Mattress Core Production Innovation with Advanced Materials Inclusion to take Disruptive Product to Market

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"Harrison Spinks is the lead applicant in a collaborative research and development project which will bring significant innovation in how mattresses are made. The project will allow for a new generation of product which will change the way the industry works with customers. For some years, the team have been looking at ways to incorporate the innovation and technology of the components within a bed, but also to develop industry leading step change in how those mattresses are made. The aim is to develop a product which adapts to the increasing demands and expectations people place on a good night's sleep, whilst being offered at an accessible price.Harrison Spinks is a fifth-generation family business, established in 1840 and today is a leading high-end, luxury bed manufacturer and supplier of quality components to the furniture, footwear and automotive industries. Innovation is at the heart of Harrison Spinks, and it is the continuous investment in technology which has allowed it to become the most vertically integrated bed manufacturer in the world. Not only does the business manufacture patented pocket springs, it also has a dedicated team of engineers who design and build the machinery on-site in Leeds which produces award-winning springs. The project includes a collaborative partner with an expertise in production innovation and also Sheffield University.In 2014, the business began drawing its own wire from steel rod, which allowed for production of thinner wire than is commercially available within the market and consequently, the business is able to offer a range of springs to a number of markets. The project allows for the further development of spring technology, combining novel manufacturing processes and advanced materials to create a revolutionary new product to market.The project builds on previous research and demonstrates the businesses commitment to continuous investment in technology, which was recognised by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 2013, with two Queen's Awards for Enterprise awarded; one for Innovation and the other for Sustainable Development."