Staples & Co

Staples & Co was a British furniture and bedding manufacturer with roots stretching back to the late 19th century. Founded around 1895, the company emerged from Ambrose Heal senior’s acquisition of a U.S. patent for an improved wire spring system, which led to a business producing mattresses and bedding. Under the management of Harold Heal, Staples & Co grew steadily, moving from its modest beginnings under a railway arch in Deptford to larger premises in London. In 1919 the firm incorporated as a private limited company, and by 1923 it had been granted a Royal Warrant for the manufacture of wire mattresses and bedsteads.

In 1964, Staples introduced the Ladderax storage system, designed by Robert Heal. Inspired by the clean lines and functionalism of Scandinavian design, Ladderax offered a modular approach to shelving and storage. Upright ladders supported adjustable shelves, cabinets, and desks that could be reconfigured to suit changing needs, making it both practical and stylish. Produced in teak veneer with steel supports, the system was sold through leading retailers such as Heal’s and Harrods, quickly becoming a hallmark of modern living in Britain.

Staples continued manufacturing furniture and bedding through the 20th century, with its bedding division eventually acquired by Horatio Myers in 1986 and later absorbed into larger international groups. While the company’s corporate identity evolved, the Ladderax system remains its enduring legacy—a flexible, elegant solution that embodies the spirit of mid-century modern design and continues to be highly sought after by collectors today.

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