Dragons’ Den Sleep Product Innovator Enters New Era

The family founders of a multi-award-winning business have announced a significant restructure after two decades of helping customers to enjoy a better night’s sleep.

Alan and Elizabeth Colleran became a Dragons’ Den success story with their patented Duvalay Memory Foam Sleeping Bag in 2011. National Bed Federation Award wins, major contracts and retail partnerships fuelled a decade of expansion and diversification, with sub-brands Summerby Sleep and Raskelf Contract Beds joining Duvalay in the portfolio.

Following the recent acquisition of the UK’s foremost baby mattress manufacturer, Nursery Connections, Alan gave this insight into the decision to unite these various business interests under a single umbrella, Raskelf Group: “Twenty years ago, we incorporated our business after initial experiments with memory foam – conducted at our kitchen table – proved to be promising. We have since grown to become a global presence that actively exports products and secures distribution agreements worldwide – selling handmade mattresses in locations as far afield as Korea and China."

"‘The Duvalay brand and our Dragons’ Den experience will always be a special part of our story. We are extremely proud to be associated with that name and grateful to everyone who has invested in a Duvalay product for home or leisure. Looking to the future, each of our brands will now have its own unique place under the Raskelf Group umbrella, with dedicated support to reach its full potential. That is what we believe our customers deserve, and how we will continue to grow and thrive with a focus on excellence.”

This announcement marks a pivotal moment for the Raskelf Group, which capitalised upon its strong financial position to buy Nursery Connections out from administration last year.

The strategic acquisition substantially broadened the spectrum of sleep products offered by the Group – ranging from sleeping bags, mattress toppers and bedding to mattresses for online retail, hospitality and children’s cots.

In addition, the Group’s workforce has increased to 120 skilled craftspeople, who produce 10,000 sleep products each week across its sites in West Yorkshire and Northamptonshire.

“All the hard work we have put in as a family over the years has been more than worth it,” added Sales & Marketing Director Elizabeth Colleran.

“The Raskelf Group is the legacy we have created for our sons, their wives and our grandchildren."

"Along the way, we have helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide to have a good night’s sleep across the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors, as well as providing work opportunities for craftspeople in their home counties."

"We are ready to embrace our new era as an umbrella group – and the future has never looked brighter.”