Editor’s Note: For the December Beds by Design feature titled, “The Path to Sustainable Design,” we asked industry leaders to fill out a questionnaire about their creative process. Turns out, they are so passionate about the topic that we couldn’t use all their sage insights in the print feature. So, we’ve decided to post the entirety of their Q&A’s online, allowing you, our valued audience, to read all their good answers. This interview with Rhiannon Burch Hallam, senior vice president of sales for BekaertDeslee, is the first of a seven-part, online-only series that we will post weekly throughout the month of December. (Please be sure to also watch Hallam’s Inside the Mind of Today’s Mattress Shopper video.) Most of all, our sincerest thanks to the executives who participated in the sustainable design feature to help educate the industry about a future defined by a circular economy.
What does sustainable design mean for your company?
Rhiannon Burch Hallam: Being sustainable reaches far beyond the final product sitting on the retail floor. Having a sustainable design is the all-encompassing approach to the circular economy. To truly reach that goal, the design needs to begin with the ultimate end in mind while also balancing the needs of today’s consumer. It’s a very delicate balance, but one we strive to maintain throughout our development cycle.
What are your greatest obstacles or challenges when it comes to sustainable design?
Rhiannon Burch Hallam: One of the greatest challenges is working today on solutions to a problem that will exist 10+ years from now. The circular infrastructure is evolving at the same time as the consumers’ expectations on sustainable products. At some point, these paths will merge and our responsibility as an industry is to meet the demands of all stakeholders in the moment their needs become truly known and defined. We are predicting the future and anticipating consumer needs in parallel.
What sustainable products does your company offer?
Rhiannon Burch Hallam: We offer a full range of sleep solutions that not only become a part of the circular economy but also reduce our ecological footprint. We have several textile technologies and cover solutions in our portfolio, along with certificates and labels that transparently indicate how our products align with sustainability initiatives. From our work with the Seaqual Initiative to the introduction of the zipperless cover, we continue to bring new and innovative solutions to our customers.
What is your ultimate goal when it comes to sustainability?
Rhiannon Burch Hallam: Our mantra is “For a better tomorrow.” Our actions and developments today will impact generations to come. Our goal is to align the value chain on a journey to a truly circular economy that enables all of us to create a better tomorrow in our work today.
