By John Connell

Last updated at 16:23, Friday, 29 June 2012

Here is a man who can rest easy in his bed. Steve Freeman is the managing director of Aspatria-based Sealy UK which is now on track to capture 10 per cent – £45 million worth – of the UK bed market.

Steve Freeman

The company currently has seven per cent of the market.

But its growth over the last four months is up by 12 per cent compared with the same time last year.

And its forecasted growth stands at 14 per cent.

Mr Freeman, who sleeps in a Sealy bed, said that it was the quality of the products on offer which was “winning over the consumer”.

He added that the company was committed to bringing new innovative beds onto the market.

He said: “We have to offer the consumers value for money. But our passion for our products is such that what we really offer is value for quality and that’s the key.”

But it is not just Sealy bed’s domestic market which is doing well in what are very challenging trading conditions.

“Our contract business through hotels and cruise liners is also showing signs of growth” Mr Freeman said.

“We are starting to see a resurgence coming into the hotel market. We are winning a lot of contracts and this will be a significant part of our future growth.”

Sealy UK employs 313 people but Mr Freeman said there was “head room” to expand. It is famous for its range of posturepedic beds which aim to help support the back and promote a comfortable night’s sleep.

Mr Freeman believes the importance of a good bed and a good night’s sleep cannot be overstated. He said: “Seventy-five per cent of Britons aren’t getting a good night’s sleep.

“Without sleep you are really in for a bad day. Sleep is critical for health.

“Studies show that if you get less than six hours’ sleep a night, your health suffers, significantly increasing the risk of heart diseases and strokes. The Government talks about five a day of fruit and vegetables but they should be putting as much investment behind making sure consumers get a good night’s sleep.”

He also believes that such investment would be beneficial to the UK economy and relieve some the financial would pressures on the NHS. A well-rested worker is, of course, more productive and less prone to injury and making mistakes. The NHS spends £10m a year on sleeping tablet prescriptions when Mr Freeman would argue that all they really need is the “right bed”.

Sealy also uses innovative technology to eliminate bed bugs and dust mites.

From its Aspatria plant, Sealy UK has made beds for David and Victoria Beckham, Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty and The Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Film star Robert De Niro is known to sleep in a Sealy bed.

News of Sealy’s success comes just a year after the Aspatria factory was saved from closure in a last-minute rescue deal.

Silentnight, which owns Sealy Beds, was bought by HIG Europe, the European arm of global private equity firm HIG Capital.

The firm had been on the brink of collapse after being forced to file for administration when a bid to enter a Company Voluntary Arrangement failed.

It had sought the move after plunging into a financial crisis when its bank – Clydesdale – withdrew its funding because of fears about Silentnight’s £100m pension deficit and spiralling debts.

First published at 14:34, Friday, 29 June 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk