Naturalmat, the Devon-based, sustainable bed and mattress maker has just opened its £2m+ upgraded workshop in Topsham, Exeter, nearly tripling production capacity and creating local jobs.
The 30,000sqft location combines workshop, office and showroom space, marking a significant investment in Devon’s manufacturing sector.
The opening is more than just a milestone, it’s a boost for local employment, a showcase of sustainable British manufacturing and a sign of growing demand for healthier, more sustainable products in our homes.
Mark Tremlett, Founder of Naturalmat, commented: “Thanks to the hard work of our team and the support of our loyal customers, we have been lucky enough to open our brand new showroom, workshop and office here in Topsham, in the same family boatyard where Peter and I started the business over 25 years ago. We’re committed to continuing to pioneer sustainable manufacturing here in the Southwest, and proud of the jobs we’re able to provide for many skilled craftspeople in the area.”
In other news, Naturalmat has also announced the launch of ReNew™, a limited edition closed-loop fabric created in collaboration with IINOUIIO.
Naturalmat is the first brand in the UK to take production remnants, transform them into a completely new fabric, and craft a product from it. This pioneering material transforms Naturalmat’s production offcuts into something valuable, natural, and entirely new.
Newly launched, the fabric can be chosen for upholstery across any of Naturalmat’s beds, bases and headboards, furthering the brand’s commitment to sustainability and circular design.
“To produce the new fabric, unavoidable remnants from pattern cutting are collected, baled and sent to Yorkshire for sorting from Naturalmat’s workshop in Devon,” the company said. “These offcuts are then separated into colour groups.
“Once sorted, each fabric colour is shredded into loose fibres, ready to be re-spun into new yarn. Blended with wool and cashmere offcuts from UK textile and clothing manufacturers, Naturalmat’s cotton and linen fibres are transformed into a new thread utilising IINOUIIO’s specialist machinery.
“After a day of weaving samples on a hand loom, the perfect fabric construction is selected for upholstery and can then be sent to the production looms to create the final fabric. The finished rolls are then sent back to Devon in the form of ReNew™ ready to be cut and upholstered at Naturalmat’s workshop.”
Produced in a limited run, the Oat-coloured fabric is an example of circular design in action, breathing new life into offcuts to create something that is not only natural and new, but also gentle on the environment.
Dr. John Parkinson, Co-Founder of IINOUIIO, said: “Many people refer to the materials we work with as ‘waste’, but to us it’s a valuable raw material, too often limited by our skill and imagination. It has been a joy to work with Naturalmat, This project has been a fabulous example by all concerned of what can be done when the will is committed and authentic.”
