The renaissance of the innerspring unit mattress or – it’s spring time!

A really good mattress consists of foam and an innerspring unit. The foam optimizes cushioning and provides for wellbeing and comfort. The innerspring unit is responsible for support and ensures optimum ventilation for a pleasant sleeping climate and improved sanitary conditions.

Unfortunately, attempts are made over and over again to discredit innerspring units. However, the fact is that innerspring unit mattresses remain the leaders among top-quality mattresses. This was recently confirmed by an interesting study of an independent Swiss product testing institute. In its January 2010 edition, the product testing institute “K-Tipp” tested 10 premium “foam mattresses” in Switzerland. Amazingly enough, a pocket spring mattress made by Superba was rated best in this test! How come? Well, this mattress was not declared as a pocket spring mattress and was tested “by mistake”.

In Western Europe, luxurious sleep has been the trend for several years. Top manufacturers such as VI-Spring – UK (www.vispring.co.uk), Treca de Paris – France (www.trecadeparis.com) and the Swedish bed manufacturer Hästens Sängar AB (www.hastens.com) have set the direction clearly toward high-quality upholstery materials in combination with innerspring units. Furthermore, it can be observed that innerspring units are used more and more in box springs to achieve double suspension. This trend can also be observed in the medium-quality segment. In the low-budget,segment we can find IKEA, for example, indicating high growth rates in pocket spring unit mattresses in Switzerland and other Western European countries.

You as a mattress manufacturer can benefit from the clear advantages of the innerspring unit mattress as well:

1. Ventilation of innerspring unit mattresses is unbeatable. On the one hand, it creates a verypleasant sleeping climate. On the other hand, it positively affects mattress sanitation.
2. Unique support comfort and extreme elasticity at specific points (pocket spring units)
3. Individual comfort zones for personalized mattresses
4. The innerspring unit can be recycled (in contrast to foam) and is seen more and more as an environmentally friendly product.

These are facts, and experts need not disagree with them. Use the advantages of these proven combination possibilities in your production as well and create a compelling line of products for your market. It is worthwhile to consider where the market is heading. Spring returns every year, even after the coldest winter! However, for the marketing professional who is looking ahead, “spring time” is all year around!

With best regards!

Roger Straessle, Sales Director