Friday five – Peter Tasker, Vi-Spring UK

Each Friday, Furniture News puts five questions to a selected industry professional to explore their background and approach to business. Today, it's the turn of Vi-Spring UK's marketing manager Peter Tasker …  ekonglong modern office furniture

How did you get into the trade?

After working for several years as a retail marketing manager, I welcomed the opportunity to work for a manufacturing company where my retail experience would be of value. I joined Vi-Spring at the end of 2005. There is a real passion behind the Vi-Spring brand – the team are constantly working to develop and create the finest beds in the world. Even after more than 30 years in marketing I have never worked with a product where there is so much to say and promote, and selling propositions do not have to be invented.

What was the turning point in your career?

I was very proud to achieve the CIM Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing in 2000 after studying part time at Plymouth University’s Business School, which complemented my practical experience. The icing on the cake was winning a regional award for my practical case study exam.

How will the industry evolve?

We are faced with a population suffering from more allergies than ever before, so naturally hypoallergenic materials will become increasingly important in bedmaking. As with most Western countries, individuals here are becoming much heavier – and bigger – and as well as offering beds up to 7ft wide we have recently introduced an extra-firm tension for those over 16 stone.

There is also an emerging sentiment which argues that it is environmentally better if products last longer. As ever, Vi-Spring is committed to sourcing natural and sustainable materials of the highest quality, even if the initial outlay is greater. We can be quite sure too that in the future there will be legislation forcing bed makers to take some responsibility for the disposal of the product at the end of its life and we will fully support this.