NEWS RELEASE
A UK manufacturer is highlighting the economic pressures facing sheep farmers and the growing demand for transparency across UK supply chains, as it unveils an updated mattress collection using 100% British fleece that can be traced directly from bale to bedroom.
The Wrought Iron & Brass Bed Co has updated its Signature British Wool Mattress Collection, making it the first and only mattress range filled entirely with pure British wool, using no synthetic blends or fillings and no imported fleece, complemented by British-made calico pocket springs. The improved range also has the unique distinction of being the only pure wool mattress endorsed by Made in Britain.
The company, which is a Royal Warrant holder and the only domestic manufacturer fabricating metal beds certified by the official Made in Britain trademark, ensures full traceability, with each product linked to the individual farm from which the wool originated.
Working directly with British sheep farms, the company has built its own in-house traceability system, allowing wool to be processed in farm-specific batches and tracked through each stage of production. Each mattress carries a bespoke QR code enabling customers to see where the wool inside their product has come from.
Harry Thompson, Head of Brand Development and Marketing at The Wrought Iron & Brass Bed Co, said: “British farmers are paid mere pennies for fleece. A farmer has no choice but to shear their sheep for welfare, but smaller holdings are barely breaking even.
“Large conglomerates in the industry base the wool’s value on the market average at the end of the year and typically do not release payment to the farmer until the farmer sends in the next clip the following year.
“This means that many British farmers are unsure of what their wool income is likely to be and feel trapped in a loop where they have no control over how much they’re going to get paid and feel obliged to continue the cycle.”
UK farmers typically earn 10-60p per kg of wool produced, far below the cost of shearing, although prices in the last year reached their highest prices in a decade of up to £1.18 per kg. This has been attributed to a global decline in the number of sheep and changes in consumer behaviour as environmentally conscious shoppers switch from synthetic fabrics to natural materials.
The Wrought Iron & Brass Bed Co hopes its Signature British Wool Mattress Collection will help more consumers choose natural, British materials while also giving farmers greater financial security.
The company offers farmers a fixed price upfront when signing a partnership, with payments released after just three months to help their cash flow.
For the award-winning British retailer, the launch formalises an approach centred around fairer relationships with farmers, agreed pricing, and full supply chain visibility.
John Pearce, CEO of Made in Britain, said: “This is a strong example of British manufacturing working closely with the UK agricultural supply chain to deliver transparency and long-term value, for consumers and the skilled workers that uplifts our economy. British wool has a proud heritage, and it is deeply encouraging to see manufacturers supporting farmers through clearer provenance and responsible sourcing.
“With thousands of UK manufacturers benefiting from the Made in Britain trademark, we’re proud to back British companies that take real pride and responsibility in making high-quality products that support livelihoods and communities up and down the country.”
For more information about The Wrought Iron & Brass Bed Co, visit www.madeinbritain.org/members/wrought-iron-and-brass-bed-company-ltd To learn more about Made in Britain, visit www.madeinbritain.org.
