Eight of the National Bed Federation’s (NBF) manufacturer and supplier members are the official sponsors of this year’s Bed Show, taking place 24 – 25 September at the International Centre, Telford.

Entry to the show is free and this year’s registration is sponsored by Sweet Dreams. Visitors can download their e-ticket ahead of arrival or register in person at the entrance to the halls, before picking up a complimentary bag provided by Enkev Natural Fibres.

During the event, Highgrove will help visitors find their way around which has sponsored the ‘you are here’ floorplan boards and bed manufacturer Harrison Spinks will keep attendees connected with free Wi-Fi. The password will be printed in the show planner, which will be available to collect at the show entrance.

Three onsite cafes will be available to help visitors unwind: Hall 1 Cafe, which is the largest refreshment area and serves primarily hot food, plus all dietary requirements, is sponsored by Silentnight. Hall 2 Café is sponsored by Sealy UK and Hall 3 Café by Sleepeezee. The sponsorships also include complimentary refreshment vouchers for all visitors and exhibitors, which will be available to collect at the NBF stand, B5.

Ahead of the NBF Bed Industry Awards ceremony on 24 September, organisers invite guests to attend the drinks reception in the foyer, both events made possible by this year’s generous headline sponsor, Hypnos. A live band, also sponsored by the Bucks-based bed manufacturer, will keep the celebrations flowing in style.

The NBF also extends special thanks to official Bed Show supporters GNG Group – Komfi and The Vita Group.

Now in its 14th year, the Bed Show is a pivotal event in the industry calendar, and the halls are busier than ever, with the most prominent names in the British and Irish bed manufacturing industry exhibiting at this year’s event. 2024’s exhibitors include some of the biggest names in the bed industry, such as the Airsprung Group, Harrison Spinks, GNG Group, Hypnos, Sealy UK, Silentnight, Sleepeezee, Sweet Dreams and Kaymed as well as many more. We take a look at what to expect to see during this year’s Bed Show.

To kick things off, Sweet Dreams are using the Bed Show to officially unveil its highly anticipated rebrand, while a selection of the new collections can also be seen at the event. Attendees can pick up their copy of the brand new product catalogue which encompasses the whole of the Sweet Dreams’ range including beds, mattresses, frames, tv beds, sofa beds and sofas. Meanwhile, Vogue Beds will also be presenting something new and are encouraging visitors to see it first at the show. Enchanted House Beds are celebrating its recent 10-year anniversary by joining the NBF and taking a stand at the Bed Show. This is the first chance for the trade to see the beds and meet the team.

Harrison Spinks will be unveiling two exciting new collections, with every model on display brand-new, including models from its core Harrison Spinks collection and the luxury Somnus brand. Designed with ultimate luxury at its core, the new collections integrate the highest quality natural materials, including Traceable British Wool, Swaledale wool, Herdwick wool and recycled cashmere, as well as hemp and flax which is grown on Harrison Spinks’ 300-acre Yorkshire farm. Combining its award-winning pocket and microsprings, finest natural and home-grown fillings, and its in-house woven and naturally fire retardant chemical free mattress tick.

This year’s show will also be an opportunity for buyers to experience firsthand the craftsmanship and innovation that have made Smeaton Brothers a leader in the industry. “While the redesigned Smeaton Ultimate collection is sure to impress, we also have something special up our sleeves,” teases Ross Yeardley (Sales Manager). An exclusive new range will be unveiled only at the show. For Gainsborough, two new ranges and a designer-led new look for the popular Mayfair will take centre stage. Take a look at Equinox and Verde, both naturally inspired and showcased at the show, both featuring ethically and locally sourced alpaca wool.

Building on the success of the KomfiMed collection, which was a finalist for Product of the Year in 2023, GNG will launch three new collections designed to cater to a variety of sleeping styles, incorporating sustainable materials and advanced sleep solutions. The Bed Show will see The Shire Bed Company unveil “inspiring” products. It will launch a new range of innovative mattresses as well as exhibiting its trend led headboards, divans and ottomans. Shire Beds remains committed to sustainable manufacturing. The Millbrook Beds Smooth-Tech™ range has improved again and are launching three luxury inner tufted pillow tops and will include our brand-new Posture 7 Zone Spring Unit. This exclusive spring offers the ultimate comfort and support redefining sleep with its sophisticated design and high-quality materials.

As Sleepeezee marks its 100-year birthday, the mattress maker is excited to confirm four new range launches at the upcoming show, backed with marketing and in store support for its retail partners, as well as a promotional calendar for the new year. The four new collections planned for launch will be refreshes on some of Sleepeezee’s best-selling ranges including Campaign for Wool, a price conscious naturals collection, its best-selling PocketGel Plus, a new Graphite memory foam range and a Cool Refresh Collection. Finishing off the new launches for the show, Sleepeezee will also have new fabric options, headboard designs and divan offerings.

Proudly on display at this year’s NBF Bed Show will be a wide spectrum of Sealy’s signature product ranges, each of these featuring one of their family of patented coil systems. Structured to target a variety of market sectors and price points, this collection of unique spring technologies has been entirely designed and developed at the Sealy International R and D Facility, exemplifying their continuing dedication to world-class innovation. At the show, the brand will showcase for the very first time their new 50th anniversary range, Sealy Posturepedic Elevate UltraLux. Introducing the most recent launch in the Sealy Posturepedic line-up, this collection incorporates the latest advances to ensure the exceptional support performance and comfort quality synonymous with Sealy Posturepedic.

Meanwhile, Wolf Components are encouraging visitors to discover Apex – its fully recyclable, no compromise pocket springs. Engineered for optimal support and comfort and offered in a wide range of series to specially meet diverse needs, there’s an Apex spring perfect for every product. The Vita Group will be showcasing once again at this year’s show and will feature its Orbis foam range, which integrates recycled materials from end-of-life foam products. Leggett & Platt Springs UK and Kayfoam, divisions of Leggett & Platt International Bedding, will also be exhibiting. Those in attendance will gain insights on various topics, showcasing how Leggett & Platt manufactures success through innovation and a “global, yet local” approach to service. Kayfoam is introducing its latest innovations in technical comfort foams, developed in partnership with Peterson Chemical Technologies in the USA. These foams help to resolve age-old problems with conventional memory foam. 

As a guest to the show, PureCare is still reveling in its recent award success after its OmniGuard Mattress Protector secured the prestigious Good Housekeeping Award 2024 earlier this year. On show, the brand will showcase the benefits of its protectors and how these can help retailers increase sales. From one guest exhibitor, and award-winner, to another, industry leading furniture and bed retailers combined ERP & EPOS solution provider, RetailSystem, will be presenting its latest updates off the back of a successful Manchester event.

TFRGroup will also on be hand to showcase its specialised services, Mattress Recycling and Retail Returns Rejuvenation, during the show. They look forward to demonstrating how their solutions can help businesses strengthen their sustainability and CSR goals. Finally, award-winning German bedroom manufacturer, Wiemann, is taking its latest contemporary bedroom furniture to Telford. The company, which recently topped the poll in the Best Overseas Furniture Supplier and Best Bedroom Cabinet Supplier categories in the Big Furniture Awards, will be presenting its popular VIP ranges, Lagos and Monaco.

NBF Bed Industry Awards round-up

The glittering Gala Dinner & Bed Industry Awards ceremony returns on the first evening of the show. Sponsored by Hypnos, the awards are an opportunity for bed retailers and NBF members to highlight their achievements from the past year, raise their company profile and honour their team’s efforts. Host and Strictly Come Dancing superstar Anton Du Beke will reveal the eight award winners, and this year, a fantastic live band will add to the lineup, with a dedicated dancefloor to continue the celebrations into the night.

NBF Member Awards

Company awards judges: David Fitzsimons (director of circular economy consultants Oakdene Hollins and of the European Remanufacturing Council), Brian Ahern (Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company), Jonathan Hindle (Chairman of the British Furniture Confederation (BFC) and MD & President of KI Europe).

Bed Manufacturer of the Year recognises the achievements and innovations at a company level.

Supplier of the Year recognises the achievements and innovations at a company level.

Bed Product of the Year, which includes mattresses, headboards, frames and sofa beds.

Judges: Sue Davies (Sue Davies Design Solutions), Steve Adams (Mattress Online), Paul Farley (Furniture News), James Dunne (Prestige Beds), Jo Fielding (AIS).

Component Product of the Year awarded to the supplier with the most innovative component product or machine used in manufacturing a finished product.

Judges: Dave Morris (Sleepeezee), Natalie Armstrong (Sealy), Danny Blackmore (Silentnight).

Retailer Awards

Judges: Bernard Eaton (Green Retail), Dan Squires (Big Furniture Group), Jarrod Bird (Interiors Monthly).

The Retail Champion awards are open to all retailers signed up to the NBF’s Retail Champions Scheme, which supports businesses whose product offer is from at least 50% NBF-approved member brands. 

Small NBF Retail Champion of the Year for retailers with four stores or fewer, recognising the contributions of the independent retailers.

Large NBF Retail Champion of the Year for retailers with five to 20 stores, recognising the contributions of the independent retailers.

National Bed Retailer of the Year for businesses with more than 20 stores.

Online Bed Retailer of the Year for businesses where at least 80% of the sales are via the internet.

NBF executive director Tristine Hargreaves said: “The NBF’s Bed Industry Awards are among the most coveted accolades for the UK and Irish bed trade. Winning an award sets you apart from your competitors and is an excellent opportunity to further promote your business and achievements. Each year, we continue to be hugely impressed by the standard of the entries, and we’re sure 2024 will be no different!”

Find more information on the Bed Show, exhibitors and awards at www.bedshow.co.uk.