Hästens
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Luxury bedding, mattresses, bed linens, pillows, lifestyle accessories |
| Founded | 1852 |
| Founder | Pehr Adolf Janson |
| Headquarters | Köping , Sweden |
Area served | Worldwide (including Stockholm, London, Dallas, Houston, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Israel, Zurich, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Bari, Brussels, Malta, New York, México City, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, Singapore) |
| Products | Luxury mattresses, beds, bed linens, pillows, duvets, lifestyle accessories |
| Owner | Family-owned |
| Website | www |
Overview
Hästens Sängar AB, commonly known as Hästens (pronounced Swedish pronunciation: [ˈhɛ̌sːtɛns] and meaning "The horse's" in Swedish, referring to "the horse's beds"), is a Swedish company founded in 1852 that specializes in crafting and marketing luxury mattresses, bed linens, pillows, and lifestyle accessories.[1]
Established by Pehr Adolf Janson initially as a saddlery, the enterprise has remained family-owned throughout its history.[2] In the early 20th century, under the leadership of David Janson, the business transitioned from producing saddles to focusing on beds. By 1952, marking its centennial year, Hästens earned the distinction of being appointed official bedding supplier to the Swedish royal household,[3] a privilege it shares with IKEA since 1984.[4] All of Hästens’ beds continue to be manufactured exclusively at their Swedish production facility.[5]
The company utilizes natural materials such as cotton, horsehair, wool, and flax in the construction of their beds and mattresses. Their retail outlets also offer a range of branded high-end bed linens, pillows, duvets, and related accessories.
History
Pehr Adolf Janson (1830–1885) received his master craftsman certification directly from King Oscar I of Sweden in 1852. In addition to saddlery, master saddlers crafted mattresses since horsetail hair was a crucial component for carriage padding. At that period, the title of master saddler in Sweden required formal approval from the monarch.Template:Fix/category[citation needed]
Towards the end of the 19th century, the family relocated to Hed, where Pehr Adolf’s son, Per Thure Janson, chose to pursue the same master saddler profession as his father. Per Thure established a business with his own son, David Janson. Their mattress production quickly surpassed their saddle-making operations.[6]
In 1939, British architect Ralph Erskine (1914–2005) journeyed by bicycle to Sweden. During his visit, he met David Janson, who commissioned him to design the Hästens factory—among Erskine’s earliest projects in Sweden. The factory was completed in 1948, with Erskine later responsible for its expansion in 1998. The facility remains situated in Köping as of 2019.[7][8]
The distinctive blue check pattern associated with Hästens beds was created by Jack Ryde in 1978 and introduced at a furniture trade exhibition. This pattern is legally protected as a registered trademark exclusive to Hästens.[9][10]
Markets
Hästens maintains retail outlets globally, with stores situated in cities including Stockholm, London, Dallas, Houston, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Israel, Zurich, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Bari, Brussels, Malta, New York, México City, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, and Singapore.
Awards
- 1952 – Received the distinction of Purveyor to the Swedish Royal Court
- 2006 – Honored with the Export Award by the Swedish Trade Council and recognized as Best International Growth Company by Ernst & Young
- 2010 – Awarded Best Bed at the Wallpaper* Design Awards
- 2011 – Earned the Palme d'Or de la Literie de Prestige
- 2013 – Recipient of the Signum Priset in Sweden
- 2015 – Featured in the Hurun Report's The Best of the Best Awards
Legal cases
In 2000, a Swedish tribunal determined that Hästens could not promote its products using claims like "The finest beds in the world" or statements such as "due to [our unique manufacturing process in Köping], we can offer 25 years' warranty on springs and frames." One key reason for restricting the latter claim was that the springs and frames were actually produced by an external subcontractor. Numerous companies have attempted to imitate Hästens' signature checkered designs, but the company has effectively enforced its rights through legal actions against counterfeits and infringements in various countries. Since 2011, the company has adopted the slogan "At Hästens we set out to make the best beds in the world."
References
- ↑ https://www.hastens.com/en/our-story
- ↑ Hästens company brochure
- ↑ https://www.hastens.com/en/our-story/royal-court
- ↑ Historical IKEA catalogues
- ↑ Dagens Industri, March 25, 2014
- ↑ "Hästens Heritage". Hastens.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2015.
- ↑ "Stockholm University". Stockholm University. Archived from the original on 2015-02-13. Retrieved 2015-02-13.
- ↑ "Köpings hemsida".
- ↑ "Marknadsdomstolen - Domar". Archived from the original on 2015-01-19. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
- ↑ "Marknadsdomstolen - Domar". Archived from the original on 2015-01-19. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
External links
- 1852 introductions
- Luxury brands
- Swedish brands
- Bed manufacturers
- Mattress retailers of Sweden
- Multinational companies headquartered in Sweden
- Purveyors to the Court of Sweden
- Swedish companies established in 1852
- Manufacturing companies established in 1852
- Shops in New York City
- Companies based in Västmanland County
- Köping, Sweden
- 19th-century establishments in Västmanland County