the UK showed that while the number of mattresses being sent for recycling between 2014-22 had more than doubled to 24%, the ‘real’ rate of recycling – the fate of the mattresses or their components and materials after sorting and processing –was lower, at an estimated 14%. The NBF has a target of 75% diversion from landfill by 2028.

“In the current economic climate, with so many pressures on local government budgets, it is not surprising that mattress recycling provision is so patchy across the UK. However, given the ever-growing concern about global warming and increasing demand from consumers for sustainable options, we believe that

the Government should move towards implementing a national mattress recycling service as a priority,” comments the NBF’s director of special projects, Jessica Alexander.

The NBF, which last year launched an industry-wide Pledge for Our Planet, has seen the number of signatories from its bed company members more than double in the last 12 months. These businesses have committed to coming together to take steps that will address global environmental damage at both a company and productlevel to reverse these trends. The pledge includes progressive targets for halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050, in line with the Science-Based Targets Initiative.

“While many of our members are on a sustainability journey, working to find ways of operating in a more environmentally friendly way and developing products which reuse materials or can be recycled, it is still

a real worry that so many mattresses end up in landfill,” Jessica continues.

“We have been actively supporting the development of the Register of Approved Mattress Recyclers (RAMR) which is now up and running, with the aim of helping to ensure that the 1.5 million mattresses a year which are currently diverted from landfill are recycled in a responsible way. RAMR will help local authorities, public bodies and businesses wishing to dispose of used mattresses to identify responsible, reputable operators with whom they can work.

“Given their size and mix of component materials, mattresses are difficult to dispose of responsibly, and often the public simply does not know what to do for the best when their mattress reaches the end of its life. In the current landscape, we advise consumers to take the time to find their nearest recycling facility that will strip it down into its parts for reuse, or, alternatively, to organise for a specialist licensed company to come to collect it from their house. Most importantly, beware of people in white vans offering to pick your mattress up for free or at a ‘bargain’ price – these rogue traders may take your old mattress and stuff it into a new cover to resell or dump it at the roadside!

“Our industry is offering leadership to solve this postcode lottery for those wanting to have their old mattress recycled and not dumped in landfill – we are calling on Government to play its part too, with a regulative framework giving industry confidence to invest.”

A membership video with a twist

This summer, the NBF produced an unconventional member testimonial video using puppets to increase awareness and promote the benefits of joining the trade association.

Despite its humorous approach, the three-minute video has a serious message – that the NBF works hard to support its members, with its stringent code of practice, sustainability agenda and active events programme referenced as some of its most noteworthy achievements in recent history.

“When researching ahead of production, we found endless member and employee testimonial videos that were quite frankly

boring and didn’t inspire or engage the audience,” comments Simon Williams, the NBF’s head of marketing and membership. “We wanted to think outside the box and instantly grab the viewer’s attention to keep them hooked.

“From the Spring Forum and AGM to the Bed Show, as well as regular market intelligence and sustainability support, in the members’ own words, the video perfectly highlights the brilliant things the NBF is doing to support members, and why companies should consider joining.”

Representatives spoke about the best parts of NBF membership, the most valuable things the NBF has done in its recent history, and, if a company was thinking about becoming a member of the NBF, the advice they would give them to make the most of their membership.

The video is available to watch via the NBF’s YouTube channel, at bit.ly/45DmFau.

The bed sector's B2B bonanza

The

The National Bed Federation’s awardwinning show returns to Telford International Centre from 26-27th September, and it is shaping up to be another memorable event. With an abundance of exhibitors present, from some of the biggest names in beds and component supplies to smaller, niche players, visitors are promised a product selection that meets every demand.

This year, visitors will see the latest from the likes of Breasley, Deluxe Beds, Harrison Spinks, Hypnos, Jay-Be, Millbrook, Relyon, Sealy UK, Silentnight, Sleepeezee, Vogue Beds and Vispring, to name just a few.

Representing Glasswells, which won last year’s Large NBF Retail Champion of the Year and Outstanding Bed Store of the Year accolades, buyer Julie Valentine says: “The excellent selection of products on display at the show provides a superb opportunity for us to plan our new ranges, and there are always plenty of new innovations being launched to keep our bed department on top of current market trends.”

Sharon Robson, head of PR and

www.bedshow.co.uk

communications at MattressOnline, comments: “The Bed Show is a real highlight in the calendar, giving us the opportunity to touch base with our suppliers and peers and discover products and innovations that are new and upcoming to the industry. We look forward to the camaraderie and excitement of the annual event.”

The Supplier Innovation Zone should be the first port of call for bed manufacturers’ purchasing managers, and those that run their own mattress production units. The show area will host component suppliers including Apropa, Boyteks, CPS Group, Enkev, Handy, John Cotton Nonwovens, Kayfoam, Leggett & Platt, Maes Mattress Ticking, Nestor Springs, Rawsons, Spinks, The Vita Group and Wolf Components.

As the first day draws to a close, the gala dinner and Bed Industry Awards ceremony will return, with celebrity host, comedian Maisie Adam, all set to keep the guests entertained and the evening flowing. The awards, sponsored this year by The Vita Group, celebrate all that is good

about the UK and Irish bed industry, and are an opportunity for bed manufacturers, suppliers and retailers to highlight their achievements from the past year.

This year, 10 companies across the industry will be declared winners. The NBF member awards include: Bed Product of the Year; Component Product of the Year; Bed Manufacturer of the Year; Component Supplier of the Year; and NBF Member Sales Agent/Rep of the Year.

For retailers that predominantly stock NBF member brands, awards up for grabs include: Small NBF Retail Champion of the Year; Large NBF Retail Champion of the Year; National Bed Retailer of the Year; Online Bed Retailer of the Year; and Ad of the Year. Find out more on p46.

Guests are invited to attend the drinks reception, sponsored by Hypnos, from 6.45pm. This will be followed by a sit-down dinner and awards ceremony from 7.45pm. To attend the Bed Show, and to find out more about the awards, visit the event’s website – and read on to learn about the products lined up for launch …

NBF Bed Show is back! As hundreds of bed buyers and specifiers prepare to descend on Telford International Centre this month, Bed Buyer takes an in-depth look at what they can expect to find at the UK’s biggest bed-focused fixture …

“Visitors are promised a product selection that meets every demand

NBF MEMBER EXHIBITORS

GUEST EXHIBITORS

Force of nature

Bed Buyer’s cover star H Living is best known for its upholstered bed bases, frames and headboards, and the Natural Collection, a range of mattresses handcrafted in the UK that feature materials including cashmere, silk, bamboo and viscose – all delivered at a more competitive price point than one might expect …

www.hyderliving.com

This year’s Bed Show will see the Huddersfield-based manufacturer/importer extend its natural offer, incorporating natural fillings of an even higher quality – yet, in keeping with today’s straitened economic backdrop, each model has been carefully engineered to ensure it remains within reach of today’s more cash-strapped consumer.

“These are turbulent times, and people’s budgets are feeling it,” says MD Biny Hyder, “but we’re managing to maintain a good degree of optimism. We understand people’s need to be frugal, so we’re offering flexible payment plans. We make sure our products are built to last. We’re trying to accommodate retailers and end-customers alike, and to do so, our parameters are constantly changing.

“When it comes to our Natural Collection, we’ve been working hard to understand the complexity of the natural mattresses at the top of the market, and to apply our knowledge and skills to bring the quality of sleep they deliver to a broader section of society.”

In practice, he continues, that means removing any unnecessary excess, without compromising on quality: “I actually undertook a mystery shopper exercise of my own, and took delivery of a Natural Collection mattress in my home. What immediately struck me was its sheer size –it was so deep, so weighty … and so hard to manoeuvre.

“So, we went back to the drawing board, and re-engineered the range to ensure it suited a broader spectrum of households. The result is a product that’s more sensitive to the space constraints of most homes, that’s retained its aesthetic appeal.”

While the collection has become more accessible as a result, Biny was adamant that the manufacturer’s popular bespoke element be retained. “Like making a Subway sandwich, customers can still select what they believe to be the bestperforming filling in-store,” he explains. “We’ve just made sure we’re not adding any components or fillings just for the sake of it.”

The decision to correct the collection’s course went hand with a plan to formulate a concrete environmental strategy for the business, with the help of consultant Oakdene Hollins.

“We already utilise numerous sustainable components and processes, but today there’s a greater sense of urgency to ensure our approach is effective,” says Biny. “Achieving net zero is commercially important, and necessary for our survival as a species – and we’re currently developing a series of plans, both short and long term, to ensure we’re going in the right direction. In the face of incoming EPR regulations, we want to be one of the businesses setting the standards, not just following them.”

The desire to futureproof the business also prompted Biny to introduce a 22m-long rolled mattress line this summer, which can flexibly process mattresses of various size and com-position to suit demand. “We recognised a gap in our product offer for a next-day, take-home volume product, and our rolled mattress range will be going into around 100 stores from next month,” he

says. “The philosophy is simple – if you can sleep on it, we want to produce it!”

Alongside an enhanced white-label proposition, these latest developments illustrate the philosophy at the heart of the business – a desire to get ahead of the curve, while continuing to deliver highquality, high-value product in line with customer demand. Having invested some £0.5m in staff, infrastructure, machinery, customer services and more this year alone, Biny is now looking to the next stage of H Living’s journey.

“At this year’s Bed Show, we’ll be unveiling competitively priced natural product that stacks up well against our premium competitors, and we’re offering exclusive access and added incentives to the first 50 shops to take it up,” he concludes. “Come and visit our stand to discover the ultimate synergy of comfort, sleep, health, and a sustainable future!”

H Living’s Natural Collection has been re-engineered to maximise its value

VISIT H LIVING ON STAND F20 AT THE BED SHOW

Highgrove hits new heights

Since it was established 21 years ago, Highgrove Beds has gone on to become one of the UK’s biggest bed brands, boasting operational, marketing and service facilities many competitors can only dream of …

www.highgrovebeds.co.uk

Highgrove’s Liversedge operation is one of the biggest and most modern in Europe, producing up to 5000 beds each week.

Owner Wazarat Ali purchased the 22-acre site in 2017, and, following approximately £12m of further investment, the facility now boasts some 600,000ft2 of manufacturing and warehousing capacity, which also includes a 100,000ft2 distribution centre and a foam conversion plant.

The latest site investment is a new headboard manufacturing unit, which will also soon have the capability of producing bed frames, primarily for the UK market.

The company’s product portfolio comprises three brands: HG at the entry level; the flagship Highgrove brand, targeting the mid-market; and Sanctum, which provides traditional hand-crafted luxury to the premium price sector.

This year’s Bed Show will see Highgrove present every model in its range – including the recently introduced Coppersleep and ChiroGel models, which feature a new-andimproved AdvantEdge spring system.

Highgrove will also expand its adjustable bed offer, while adding several new cover innovations. HG will boast a wide range of high-value roll-up mattresses, and the Sanctum stand will feature the full collection of handcrafted models.

Highgrove is one of the UK’s fastest-

growing bed brands, reporting year-end sales in 2022 of more than £28m – up from £23m the previous year. Mr Ali’s son, Saleem, is now helping to take the business forward, and is confident that Highgrove will achieve £50m sales within the next five years, as the company targets new markets both at home and abroad.

“We now have the foundations to take the business to its next tier of development,” he says, “and we are particularly pleased and proud to have attained both the Sedex and ISO 9001 standards in recent years, which further highlights our ongoing commitment to the highest-quality environmental and ethical standards.”

Several years ago, Highgrove made the strategic decision to put its weight behind independent bricks-and-mortar retail, at a time when many established brands were looking to sell directly to consumers online. Since then, the business has invested more than £750,000 in high-impact in-store displays, which have been made available free of charge to Highgrove’s Appointed Stockists.

“Clearly, our brands can be found on the internet via our customers’ websites,” explains Saleem, “but our high street collections are still exclusively available to independent retailers, and not available for online sales.”

So, what does the future hold for Highgrove? “The business has invested well in people, plant and machinery, and is well placed to take advantage of any new opportunities that arise,” says Saleem. “Our aim is to establish Highgrove Beds as a well-known consumer brand that is a fitting legacy to my father’s original aims when he founded the business.”

Coppersleep, one of Highgrove’s latest innovations

VISIT HIGHGROVE BEDS ON STANDS F120 AND G70 AT THE BED SHOW

Highgrove will expand its adjustable range at this year’s show

The new ChiroGel model boasts temperature-regulating qualities

Crafted by expert hands right here in the UK using the very finest natural materials, Sanctum is the epitome of luxury and comfort in a premium bed brand. Luxurious viscose damask covers, an engineered pocket spring system for total body support, plus an extensive range of base options with enhanced drawers and exceptionally stylish headboards. All supported by stunning in-store POS and unrivalled delivery service. Sanctum really does represent excellent value for money.

We look forward to you visiting our Stand G70 at the Bed Show, 26 and 27 September, Telford International Centre

406 600

In with the new

Sleepeezee will launch a large number of new products and collections at the show, backed with impressive marketing and in-store support for its retail partners, as well as a promotional calendar for the new year …

www.sleepeezee.com

In celebration of Sleepeezee’s upcoming 100-year birthday, a new collection named Centurial will be launchied, which focuses on luxurious natural materials such as British wool, alpaca and cashmere.

Each mattress will have a chemical-free soft damask cover, will be genuinely handside stitched for additional support and tailoring, and will be finished off with unique gold embroidery with a 100-year logo, plus PoS support for retailers to use in-store. Every model is made using some of the finest materials, says Sleepeezee, and is available in two different comfort tensions “to ensure the right comfort level for every consumer”.

Alongside this will be two new memory foam ranges with new technologies featured within them – one of which will be a range exclusive to bricks-and-mortar retailers.

A refreshed adjustables collection featuring three new models and an updated motion base with more technology built in, plus a brand-new children’s mattress collection, will also be launching at the show – Sleepeezee will even have its very own children’s book to support the new children’s bed collection.

Finally, a new Which award-winning Hybrid model will launched on Sleepeezee’s stand.

Amy Curtis, head of marketing, comments: “We’re excited to be attending the NBF Bed Show again this month, and look forward to showing our retail partners all the great new products we have on offer,

and to kick off celebrations for our 100-year birthday. Everything we are taking to the show this year is brand new, so there is plenty for the retailers to come and see –not to mention we will have a mixologist making celebratory 100-year-themed cocktails and mocktails on stand in the Sleepeezee bar too!”

Sleepeezee was proud to have recently won Furniture News’ Best Bed Supplier award, and Interiors Monthly’s Best Bed Manufacturer (mid market) award, both of which were voted for by the magazines’ readers.

“These awards are testament to the hard work of the entire Sleepeezee team, demonstrating the superior product offering and service we can provide,” Amy concludes.

VISIT SLEEPEEZEE ON STAND G30 AT THE BED SHOW

Discover GNG's enhanced offer

GNG Group, one of the UK’s most innovative mattress manufacturers, has further enhanced its diverse range of products …

www.gnggroup.co.uk

Using its experience as an approved supplier to the NHS, GNG has developed its brand-new KomfiMed range, an industry first which combines medically proven foam with TrueGel technology, plus the environmental benefits of Ecofoam. This product delivers excellent pressure relief, says GNG, while minimising motion transfer and regulating temperature to provide a peaceful night’s sleep.

Specifically engineered for enhanced support, the range offers impressive spinal alignment and relieves stress on joints. A highly advanced material, known for its exceptional comfort and therapeutic benefits, medically proven foam is crafted with precision and adherence to strict quality standards. It offers a supportive sleep surface while conforming to the body’s contours.

The range is available in soft, medium and firm options.

The Komfi collections include the vacuum-packed Unity range, launched last year, which provides an affordably priced mattress, and is proving very popular, says the mattressmaker. Offering impressive value as well as quality and comfort, Unity also delivers the benefits of Ecofoam, which is made from 100% recycled and reengineered foam, and is able to be entirely recycled when it reaches the end of its natural life.

All products in the Komfi Unity range have recently achieved Crib 5 (Ignition Source 5) accreditation, making them suitable for the contract market. Following rigorous testing, these models have passed the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, and are now categorised as being Crib 5 Medium Hazard, in line with BS7177.

The Komfi range is suitable for the rental market, student accommodation, hotels, bed and breakfast accommodation, holiday parks and boarding schools.

The luxury Sonlevo brand is also available from GNG. Complete with unique TrueGel grid system technology, the range promises maximum support while minimising pressure and regulating temperature.

Offering posture support and comfort, the entire Sonlevo range is recommended to its members by the Football Medicine and Performance Association, which agrees that these mattresses help achieve the best sleep and, consequently, the best performance.

GNG also represents Nectar Sleep. With a focus on comfort, combined with a 365-night trial and lifetime warranty, Nectar Sleep mattresses are designed to meet the demands of modern living.

Richard Gretton, GNG’s commercial director, comments: “Our in-house team

here at GNG are constantly looking for ways to improve our products while retaining great price points for our customers across all of our ranges, from the popular vacuumpacked Komfi models to our premium Sonlevo brand. We offer stock discounts and quick lead times, and do everything we can to support retailers and enable them to offer their customers an affordable, quality product, which is more important than ever in the current challenging economy.”

With purpose-built 40,000ft2 manufacturing facilities in West Yorkshire, GNG is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of rolled mattresses, and has been accredited as a carbon neutral company.

See the complete Komfi and KomfiMed range, along with Sonlevo and Nectar Sleep, at this year’s Bed Show.

range delivers both pressure relief and temperature regulation

Pro

Landmark moment for Sweet Dreams

At this year’s show, Sweet Dreams will introduce Landmark – a sustainable line that the manufacturer says heralds “a new era in UK bedmaking” … www.sweetdreamsuk.com

Sweet Dreams’ new Landmark range comprises six beds that feature foam-free fillings, and sleep surfaces made from ecofriendly sustainable fabrics.

After signing the NBF Pledge for Our Planet, Sweet Dreams set about developing a range that would place it firmly on a path in line with the pledge’s five tenets: demonstrate commitment to becoming a more sustainable business; reduce global warming impact; reduce waste; reduce products’ impact on the environment; and take responsibility for one’s actions.

Sales manager Nick Williams says: “After signing the NBF pledge last September, this is our first launch of our more sustainable, eco-friendly products.

“Our components are responsibly sourced, using many recycled elements, and making the product more recyclable at the end of its life, with the aim to make beds better for the environment,” he continues. “The mattress offer is based on our three best-selling springs systems – 1000 and 2000 pocket, and the 12.5 gauge open coil – and the eco-friendly fillings include Platinum, which is free from chemicals, with sustainability at the forefront, and 100% recyclable at the end of its life.”

However, the sustainable credentials are by no means limited to the mattresses. “The Landmark base comes with a choice of six fabulous 100% GRS-certified 100% recycled base fabrics,” explains Nick. “The GRS standard applies to the full supply chain,

and addresses traceability, environmental principles, social requirements, chemical content and labelling.

“The benefit of GRS is that our Landmark base, border and headboard fabrics will feature -94% less water use, -59% less energy use and -32% less CO2 emissions in the production process.

“The Landmark base fabric is the first of its type available from Sweet Dreams, and the mattresses will feature a co-ordinated border manufactured from the same sustainable fabric as the bases, affording the bed a luxurious look and feel.

“Continuing with the sustainable story, all Landmark bases and matching headboards feature FSC-certified wood. Non-storage, two- and four-drawer, front and side ottoman options are available as standard, and Landmark comes in double, king and super-king sizes.”

Landmark will be showcased at this year’s Bed Show alongside a range of bestselling beds from Sweet Dreams’ main catalogue, and its internet-only Eden bed range.

“We’re really excited about the impact Landmark will have at the NBF show,” concludes Nick.

Landmark in grey

VISIT SWEET DREAMS ON STAND G50 AT THE BED SHOW

Landmark

Feel good, do good, says Shire

Multi-award-winning bed manufacturer Shire Beds says its strength comes from its ability to respond to fresh demand with agility, while ensuring it puts the retailer – and their customer – at the forefront of everything it does …

www.shirebeds.co.uk

Shire states that the recent appointment of bed industry veteran Stuart Hibbert to the role of COO in these circumstances demonstrates the company’s ambition to maintain its impressive growth trajectory, adding that he has hit the ground running.

Working closely with MD Sajid Butt, Stuart initially rationalised, then developed the range – and Shire Beds says its new Generators products are proving “hugely popular”: “The Ravello and Capri ranges are hand-side-stitched, tufted, pocket-sprung ranges. With the option of personalising with own-brand labelling and POS, it has seen huge take up.

“The bestselling Artisan Range –particularly the Picasso, a cool blue gel encapsulated product – continues to lead the market in the encapsulated sector, while the NBF Product of the Year Signature Collection of luxury, high-count pocket spring mattresses, maintains good sales as an award-winning product.

“Whilst most products have eco-design principles at their heart, Shire Beds’ EverLife range goes further, being made

from recycled products and recyclable at the end of its life.EverLife by Shire Beds offers comfort that feels good and does good. Launched in January, it has seen significant interest and good sales.”

Sustainable products often come at a significantly higher price point, yet Shire says it understands that, in challenging economic circumstances, doing good should not incur a price.

As a responsible manufacturer, Shire Beds believes in the circular economy model as a vital element to protecting the planet. The business employs ethical and sustainable practices and processes in its manufacturing and, in line with this, has attained FSC certification as a company, and signed the NBF Pledge for Our Planet, to further its sustainability journey.

Shire Beds’ EverLife sustainable range saves bottles from going to landfill and polluting the earth’s oceans. The range combines comfort and sustainability to give a restful night’s sleep. EverLife softtouch sustainable fabric is made of 76% upcycled plastic bottles, is 95% recyclable

at the end of the mattress’ life, and also uses eco-clean, chemical-free FR, says Shire.

EverLife complements Shire’s biodegradable Heaven 7 range, and is available in 1000-, 2000- and 3000-pocket spring models. The comfort layers and insulator pads are also made of recycled materials, and are recyclable or reusable at the mattress’ end of life (EOL).

“Overall, it is one of the most sustainable mattresses on the market,” says Shire. “With high specification and attractive pricing, it is gaining floor space quickly with retailers.

“Shire Beds is becoming a strong, desirable, must-have brand in furniture retail, that offers the retailer excellent sales opportunities. The quality offering, in line with eco-design principles, has elevated the Shire Beds brand with a wider range of retailers – and now, with the sustainable EverLife range, Shire Beds has a growing range of sustainable products, catalysing its journey of carbon reduction and towards net zero.”

Offering "sleep heaven" since 1927

The Burgess name has been synonymous with the manufacture and supply of high-quality beds and mattresses since its formation in North Manchester in 1927.

www.burgessbeds.co.uk

The Burgess Bedding Company still operates from its Lancashire home, employing around 40 staff, and striving to supply the best sleep solutions, both at home and overseas.

Burgess’ ethos is to provide beautifully upholstered luxurious – yet affordable –beds, and comfortable mattresses, across all budgets, and to build on its relationships with a network of retailers across the UK.

As a proud example of a small British manufacturing business, Burgess supplies customers operating across all platforms, from bricks-and-mortar retail to online pureplays, under Burgess branding, white label, or a combination of the two.

MD Matt Dwyer says: “Whilst we fully engage and support our online clients, we do also remain firmly committed to our bricks-and-mortar retail clients. We appreciate the efforts and challenges they have, and work hard to try and create a great quality product and service to facilitate a genuine opportunity for valueadded sales.

“It is important to ourselves and our retailers that Burgess offers something that little bit different. For a small brand, it is not realistic to expect to be in all stores in all towns – the ideal scenario is that a Burgess can be purchased across the country from a specialist small number of retailers in each geographical area.”

Burgess is also proud to manufacture and supply the bespoke interior design sector in both commercial and domestic sectors, often creating impressive designs from clients’ pen-and-paper design briefs. Dave Riley, production manager at the Haslingden site, comments: “Whilst the highly bespoke nature of some of our design work creates challenges, it really creates something quite special and unique for our customers.”

Burgess will again be attending the NBF Bed Show, where it plans to showcase its new Lancastrian collection of luxury mattresses – which it says comprises some

of the best local fillings, springs and fabrics – alongside a new range of bed frames.

The company is now jointly owned by Matt Dwyer in the UK, and business partner Karl Shevick, founder of the US online certified-organic mattress brand Sleep on Latex. On the investment, Karl says: “We got involved in Burgess in March 2020 following the administration of Burgess Beds.

“It was clear at the time that the main assets of the business were the product, the people, and its rich history, and we shared Matt’s vision and belief that this, and almost a century of provenance in the market, was clearly something worth protecting – and, importantly, something which could be built on for future success.”

Burgess has been busy investing in the management team, manufacturing and distribution hardware, and, more importantly, in new product ranges. A new website is also under construction, and Burgess is currently working with Manchester-based brand agency Like a River to further develop its commercial offering, while maintaining its commitment to sustainability via the NBF’s Pledge for Our Planet and its Certified Organic Status.

Burgess’ team is excited to meet customers both old and new at the show, and, to facilitate future growth, has agency opportunities available in a number of areas – notably Scotland, Ireland, the Midlands and the South East.

VISIT THE BURGESS BEDDING CO ON STAND F100 AT THE BED SHOW

Lancastrian set and Harvey bedstead

Grande pillowtop

Pioneering partnerships fuel Hypnos' charge

Iconic bedmaking brand Hypnos is approaching its 120-year anniversary in 2024, and promises to kick off celebrations at the Bed Show with an array of new products and thought-provoking concepts …

www.hypnosbeds.com/uk

As its next chapter unfolds, Hypnos continues to celebrate its traditional bedmaking heritage and progressive values – while, thanks to the support of myriad distinguished partners and trusted retailers, the bedmaker’s Royal Warrant and innovative collaborations bolster the brand’s enduring consumer appeal.

Recent projects with exclusive hotels such as The Other House, Royal Lancaster, and Soho House, have been highlighted in the exclusive Hotel Hypnos series.

Each project exemplifies the business’ commitment to enabling sleep and wellbeing, and the value of luxurious comfort, design and craftsmanship.

Over the last six years, Hypnos has refined its approach to comfort and sustainability, forging pioneering partnerships and embracing its mission to become a global leader in innovative luxury bed design – adopting ‘comfort with integrity’ as its mantra.

Last month, Hypnos was thrilled to receive Furniture News’ Readers’ Choice Award for Sustainable Thinking, alongside an award for its Organic mattresses at the Best of Organic Market Awards 2023. Recognised by multiple certification bodies and the Planet Mark, and a holder of a Queens Award for Enterprise for Sustainability 2020, Hypnos is committed to sustainable thinking in its bed design and manufacture, with a mission to encourage healthy, sustainable and responsible sleep.

In 2022, Hypnos introduced the Responsible Wool Standard to British wool farming, further elevating its traceable British wool story. As the first brand in any industry to use British wool that meets this

internationally recognised standard, this development supports recognition for this versatile, British-farmed fibre, bringing a whole host of benefits for farmers, animals and the environment.

In fact, Hypnos’ continued pioneering partnership with the Eden Project, and the company’s dedication to achieving circular design and protecting biodiversity, has inspired a quest for more innovative plantbased solutions which can help absorb carbon and make use of naturally available materials.

“Our unique partnership with the Eden Project is really important to us, and it’s evolving,” explains group MD David Baldry. “It’s been incredible to meet and work with their knowledgeable and visionary team, to understand their objectives and learn about how businesses, like Hypnos, can make a difference to tackling social and environmental problems.

“This month’s Bed Show will bear the fruits of these discussions, and introduce new and exciting collections to our retailers and consumers. We are looking forward to showcasing these in this very special year of celebration, and at this fantastic industry event!”

Hypnos’ David Baldry, Amanda Castle and Richard Naylor at the Eden Project this summer

Recent projects with exclusive hotels are highlighted in the Hotel Hypnos series

Get in the frame with Vogue

Vogue Beds Group began looking into the bedframe market a few years ago, and during the pandemic it started to design and develop its own upholstered bedframes in its factory. Due to the success of this product, the bedmaker began to explore other options to extend its offer … www.voguebeds.co.uk

After conducting market research, the business found that there was a high demand for wooden frames, and decided that its Vogue Imports division needed to be part of this growing trend, says business development and marketing manager, Bilkis Patel: “This is our foray into importing bedframes, and we are working with a great company we’ve known for over a decade in Malaysia.

“We looked at the trends of wooden bedframes, and after extensive research we introduced our first imported bedframe last year at the January Furniture Show. During this product launch, we received positive feedback from our customers, due to the fact that the head-end boards could be customised in our 25 fabrics, so customers could customise the final finish.

“We wanted to introduce imported frames, and, like everything else we release, we wanted to add a twist and make it ‘Vogue’ – which is how the idea of upholstered head-end boards came about, and made our wooden bedframes unique.

“Predominantly, we are a manufacturer of mattresses – but we are also opportunists, and this is a great opportunity to target a new audience while adding our own

profile of products. These frames are a fantastic addition to our current range, and our customers can continue to buy our mattresses, while having the option to purchase headboards, divans and bedframes from us, too.

“As always, we’re striving to be a ‘onestop shop’, and give our customer base what they want.”

The models available include: VB-030, an elegant wooden upholstered bedframe with

a minimalistic design, and an upholstered head-end available in 25 fabric options (the frame is available in an oak or walnut finish, and is made from solid rubberwood with finger joint lamination, and a wooden slatted base with middle support); and VB – 020, a Shaker-style design in a painted finish that would suit a lighter room (made from solid pine, and available in White or Dove Grey, also with a wooden slatted base with middle support).

VISIT VOGUE BEDS GROUP ON STAND B20 AT THE BED SHOW

A collection of Wooden Bedframes available with UK fabrics

We have combined the best of our imported range of bedframes by adding where possible UK craftsmanship in upholstering fabrics to these wooden frames

Ahead of the curve

Over the last decade, Mammoth has built a reputation as a leader in health and wellbeing, and the brand that brought Medical Grade foam and PostureCells to the mattress market – and it hasn’t rested on these laurels …

www.mammothuk.com

Scientific testing, health award wins and exclusive partnerships with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy have helped to demonstrate Mammoth’s commitment to innovation and pursuit of excellence, but its team has refused to stand still, and has continued to innovate and develop new technologies – which are ready to bring to the market for the first time this September.

In an all-new Comfort collection, Mammoth will showcase a product portfolio that builds on its market-leading technologies by adding a number of fresh features and materials designed to enhance comfort and hygiene.

Among the headline features now available is the brand’s new IceClass cooltouch fabric, a thermoregulating textile designed to optimise temperature and keep the skin comfortable through the night. IceClass fabric utilises a Dual Moisture Management system that reportedly equalises the hydration balance of the skin, preventing clamminess and ensuring sleepers never feel too hot or cold.

Another new feature to launch at the

Bed Show is AirSpace, a cross-sectional air channel that sits between the comfort layers of the mattress on Mammoth’s first-ever pillowtop offering, the Altitude mattress.

Finally, Mammoth will debut its allnew Latex HyBlend mattress. Combining Medical Grade foam, pocket springs and a newly created Medical Grade latex layer, the HyBlend is “a sumptuous, breathable and pressure-relieving mattress that needs to be experienced to be believed”, says Mammoth.

MD Mike Hobson says: “Mammoth made its name in bringing new ideas, new materials and a new approach to the sleep space. And we’ve continued to stay ahead of the curve by carrying out more research, testing and prototyping as we explore the science of comfort.

“I’m massively excited to be revealing the all-new Comfort collection this September at the Bed Show, because I know we have put together a product range that will genuinely make a difference to people’s sleep – helping them live healthier, happier lives.”

The Bed Show will also feature Mammoth’s recently launched Active mattress and a new online-only collection, Mammoth Essentials, which is designed to make Mammoth’s health technologies accessible to all.

For stockist information, contact sales@ mammothuk.com.

Mike Hobson

VISIT MAMMOTH ON STAND A20 AT THE BED SHOW

Mammoth's pedigree for performance

Mammoth has long been a go-to choice for elite athletes and weekend warriors looking for a restorative night’s sleep. At this year’s Bed Show, Mammoth will showcase its newly launched Active mattress – a unique product clearly targeted at the health and fitness market.

The Active mattress is available in four models – each designed to pack in the power of pressure relief, support, hygiene and temperature regulation.

A soft, luxurious ProBio cover protects against allergens using 100% natural

www.mammothuk.com

probiotics to eliminate bacteria, dust mites and odours. Underneath come the comfort layers, combining pocket springs, Sky Foam V2, and Mammoth’s unique and naturally cooling Medical Grade foam, a technology scientifically shown by Northumbria University’s Centre for Sleep Research to improve sleep.

Each model incorporates more Medical Grade foam and memory foam than the last, while the top two models in the collection –the MA30 and MA40 – feature an additional 1000 pocket mini springs for even greater postural support.

As a health award winner, and official partner of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Mammoth continues to innovate and further its reputation as a leading health mattress brand – illustrated by the many professional athletes and international sports stars who trust their performance to the brand.

MD Mike Hobson explains: “The

opportunity in the health and fitness space is massive right now – particularly with the under-40s – and it’s an area of the market that we’re committed to helping retailers target effectively.”

For stockist information, contact sales@ mammothuk.com.

The True Bedmakers

We have been creating the ultimate in luxurious comfort since 1840, making mattresses that have been lovingly homegrown and handmade in the heart of Yorkshire.

From growing our own natural fillings, to designing glue free spring systems and weaving our own fabrics, we are passionate about leading the way in luxury sustainable sleep.

Say hello to Bye Bye Bed

A mission to “rebuild the world one mattress at a time” by Yorkshire-based mattress recycler/manufacturer Bye Bye Bed Ltd is on the expansion trail, founder Paul Beckett, who says he has revolutionised mattress recycling and ethical manufacturing with his innovative, “game-changing” and circular manufacturing model, is looking forward to welcoming more potential new clients at this year’s Bed Show …

www.reborn-products.com

www.byebyebed.com

Paul’s mantra reflects a tireless business approach to tackling the landfill dilemma. “It’s never too late to do the right thing,” says Paul, and through sustainable manufacturing, “setting worldwide remanufacturing benchmarks and standards for eco-design, flammability, integrity and cleanliness”, it seems there is a chance he could be right.

Putting aside the organic growth and financial benefits of the last 12 months, there are lots of positives in the Bye Bye Bed story, including various accolades received from bodies recognising the impact and achievements made by this ‘disruptor’ to the recycling industry – such as the recently awarded Global Good Award – Gold in the Circular Economy category. The judges endorse the business model as “ethically and socially responsible – currently, this is the only sustainable, scalable solution to the issue with end-of-life (EOL) mattresses”.

Bye Bye Bed is growing, too, with a staff increase of +35% YoY, set to increase again when the Reborn manufacturing branch moves into a larger site, making a positive impact on jobs locally.

In the past year, new products have been added, and others developed through improved use of recycled materials. Some are yet to be launched, some are in the process of being launched, and some are already with customers. With an impressive sales volume increase and financial growth (currently running at +892%, says Paul), the company has been able to reinvest, increasing its scope, and capability, and enabling further expansion.

“We’ve yet again strategically outgrown the current site that we occupied only 18 months ago, with project planning already under way for a move into a site nearly four times larger,” says Paul. “We’re growing at such a rate that it’s incredibly exciting, and satisfying.”

Bye Bye Bed and Reborn are also in discussions regarding involvement in the charity sector, on a project Paul believes fits within their environmental and social commitments.

Another issue being tackled at Bye Bye Bed is mattress fraud, whichis estimated to be costing the industry more than £100m. It is likely that anyone in or connected to the mattress industry is either aware of fraud or has complained about it at some point over the last decade – not only is it costing genuine manufacturers and retailers money, it is negatively impacting the image and reputation of the industry as a whole.

“There is a very simple reason why and how it started, and now there is a glimpse of hope in how you can help put an end to it,” says Paul. “Bye Bye Bed, and its revolutionary business model, can help fix this problem – an ethical and morally correct end-destination for EOL mattresses, clearly and transparently showing where and how recycled components are used in a variety of products across a full range of industry sectors.

“Why wouldn’t you want to send your EOL mattresses here? This minimises the quantity of materials supplied to rogue manufacturers, and reuses the materials in a diversified range of products from Reborn, the manufacturing arm of Bye Bye Bed.

“Better still for our clients, a circular economy solution allows us to drive down the price of the traditional mattress recycling gate fee, saving you money when the time comes to dispose of EOL mattresses, at the same time eradicating any consideration of financial benefit for diverting mattresses to landfill. Already offering the best recycling gate fee for foam within the industry, we are suggesting that popular, well-known mattress brands

should not let their foam be made into a product that directly competes with their core product!

“Why not contact us to find out more, and discuss how we can help you create your very own sustainable range from your very own waste stream? As our growth continues to boom, this same strategy will be followed for every other component retrieved from a post-consumer mattress. Visit us at the show, and see for yourself the revolutionary things we’re doing to help the industry and environment alike.”

The need for new thinking has never been more acute, and Bye Bye Bed appears to have found a sustainable, ethical and circular solution for 100% of the separated components, steadily building up its portfolio of sustainably manufactured products – which includes solutions for a range of sectors including pet, packaging, insulation, horticultural and leisure, plus recycled mattresses, pillows and toppers for the domestic and contract markets.

“Our latest range of pet beds, for example, offer incredible quality and value, beautiful designs, and high-grade recycled fabrics in muted tones,” says Paul, who concludes: “As well as helping businesses achieve Scope 3 and a fast track to net zero, we’re offering the consumer a choice they’ve never had before – either purchase a product manufactured from virgin raw materials (and pay the economic and ecological price), or choose a Reborn product, of the same integrity and legal compliance, but at a fraction of the price, and a tiny fraction of the ecological impact.”

FIND BYE BYE BED ON STAND D20 AT THE BED SHOW

L&P Springs UK, partner of choice

Leggett & Platt International Bedding delivers advanced bedding technology and superior comfort and support to customers worldwide, and its commitment to identifying the latest opportunities and adapting to market changes ensures it provides boundless sleep comfort to customers worldwide …

www.beddingcomponents-intl.com

Leggett & Platt continually invests in the bedding industry, offering leading technologies and a team strategically positioned to react to customer requirements with flexibility. This approach ensures the business provides value-adding comfort innovation and support in line with their needs.

A key aspect of the business’ success in providing award-winning components throughout the European market is its “global, yet local” approach – which starts with its state-of-the-art Leggett & Platt Springs UK facility.

A leading manufacturing facility filled with advanced production capabilities, Leggett & Platt Springs UK pairs an innovative, vertically integrated business with world-class professionalism. It strives to deliver bedding manufacturers a personal, flexible, local service, and to meet the demands and challenges of an everchanging landscape to help its customers succeed.

Leggett & Platt Springs UK has established Leggett & Platt International Bedding as a leader in the UK spring industry, while supporting its specialty foam and bed-in-a-box offerings through an in-house manufacturer serving the UK and Irish marketplaces. With facilities such as this, it is the partner of choice for many bedding companies seeking to source consistent, quality components, as well as looking to gain the operational and lower working capital advantages of L&P’s valueadd and supply chain solutions.

As it continues to support and strengthen the endeavors of its UK and foam businesses, Leggett & Platt is primarily focused on selling spring and wire-related products. These include semi-finished products to OEMs, and supporting finished mattress offerings to bed-in-a-box suppliers throughout the region. Its products often feature technologically advanced features or utilise technologically advanced processes in their production.

Leggett & Platt International Bedding also provides a wide range of industry-standard, volume-based product families which, through ongoing innovative development, respond to the market’s continually evolving sustainability focus. The business consistently invests in new products and improved production processes to be at the forefront of the industry.

Customers can learn more about these processes and product capabilities at the Bed Show, where they will have the chance to view the following up close …

Comfort layers

On display will be NanoCoil comfort layers, designed to boost coil counts and resist sagging. Visitors will be able to see how NanoCoil Edge, the latest iteration, pairs with ActivEdge spring perimeter solutions to provide support all the way to the edge.

Sustainable solutions

Leggett & Platt’s next-generation, focused manufacturing approach provides component, semi-finished, and finished solutions through material and handling efficiencies and space optimisation. Visitors can learn how the business strives to create new products and improve production processes without sacrificing quality or performance.

Semi-finished products

The business will also demonstrate how well its semi-finished bedding components pair with current standards or proprietary product lines. By combining innerspring and foam delivery, these products keep transportation and warehousing costs lower.

Configuration station

Visitors will be able to see firsthand how the innersprings and foams work together. On the show floor will be a unique configuration station where visitors can mix and match various Leggett & Platt products to create different feels and solutions.

Meet Leggett & Platt’s commercial team and learn more about its sleep comfort solutions at this year’s Bed Show.

VISIT LEGGETT & PLATT SPRINGS UK ON STANDS E60 AND F110 AT THE BED SHOW

Advanced technology and innovation

ensures the business is able to address

evolving consumer demand Leggett & Platt Springs UK’s Barnsley facility

Boyteks believes in the power of innovation

Boyteks – a principal concern of Erciyes Anadolu Holding, one of Turkey’s biggest textile groups – is ready to reveal its latest ticking solutions at this year’s show …

www.boyteks.com

With the help of an advanced ERP system, Boyteks executes every stage of textile production, from yarn to fabric creation, in its fully integrated facilities in Turkey.

As one of the world’s largest manufacturers of mattress ticking, Boyteks stands out on the global bedding stage, supplying solutions to more than 100 countries.

“Every year, we touch more than 30 million human lives in more than 100 countries,” states Boyteks. “We put human and the planet at the heart of what we do. We like to make fabrics, and we produce fabrics that have a purpose.”

Boyteks offers mattress ticking to meet the varied demands of today’s bedmakers. These include:

Nettle

Thanks to the unique structure of stinging nettle, Boyteks’ award-winning Nettle mattress ticking helps provide naturally regulated temperature and a comfortable sleeping environment.

BioGreen

Boyteks developed the BioGreen mattress ticking concept with bio-based raw materials, in order to leave the world a more inhabitable place for future generations.

BioGreen is an innovative ticking that consists of natural products with herbal content.

Hydrogel

Hydrogel was developed from gelcontaining products in order to contribute to the body’s moisture balance – Boyteks says the cooling effect results in a better quality sleep environment.

OzoneTherapy

OzoneTherapy mattress ticking purportedly reduces the negative effects of free radicals and oxidative stress during sleep. Crystallised minerals in the ticking’s structure are activated by body temperature, and create active ions in the environment, which Boyteks says reduce the effect of free radicals and help reduce oxidative stress, similar in effect to ozone therapy.

ReTURN

Boyteks’ environmentally friendly approach prompted it to develop ReTURN mattress ticking, which decomposes faster in nature: “Thanks to the ReTURN mattress ticking, which we developed by adding special enzymes and using polyester threads, we contribute to reducing environmental

pollution – we’ve enabled it to dissolve 90 times faster than normal fabric.”

Rose

Rose mattress ticking containing rose protein has been developed to contribute to healthier skin, says Boyteks: “Rose mattress ticking gives vitality to the skin and provides a healthier sleeping environment.”

Slimfit

As a result of the increase in fat tissue in the body due to the irregular and excessive accumulation of fat under the skin, skin surface disorders usually occur in the legs, abdomen and hips, which can result in an unhealthy appearance, says Boyteks –which developed Slimfit mattress ticking to help prevent these disorders, and to give the skin a tighter and more attractive appearance.

Synergy

“Contrary to popular belief, sleep is not just a process in which the body becomes passive so the body can rest,” says Boyteks. “At rest and during sleep, the body continues to lose energy constantly – so we have developed Synergy mattress ticking in order to regain lost energy during the day and to prevent energy loss during sleep.”

Boyteks executes every stage of textile production in its fully integrated facilities in Turkey

The benefits of product protection

The focus on each and every customer that walks through the shop door has never been sharper, as maximising every sale is vital, says Gowsh Shan, national sales manager at mattress protection specialist Protect-A-Bed: “With lower footfall in stores, increasing the AOV has never been so important, and Protect-ABed have continuously demonstrated their achievements in helping retail partners significantly grow sales.

“We’re extremely excited to be showing at the Bed Show again this year. As a business, we are constantly looking to help drive sales for all of our retail partners, and the Bed Show is the perfect opportunity to discuss how we can significantly grow sales in their bed departments.”

Product innovation is one small element of how Protect-A-Bed unlocks greater sales for its partners, Gowsh continues: “The Therapeutics ranges, featuring Copper, Graphene and Charcoal mattress protectors, hasalready been a great success. And supporting our innovative mattress protectors is our specialist sales training, which is vital to unlock the sales potential. Our Protect-A-Bed team are incredibly adapable, and able to support this in any retail environment, driving attachment rates to over 70%.

“We support this training through a bespoke reward system, through the Protect-A-Bed Platinum Club. The Platinum Club has been running consistently for some years now, and the results have been

excellent. Both existing and new partners have joined, and are benefiting from the club’s focused approach and rewards for growing sales. Indeed, the Platinum Club was designed to build, recognise and reward success with unique promotional and discount opportunities, sponsored incentives and tailored PoS solutions, as well as membership rewards.

“Protect-A-Bed’s ability to upskill your team and increase your sales revenue by maximising every sales opportunity has been well documented,” Gowsh concludes. “We can manage every step of the process for you and build a reward scheme through the Protect-A-Bed Platinum Club – there’s nothing to be lost, and everything to be gained.”

VISIT PROTECT-A-BED ON STAND D28 AT THE BED SHOW

Mattress protectors are the ideal add-on purchase for

any consumer wishing to prevent stains and damage

The Bed Industry Awards are back!

The Bed Industry Awards are again setting out to recognise the UK bed market’s best and brightest manufacturers, suppliers and retailers. Ahead of the reveal of the winners at the Bed Show gala dinner, here’s a reminder of this year’s categories and judges – and last year’s worthy winners …

www.bedshow.co.uk/awards

The Bed Industry Awards are back, and aiming to showcase the best in inspiration, design and innovation from the top UK bed manufacturers, suppliers and retailers.

This year’s competition comprises 10 categories – five awards for NBF member manufacturers and component suppliers, and five for retailers that predominantly stock NBF member brands.

The awards provide an opportunity for entrants to highlight their achievements from the past year. The annual gala dinner and awards ceremony takes place on the first day of the Bed Show, and attracts over 400 industry guests. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by Yorkshire-born comedian Maisie Adam.

NBF executive director Tristine Hargreaves says: “The NBF’s Bed Industry Awards are among the most coveted accolades for our members and bed retailers.”

All of this year’s winners and highly commended entrants will again feature in a special supplement in November’s Furniture News.

Bed Manufacturer of the Year

Recognising achievements and innovations at a company level

Judges: David Fitzsimons (Oakdene Hollins), Richard de Melim (The Furnishing Report), and Jonathan Hindle (BFC)

Last year’s winner: Harrison Spinks

Component Supplier of the Year

Recognising achievements and innovations at a company level

Judges: David Fitzsimons (Oakdene Hollins), Paul Farley (Furniture News), and Jonathan Hindle (BFC)

Last year’s winner: John Cotton

Nonwovens

Sales Agent/Rep of the Year

Recognising an individual’s achievements within their business

Judges: Steve Adams (Mattress Online), Rebecca Maloy (AIS) and James Dunne (Prestige Beds)

Last year’s winner: Neil Steed, Shire Beds

Bed Product of the Year

The best manufacturer product on show

Judges: Steve Adams (Mattress Online), Sue Davies (Sue Davies Design Solutions), Paul Farley (Furniture News), Rebecca Maloy (AIS) and James Dunne (Prestige Beds)

Last year’s winner: Elevate Ultra Turing Plush mattress, Sealy UK

Component Product of the Year

The most innovative component product or machine on show

Judges: Natalie Armstrong (Sealy UK), Danny Blackmore (Silentnight), and Dave Morris (Sleepeezee)

Last year’s winner: Himalaya Nettle, Cotton and Kapok Fibre Comfort Layer, Hypnos

Ad of the Year (new)

Judges: Richard McMurrough (Propaganda), and Phil Bennett (PIP Creative)

Small NBF Retail Champion of the Year

For retailers with four stores or fewer

Judges: Jessica Alexander (NBF, chair), Bernard Eaton (Greenwood Retail), Andrew Kidd (Interiors Monthly), and Dan Squires (Big Furniture Group)

Last year’s winner: Now to Bed

Large NBF Retail Champion of the Year

For retailers with 5-20 stores

Judges: Jessica Alexander (NBF, chair), Bernard Eaton (Greenwood Retail), Andrew Kidd (Interiors Monthly), and Dan Squires (Big Furniture Group)

Last year’s winner: Glasswells

National Bed Retailer of the Year

For businesses with more than 20 stores

Judges: Jessica Alexander (NBF, chair), Bernard Eaton (Greenwood Retail), Andrew Kidd (Interiors Monthly), and Dan Squires (Big Furniture Group)

Last year’s winner: Dreams

Online Bed Retailer of the Year

For businesses transacting at least 80% of their sales via the internet

Judges: Jessica Alexander (NBF, chair), Bernard Eaton (Greenwood Retail), Andrew Kidd (Interiors Monthly), and Dan Squires (Big Furniture Group)

Last year’s winner: Mattress Online

“The NBF’s Bed Industry Awards are among the most coveted accolades

MANUFACTURER MEMBERS

Airsprung Group

B&A Quilting

www.airsprungbeds.co.uk

www.ba-quilting.co.uk

Gainsborough Beds www.gainsborough-beds.co.uk

Swanglen Furnishings www.swanglen.co.uk

Beevers Beds

www.beeversbeds.co.uk

Bensons for Beds (Manufacturing) www.bensonsforbeds.co.uk

Breasley www.breasley.co.uk

The Burgess Bedding Company

www.burgessbeds.co.uk

Carpenter www.carpenter.com

Deepsleep Beds

Deluxe Beds

www.deepsleepbeds.co.uk

www.deluxe-beds.co.uk

Dreamworks/Gallery Direct www.dreamworksbeds.com / www.gallerydirect.co.uk

Dreamland Beds www.dreamlandbeds.co.uk

Dreams (Manufacturing) www.dreams.co.uk

Dura Beds www.durabeds.co.uk

Duvalay (Raskelf)

Easy Rest Beds

Excellent Relax

www.duvalay.co.uk

www.silentsleep.co.uk

www.excellent-relax.co.uk

GNG Group www.gnggroup.co.uk

H Living

Harrison Spinks

Healthbeds

Highgrove Beds

Hyder Beds

Hypnos

Jay-Be

Kayflex

Kaymed

Kelcol Bed Company

Kelletts/Respa

www.hyderint.com

www.harrisonspinks.co.uk

www.healthbeds.co.uk

www.highgrovebeds.co.uk

www.hyderbedsltd.com

www.hypnosbeds.com

www.jaybe.co.uk

www.kayflex.co.uk

www.kaymed.co.uk

www.kelcol.co.uk

www.respabeds.ie

Sweet Dreams

www.sweetdreamsuk.com

Tender Sleep Beds www.tendersleepbeds.co.uk

The Sleep People www.thesleeppeople.co.uk

Usleep www.thevitagroup.com/product-markets/comfort/usleep/ Vispring www.vispring.co.uk

Vogue Beds www.voguebeds.co.uk

Willowbrook www.willowbrook.co.uk

Yanis Foams & Mattresses www.yanismattresses.co.uk

SUPPLIER MEMBERS

Apropa www.apropa.co.uk

Artilat www.artilat.com

BekaertDeslee www.bekaerttextiles.com

Boyteks Tekstil www.boyteks.com

CA Blyth www.charlesblythltd.com

CPS Group www.cpsgroupltd.co.uk

Edward Clay & Son www.edwardclay.co.uk

Emmiera Group www.furniturerepairs.co.uk

Enkev www.enkev.co.uk

Epic Logistics www.epiclogistics.co.uk

Fibre Fillings (AMR Textiles) www.john-holden.com

GTA Belgium www.gtatextilesbelgium.com

Handy www.handyltd.co.uk

J DeWalleg www.jdwltd.com

John Cotton Nonwovens www.johncotton.co.uk

Kayfoam/Kaymed www.kaymed.co.uk

L&P Springs www.leggett.com

Latexco www.latexco.com

Leggett & Platt – Gateway Systems www.gsgcompanies.com

Maes Mattress Ticking www.mmt.be

Nestor Springs www.nestorsprings.com

Kozee Sleep (Midlands)/Shakespeare Beds

www.kozeesleep-beds.co.uk

Original Fabrics www.originalfabrics.co.uk

RA Irwin www.ra-irwin.co.uk

Latex Sense

Kyoto

MA Living

Mansion House Bedding

Millbrook Beds

www.latexsense.co.uk

www.kyoto-futons.com

www.maliving.co.uk

www.oldenglishbeddingcompany.co.uk

www.millbrook-beds.co.uk

Moffett & Sons www.moffett.co.uk

Original Fabrics www.orginalfabrics.co.uk

Palatine Beds

www.palatinebeds.co.uk

Bodyease/Platinum Enterprise www.bodyease.co.uk

Relyon www.relyon.co.uk

Sealy UK www.sealy.co.uk

Seetall Furniture www.seetall.com

Shire Beds

Signature Beds

Silentnight Group

www.shirebeds.co.uk

www.signaturebeds.co.uk

www.silentnightgroup.co.uk

Sleepeezee www.simmonsbeds.co.uk

Softheads/Siesta Beds www.siestabeds.co.uk

Rawson Fillings www.recticelflexiblefoams.com

Recticel www.recticel.com

Redwood TTM www.redwood-ttm.com

Somac Threads www.somac.co.uk

Spinks www.spinks.co.uk

Stellini www.stellinigroup.com

Sunds Textiles www.sunds.com

Symphony Mills www.symphonymills.com/eu-en/

TerMolst www.termolst.com/en/eu/

The Vita Group www.thevitagroup.com

Wolf Components www.wolfcomponents.com

BRAND ASSOCIATES

Emma Sleep UK www.www.emma-sleep.co.uk

Mammoth www.mammothcomfort.com

Nectar Sleep www.nectarsleep.co.uk

Simba Sleep www.simbasleep.com

* Correct as of 8.8.23

Readers' roster

Each year, Furniture News’ readers nominate their top product and service providers in the magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards. NBF member companies are typically well represented on the leaderboard, and this year was no exception – with the federation itself topping one of the categories …

Best Bed Supplier: Sleepeezee (NBF manufacturer member)

Best Bed Component Supplier: Leggett & Platt Springs UK (NBF supplier member)

“Our dedication to this craft and commitment to innovation and sustainability have yielded tremendous results,” say L&P Springs UK’s sales manager Paul Hindle, and commercial manager Adam Ball.

“We maintain a continuous mission to enhance lives through high-quality components and advanced bedding technology, while also offering empowering and rewarding careers and working to bring about a better, more comfortable future. To not only win this award once, but three times in a row, validates the tireless dedication our employee-partners provide each day.”

Best Boxed Mattress Brand: Simba Sleep (NBF brand associate)

“We strive to create the best sleep products, in the best possible way, and the whole team will celebrate this award,” says the brand’s co-founder and CEO, Steve Reid. “Furniture News and its readership are very important to Simba, so it is an honour to receive this accolade.”

“Simba is proof that customers don’t need to compromise on cloud-like comfort when they want to sleep on a more sustainable mattress.”

Best for Sustainable Thinking: Hypnos Beds (NBF manufacturer member)

Best Furniture Care/Repair Provider: Emmiera Group (NBF supplier member)

“The whole team at Emmiera are delighted to have won this award,” says James Lane, CEO of Emmiera Group (previously Homeserve Furniture Repairs), “as we continue to provide the best care and repair service in the UK.

“Our commitment to excellence, reliability and customer satisfaction remains unwavering, and we’re eager to extend these principles to new sectors.”

Best Garden/Outdoor Furniture Supplier: Gallery Direct (NBF manufacturer member)

“We would like to thank everyone who voted for us – we are honoured to have won the award,” says Gallery’s sales and product director, Peter Delaney. “It’s fabulous to be recognised by the readers.”

Best Mattress Supplier: Sealy UK (NBF manufacturer member)

Best Sofabed Supplier: Kyoto (NBF manufacturer member)

“We’re extremely grateful to the readers who voted for us,” says MD Nick Cancea. “Winning this award really means the world to us, and serves as validation for the hard work and dedication our team puts into every aspect of our business.

“We’re continuously developing new and exciting products for the market, and we have several innovative sofabed designs in the pipeline that combine functionality, comfort and contemporary aesthetics. We’re also exploring partnerships to enhance our distribution channels and reach a wider audience.”

Best UK Bed Manufacturer: Silentnight Group (NBF manufacturer member)

Best Trade Association: National Bed Federation (NBF)

“Winning this accolade is a testament to the hard work of our small but mighty team, which recently welcomed our new executive director, Tristine Hargreaves,” says the NBF’s head of marketing and membership, Simon Williams.

“We continuously strive to improve our support offer for our members and the wider trade. We stay ahead of the game with our dedicated sustainability support, keep members up to date with new standards, and regularly survey them for feedback on improving our services.

“The NBF is unrivalled in the bed sector because we are solely dedicated to UK- and Ireland-based bed manufacturers and their suppliers.

“Similarly, the Bed Show is solely dedicated to the bed trade. We encourage qualifying manufacturers and suppliers to get in touch for an informal chat about joining our fantastic trade association.”

“We continuously strive to improve our support offer for our members and the wider trade

How might a child describe your job?

We sell comfy beds to lots of people to help them sleep better.

What’s the biggest long-term challenge you face?

Being predominantly a bricks-and-mortar business, our long-term challenge is finding ways to consistently drive footfall into our stores as we compete with the ever-growing online marketplace and the ease of purchasing a bed from your home. Alongside this, we’re also tackling neverending economic crises, requiring us to ensure our offering is always attractive and affordable for everyone.

If you had 10 x your working budget, what would you spend it on?

I’d spend it on a couple of new delivery vehicles and more stock of our bestselling lines so we can offer faster delivery on more of our products. I’d also add to my inhouse digital marketing team, recruit a web developer to keep our website optimised with content and functionality, and invest more into targeted digital advertising across multiple platforms, including some targeted TV campaigns to grow brand awareness and attract new customers.

What would be the title of your autobiography?

‘All said and Dunne’.

James Dunne

James is the operations director at third-generation, family-run independent bed retailer, Prestige Beds. Operating through four stores across Lancashire, Prestige was named the NBF’s Retailer of the Year in 2017 – and James has joined the awards’ judging panel this year.

www.prestigebeds.co.uk

What does ‘work/life balance’ mean to you?

It’s extremely important to me, especially since becoming a dad earlier this year. Whilst I’m fully committed to the business and moving it forward, spending quality time with my young family is my top priority. I also understand the importance of looking after my health and wellbeing by giving myself time to relax and be present.

Who’s been your most influential professional mentor?

I’ve been inspired by many people during my working life, but I’d have to say that I’ve learned the most of what I know in business from my father and our MD, Joe Dunne, who is a big reason I’m in the position I am now, and able to confidently lead the business.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t burn the candle at both ends quite as much, and read as many books as you can. Reading a lot has benefitted me so much over the last few years, improving my outlook and approach to business, learning mindfulness, bettering my self care and subsequently my mental health – far more than partying for most of my 20s did.

What’s been your best day in business?

Winning our first NBF award in 2017 was a proud moment for my family and the

team, but I’d have to say the day we finally reopened our stores after the first wave of the pandemic. There was an enormous sense of relief after so much uncertainty. We had our best day of trading since I’ve been in the business, and we built on that in the months that followed.

What’s the biggest myth about our industry?

That a firm mattress is best for bad backs. While they do benefit many, the key to getting a quality night’s sleep is achieving optimum pressure relief and spinal alignment – with the correct balance of comfort and support from your mattress, aligned with your body weight.

What should everyone in our industry either stop or start doing?

I’d like to see a stop to certain online retailers selling quality goods at ridiculously low prices, which is damaging to good retailers, forcing them to either slash their margins and price match, or lose the sale. It devalues the products and brands.

Where do you see the industry going in the next 5-10 years?

While ecommerce will continue to grow, I strongly believe there’ll be a resurgence of bricks-and-mortar retail and demand for the in-store experience. I also envisage greater demand for sustainable products.