Naturalmat, the Devon-based natural bed and mattress company, which is regularly specified in hotels for leading brands such as YOTEL, Hoxton and Six Senses (among others), has achieved B Corp status due to its social and environmentally friendly approach to manufacturing…
Sustainability is part of Naturalmat’s DNA. Founded more than 20 years ago on the banks of the River Exe in Devon, the bed and mattress company was the first to pioneer the production of completely natural, organic and sustainable beds thus setting a new precedent for the UK bed industry. Its long-standing commitment to only the most sustainable production methods has earned it global recognition and now at last, B Corp status, considered to be sustainability’s ‘gold standard’.
The ‘B’ in B Corp stands for Benefit for all. Its aim is to recognise purpose-driven businesses committed to being a holistic force for good for all people, communities and the planet. Achieving this accreditation has taken Naturalmat close to two years of rigorous assessment and the evaluation of every aspect of the business: from staff welfare, packaging and energy supply to their wider role within the community and commitment to their suppliers. It is this level of scrutiny that makes B Corp certification so important.
Image credit: Naturalmat
“From day one over 20 years ago, we’ve been at the forefront of making planet-friendly mattresses with organic, sustainable and renewable materials,” explained Mark Tremlett, Founder of Naturalmat. “So needless to say, it feels truly rewarding to be recognised as the ethical business we’ve always strived to be and join this powerful global community of organisations working together for a better tomorrow. We started off making mattresses for boats with natural and breathable materials, eventually expanding into organic, chemical-free mattresses for babies and adults, championing safe and healthy sleep for everyone. Over the next few years we made every effort to grow as a force for good. We pioneered sourcing organic wool directly from local farmers, installed solar panels on the roof of our workshop and moved to 100% renewable energy, and developed innovative plastic-free packaging.”
In order to achieve B-Corp certification, a company must:
- Demonstrate high social and environmental performance by achieving a B Impact Assessment score of 80 or above
- Make a legal commitment by changing their corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders, and achieve benefit corporation status if available in their jurisdiction.
- Exhibit transparency by allowing information about their performance measured against B Lab’s standards to be publicly available on their B Corp profile on B Lab’s website
Naturalmat B Corp Assessment Score:
- Overall B Impact Score – 96.3
- Score required for B Corp Qualification – 80
- Median Score for Ordinary Business – 50.9
Image credit: Naturalmat
Every key material that goes into a Naturalmat product has been carefully selected from natural, regenerative and sustainable sources to minimise its impact on the planet. From certified organic wool and coir to locally crafted buttons, Naturalmat is rigorous in handpicking only the most sustainable materials from suppliers it trusts.
Naturalmat is committed to practising regenerative farming principles, using more recycled materials across its range and continuing to uphold only the highest uphold human rights and animal welfare across its supply chain. By forming impactful charity partnerships to tackle bed poverty and sharing healthy sleep advice with the world, Naturalmat continues to work towards its goal of making healthy sleep available to all.
Image credit: The Hoxton / Ennismore
Naturalmat is committed to playing its part in tackling the current escalating ecological emergency by cutting emissions and ensuring every stage of production supports the protection and regeneration of the planet’s precious ecosystem. As part of this, Naturalmat’s Devon showroom has been powered by 100 per cent renewable energy since 2012, with 75 per cent provided by solar panels on the workshop roof.
From the outset, Naturalmat has recruited members of its team from within its local Devon community, resulting in 37 or its 45 members being based in and around the company’s workshop headquarters in Topsham. The team consists of a wide range of highly skilled individuals from traditional mattress makers and upholsterers to office based roles all contributing to a supportive and positive work environment.
Further highlighting its commitment to sustainable practices, Naturalmat released its first Impact Report in 2022. This comprehensive document charts the company’s journey to date and sets out Naturalmat’s current sustainability strategies based around five key pillars each with ambitious targets it aims to meet by 2025.
Naturalmat is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Naturalmat
