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INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Harrison Spinks
His Majesty the King with Peter Spinks, Non-executive Director of Harrison Spinks, in 2019
(L-R) Simon Spinks, Chairman, Peter Spinks, Non-executive Director and Daniel Spinks, Head of Retail at The Motorist
Harrison Spinks is a fifth-generation family- owned and run business dating back to 1840. The company is known as one of the most vertically integrated bed manufacturers in the world – striving to lead the way within the bed industry and beyond with its patented spring technology and sustainable ethos. With rapid growth seen across the UK over the past decade, its British values of innovation and quality have set the business up for success in a global marketplace and it is currently active in 13 European countries, plus the USA, Canada, Korea and Australia. The British brand, committed to using natural fibres and pioneering comfort, appeals to overseas buyers as it represents trust, quality, sustainability and innovation. This is particularly true in the USA, the largest bed market in the world, as well as consumers in Asian markets who are actively seeking British-made brands.
Its export activity is not based on dominating the mass-market segments, but to compete in the niche, high-end segments, where pedigree, technology and brand demonstrate British design and quality. The market leader Harrison Spinks has increased its export sales alongside fast growth in the domestic market and has done this by demonstrating unique innovations, hand-built craftsmanship and British- sourced and manufactured materials that positions the brand as the market leader in innovative pocket spring sustainable luxury. Its export strategy focuses on a dual approach of direct unit sales supplying its patented and unique innovations in its components, combined with robust license agreements, with a view to growing international sales by 20% year-on-year. Harrison Spinks has also invested heavily in the people that service its international customers to help further penetrate export markets. Global appeal In North America, the brand is represented in seven of the top high-end retail groups, with a Harrison Spinks- branded product made to a unique specification to be US fire regulation compliant. Similarly in Europe, it is present in over 50 of the best bed retailers predominantly under the Somnus brand and created with its Revolution spring technology licensed to spring manufacturers outside of the UK. For the rest of the world, it licenses its brand to carefully selected partners who have been chosen to build its mattresses to a premium specification.
Thanks to this strategy, Harrison Spinks has enjoyed year-on-year growth over the last three years and the company has recorded a 67 per cent increase in exports since 2020. Nick Booth, Managing Director of Harrison Spinks says: “Our purpose in creating a happier and healthier world ties in very closely with export as we want to change the way the world sleeps with improved health, and believe everyone should be comfortable, not just consumers living in the UK. “As a proud British manufacturer we’re pleased that our place in the international market has been acknowledged by the King’s Award for International Trade. We strive to inspire the global mattress industry and lead it towards a healthier, more sustainable future.” The Leeds-based company was awarded a Queen’s Award for Innovation and one for International Trade in the 2018 awards, as well as Sustainable Development in 2019. It previously received Queen’s Awards for Innovation and Sustainable Development in 2013. HARRISON SPINKS The Innovation Centre, Westland Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS11 5SB Tel: 0113 205 5200 • www.harrisonspinks.co.uk @Harrison_Spinks @HarrisonSpinksLtd @harrison_spinks /harrison-spinks An example of the sustainable material used within a Harrison Spinks mattress
Simon Spinks, Chairman of Harrison Spinks at the company’s wire-drawing line at its factory in Leeds.
King’s Awards Magazine 2023
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