Inside A.H. Beard’s new facility in Sydney
Mattress manufacturer A.H. Beard, whose history dates back to 1899, now has a new purpose-designed manufacturing facility in Sydney that improves efficiency, reduces injuries from materials handling and minimizes product damages, according to a news release from the Padstow, Australia-based company.
The bed maker’s new facility sits directly across the road from its former facility, and incorporates state-of-the-art conveyor- and materials-handling systems. The 200,000 square-foot-plant is 15% larger than the previous one, and consolidates operations that once were conducted in six buildings at two sites.
The facility, which the company said was needed to meet growth demands, houses not only the plant, but offices, showrooms and covered, height-adjustable loading docks. The relocation and consolidation also will reduce double handling of raw materials and other production inefficiencies.
“In recent years, A.H.Beard has enjoyed consistent year-on-year growth, both in Australia and New Zealand,” said Allyn Beard, A.H.Beard director. “And this new investment was largely to increase capacity, especially for growth in exports of Australian-made mattresses and foundations, mainly to China and Hong Kong. We (also) expect to see a 15% reduction in labor costs and further savings in transport and handling.”
Production capacity reportedly has increased to more than 1,000 pieces per day, or by about 30%, since the relocation on Nov. 8. That number is higher when running multiple shifts.
The plant will assist in production for mattresses under the company’s own brands such as Domino, Nature’s Rest, Sleephaven and A.H.Beard, as well as long-time licensee, King Koil brand.
A.H.Beard operates factories in Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney, and in Auckland, New Zealand. In 2015, the company was a finalist for the government-sponsored Australian Exporter of the Year award.
