Proudly Kiwi made since 1912
Since 1912, Tattersfield has stood behind Kiwis who make every day count. Born in New Zealand and built on over a century of heritage, we craft exceptional beds designed for real life: the early starts, the long days, the moments that matter most. Because whatever your version of extraordinary looks like, bringing your best self to the world requires a great night's sleep.
The Tattersfield story
Tattersfield’s story began in 1906, when Auckland wool trader and haberdasher James Tattersfield was asked to source a mattress for a boarding house owner. Dissatisfied with the resulting 'bag of feathers', he and his wife Evelyn decided they could do better - going on to establish a small tin-shed factory in Grey Lynn. That year, James produced what is considered New Zealand’s first commercially manufactured mattress.
In 1907, the couple formally established J W Tattersfield & Company. The business grew quickly, adding pillows and quilts, and in 1912 it became a public company, Tattersfield Limited. The rapidly growing company moved from its original tin shed to a four-storey factory on Richmond Road to keep up with demand.
A history of innovation
Within its first few years, the company was developing and patenting new bedding designs. By 1919, it had introduced the patented Peerless Mattress, featuring a layered construction designed for comfort, hygiene and durability. In 1921, Tattersfield was marketing scientifically constructed, ventilated mattresses for hospital use, while developing proprietary filling materials such as Silverdown.
Through the 1920s and beyond, the company expanded into wire bed bases, bedsteads, underfelt, and later woollen rugs and carpets. Its rugs earned the Wembley Award of Merit (Honours) at the 1924 British Empire Exhibition. In the 1930s, Tattersfield continued developing its mattress range, including new spring constructions such as Multi-Coil.During the Second World War the bulk of production was directed to the Armed Forces, before the company returned to civilian supply. Post-war years brought continued development, including new mattress-making and spring assembly methods, and the company’s first Axminster carpet in 1947.
By 1950, Tattersfield’s mattress range included a variety of distinct constructions and materials, including Peerless, Multi-Coil, Layertex, Java Kapok and Napwool. In 1967, Feltex Limited took over Tattersfield, ending its run as an independent company, while the Tattersfield name was retained as a mattress brand.Today, Tattersfield is part of the Comfort Group, alongside sister brands Sleepyhead and SleepMaker, continuing the legacy of Kiwi-made comfort and engineering excellence that began over a century ago.
The Tattersfield Timeline
1906 — A better mattress
James and Evelyn Tattersfield make what is considered New Zealand's first commercially manufactured mattress in a small factory in Grey Lynn.
1907 — J W Tattersfield & Company
J W Tattersfield & Company is formally established, beginning a New Zealand bedding business that would grow for generations.
1910 — Engineering begins, first patents granted
Our products are manufactured both locally and globally. We carefully select our manufacturing partners to ensure our products are high quality and a fair value.
1912 — Tattersfield Limited
Tattersfield becomes a public company and grows from its original tin shed into a four-storey factory on Richmond Road.
1919 — The Peerless Mattress
Tattersfield introduces the patented Peerless Mattress, featuring a layered and ventilated construction engineered around comfort, hygiene and durability.
1921 — Silverdown
Tattersfield develops Silverdown, a proprietary mattress filling promoted for resilience, hygiene and resistance to dampness.
1924 — International recognition
Tattersfield rugs win the Wembley Award of Merit (Honours) at the British Empire Exhibition. Queen Mary purchases a complete set of one design.
1930s — Spring technology evolves
Tattersfield develops its Multi-Coil mattress range, adding sophisticated new spring constructions to its growing portfolio.
1939–45 — Serving New Zealand armed forces
During the Second World War, much of Tattersfield's production is devoted to the Armed Forces.
1947 — New ways to make mattresses
Tattersfield adopts new mattress-making methods, including a new spring assembly process.
1950 — A sophisticated mattress portfolio
Tattersfield's range includes Peerless, Multi-Coil, Layertex, Java Kapok and Napwool mattresses.
1967 — A new chapter
Feltex acquires Tattersfield. The company ceases trading independently, with the Tattersfield name continuing as a mattress brand.
Today — A Kiwi bedding legacy
Tattersfield remains part of The Comfort Group, carrying forward more than a century of New Zealand bedding history, comfort and progressive mattress engineering.