Hästens
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (February 2015) |
| File:Hastens logo.jpg | |
| Company type | Privately held company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Furnitures / Luxury goods |
| Genre | Family Business |
| Founded | 1852 |
| Founder | Pehr Adolf Janson |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Global locations |
Key people | Jan Ryde (Executive Chairman & Owner), Robert Carlén (CEO).[1] |
| Products | High-end Mattress/beds, bedding, accessories |
| Website | http://www.hastens.com/ |
Hästens Sängar AB, Hästens Beds AB or simply Hästens (Swedish pronunciation: [hɛstens]); is a Swedish manufacturer established in 1852, today specializing in luxury beds, premium bedlinen, pillows and lifestyle accessories.[1] Its logo since 1917, was hand-drawn by Paul Janson, cousin of third generation David Janson. Often identified by their iconic blue-check beds and horse logo, Hästens manufacture their beds and mattresses by hand using natural materials like cotton, horse hair, wool and flax. Hästens retail stores also sell branded premium bedlinen, pillows, duvets and accessories. The company was originally founded by Pehr Adolf Janson in 1852 as a master saddler business and is still a family-owned company.[2] David Janson (Per Thure Janson's son) shifted their focus in the early 1900s from making saddles to making beds. By 1952, a century after its foundation, they had become the official bedding supplier of Sweden’s royal court.[1] The company continues to manufacture all beds in its factory in Sweden.[3]
History
Hästens’ first generation of master craftsmen, Pehr Adolf Janson (1830-1885), laid the groundwork for the spirit of master craftsmanship when he was awarded his master certificate in 1852 by king Oscar I of Sweden.[4] Master saddlers were also makers of mattresses, since horsetail hair was an essential material for the pads that went into the carriage.[5] At that time, becoming master saddler in Sweden required the certificate to be issued by the king himself.[4]
In the late 1800, the family moved to Hed and Pehr Adolf’s son Per Thure Janson decided to follow his father's path in becoming a master saddler. Hästens’ second generation of bed makers, Per Thure, started a company together with his son David Janson. The business of making beds took off and they were soon making more beds than saddles.[6]
In 1939, British-Swedish architect Ralph Erskine (1914–2005), travelled by bicycle to Sweden, where he later met David Janson who commissioned him to build the Hästens Factory, which would be one among the first buildings that he designed in Sweden.[7] It was designed by Erskine in 1948 and he also designed the further expansion of the factory in 1998, in Köping where the company is still located today.[8]
In 1978 Jack Ryde designed the iconic Hästens blue check pattern that was presented for a furniture trade fair. The blue check pattern is a registered trademark for Hästens beds and is protected.[9][10]
Markets
In 2006, Hästens was awarded the Swedish Trade Council's annual export award. Jan Ryde accepted the award from King Carl XVI Gustaf. At the time the brand was marketed in 22 countries, the largest markets being Netherlands, Finland, and the US.[11]
Hästens currently operates multiple retail stores of the approximately 200 Hästens Stores around the world: both in New York, London, Stockholm, and Madrid and in Brussels. The latest being in the exclusive streets of Serrano and Boulevard de Waterloo, respectively.[12][13][14]
Awards
1952 - Purveyor to the Swedish Royal Court[citation needed]
2006 - Swedish Trade Council Export Award & Best International Growth Company by Ernst & Young[citation needed]
2010 - Wallpaper* Design Award Best Bed[citation needed]
2011 - Palme d'Or de la Literie de Prestige[15]
2013 - Signum Priset Sweden[16]
2015 - Hurun Report:Hurun Best of the Best Awards 2015[17]
Legal Cases
In 2000, a Swedish court ruled that Hästens was not allowed to advertise with phrases such as "The finest beds in the world" and "due to [our unique manufacturing process in Köping], we can offer 25 years warranty on springs and frames". The latter was, among other reasons, because the springs and frames were actually manufactured by a subcontractor.[18] Many companies have tried to copy the check patterns and Hästens has successfully undertaken legal procedures in several countries against infringements and counterfeits. [19] As of 2011, the phrase "At Hästens we set out to make the best beds in the world." is used.[20]
References
- ^ a b c Dorothy Whitcomb. "Hästens taking super luxury far beyond Sweden". BedTimes Business Journal. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
- ^ "The World of Hästens (company brochure)". Hästens.
- ^ Dagens Industri March 25th, 2014 "Slut med sömnlösa nätter"
- ^ a b "Oscar I of Sweden". Wikipedia.
- ^ name=http://www.hastens.com/en/our-story/heritage}}
- ^ "Hästens Heritage". Hastens.com.
- ^ "Stockholm University". Stockholm University.
- ^ "Köpings hemsida".
- ^ http://www.marknadsdomstolen.se/avgoranden/domar?item=1523&year=2002#id-1523
- ^ http://www.marknadsdomstolen.se/avgoranden/domar?item=1514&year=2002#id-1514
- ^ Horsehair beds 'Sweden's export of the year'. The Local (2006)
- ^ Dagens Industri March 24th, 2014 "Slut med sömnlösa nätter" page 28-29
- ^ http://www.camarahispanosueca.com/es/eventos/417-inauguracion-de-la-tienda-haestens-en-madrid.html
- ^ http://www.glowmedia.be/brussels-japan-night/
- ^ Groupe Decoration Francaise Paris
- ^ http://www.brandeye.se/artiklar/bn113_hart.pdf
- ^ "Hurun Report". Hurun Report.
- ^ Court ruling Dux v. Hästens. Marknadsdomstolen (2000). (In Swedish)
- ^ http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=112&artikel=131601
- ^ Best bed. Hastens.com. (2011)