HSM’s Joint Venture Brings Flexecore System to U.S.

December 4, 2020  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

The glue-free, high-density fabric-encased coil system had previously only been produced in the United Kingdom by Spinks. Flexecore is now available to North American mattress manufacturers thanks to the expanded joint venture between the two companies; the product is making its North American production debut at Hickory Springs’ bedding plant in Hickory, North Carolina.

“Since its recent UK launch, this ground-breaking product has been extremely well-received,” said Tim Witherell, vice president and general manager of Hickory Springs bedding products. “As hybrid mattress sales continue to grow and consumer eco-consciousness continues to become more and more important, we’re excited to produce this new technology domestically to provide our customers with an industry-leading, sustainably designed solution that offers a greener alternative to traditional foam and fabric encased coil-based mattress constructions.”

The UL GREENGUARD Gold certified mattress component system uses fine gauge wire and sonically welded fabric in a concertina construction pattern eliminating up to a half-pound of adhesives used in the conventional manufacturing of fabric encased coils as well as additional adhesives that are used to bond the mattress layers together.

Compared to many traditional foam and pocket coil-based mattress constructions, Flexecore’s volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions are minimal. This new approach is anticipated to improve the economics of mattress recycling and may prevent millions of mattresses from entering landfills. The innovative technology can be applied to all sectors of the mattress industry and has crossover application in furniture.

HS2 has the exclusive right to manufacture and distribute Flexecore in North America and Mexico. HSM has partnered with Spinks since 2012 through the HS2 joint venture, when it began producing microcoil springs in North America.