SHOPFLOOR workers in one of Wellington’s largest employers returned to full-time working on Monday (July 22) for at least the next two weeks.

Employees of bed and mattress maker Relyon Ltd had been put on short-time hours during the past fortnight as the company faced a fluctuating order book.

They lost the equivalent of a day’s work a week with the hours spread across the working week, which was said to reflect the position with a contract to supply leading British retailer M&S.

Now, Relyon has gone back to normal hours until the Station Mills factory’s planned summer shutdown week which starts on August 5.

A spokesperson said: “The current return to full-time hours is a reflection of our order book.

“We have had an increase in general demand across all customers.

“Our products remain available to buy on the M&S website and will be fulfilled by them from the current stocks they hold in their distribution centre.

“Together, we are working towards switching to their new business model sometime in August.”

Relyon, originally Price Brothers and Co, has been making mattresses since 1858 and currently has 194 staff.

It was the first company to develop recyclable mattresses and in addition to M&S its products are sold in many leading furniture stores and independent high street retailers across the UK.

The company was bought out of administration in 2020 by Michco 2001 Ltd, which was formed by ex-Relyon Group chief executive Ian Topping with a number of private investors.