In a move to strengthen sales and export growth for both the beds and components divisions at Harrison Spinks, the business has appointed industry veteran Lee Hinshaw as business development director.
The new hybrid role is designed to strengthen the international presence of both Harrison Spinks and Spinks, as Hinshaw is based in Bangkok and will be responsible for driving growth in the Asia Pacific region for the company’s finished mattresses and components.
Before taking on this role at Harrison Spinks, Hinshaw tells Bedding News Now he held executive-level positions across the manufacturing, wholesale and retail sectors within the furniture and mattress industry for over 25 years, including recent roles as deputy CEO and vice president of business and operations.
“I began my career in the mattress industry at 16, starting out in manufacturing and learning everything to do with mattresses,” he explains. “Then, after university, I started traveling the world in a role in international sales working for a company in the U.S. The rest, as they say, is history. I relocated to Asia in 2003 to be closer to the company’s customer base and to continue driving international business forward. Since then, I have maintained a ‘home base’ in Asia, and my career in the international arena has continued, by my passion for global business growth in the mattress industry.”
Having known the Harrison Spinks team for several years, and having worked in the industry for so long, Hinshaw was familiar with the company from attending many of the same trade shows. He saw there was a natural connection between the company and himself for this new role because of their similar values around circular manufacturing.
“Harrison Spinks has a commendable reputation within the mattress industry and among consumers,” Hinshaw says.” I have witnessed the international growth of this business and have admired the group’s ability to penetrate markets with innovative products and ideas. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to interact with the Harrison Spinks team at trade shows over the years, getting to know the people who make the company successful, and I like the way they do things differently and the passion and care they show for creating products ethically.”
For example, the company has its own farm where it grows hemp and flax — both highly sustainable crops. It also rears its own sheep and partners with British Wool on its Traceable Wool scheme. Hemp, flax and wool are the main elements of the comfort layers in its natural mattresses and, together with its farm, forms a unique story within the industry.
Being part of a fifth-generation family business in that innovation and sustainability are a deeply rooted part of company culture resonates with Hinshaw and attracted him to the company.
In his new role, he works across Harrison Spinks and Spinks — its spring manufacturing business — to drive sales of both its luxury mattresses and award-winning spring technology within international markets, collaborating with internal teams as well as distributors and customers to enhance the brand’s presence across local markets in a range of countries.
“Across the group, I am developing and executing business plans to drive growth and expand the international market presence of both brands,” he says. “This involves identifying new business opportunities, forging partnerships and exploring potential markets to directly have an impact on the company’s sales.
“To develop our approach, we conduct market research to understand industry trends, customer needs and the competitive landscape, which then helps shape how we go about increasing sales and revenue,” he continues. “It also informs how we work internally, creating strategic plans for the sales team, as well as guiding innovation with our product development teams so that we can ensure our products meet market needs.”
Hinshaw tells Bedding News Now that global opportunities for innovative and high-quality brands and manufacturers, such as Harrison Spinks and Spinks, are immense. As consumers worldwide become increasingly health and environmentally conscious, they are paying more attention to the products they use daily, including products within the home, and especially beds and mattresses.
“Our approach is focused on research and development so that we can bring products to the international market that speak to the customer’s wants and needs,” Hinshaw says. “I am thrilled to join the committed Harrison Spinks team to further drive business growth in our existing markets and to expedite the introduction of the brand and its luxury products into new markets.”
