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Overview
In 2002 there were 7,634 furniture manufacturing businesses in the UK
with a combined turnover of £10.4 billion. The industry employs around
139,000 people.
Government
Partnership with the Furniture Sector
Consumer Goods and Services Unit of the Department's Business Group
has responsibility for furniture manufacturing in the UK.
The overall aim of the unit is to work in partnership with the UK
furniture sector in order to encourage
their sustainable growth, competitiveness and the exploitation
of market opportunities both at home and abroad. For general
enquiries, please contact:
Demos Demosthenous
Email: demos.demosthenous@dti.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 020 7215 1890
Fax: 020 7215 5801
Schemes and Initiatives
UKfirst
UKfirst is being supported by DTI as part of the Industry Forum
Adaptation Programme. It was formally launched on 14 January 2004
and will receive DTI support of £1.74 million over 4½ years.
UKfirst represents the largest single initiative undertaken by the
furniture sector. Its own contributions amount to around £785K
in cash and some £1.4 million in kind costs.
Activities to be covered by UKfirst:
- process improvement masterclasses
- supply chain improvements
- management development
- industrial knowledge transfer
- SME improvement programme
For information about UKfirst visit www.ukfirst.org.uk
Furniture Industry Strategy Group (FISG)
FISG was formed in June 2003 and provides forum for discussing key
issues of concern to the sector. The group membership includes
furniture manufacturers, retailers, suppliers, and representatives
from the Trade Unions and academia. For further information
contact Tim Simons at the DTI.
Specific Export Help for the Furniture
Sector
UK Trade & Investment
UK Trade & Investment is the Government Organisation that brings together the work of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) in support of British trade and investment overseas.
Other Sector Contacts
Listed below is a selection of organisations that can offer assistance to companies in this sector.
A more extensive list of Trade Associations in this sector can be found at the Trade Association Forum site.
Association of Master Upholsterers
and Soft Furnishers (AMU)
Aims to support small businesses engaged in upholstery, soft furnishing, and to promote public awareness of the craft.
E-mail: amu@easynet.co.uk
Tel: 01633 215454
Fax: 01633 244488
The British Contract Furnishing
Association (BCFA)
Office Furniture and Filing Manufacturers' Association
(OFFMA)
BCFA and OFFMA members have access to a wide range of business services, including private health/insurance schemes, a standards service, export advice, and employment networking.
Email: enquiries@bcfa.org.uk
Tel: 01494 896790
Fax: 01494 896799
British Furniture Manufacturers Association (BFM)
Principal trade association for contract and domestic furniture manufacturers. BFM represents companies on all critical issues facing the industry today, including the environment, exports, training, health and safety, industrial relations and industry wide welfare benefit schemes.
Email: enquiries@bfm.org.uk
Tel: 020 7724 0851
Fax: 020 7706 1954
Furniture, Furnishings & Interiors National Training Organisation (FFINTO)
FFINTO was set up to bring together a number of employer organisations to work collectively for the furniture industry. FFINTO
has led the industry's drive for world class skills; to be a nationally-recognised voice of employers on education and training; and
brought employers together, to say what skills are needed in their industries and how those skills
could be achieved.
Tel: 0115 922 1200
Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA)
FIRA is the main testing, research and standards organisation for
the furniture and allied industries. It is based in Stevenage
and has around 600 members.
FIRA International Limited
Maxwell Road
Stevenage
Hertfordshire
SG1 2EW.
Tel: 01438 777700
Fax: 01438 777800
Kitchen, Bathroom and
Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA)
Promotes the highest levels of quality workmanship and customer
satisfaction in the design and installation of fitted kitchens,
bedrooms and bathrooms.
Email: info@kbsa.co.uk
Tel: 01905 621787
Fax: 01905 621887
National Bed Federation
NBF represents about 75% of total UK bedding (bed and mattress)
manufacturers by turnover.
Tel: 01823 368008
Fax: 01823 350526
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UK Trade & Investment |
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Sector specific export help for the furnishings and related industries |
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Companies House |
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Link to a wide range of Government sites and Professional Bodies that can provide general guidance and support for all UK companies |
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Small Business Service |
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Schemes and initiatives designed to help small businesses. |
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DTI Regulatory Guidance |
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General guidance and links to other relevant DTI web pages |
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DTI is not responsible for the content of external sites. |
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Trade Association Forum |
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List of Trade Associations in this sector |
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