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INNOVATION
Harrison Spinks
Simon Spinks, Chairman of Harrison Spinks and Her Majesty The Queen in 2013
The Harrison Spinks sustainability team with members of the production team testing a mattress in its laboratory
Production team member alongside a Harrison Spinks quadcoil machine
Established in 1840, Harrison Spinks is one of the UK’s most innovative bed makers and a world leader in sustainable manufacturing. The company, which employs over 600 people in Yorkshire, manufactures luxury sustainable mattresses and components for the furniture industry. With continuous investment in spring systems, it is the pioneer of pocket and micro springs, home-grown fillings from its Yorkshire farm and in-house weaving, making its own natural ticking without the need for fire-retardant (FR) chemicals added. Harrison Spinks has become the most vertically integrated bed manufacturer in the world. Harrison Spinks’ continued efforts to develop the latest in comfort technology and sustainability has been recognised over the years with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation in 2013 and 2018, Sustainable Development in 2013 and 2019, and International Trade in 2018. This year, the business was awarded a further two King’s Awards for Enterprise in Innovation and International Trade, bringing the total number won to seven. Revolutionary developments Innovation is deeply woven within Harrison Spinks’ DNA thanks to its dedicated research and engineering teams who have achieved exceptional leaps since its last Innovation accolade, resulting in patented products and highly efficient processes. This year’s King’s Award for Innovation is no exception, with the business recognised for the design and manufacture of revolutionary glue-less, fine-wire pocket springs.
Manufacturing components in-house has many benefits, one of which that it allows Harrison Spinks to really understand the science behind the technology of craft. In an industry which is relatively slow to seek new solutions in terms of products and processes, Harrison Spinks has continually invested to ensure it is revolutionising engineering through innovation. Comfort is one of the core priorities when designing a premium mattress and increasing the concentration of the springs is a key element in achieving high comfort levels for the end user. However, spring density is limited by the gauge of wire used. Harrison Spinks’ goal was to significantly reduce spring diameter without affecting comfort to create an ultra-fine-wire pocket spring with significant flexibility and strength. Working in collaboration with British Steel, a unique grade of steel was developed, alongside with an in-house drawing process, which has created a unique ultra- fine wire. Revolution spring in spring technology and the micro spring. The business introduced Coretec™ glue free spring technology to the furniture market and is a sustainable pioneer as the first mattress manufacturer to be 100% foam, glue and fire- retardant chemical-free. This means its mattresses are better for both the environment and a healthy night’s sleep. The company’s in-house design team built a first- of-its-kind coiler machine making the spring coiling Sustainability at its core Harrison Spinks is also an innovator of the
Harrison Spinks’ in house laboratory spring testing
process highly efficient with very little wastage – this led to improved outputs by 30%, a 60% efficiency gain and overall Co2 reduction of 30%. No other industry manufacturer is working with such fine wire and high coil counts with the guarantee of a toxin-free mattress created from a highly efficient production process. Simon Spinks, Chairman of Harrison Spinks, says: “To be granted two King’s Awards is a huge honour and is a reflection of the hard work the team has delivered, ensuring we are constantly championing innovation and high-quality, sustainable design.” 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
King’s Awards Magazine 2023
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