Spinks Springs wins third annual Export Award
West Yorkshire manufacturer, and BCFA member, Spinks Springs, a leading supplier of unique, micro pocket springs, has fought off stiff competition to win The Furniture Makers’ Company’s third annual Export Award.
Three businesses – Gosling Limited and BCFA members Ocee International and Spinks Springs – were shortlisted for the award and attended a judging day at Furniture Makers’ Hall, London on 25 July 2018.
All of the businesses presented excellent cases, but ultimately Spinks Springs, part of fifth generation family owned manufacturer Harrison Spinks, and member to the BCFA was chosen as the winner.
The company has developed a worldwide export business through its innovative Posturfil and HD micro-springs that act as a comfort layer and replace foam and other filling materials in products such as beds, footwear, upholstery and office furniture.
The judges were impressed how, through the development of an international strategy and continuing to increase investment in the people within each new market, Spinks Springs’ export business has grown by 500% since 2015, with export sales in 2017/18 reaching £4.89m and now accounting for 17% of its sales.
Ian Owen, European sales manager at Spinks Springs, said:
“We are delighted to have been granted The Furniture Makers’ Company’s Export Award. We feel that this award reflects our commitment to exporting quality components for bedding, furniture and other markets and the hard work of the Spinks Springs team. We’re pleased to see that our strategy of taking patented innovative components into new international markets has been recognised by such an iconic and prestigious body.”
“By implementing a clear export strategy, Spinks Springs has quickly positioned itself as a world leader in innovative spring technology and seen subsequent rapid growth. The key when entering new markets is having the expertise to understand the landscape and through the recruitment of agents and undertaking market research within new territories, Spinks Springs has achieved this. We salute the company’s success in flying the flag for British innovation abroad and Harrison Spinks’ ambition to increase turnover to £100m by 2022, aided by the success of its export business.” Hayden Davies, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company
Part of the Manufacturing Guild Mark, the Export Award was launched in 2016 to recognise excellence in promoting and selling British manufactured furniture, bedding and furnishings to overseas markets. The award considers all aspects of how a business operates, including development initiatives, overseas’ markets penetrated, volumes, growth techniques, long term commitment, and relevant accreditations.
The 2018 Export Award judging panel was:
• Hayden Davies, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company
• Brian Ahern, chairman of the British Furniture Manufacturers Association
• Ben Burbidge, chairman of the Manufacturing Guild Mark
• Jonathan Hindle, chairman of the British Furniture Confederation
• Jeremy Stein, managing director of the British Contract Furnishing Association
• Jonny Westbrooke, CEO of The Furniture Makers’ Company.
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