HSM

What HSM does

HSM (Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company) is a privately held, family-owned diversified components and integrated-solutions manufacturer founded in 1944 in Hickory, North Carolina. Through a platform-plus-divisions structure, HSM operates 22 manufacturing plants across 10 states (approximately 1,500-3,000 employees) producing wire, coils, springs, foam components, metal fabrications, sleeper mechanisms, seating systems, pipe insulation, and the underlying production machinery used by OEMs. Its operating divisions include Hickory Springs Mfg (wire and bedding), PTI LLC (foam extrusions), Furniture Supply, HSM Transportation (C.E. White school bus and VICTA/EVOS commercial seating), HS Metalworks (wire drawing, tubing, stamping, CNC), HSM Diversified Solutions, Parks Healthcare Products, and Atlantic Automation Company (formerly Atlanta Attachment, heavy-duty sewing and packaging automation).

Name

HSM

Legal name

Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company

Website

https://hsmsolutions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

HSM is a privately held, family-owned manufacturer of wire, spring, foam, and metal components and integrated solutions for OEMs in bedding, furniture, transportation, packaging, and healthcare, operating 22 plants across 10 states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Hickory

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Component Manufacturing: HSM generates revenue by manufacturing and selling components and integrated solutions to furniture, bedding, transportation, packaging, and healthcare industries. Products include wire, springs, coils, foam fabricated components, metal fabrications, seating systems, and sewing automation equipment.
2. OEM Component Supply: Direct sales of components to original equipment manufacturers, including sleeper mechanisms, mattress components, and seating products with just-in-time inventory capabilities.
3. E-commerce Storefront: Direct-to-manufacturer online sales through Upholsterers Marketplace offering upholstery supplies, construction parts, fabrics, and components with free shipping and no minimum orders.
4. PPE and Medical Products: Production and sale of protective masks, medical gowns, and healthcare products during and post-pandemic for healthcare providers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

HSM is a privately held manufacturing holding company that designs, manufactures, and sells components and integrated solutions for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the furniture, bedding, transportation, packaging, and healthcare industries. Core manufactured offerings include mattress springs, micro coils, fabric-encased coil systems, foam fabricated components, polyurethane foam, metal tubing and stampings, sleeper mechanisms, recliner mechanisms, school bus and commercial transit seating, pipe insulation, healthcare/PPE products, and heavy-duty sewing automation equipment.

Product overview

HSM Solutions is a privately held holding company headquartered in Hickory, North Carolina, operating as a diversified manufacturing organization with specialized subsidiaries delivering high-performance components and integrated solutions. The company operates under a platform-plus-divisions architecture with multiple business units including Hickory Springs Manufacturing (wire and bedding), PTI LLC (foam extrusions), Furniture Supply, HSM Transportation (seating systems), HS Metalworks (metal fabrication), HSM Diversified Solutions, and Atlantic Automation Company (formerly Atlanta Attachment). The portfolio spans foam technology (PTI, Preserve bio-based foam, InnoShield/InnoTough/InnoFoam pipe insulation), bedding components (Transitional Sleep System, Perceptive Sleep System, Flexecore, Micro coils, Inner Rest coils), furniture components (sleeper mechanisms, springs, recliner mechanisms), transportation seating (C.E. White school bus seats, VICTA, EVOS), metal fabrication (wire drawing, tubing, stamping, laser cutting), and healthcare products (Parks Healthcare Products). The divisions share common manufacturing capabilities in foam, metal, wire, and fiber while serving distinct end markets including furniture, bedding, transportation, packaging, and healthcare.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HSM Transportation: Leading manufacturer of school bus, commercial, and commuter transit seating systems; exclusive manufacturer of C.E. White School Bus Seats
• HSM Diversified Solutions
• PTI (Plastic Technology Inc.)
• HS Metalworks
• Atlantic Automation Company
• Preserve
• Transitional Sleep System
• Perceptive Sleep System
• Flexecore
• InnoShield
• The Resorter

Products and services

• PTI, LLC (Plastic Technology Inc.) ISO-certified custom-engineered closed-cell polyethylene foam extrusions serving protective packaging, pipe insulation, recreational products, furniture, and bedding markets.
• Furniture Supply Premier provider of high-quality components for furniture manufacturers across the US, including sleeper mechanisms, springs, covered wire, textiles, recliner mechanisms, seating platforms, and foam fabrication.
• Hickory Springs Manufacturing Wire and Bedding divisions producing drawn wire, wire forms, traditional mattress springs, micro coils, individually wrapped coils, and foam fabricated components; home to HS2 partnership with Harrison Spinks.
• HSM Transportation Leading manufacturer of school bus, commercial, and commuter transit seating systems, exclusive manufacturer of C.E. White School Bus Seats, producing innovative systems like VICTA and EVOS with aftermarket support through OneBus.
• HSM Diversified Solutions Integrates Hickory Metal, Red Box Tools and Foam USA, HSM Aviation, and Marketing department, providing precision tools, custom metal fabrications, and cutting-edge products for diverse industries.
• VICTA Seating System Innovative seating system for commercial bus and van applications, part of HSM Transportation's product lineup.
• Flexecore Glue-Free Fabric-Encased Coil System Glue-free, high-density fabric-encased coil system using sonically welded fabric in concertina construction pattern that eliminates up to half a pound of glue per mattress and is potentially up to 100% recyclable.
• Micro Advanced Comfort Technology (Micro) Micro-coil comfort layer systems with coil counts up to 5,000 for queen-size mattresses, designed for hybrid mattresses, bed-in-a-box, and e-commerce beds with enhanced durability and airflow.
• Transitional Sleep System Adjustable bed foundations (TS100 and TS200 models) with head/foot articulation, remote control, pre-set positions, and Zero-G position for comfort and support.
• Perceptive Sleep System Made-in-America sleep system offering OEMs foam core and hybrid bed build sub-systems with CertiPUR-US certified foams.
• The Resorter Sleeper Mechanism Premium U.S.-made sleeper sofa mechanism for hospitality and long-term residential use, designed for long-term daily use without metal bar discomfort.
• InnoShield Pipe Insulation Premium engineered foam pipe insulation with innovative outer coating rated for temperatures from -297 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit, with UV protection and low water vapor permeability for outdoor HVAC and plumbing.
• InnoTough Pipe Insulation Pipe insulation integrating best characteristics of polyethylene and rubber, tear-resistant, suitable for cold-weather installations, recyclable.
• InnoFoam Pipe Insulation Flexible, closed-cell foam insulation reducing condensation on piping applications with exceptional thermal properties.
• HS Metalworks Division offering wire drawing, forming, tube production, laser cutting, sheet metal bending, stamping, and sub-assembly capabilities for transportation, furniture, ATV, appliance, and lawn and garden industries.
• Atlantic Automation Company (formerly Atlanta Attachment Company) Formerly Atlanta Attachment Company, a leading supplier of heavy-duty sewing machinery, packaging equipment, and automation processes for bedding, home furnishings, apparel, and automotive industries.
• Parks Healthcare Products Healthcare products including face masks, Level 1 and Level 2 gowns, therapeutic mattresses, and adjustable beds for healthcare applications.
• Preserve Bio-Based Foam World's first bio-based polyurethane foam using up to 20% renewable bio-based raw material derived from soybean oil.
• Inner Rest Coil Products Coil products for mattress edge supports, providing double row of fabric-encased coils as substitute for foam edge supports.
• C.E. White School Bus Seats Standard school bus seats, lap/shoulder belt seats, child restraint seats, portable child restraint systems, MDP-driver seats, activity seats, and specialty security seats.
• Upholsterers Marketplace E-commerce storefront offering upholstery supplies, construction parts, fabrics, and components including welt cord, elastic banding, stitch tape, tack strips, adhesives, sinuous springs, webbing, strapping, fabrics, ticking, and spring cover materials with no minimum orders and free shipping.

Quantifiable outcome

• Doubled bedding production capacity with new 160,000 sq ft facility
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Precision Materials, LLCminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2021Strategic alliance following HSM's sale of wood fabrication business to Precision. Precision supplies fabricated wood components to HSM for bedding, furniture, and transportation industries. Transaction closed March 31, 2021. Precision assumed operations at HSM's Blue Ridge facility.
• Opex Steel Processing LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2021Strategic alliance where Opex manufactures induction-tempered spring wire for HS Metalworks at its Bedford Heights, Ohio facility. HS Metalworks is Opex's sole and exclusive customer for this product. Expands HS Metalworks' capacity and provides geographic advantage for Midwest customers. Positions HS Metalworks as one of the largest producers of induction-tempered spring wire in North America.
• Harrison Spinks (Spinks)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2020HS2 joint venture (50/50) between HSM and Harrison Spinks US Inc. for production and distribution of microcoil springs and Flexecore fabric-encased coil system in North America and Mexico. HSM has partnered with Spinks since 2012. Spinks is the original inventor of micro pocket coils and a leading supplier of quality micro spring components.
• Catawba Valley Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership launched HSM Academy in 2023 focused on customized continuing education for all associates. Part of HSM's commitment to workforce development and community engagement.
• Atlanta Attachment CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2016Acquired December 2016, Atlanta Attachment is a leading global supplier of heavy-duty sewing machinery, packaging equipment and automation processes for bedding, home furnishings, apparel and automotive industries. Founded 1969, became HSM's fourth operating division. Rebranded as Atlantic Automation Company in 2024.
• The C.E. White Co.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2012Acquired in 2012 to expand HSM's presence in transportation seating market. Provides complete seating solution for transportation customers including school bus and commercial transit seating.
• Spiller Spring CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Acquired in 1982 to expand HSM's footprint in the bedding industry. One of several strategic acquisitions that built HSM's spring and coil manufacturing capabilities.
• Harrison Spinks US Inc. (HS2 Joint Venture)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 201250/50 joint venture established in 2012 to produce microcoil springs for North America. Expanded in 2020 to include Flexecore fabric-encased coil system production. HS2 has exclusive rights to produce and distribute both Micro and Flexecore in North America and Mexico.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Leggett & Platt: Public diversified manufacturer of components for bedding, furniture, and automotive with springs, foam, and metal fabrication lines that directly overlap HSM's wire, innerspring, and seating offerings for the same OEM customer base.
• Carpenter Co. Largest privately held polyurethane foam manufacturer in the US, competing head-to-head with HSM's foam operations and selling into the same bedding, furniture, and transportation seating customers.
• FXI (formerly Innocor): Major polyurethane and specialty foam producer serving bedding, furniture, and healthcare markets — a direct competitor to HSM's foam fabrication and bedding components businesses.
• Elite Comfort Solutions: Foam-pouring and bedding component producer formed by Arsenal Capital Partners using the five foam plants HSM divested in 2016 — making it a direct competitor that now controls HSM's former assets.
• Harrison Spinks: UK-based inventor of micro pocket coils and HSM's 50/50 HS2 joint venture partner; competes with and collaborates with HSM on premium coil technologies in the North American market.
• Freedman Seating Company: Manufacturer of seating for buses, trucks, and specialty vehicles, directly competing with HSM Transportation in the school bus and commercial transit seating category.

Broad incumbents

• Tempur Sealy International: Largest US mattress OEM and HSM bedding customer; while downstream rather than a true peer, it shapes component specifications, pricing, and volume trends across the entire bedding supply chain HSM serves.
• Serta Simmons Bedding: Second-largest US mattress manufacturer and a key HSM bedding customer; influences the innerspring and pocketed coil market dynamics that drive HSM's largest product line.
• HNI Corporation: Public office furniture and hearth products manufacturer (HON, Allsteel, Hearth & Home) — a broad incumbent whose office furniture division purchases components similar to those HSM's Furniture Supply division produces.
• Illinois Tool Works (ITW): Highly diversified industrial manufacturer with bedding/furniture fasteners, metal stampings, and engineered components segments that overlap with HSM's metal fabrication and wire forming capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3fRIllIstpe4Omg9EMxggQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/hsmsolutions
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hickory-springs-manufacturing-company

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HSM