Award-winning automation machinery manufacturer, MattressTek, has seen a growing appetite and demand for bespoke projects, with manufacturers and processors looking at ways to streamline and speed up their production, save time, increase productivity, alleviate labour and manage workforce - partly fed by the skills gap and a desire to produce more - whilst maintaining a focus on quality.
From its primary provision of the machinery for making mattresses, and branching into conveyor transportation and inspection systems for divans, the company has diversified its range to assist in the production of other areas of furniture, components used and the wrapping and packaging of items such as seating, headboards, cot and pet beds and a variety of other bespoke projects - including the development of a full system for assembling drawers.
With a sharpened focus on efficiency, and long-term value, this shift is creating fresh opportunities for makers and manufacturers who can deliver tailored solutions, blending craftsmanship with adaptability. In an era where differentiation, quality and return on investment, along with the saving of time, matter more than ever, bespoke automation projects are proving to be both resilient and rewarding.
MattressTek’s experience in the design, build, testing and installation of bespoke machinery and automation solutions, in the UK and across the world has positioned it as a leader in the provision of visionary and innovative ways to manufacture and process components and products, with minimal operator involvement and has seen a reduction of workers from, in some cases, 20 to just two.
While many industries have felt the squeeze of global uncertainty, the processing of component and product is seeing a demand for automation. Customers are seeking tailored solutions that meet precise needs - from machines to automatically measure, stitch, cut and fold borders and panels, to extensive lines of conveyors and rotation systems to move components and products around warehouses, factories and logistics sites - opening the door for experts like MattressTek to showcase flexibility, problem-solving, and creativity to delivery a solution that needs the need. The result: a reputation for ingenuity and forward-thinking approaches where customers are satisfied that their visions can be made reality, often after months of searching for a brand to make it happen and bring it to fruition.
At a time when many investments are scrutinised more carefully, bespoke ways to automate and speed up production are the logical route to processing high volumes in limited space, looking at reducing the number of operators or managing fewer people, exploring the use of robots alongside their existing programmed systems to layer, stack, de-stack, stuff, flip, rotate, transport and pack products, using encoders to ensure precise accuracy.
Customers are increasingly drawn to one-of-a-kind projects that meet their needs and deliver lasting value, recognising that the initial investment is well worth it in the long run, with changes to speed and efficiency seen instantly. For the trade, this growing preference for customised solutions is not only a sign of resilience, but also of confidence - a clear message that preparedness for a change in the way manufacturing is done, and a need to save money and time whilst speeding up and being more efficient, remain strong priorities even in uncertain times. MattressTek has been able to devise a solution where others couldn’t.
