21 minute read
Beds and bedroom supplement
There will be winners The Bed Industry Awards is returning and buying British is being promoted
‘We are excited and delighted to be running the Bed Industry Awards this year after all. We might not have a Bed Show to go to – but, we thought, our members still have lots of exciting product innovations to shout about, and retailers are still doing amazing things to be the best for their customers. So why not run the awards as usual and host an online awards ceremony – on Thursday 26 November,’ says Jessica Alexander, National Bed Federation executive director.
‘We have some great categories for our awards this year – some familiar, some completely new, and one that we hope won’t have to be repeated after this year.
‘The categories for bed retailers are: Small Bed Retailer of the Year (fewer than 10 shops); Large Bed Retailer of the Year; and Online Bed Retailer of the Year. For NBF members: Bed of the Year, Accessory Product of the Year and Component/Machinery Product of the Year. And for both groups: Sustainability Award and COVID-19 Community Award.
‘We have lined up some amazing judges and this year we have also been seeking sponsors for each category, full details of which will be announced later on.
‘We’re extremely grateful to all of them for helping to make this event a reality and hopefully a really worthwhile and successful opportunity for all.
‘Winning an award – or even being chosen as a finalist – is a huge PR
opportunity for any business and the Bed Industry Awards are widely respected in the industry thanks to the quality and rigour of the judges and the judging process. So, what’s not to like if you feel you’ve been doing something that stands out from the crowd over the past year? Visit: www.bedfed.org.uk/nbf-bedindustry-awards
The Bed Industry Awards will be announced online
‘Do you source at least 50% of your UK mattress and bed products from NBF members? If so, you could become an NBF Retail Champion.
‘And if 100% of your UK products are from NBF members, you could be a Premier Retail Champion,’ says Alexander.
‘The Champions scheme replaces
the Retail Supporters scheme we had previously and features the new NBF Let’s Make it Right branding. Already more than 250 shops have joined.
‘Its aim is to provide consumers, and retailers as well of course, with assurance – much needed in these days of increasing numbers of rogue traders –
‘We are very pleased to be supporting the British Furniture Confederation and working closely with the British Furniture Manufacturers Association (BFM) on this initiative, aimed at stimulating demand for furniture and beds this autumn.
‘With unemployment rates likely to increase rapidly over the coming months, we wanted to encourage consumers to be a bit more aware of where their furniture purchases come from – and perhaps help save jobs and skills that might never return and prevent a further decline in British furniture manufacturing as a result. Did you know, every £1m spent by consumers in the shops supports around 50 jobs in furniture manufacturing?’ says Alexander.
‘The “Buy British, Buy the Best, Save Jobs” campaign is set to run from 19 September to 18 October and for any stores or brands who want to support it there’s a free toolkit of graphics and social media elements for you to develop your own POS and online promotions.
‘For a small fee, you can also buy swing tickets, and have your logo and website listed on the campaign website. The fee includes a small contribution to the launch PR campaign which will be pitched to national and regional print and online publications, and to radio and TV. The news story will be based on a national consumer survey, which will also inform a short campaign video being made for social media use.’ Visit: www.britishfurnitureconfederation.org.uk
Retail Champion POS
that the products they are buying meet UK standards and regulations and are produced by reputable companies. This is all thanks to the rigorous independent auditing NBF members undergo to meet our industry-leading Code of Practice.
‘Importantly, the new scheme is supported by a dynamic postcode search listing on the NBF website which attracts up to 50,000 visitors a month. For many consumers this represents the first step in their bed-buying journey and the website now directs them to their nearest Retail Champion.
‘We will be promoting this new “where to buy” feature heavily over the coming months, so if you’re retailing beds, why hesitate?
‘In addition, those signing up for the new scheme will receive a full POS pack which includes two window vinyls and a large, double-sided hanging board flagging the store’s status with a Premier or Retail Champion logo. Generic tent cards explain to the consumer why they should buy NBF Approved beds. Each pack also contains 20 swing tickets and 20 adhesive labels which can be attached to NBF member beds, headboards, bed frames or roll-up mattresses in the stores.’ Visit: www.bedfed.org.uk/trade/ nbf-retail-champions-scheme/
Velocity
At the core The glue-free Cortec spring system is at the heart of new collections
It has been a fast-paced and exciting year for luxury bed manufacturer Harrison Spinks. Following the company’s pledge to make production completely glue and foam free, it has launched the ground-breaking Cortec spring system, a glue-free spring unit that now forms the core of its range of mattresses and brought home the Bed Industry Awards Component of the Year award for 2019. The unit is manufactured using heat instead of glue, meaning it can be completely recycled at the end of its lifetime, ultimately resulting in zero mattresses being sent to landfill.
Cortec Ultra, Cortec Quad and Cortec Revolution core spring units are all present in the manufacturer’s new Seasonal Turn and Turn Free collections launching in September. All mattresses from these collections can be disassembled and recycled at the end of their lifetime.
Cortec Quad is featured in the recently launched Velocity collection, which can be rolled and eco-packed for convenience and ease of delivery. This is Harrison Spinks’ first off-the-shelf, next-day delivery offering that can be seen to rival bed-in-a-box retailers.
Cortec Revolution is a take on the company’s Millennium Award-winning Revolution spring-within-spring system, created by Simon Spinks, Harrison Spinks group chairman for unrivalled levels of comfort and support.
As well as a Cortec spring system, each of the new models features Harrison Spinks’ newly developed wool viscose ticking, which is FR-chemical free. This follows almost a year of development and instils confidence that each component in a Harrison Spinks bed has been tested for harmful substances in order to create a healthy sleeping environment.
On top of these landmark innovations, Harrison Spinks was also awarded Carbon Neutral+ accreditation earlier this year and has bolstered its credentials further with an urban tree planting scheme in its local community, which will continue this winter. Visit: www.harrisonspinks.co.uk
Cortec Quad
The company achieved Carbon Neutral+ status
Lifecycle Wool plays a vital part in Hypnos’s products
‘Right from the start of the process, we consider the lifecycle as well as the qualities of the fibres we use. We also consider the wider impact of our supply chain on the communities we work with, so it’s vital our materials aren’t just sustainable but that they come from a socially conscious supplier too. This is what makes a product truly sustainable and ethical.
‘It is not enough to state that the wool in the bed is British – this is in effect meaningless for a consumer, as no one knows which farms or sheep have supplied the wool; it is all mixed together and farmers are paid very little for their produce,’ says Richard Naylor, Hypnos Beds sustainable development director.
‘As a brand we go the extra mile to support hard-working British sheep farmers and source ethical wool that’s traceable to Red Tractor assured farms. Because of the way we source and buy our wool, farmers get a much higher and fairer price for their wool, without any delays, helping them to plan their cash flow and future projects. Last year we paid farmers more than 180% above what they might have received by selling through conventional channels.’
No Hypnos beds contain foam. ‘Using foams has a negative environmental impact and mattresses featuring these foams can produce harmful gases as compounds within the fibres break down. Using microplastics within products can also be harmful as once they’re broken down at the end of their life, they can release toxins into the world’s oceans.
Hypnos pays farmers more than the open market price
A Hypnos mattress can contain up to eight fleeces
‘Natural materials offer a range of comfort and wellbeing benefits but are also biodegradable. Once wool fibres are disposed of in soil, it takes a short time for them to break down, unlike synthetic counterparts which are slow to degrade.
‘Using ethically sourced natural wool fibres has many benefits, as wool is breathable, odour-resistant and a true natural insulator – aiding a great night’s sleep. Wool is also a natural by-product of sheep farming, which helps in the careful management of grasslands and our eco-diversity, so we’re proud that this superhero material plays such a key role in our supply chain,’ says Naylor.
‘Wool fibres are tightly packed together and crimped, forming tiny pockets of air within the material that allow it to absorb and release moisture. This breathable element is what makes wool the perfect material for bedmaking, as wool constantly reacts to changes in body temperature thanks to its hygroscopic abilities, providing comfort in both cold and warm weather.
‘Wool’s crimped structure also gives it extra elasticity, meaning it can stretch comfortably before returning to its natural shape. This is important from a mattress perspective, as it allows the material to retain its structure over time, meaning it’s more resistant to wrinkling or sagging, adding peace of mind, durability and lifespan to our products.’ Visit: www.hypnosbeds.com
Performance
The Komfi brand has revamped its collection
GNG Group, manufacturer of performance foam products for the retail mattress, healthcare and sports markets, was to launch its latest Komfi mattress collection at this year’s Bed Show. In February, former Breasley Consumer Products co-founder Stuart Hibbert joined the group as sales director for the consumer mattress division to develop the vacuumpacked range and re-energise the Komfi brand. As a result, Komfi can now offer retailers a unique range of mattresses featuring innovative materials and the latest in sleep comfort technology.
The collection comprises 10 models within the Active and Sensory ranges. The Active range features Komfi’s Ecofoam: this British-made 100% recycled and re-engineered foam not only has a reduced carbon footprint but is also resilient and durable, offering excellent body support. The long-term benefit of an Ecofoam mattress is when it comes to the end of its natural life: at this point it can go back into the recycling chain rather than into landfill, helping to create a more sustainable future. The Komfi Active range also includes a cover option using Seaqual fibre. This technology involves taking plastic marine waste from our oceans and converting it into a yarn for use in mattress fabrics.
The Sensory range features Komfi’s exclusive ViscoGel in its four models. Three mattresses are hybrid pockets ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 spring counts, plus the Trio triple-layer all-foam mattress. ViscoGel’s heat-transference technology features super-conductive graphene, one of the latest materials to be used in mattress design. Graphene creates a pathway for body heat, allowing it to dissipate naturally as you rest, regardless of how much you move during sleep. This creates a more comfortable and ambient sleeping environment, night after night.
‘We were excited to be showcasing the new Komfi collection at the Bed Show, and so looking forward to meeting up with customers and friends after what has been an extremely challenging time. However, we will get the opportunity to share our fantastic new ranges, and the fact we have managed to bring them to market in the original timescale is an achievement. The collection offers ethical, innovative design at affordable prices, which is what consumers are
The core of the Trio triple-layer all-foam mattress
seeking right now,’ says Hibbert.
Komfi is an AIS approved supplier and plans to exhibit at the Autumn Furniture Fair and January Furniture Show.
During lockdown, GNG Group remained fully operational to maintain the NHS supply chain. As an NHS approved supplier, it was producing medical mattresses 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, large-scale investment in new machinery still went ahead, along with plans for a greener footprint.
‘We are proud to announce that GNG has recently achieved carbon neutral certification, and our first carbon neutral mattress is currently undergoing testing at our Wakefield site. As a group, we will continue to research and innovate, sharing knowledge across our specialist divisions, to enhance and support our carbon footprint standard,’ says Phil Whittell, GNG Group md. Visit: www.gnggroup.co.uk
Sacha
Home
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Cashmere Silk
Sweet Dreams is backing the Buy British campaign
‘Sweet Dreams is pleased to support the British Furniture Confederation’s Buy British, Buy the Best, Save Jobs campaign to remind consumers that there are still many British furniture manufacturers out there making fantastic products,’ says Nick Williams, Sweet Dreams sales manager.
‘As an Interiors Monthly 2020 Award Winner (Best Bed Manufacturer: Value) Sweet Dreams applauds and identifies with this campaign as it supports British manufacturing, British standards and British jobs. As a member, Sweet Dreams is always working closely with the NBF to ensure standards are kept to the highest level and we strive to improve all systems and processes on an ongoing basis.
‘Buying British-made products can only help our industry: with more British beds bought, the investment and job creation will follow to help grow our economy.
‘Since the lockdown ended, Sweet Dreams has quickly got our services back up to speed and can offer short lead times and improved direct home delivery
Pure Clarity
services across our wide range of Britishmade beds and upholstery products. We are now able to offer our products to the majority of the UK within a two to threeweek lead time as we believe service is the key to supporting our customers.
‘We have also seen a huge upturn in online sales, with our own home delivery service increasing six-fold year on year. We have an exclusive online range that is easy to access and available for customers who want to increase their online profile.
‘To ensure our British bed sales can continue to grow, we have reorganised our factory to ensure that all our staff can work in a safe and socially distanced way. We’ve complied with government guidelines and while there’s no denying it’s been a challenge, we have been able to overhaul our working practices and make our environments practical and safe for today’s very different climate.
‘Following our award from Interiors Monthly we’re on course with our bed offer, and our customers are telling us we’re doing well with our upholstery offer too: we’ve had a fantastic response to the current models. As always, we are committed to customer service and our team in Burnley are there waiting to help our customers as and when required. We pride ourselves on product innovation and will continue to develop and expand our ranges with new models for both beds and upholstery to be showcased at January Furniture Show in 2021.’ Visit: www.sweetdreamsuk.com
Thankful...Thankful...
...That’s how Deluxe Beds’ owner & MD Mrs Razak feels. “There’s still so ...That’s how Deluxe Beds’ owner & MD Mrs Razak feels. “There’s still so
much uncertainty in the world at the moment, never mind the UK or the much uncertainty in the world at the moment, never mind the UK or the bedding industry, but thankfully we are all still together as a team and bedding industry, but thankfully we are all still together as a team and striving to get our customers the products they need.”striving to get our customers the products they need.”
For a new decade that started so well with increasing sales, For a new decade that started so well with increasing sales, it all came grinding to a halt in March. it all came grinding to a halt in March.
“My role changed overnight”, says Sales Director James Appleyard. “I’d gone “My role changed overnight”, says Sales Director James Appleyard. “I’d gone
from costings and quotes, to researching furlough payment procedures and from costings and quotes, to researching furlough payment procedures and ensuring I watched the Downing Street Briefing at 5pm each day which ensuring I watched the Downing Street Briefing at 5pm each day which would then focus my thoughts for how to approach the next day”.would then focus my thoughts for how to approach the next day”.
But the support of our retailers was there to see. With many people But the support of our retailers was there to see. With many people furloughed and spending more time in their homes than ever before, furloughed and spending more time in their homes than ever before, decisions were made to replace and upgrade mattresses. decisions were made to replace and upgrade mattresses.
“We started to produce orders very cautiously at first”, continues James. “We started to produce orders very cautiously at first”, continues James. “Only 10 factory staff were present for the first few weeks back. PPE was “Only 10 factory staff were present for the first few weeks back. PPE was
ordered, staff were interviewed and briefed about social distancing and ordered, staff were interviewed and briefed about social distancing and how they should work, but eventually staffing levels carefully increased how they should work, but eventually staffing levels carefully increased and so did sales.” and so did sales.”
Who knows what the next few months (or even years) may bring. “We’ve Who knows what the next few months (or even years) may bring. “We’ve been fortunate”, says Mrs Razak. “We still don’t know enough about Covid been fortunate”, says Mrs Razak. “We still don’t know enough about Covid so everyone has to do their bit to look after each other and be careful.”so everyone has to do their bit to look after each other and be careful.”
It wasn’t just about business either; Deluxe Beds were asked to supply new It wasn’t just about business either; Deluxe Beds were asked to supply new beds to St James Hospital in Leeds (Jimmy’s). “Whilst the request camebeds to St James Hospital in Leeds (Jimmy’s). “Whilst the request came
at a busy time for us, Covid has made us all realise that we must help at a busy time for us, Covid has made us all realise that we must help others wherever possible & we were happy to help”, said Mrs Razak. others wherever possible & we were happy to help”, said Mrs Razak.
So what about the future? “The NBF Show being cancelled is a huge blow So what about the future? “The NBF Show being cancelled is a huge blow as it’s firmly in the diary and a focal point of our year”, says James “but I think as it’s firmly in the diary and a focal point of our year”, says James “but I think it’s the right decision. Everyone just needs to concentrate on what they do it’s the right decision. Everyone just needs to concentrate on what they do best and adapt as well as possible to the ever changing demands of the best and adapt as well as possible to the ever changing demands of the ‘new’ normal”.‘new’ normal”.
Mrs Razak concluded, “We’re just so grateful that we are able to produce Mrs Razak concluded, “We’re just so grateful that we are able to produce products and keep our workforce safe. We have great plans for 2021. products and keep our workforce safe. We have great plans for 2021. Some of these innovations were planned for 2020, but we will have Some of these innovations were planned for 2020, but we will have just as much fun launching them next year instead!”. just as much fun launching them next year instead!”.
Deluxe Beds is prepared for the worst, but hoping for the best. Deluxe Beds is prepared for the worst, but hoping for the best.
Warp and weft Jaipur is immediately identifiable
Part of Flou’s 2020 collection, Jaipur by Carlo Colombo is immediately identifiable with its textile-like pattern of macro wooden weaves. Warp and weft are extended to infinity to exalt and reinterpret the tailoring skills of the Flou tradition in a contemporary fashion.
The headboard is framed by a slim metal trim. Despite the conventional idea of rigidity this suggests, it emits a sensation of softness and comfort, like a natural cocoon that provides refuge and relaxation.
The upholstered base with its choice of fabric or leather cover has a sharp minimal shape, and this balances perfectly with the headboard to create a harmonious ensemble.
Jaipur is available with Leonardo base; base H25 with fixed slats with rigidity adjustment; storage base with fixed slats with rigidity adjustment, and base
The base has removable covers The headboard is available in two shades
H25 with electric movements.
‘Jaipur is the result of a profound stylistic study. It interprets in various materials and solutions Flou’s longstanding tailoring tradition. The headboard decorates the sleeping quarters and becomes the focal point in the bedroom; the minimal base completes the effect with precisely balanced volumes,’ says Colombo. Visit: www.flou.it
The headboard has a metal trim
New kid Known for its leather products, Frag has debuted a bed
It has taken it 99 years but Frag has dipped its toe into the bed sector, introducing a bed into its catalogue for
the first time as it continues the process of offering a coordinated range for different living spaces.
Suspended above ground on a delicate supporting structure, Otto is notable for its all-leather upholstery and the particularly fluid and enveloping form of the padded headboard, designed to make reading easier in bed.
The leather upholstery is gathered and curled into a horizontal fold at the centre of the headboard, accentuating the sense of comfort and softness, and demonstrating Frag’s skills in the processing of these materials.
Designed by Michele di Fonzo, Otto is designed to be the focal point of the bedroom. The plywood structure is supported on black metallic legs embellished with caps of brushed brass. The legs are attached by metal plates, seemingly separated from the structure and creating a visual sensation of Otto as a suspended bed. Visit: www.frag.it
