Vispring Palladio Headboard

1901

John Nolon and Frederick James made an agreement with James Marshall to promote his revolutionary mattress in the United Kingdom. Unable to persuade local manufacturers to adopt the idea, they decided to produce the Marshall mattress themselves. The Marshall Sanitary Mattress Company was incorporated in London on 24 September 1901. The Vispring story had begun.

1911

The company adopts the Vispring name and logo. For the past few years, the hare motif was used. This animal was chosen to illustrate the resilience and bounce of its springs —which, in the new branding, is combined with the Roman numeral VI: a subtle reference to the number of springs being sewn into each pocket.

1912

The bespoke comfort of Vispring’s mattresses begins to attract the attention of prestigious steamship companies. Having already equipped its flagship liner the ‘Olympic’ with Vispring mattresses in 1911, the White Star Line turns to Vispring once again to fit out its sister ship — the ‘Titanic’. Each of the vessel’s 39 suites and 350 First Class cabins come complete with Vispring mattresses.

1925

Vispring starts to use pure cotton as a filling component for each mattress. Prior to this, horsehair was the fibre of choice. With a long-standing belief in using only the finest natural materials, the range expands to include Shetland wool, silk and cashmere.

1932

Vispring introduces the world’ first pocket-sprung divan, known as ‘The Vibase’. This was celebrated as the perfect partner for its now iconic mattresses. Teaming the two together provided the ultimate sleep experience — which still holds true today.

1940-1946

To assist in the war effort, Vispring produces aeroplane parts in its north London workshop.

1961

Vispring launched ‘The Hi-Vi Collection’. Aimed at a younger audience, the range featured bolder and more colourful beds.

1971

Vispring moves production from London to Plymouth in south west England.

2001

The Vispring centenary was celebrated with a series of advertisements inspired by the company’s early 1900s promotions.

2012

Vispring receives the highly prized Queen’s Award for Enterprise. Instituted by Royal Warrant, the award honours businesses that have excelled in the fields of international trade, innovation or sustainable development. The presentation ceremony is a proud moment for all the company’s staff.

Today

Over 200 skilled craftspeople work in the Vispring Plymouth workshop. Vispring beds are stocked by over 500 stores worldwide, which means the perfect night’s sleep is available to more people than ever before. The way we sleep hasn’t changed and neither have our methods.