Harrison’s Silver lining as it links up for new market

Leeds-based Harrison Spinks is entering the cot mattress market in partnership with pram-maker Silver Cross, which is often referred to as the Rolls Royce of prams.

Silver Cross, based near Skipton, made headlines earlier this month when it was revealed that the Duchess of Cambridge had chosen to buy one of its prams for Prince George, who is third in line to the throne.

The partnership came about when Richard Naylor, commercial director in Harrison Spinks’ nursery division, heard Alan Halsall, the Silver Cross chairman, speak at an event in Leeds. Mr Naylor realised that the firms had very similar business models, so they decided to forge a partnership.

Mr Naylor said: “Harrison Spinks didn’t have the brand recognition in the baby cot mattress market so by teaming up with Silver Cross the new products would be able ‘to hit the ground running’.

“From the research that we carried out, the company realised that there had not been any real innovation in the cot mattress market for 20 years, so we decided to enter this market.”

The company bought the old Polestar printing building on Dewsbury Road in Leeds to give the company the space to make cot springs and mattresses.

Mr Naylor added: “Harrison Spinks wants to establish and grow this new cot mattress market, using its existing customer base as a ‘starter for 10’ and the Silver Cross network to expand into overseas markets.

“Harrison Spinks is in strong discussions with retailers which are at very early stages. The new cot mattress division employs around six people, although the company expects this division to grow to 30 or 40 over the next five years.

“The cot mattress, which carries the Silver Cross branding, has baby springs incorporated into a mattress in double and triple spring layers,” said Mr Naylor. “The mattress can breathe because air can flow around the springs and it has a special filter that prevents bacteria, mould, fungi and viruses from living within the core of the mattress; creating a hygienic and clean environment for babies. The total company turnover this year is expected to be £30m plus, compared with around £25m last year.”

Mr Naylor added: “The components business is also growing quickly, and we are continuing to innovate across all areas of the business, developing new spring innovations and building spring machines for spring production. The core bed business is very sound and growing both in the UK and overseas. Harrison Spinks has worked hard to keep the business growing in the right direction through the recent recession.

“Innovation is currently the biggest area of investment in the business and, through innovative new products, Harrison Spinks expects to achieve growth in the domestic and export market with the company’s traditional adult bed sales.

“Harrison Spinks hopes to achieve between £5m and £6m turnover in export sales within the export adult beds division within the next five years. With help from UKTI, Harrison Spinks is focusing on the fastest growing economies with high net worth individuals, such as Brazil, China, Japan and the US.”

Harrison Spinks recently signed a joint venture agreement in the US with HSM, formerly Hickory Springs, which should help to improve export sales. Altogether, Harrison Spinks employs more than 300 staff, including 10 who are based on the company farm in Bolton Percy, North Yorkshire, which grows hemp and flax for the natural fillings used in the core bed business.

Mr Naylor said: “Five to 10 years ago the company was buying filling for the bed business from various exotic locations, now 50 per cent of fillings are either grown within 20 miles of the factory or sourced from Yorkshire.”

Harrison Spinks was recently awarded cash from the Regional Growth Fund. Although the company cannot reveal the precise amount, the money will be spent on research and innovation in all areas of the business.

Queen’s Awards at the double

LUXURY bed manufacturer Harrison Spinks recently won two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise – the UK’s highest accolade for business success.

The Leeds-based company is the first UK bed manufacturer to win two awards in the same year after it was named in both the innovation and sustainable development categories.

The Awards for Enterprise are made annually by The Queen and are awarded for the highest levels of excellence demonstrated in each category.

Harrison Spinks is a family-owned business which was established in 1840.

The Innovation Award was granted to the company for the design and manufacture of multiple innovative pocket spring types.