After a working life spanning almost 50 years – 30 of which have been spent in the furniture industry – Peter Hewitt, founder of Litmus Furniture, sole UK and Irish agent for German bedroom manufacturer Wiemann, has announced his decision to step back from day-to-day involvement in the business.
“It’s nearly four years since my son Simon joined the business with a view to taking over," says Peter. "He is now pretty much fully in charge and I just feel that the time is right to hang up the car keys.”
Peter set up Litmus Furniture in 2001 as a business consultancy to furniture manufacturers after 10 years as MD of Dorlux Beds, and in 2005 decided to look for a new opportunity to grow the business. Wiemann proved to be that opportunity – the leading German bedroom manufacturer was then operating on a small scale in the UK with a handful of independent retailers. In 12 years the UK business has grown 15-fold, and now has accounts with major retailers including John Lewis, Dreams and Bensons, as well as many independent retailers.
“Looking back, I really enjoyed my time with Dorlux and I was very proud of being chairman of The Sleep Council – but there is no doubt I have gained the most personal satisfaction from taking a virtually unknown brand and product range into the UK market and growing into one of the UK’s leading bedroom suppliers and Wiemann’s biggest export market," says Peter.
“Along the way, I’ve met and worked with so many great people. I can’t thank them all enough for the opportunities – and the challenges – but most of all for the loyalty, support and friendships. It’s those personal relationships that are the most precious and most memorable.”
Peter will still be involved in the background, looking after admin and finance for Litmus Furniture, and his many friends and colleagues will find him one more time on the Wiemann stand at the January Furniture Show at the NEC later this month.
