Eighteen companies from across the furniture supply chain have joined one of the industry’s largest associations.
Since January, FIRA has welcomed fourteen full members as well as three international and one associate member. New members include mattress retailer, Dormeo UK, office fit-out organisation, Hog Furnishing Ltd, and Hille Educational Products Limited, which produced the original polypropylene chair in 1963, still used in schools today.
Established sixty years ago, the association is a unique, not-for-profit membership-based organisation, run by the furniture industry for the furniture industry. It is the only organisation that provides support for all sectors and for the entire supply chain.
Phil Reynolds, association director and COO for FIRA International, says: “We are delighted to welcome so many new members to the Association. We have found that companies are actively seeking out the type of support and expertise that we offer. Amongst a range of benefits, this could be the opportunity to take part in the forums we organise, to encourage networking and discuss solutions to issues affecting the industry. Members also have free access to market intelligence to help shape their business objectives and drive sales.
“As the largest association for the industry we have a lot to offer businesses of all sizes, from small independents to large corporate retailers and manufacturers. Contact our membership team to find out more about how we can support your business.”
The full members are listed below:
Clinchplain Ltd. – a family-run business of 26 years which specialises in converting polyether foam and fibre
D&O Solutions Ltd. – a company which specialises in the production, sales and distribution of general purpose furniture for the home
Divania International - a leather suite wholesaler based in Scotland
Dormeo UK Limited - a supplier of Italian-made memory foam mattresses, direct to people's homes
Duresta (contract division) – a manufacturer of sofas and upholstered seating based in Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire
EEF Retail Limited - a wholesale furniture company with a distribution centre based in Northampton
GFW Limited (The Furniture Warehouse) - a supplier of bedroom and living room furniture based in Blackburn
Glencraft Limited - a manufacturer and supplier of mattresses, divans and furniture based in Aberdeen since the company was founded in 1843
Furniture Resource Centre – a national supplier of contract standard furniture to social landlords, local authorities and construction companies
Hettich UK Ltd. – a designer and manufacturer of a range of drawer systems, hinges and handles, as well as folding and sliding doors and lighting for furniture
Hille Educational Products Limited – a designer and manufacturer of seating and tables for educational settings which has been at the forefront of furniture design for many years
Hog Furnishing Ltd. - an office fit-out and refurbishment organisation with headquarters in London
Richard Stamp Agencies Limited – an importer and exporter of quality furniture
Trent Pottery Co. Limited - a supplier of contract furniture for pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, cafes and conference centres
International members include:
Artmatrix Technology Sdn. Bhd. - a designer, manufacturer and supplier of office furniture to corporate offices and institutions
BMA Ergonomics BV - a supplier of ergonomic office chairs
HTL Furniture (China) Co. Ltd. - manufactures leather sofas and leather upholstery hides
Independent Quality Solutions Limited - an independent consultancy specialising in Product Safety and Product Compliance for goods sold in the UK and EU, is an associate member.
Depending on the type of membership, the benefits of being a member of the Furniture Industry Research Association include market intelligence reports, opportunities to influence standards and a forum to be heard at government level, technical and innovation reports, access to a technical support helpline, marketing publications, discounts and voucher credits to spend on FIRA International's commercial services, such as testing and training, and the promotion of products via the association website.
Subscriptions for UK manufacturers are based on turnover of furniture sales in the previous year. Furniture suppliers, traders and retailers pay a flat rate for their subscription.
