“We’re using our innovative ethos to create better and more responsible ways to make luxurious beds.” – Ian Owens, Sales Director, Spinks

An exclusive interview with Spinks, an exhibitor at Sleep Expo ME’s 5th edition.

Spinks has been involved in the mattress industry since 1840 and has always looked to be an innovator. Their inspiration occurred 5 generations ago! And that is quite a feat in the competitive market of mattresses and bedding. 

1. What does your unique approach to spring units involve?

It involves having a vision. It is our commitment to innovation and lately sustainability that makes us unique. We’re using our innovative ethos to create better and more responsible ways to make luxurious beds. And we’re committed to being the UK’s most sustainable bed maker. Our glueless technology assists us and other mattress manufacturers in becoming more sustainable and our range of innovative pocket springs delivers exceptional comfort.

2. Why are springs an important element in bedding and furniture? Can you give us an idea of the ergonomics and functionality?

Springs play a crucial role in enhancing the ergonomics and functionality of bedding and furniture by providing support, elasticity, motion isolation, durability, ventilation, and customization options. Their presence contributes significantly to the overall comfort and quality of sleep or seating experience.

3. What are the main challenges when it comes to spring units in furniture and automotive? 

Weight and space constraints: In automotive applications, there’s a constant push to reduce weight to improve fuel efficiency and performance. Similarly, in furniture, bulky spring units can add unnecessary weight and bulkiness to the product, affecting transportation and handling costs.

Noise and vibration damping: In both furniture and automotive, springs can sometimes generate noise or vibration, which can be undesirable for comfort and user experience.

Customisation and adaptability: Different users may have different preferences for support and comfort levels. Providing customizable solutions that can adapt to various body types and preferences is a challenge.

Durability and longevity: Springs in automotive and furniture need to withstand constant use and potentially harsh conditions without losing their supportive properties or wearing out prematurely.

4. How do innovative springs solve these issues? 

Innovative springs address these challenges through various means:

• Material innovations: Introducing new materials or combinations of materials can help reduce weight while maintaining strength and durability. For example, using advanced alloys or composite materials can provide the necessary support without adding excessive weight.
• Design optimisation: Innovative spring designs can help minimise noise and vibration while maximising support and comfort. This could involve altering the shape, size, or arrangement of the springs to achieve optimal performance.
• Advanced manufacturing techniques: Utilising advanced manufacturing techniques such as CAD/CAM or automated assembly processes can improve the consistency and quality of spring units while reducing production costs.
• Multi-functional springs: Developing springs that serve multiple functions, such as providing support while also damping noise and vibration, can help streamline designs and improve overall performance.

5. A lot of R&D goes into the creation of your springs for bedding, furniture, automotive and footwear. How do you recognize the problems and work on the solutions? 

Recognising problems and working on solutions in the development of springs for various applications involves a systematic approach that combines research, experimentation, testing, and collaboration. The key activities for development can be summarised as follows:

• Market research and needs assessment: Understanding the needs and preferences of consumers in the target market is the first step. This involves gathering data on current trends, customer feedback, and pain points related to springs in bedding, furniture, automotive, and footwear.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Collaboration with external partners, suppliers, and customers can also provide valuable insights.
• Problem identification: Once the market research is completed, specific problems or areas for improvement are identified. This could include issues related to weight, durability, comfort, noise, customization, or manufacturing efficiency.
• Prototyping and testing: Prototypes of the proposed solutions are developed and subjected to rigorous testing in controlled laboratory settings. This testing evaluates the performance, durability, safety, and user experience of the prototypes under various conditions and stresses.
• Implementation and commercialisation: Upon successful validation, the finalised spring designs are ready for production. We scale up production processes and work with suppliers to source materials and components. Marketing and sales teams collaborate to launch the new products in the market, highlighting their unique features and benefits.

Throughout this process, clear communication channels, project management tools, and regular checkpoints help ensure that the R&D efforts stay on track and aligned with the overall goals of the organisation. Flexibility and adaptability are also essential, as unforeseen challenges may arise during the development process, requiring creative problem-solving and adjustment of strategies.

6. What makes you revisit Sleep Expo ME consecutively?

As a global business, it is a great opportunity to meet new and existing customers at the event to discuss all our latest products and innovations, and how we can help support our customers in making comfortable and sustainable luxury mattresses and beds.

7. What are they expecting differently this year in our 5th edition of Sleep Expo ME?

This is our third year attending and over the past 3 years we have seen the interest in our products grow. This year we bring new ideas in comfort layering. We will have finished mattresses on display to show the difference in comfort a spring layer makes to a mattress construction. We will also be showcasing how our springs work in sofas and upholstery.