THE STORY BEHIND MEDSALUS WOOLHOME
Because good sleep needs more than just warmth
The origin of our brand
In a small workshop located in an old caravanserai in Marrakesh, the sheep wool blankets are carefully handcrafted. The quality standards at MedSalus Woolhome are among the highest, and production is monitored down to the smallest seam. The employees on-site are among the most important resources of MedSalus Woolhome, and each blanket is fairly produced.
During an eight-hour drive, Dr. Gerfried Lexer noticed not only the countless sheep herds but also the glowing mountains of wool. Wool that was destroyed because it was no longer needed. A regrettable consequence of today's consumer society. Berber carpets were once highly sought after by hotels and institutions. Not only because of the air-purifying effect of wool but also because it is difficult to ignite. In private households, large area rugs were in demand and fashionable. Today, synthetic fiber carpets are mainly chosen. This development has led to a significant part of the market for Moroccan sheep wool disappearing.
Wasted potential – and what we have made of it.
Gerfried Lexer could not let go of the fact that in our present time a 100% natural resource is simply being destroyed. The fates of the people also touched the physician, as the peak of the asylum crisis was reached at that time. Many young Moroccans left - and still leave today - the rural areas to find their fortune in the "big" city. Usually the beginning of a downward spiral. If they even find work, the conditions are shocking and the living conditions are just as bad. A motivator to emigrate towards Europe. Unfortunately, they realize far too late that even there "milk and honey do not flow."
"I saw young, talented, and intelligent people in the streets of Marrakech who had no perspective and still have none. Raw diamonds that only need a little support to realize their full potential", says Lexer. And he saw the potential in the wasted raw material of sheep shearing wool.
An idea began to mature within him.
An idea that should provide added value for everyone.
MedSalus Woolhome was born. An economic, ecological, and social business idea. A business idea that reflects the moral values, the high quality understanding, and the unwavering commitment to sustainability of Gerfried and Melanie Lexer. It combines the medical background of the founders and the knowledge of the importance of good sleep.
Their vision: to produce the highest quality, most natural, and most sustainable sheep wool blankets and products. Products that ensure a natural sleep and are also affordable. Products that through which Manufacturing and selling gives people in Morocco a perspective by enabling them to achieve a good standard of living through fair working conditions.
How a respected physician became an expert in wool and bedding.
Gerfried Lexer dealt extensively with product development and the topic of sheep wool. At heart a physician, he began with intensive research work. Products that were already on the market were tested, literally dissected, and analyzed. The conclusion: There is still a lot of room for improvement. The MedSalus products should become fluffier, more breathable, and more natural.
To meet his personal quality standards, he set out to find the perfect materials for the cover and the perfect manufacturing method for the fleece, the inner filling of the comforters. He was unsuccessful. So he had an untreated cotton cover developed that is sufficiently breathable to allow the sheep wool to fully unfold its breathable, temperature and moisture regulating properties.
Hands-on science for perfect and natural sleep
To produce a fluffy and cozy fleece, he developed a special carding machine. The carding machine combs the wool fibers and arranges them in a parallel alignment. The fibers form a light and loose fleece. This means that carding is crucial for the quality of the sheep wool blankets. But the quilting of the blanket is also essential. A phase of testing followed. Each method was examined, the individual parameters were adjusted and corrected, and then adjusted and corrected again.
Hands-on science for perfect and natural sleep. The prototypes were entrusted to the family for trial sleeping, after which the participants answered analytical questionnaires. A lengthy process that led to the desired result: a high-quality sheep wool blanket that finally enables a natural and good sleep again.
In Marrakech, a production facility was sought and found in a royal caravanserai. Quality and production standards that meet Austrian norms were established, and employees were hired and trained. In 2018, it was finally time. Production could start. And the social aspect of MedSalus Wool began to take effect.