Perfect comfort Hypnos Limited

Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM Silver since 2011. The C2C certification is one of the more rigorous and in-depth environmental certifications that exist today evaluating criteria such as content, reuse and environmentally responsible production.

Eco-innovation

At the beginning of 2011 Tarkett signed a partnership with the international scientific institute EPEA to deploy the Cradle to Cradle principles although the company had already been engaged since 2009 in an ambitious sustainability strategy aimed at not simply minimising the environmental impact of production and products but also designing products for reuse with a positive impact. In 2012 Tarkett was awarded the Cradle to Cradle Silver Certificate for its multi-layer parquet flooring ranges; this made it the first wood flooring producer in Europe with Cradle to Cradle certified products.

“Tarkett is in fact the first Fench flooring company to promote and adopt the Cradle to Cradle concept in both its approach to new materials and in terms of product certification but sustainability has for long been the key to our innovation strategies,” explains Remco Teulings. “Our most recent eco-innovations include lowering the total VOC (volatile organic compounds) level of our vinyl range to 10 to 100 times below the European standard and developing new vinyl ranges that are based on phthalate-free plasticisers.

“We also take water and energy stewardship in our production processes very seriously. For example, the sawdust that we produce is used to generate energy for our plants or sold to third parties for energy production. Even the ashes are taken back to the forests and spread as fertiliser. Our strategy is to maximise the environmentally responsible character of our production and our products without slowing our growth or reducing our efficiency and profitability, nor compromising performance and aesthetics benefits for our customers. Getting that balance right requires a lot of investment and a lot of ingenious innovation but that’s what Tarkett is doing and will continue to do.” n

Repsol – provides Tarkett EVA for flooring

Flooring solutions for the automotive industry

Tarkett also has a specific line of flooring solutions for the automotive industry. For these solutions the company has been working with innovative high quality materials such as Repsol’s Alcudia® EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) copolymers for soundproofing floors. Repsol has been Tarkett’s supplier for more than 17 years. Over these years the relationship has evolved into a true partnership. Repsol is a well-established global supplier in the chemical industry, offering a wide variety of products that range from base petrochemicals to derivatives. Repsol, as part of an integrated oil and gas company with presence in the whole energy value chain, benefits from a high degree of integration with the group’s oil refining division, which allows the company to develop products that provide value and improve their customers’ productivity and competiveness. Tarkett’s flooring solutions for the automotive industry are marketed from the company’s plant in Lentzweiler (Luxembourg) to all the automotive industry throughout Europe, as well as outside Europe.

PERFECT COMFORT

Award-winning makers of hand-crafted beds and mattresses, Hypnos Limited, is a family-owned business that takes deep satisfaction in providing customers worldwide with a relaxing and rejuvenating night’s sleep – by Royal appointment! Emma-Jane Batey spoke the to managing director, Stephen Ward, to learn more.

Named after the god of sleep, Hypnos Limited knows that a good night’s sleep is the cornerstone to a happy and healthy life. Founded in the UK over 100 years ago and now preparing for the fifth generation of the Keen family to take control, Hypnos Limited manufactures hand-crafted, made-to-measure beds and mattresses for both the hotel and retail markets worldwide.

The Managing director, Stephen Ward, spoke to Industry Europe about how “The Hypnos Way” enables the company to keep to its promise of offering “the most comfortable beds in the world”. Mr Ward said, “Hypnos Limited featured in the very first edition of Industry Europe, 25 years’ ago and we were already very well established as the leading name in high-quality handmade beds and mattresses in the UK. I am happy to say that we are still very much at the forefront of manufacturing bespoke beds and mattresses both in the UK and beyond, thanks to our on going focus on ensuring that our end users wake up completely refreshed and revitalised!”

Mr Ward explained how Hypnos Limited has progressed significantly in recent years, with its clarity of thought and strategic development during the economic downturn proving to be a successful move. He continued, “Like many companies we struggled in the recession, but through expert analysis and consolidation we are now on a successful growth path that really capitalises on our point of differentiation in the market.”

Comfort is king

That point of differentiation is well known in the UK and increasingly across the world. Hypnos Limited has long been associated with luxury mattresses and designer beds available in high-quality retailers so, during the consolidation process, Mr Ward and his team clarified the brand’s core values. He explained, “As a family business, we can take a long-term view that is in perfect harmony with the company’s ethos and the opportunities in the market. In 2007/8 we reduced

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Our quality timber products include all styles of divan frames, headboards, sofa beds, tub chairs, dove tailed drawers, huge selection of hardwood legs and feet for furniture and much more.

All of our timber is FSC and PEFC from sustainable forests.

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Phone: +44(0)1364 642118 | Fax: +44 (0)1364 642121 E-mail: info@westcon-products.co.uk | www.westcon-products.co.uk www.stevebenton.co.uk

SBT has a well-established track record of customer satisfaction, exceptional service and competitive prices with no compromise on quality. We provide logistics to manufacturers of high value goods in the Midlands and deliver to the UK and Europe. We have an extensive fl eet and satellite tracking in all our vehicles.

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Leggett & Platt

As the UK arm of America-based Leggett & Platt, a diversified manufacturer, L&P Springs UK has approximately 25% of the UK bedspring market. And that market is thriving.

As the national economic recovery continues, consumers are purchasing more mattresses, leading to an overall 22% increase in spring sales in 2013. L&P Springs UK was ready for the turnaround after having invested £6 million in its vertically integrated Barnsley facility, providing increased production, employee growth, and product innovation.

The main focus at Barnsley is pocket springs, and in particular coil count and comfort, leading to developments such as variable-rate geometry and ultra-lowheight coil technology.