Members of the British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM) looked at adapting a blueprint for a more sustainable future at the trade association’s latest regional meeting.
Held at the HQ of Businesswise Solutions in Nelson, Lancashire, the event addressed one of most pressing challenges currently facing the industry – Environmental and Social Governance (ESG).
Highlights included Angela Moran, Silentnight's ESG director, sharing her transformative experience with ESG implementation.
Attendees also took part in an active discussion about Scope 3 emissions – the indirect emissions that occur in a company's value chain.
BFM MD Phil Spademan says: “Attendees agreed that tackling Scope 3 remains the most challenging area to assess and address. Despite this, the consensus was clear that tackling these emissions is not just an environmental imperative but a business necessity in an increasingly interconnected global market.
“Forward-thinking companies are already leveraging ESG principles to drive innovation, enhance brand value, and secure a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving marketplace. From ethical supply chain management to innovative product design, ESG is proving to be a catalyst for positive change across the industry. With this in mind, the event set out to demystify ESG and provide actionable insights for companies at every stage of their sustainability journey.”
For companies seeking a starting point, the Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP) was regarded as a valuable resource, with Silentnight's experience with the initiative demonstrating how the framework can provide the foundation for broader ESG initiatives. An independently certified sustainability programme tailored to meet the needs of the furniture industry supply chain, the FISP framework provides a roadmap to drive social, economic and environmental change by continually improving members' business operations.
Phil adds: “The focus was very much on looking at solutions, with initiatives such as FISP discussed as a means of offering a cost-effective route for companies looking to enhance their sustainability credentials.
“As the event concluded, attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and a toolkit of practical strategies. The message was clear – that the time for action is now, with Government targets looming and consumer preferences shifting.”
