GNG Group, manufacturer of performance foam products for the healthcare, sports and retail mattress markets, has taken delivery of new automated machinery at its Wakefield plant.
This investment, for GNG's Beds Division, should have taken place during the second half of last year, but was delayed due to Covid-19. The installation includes a new vacuum-packed mattress line, an automatic gluing line and an auto-dispatch facility. This will cement the company's current expansion plans, and is of particular importance to its vacuum-packed Komfi mattress collection, which was launched in July 2020.
Komfi's sales director, Stuart Hibbert, says: "The Active and Sensory ranges have got off to a flying start, and we have had a fantastic uptake, with orders exceeding our initial expectations. The current issues with foam and spring supplies continues to be a challenge, but these obstacles will be overcome in the months ahead, and, with this large-scale investment, we will be in the best possible shape to succeed in a very competitive marketplace."
As an NHS-approved supplier, GNG has remained fully operational during the pandemic, producing medical mattresses on a dedicated manufacturing line, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Now, as demand eases, there is a renewed focus and confidence across all divisions. GNG's chairman, Philip Whittell, comments: "2021 is looking very positive for the group as a whole. With the arrival of this machinery and the freeing up of production lines, we will have a +400% increase in capacity. Going forward, this will allow us to provide an excellent level of service to our customers and quick delivery times. Covid has been a massive challenge to us all, but it has not only made us a leaner, more efficient operation, but also a greener one, with GNG having been awarded carbon-neutral certification."
Indeed, the group's vision for a more sustainable mattress range has seen the development and certification of its first carbon-neutral mattress. This is set to become an integral part of GNG’s mattress offer, and will be available to both retail and contract customers. The Komfi collection has also been designed to be fully recyclable – GNG's British-made Ecofoam is 100% recycled and re-engineered, and features throughout the Komfi Active range, along with mattress covers featuring Seaqual yarn, a fibre made from plastic litter retrieved from the ocean.
Philip adds: "These elements play an important part in our drive towards ethically designed mattresses which are better for the environment. We will continue to research and innovate, sharing knowledge across our specialist divisions, to enhance and support our carbon footprint standard.”
