Miguel Barros

Knowing how to sleep is empowering, with the right secrets. That’s why we’re introducing you to Vispring, the age-old brand that produces the best beds, handcrafted by master artisans. How many luxuries can there be in a mattress? Miguel Barros, the brand’s country manager, is here to tell us, with the guarantee of enabling perfect slumber from models stitched together by history and tradition. Take your time and learn all about the premium brand in Portugal in the company of a multifaceted manager with experience in team management and business development.  

How did Vispring come about and when did you join the brand?
Vispring is a long-standing brand, founded in England in 1901. It first started its business in London and, after the Second World War, moved its facilities to the city of Plymouth, where it still has 100% of its production operations. We have been representing the organisation since 2014, following a visit to an international trade fair where Vispring was exhibiting. We recognised the value of their products and decided to go ahead with this partnership. At the moment, we have two showrooms, in Lisbon and Oporto, and we plan to open a third in the Algarve in the course of 2024. 

What are the characteristics that set a Vispring product apart?
Vispring products have unique and absolutely distinctive characteristics. All the fabrics, sewing threads and filling materials are of 100% natural origin. Special mention should be made of the premium filling materials: wools from different origins, cotton, silk, coconut fibre and horsehair, which, in addition to their durability as natural upholstery, fulfil the important function of regulating temperature and humidity. A characteristic that also sets us apart is that we make our products (almost) exclusively by hand, so the techniques are passed down from generation to generation. When you add to this the customer service provided, you have all the reasons that make Vispring a unique brand on the world stage. 

Describe every stage in the creation of a Vispring mattress up to the point it reaches the end consumer.
All mattresses are made to order, according to the specific requirements of customers. The materials needed to manufacture each mattress are previously selected and catalogued to make up the required final product.
The first component to be built is the structure in pocket springs, all of which are distributed in a honeycomb shape and sewn together to ensure the structure’s stability. This is followed by filling the sides of the mattress on top of the springs. Then both sides are covered with the chosen fabric. The next stage is extremely important for the longevity of each mattress and consists of hand-stitching the spring structure to the side fabric of the mattress using long, sturdy double-ended needles. Depending on the mattress model being manufactured, this job can take up to a full working day.
The process ends with the fitting, also by hand, of the «pompoms» so characteristic of the brand, which, in addition to the visual component of forming cushions on the surface of the mattress, also play a very important role in fixing and stabilising the internal materials.
Duly packed in exceptional safety conditions, each mattress is ready to be dispatched to any of the 80 countries where the brand is popular.

«Efficient production that respects Mother Nature»

How do you choose the perfect mattress for every consumer?
There is no magic formula for choosing the perfect mattress. The ideal one is the one on which the consumer can sleep soundly and get a good night’s rest. The choice should be made through experimentation. In fact, we invite customers to try out the models we have on display to see if the sensations they experience match their personal tastes and preferences. Vispring also offers a Comfort Guarantee. Through this service, customers can ask for their mattress to be replaced with another with different specifications, during the first 30 days of use, at no extra cost. 

This year, the brand launched a new collection of pillows. Tell us about this and future new products.
Although Vispring is a premium brand with a conservative approach, it nevertheless has a dynamic side to it, revealed both in the regular changes it makes to some of its products and in the new ones it launches. In recent years, the brand has launched two new mattresses at the top end of its range. Every year, it launches a limited edition that is more affordable. The launch of the new wool-filled pillows, which can be customised, is a great example of this dynamism. 

How does sustainability feature on Vispring’s agenda?
Even before sustainability was on Vispring’s agenda, the company’s principles were already in line with this notion. You see, a brand that doesn’t use any artificial materials in the composition of its products, to the detriment of natural products, can only be considered an example in this respect. In addition, Vispring only uses materials with a certificate of origin, which guarantees efficient production that respects Mother Nature.  

How do you envisage the premium mattress sector in 30 years’ time, worldwide?
I believe that the true premium level, as in other business sectors, will continue to be upheld by the brands that are able to withstand mass production and ensure the excellence of their products. In this regard, history, tradition and values are fundamental and, rather than shouting about them, it is essential to prove them, without exception.