42
INSIGHT
FORTY YEARS OF FILLINGS Today, Fibreline is known for its quality products across a broad range of cushion seat fillings – often combining different fillings to achieve specific results – and behind this achievement is a distinguished, 40-year history … www.fibreline-ltd.co.uk
Fibreline was founded by John Prudhoe in 1982, and has grown to be the largest independently owned upholstery cushion fillings manufacturer in the UK. John had significant experience in the upholstery market, and could see the potential for carded synthetic fibres in upholstery – consequently, Fibreline became a pioneer in the use of polyester fibre in the UK furniture industry. Initially based on Marley Street in Keighley, the company soon outgrew its location and, in 1992, moved to the old Waddingtons playing card factory – Victoria Park Mills on Hard Ings road.
Over the following decade, Fibreline diversified into feather and foam cushion fillings, thus offering a one-stop shop for all cushion fillings. Innovations came thick and fast, and in 2003 Fibreline became one of the first foam convertors to install a fully integrated foam-cutting line. One of the main problems with 100% fibre seat cushions is that they flatten over time and require strenuous plumping. Fibreline sought a remedy for this problem with Encore. Fibreline started to develop the Encore range in 2010. Initially, this comprised Encore Fibre, which had the look and feel of a fibre cushion but recovery characteristics that were more like foam. Encore Fibre was quickly awarded the FIRA GOLD seal of approval, and went on to become a great success story. Encouraged by the success of Encore Fibre, Fibreline developed Encore Feather and Encore Foam. Encore Feather has the look and feel of a feather cushion, but with much-improved recovery when compared to a traditional, feather-filled seat cushion. Encore Foam provides the clean lines of a foam seat cushion but the snug feel of a fibre seat. While all this innovative development was going on, Fibreline also introduced a number of industry production process firsts – for example, pioneering the robotic drilling of foam components in 2015, and installing a robotic fabrication line in 2019.These improvements and innovations have helped Fibreline remain competitive in terms of both pricing and delivery. The latest product from Fibreline is Fibrefill Blue. Fibreline recognised the need to offer cushion manufacturers an environmentally friendly solution using recycled plastic, so found a way to convert the equivalent of 100 plastic bottles into each “very comfy” cushion. Fibreline will continue to innovate and provide customers with high quality solutions across fibre, feather and foam. This, along with a high level of customer service and tight delivery schedules, promises to set Fibreline firmly on a successful path for the next 40 years, and beyond
