Why We Started...
I never would have thought I would end up in beautiful Harbor Springs from where I grew up in Detroit. After the army, I wanted to continue college when my VA Advisor told me about a night job in a factory for a bedding company. Gradually, I learned everything there was to know about making beds. Twenty-five years later, I was a Production Manager working for the largest mattress factories in the United States. I traveled to different factories for months even years at a time to improve existing factory operations. I loved it. I loved being on the floor with workers, trouble-shooting production and machines and making improvements.
Then everything changed.
I watched investment groups buy out mattress companies, consolidate and begin competing to churn out chemical-laden, poorly made foam-based mattresses. Mattresses that used to last for decades — now intentionally fell apart after a few years. Springs were removed from box springs and mattresses became one-sided. Cutting corners, gimmicks, and crazy markups became the norm.
I had to walk away. In 2004, I took a leap of faith to start my own company so I could stand behind my word.
The first thing I did was bring back old-world craftsmanship when beds used to last a person’s whole life. I chose to bring back the lost art of hand tufting because it creates the most comfort and is by far the most durable method. Using natural fibers and made-in-Michigan products is something we do because it is healthier, sustainable and the fibers are stronger than synthetic.
In 2018, we changed our name from Beds By Design to Harbor Springs Mattress Company to better reflect the hometown where we make our beds. Today, we have three locations in Michigan and I am humbled and proud to be making something that thousands of families in Michigan love.
The difference between a mattress factory and a handcrafted workshop like ours is simple: we do not mass-produce.
Smaller and Better On Purpose
Rory refuses to call the workshop where Harbor Springs Mattresses are made a factory. After working in factories most of his life, Rory set up Harbor Springs Mattress Company in an atmosphere of slow craftsmanship— the opposite of fast mass production.
Come Visit
We welcome you to visit our workshop where you can see and touch all of our materials and view our craftsman at work. Workshop tours at our Harbor Springs location are always available during store hours Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. The coffee is always on, and there is a good chance you will meet one of the owners. Bring your questions about mattresses and ask our craftsmen.