The founders of the Duvalay bedding company have restricted their bed brands as part of a plan to create a legacy for their family.
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 expansion and diversification, with sub-brands Summerby Sleep and Raskelf Contract Beds joining Duvalay in the portfolio.
In 2023 it bought baby mattress manufacturer Nursery Connections from administration and the Collerans have decided to amalgamate the businesses under the Raskelf Group banner.
‘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,’ says Alan.
‘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.’
‘All the hard work we have put in as a family over the years has been more than worth it,’ says Elizabeth. ‘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.’
