The Furniture Makers’ Company, the furnishing industry’s charity, is calling for entries for its second annual Export Award.
Launched in 2016, the Export Award is open to any furnishings company, including bedding, flooring and furniture, which manufactures in Great Britain.
The award considers all aspects of how a business operates, including development initiatives, overseas’ markets penetrated, volumes, growth techniques, long term commitment, and relevant accreditations.
UK manufacturers are invited to submit an application for consideration by a panel of judges who will select the manufacturer deemed to have made the best export initiative or effort in the previous year. The deadline for entries to the Export Award is 30 June 2017.
Paul von der Heyde, Manufacturing Guild Mark chairman, says: “The goal of the Export Award is to recognise and champion companies of all shape and size that are flying the flag for British manufacture in export markets. Last year’s judging process confirmed that there are lots of UK manufacturers reaping the rewards of export programmes, and we look forward to celebrating other companies’ efforts in 2017.”
Bolton-based office furniture manufacturer Boss Design won the first Export Award in 2016.
Entry forms are available from The Furniture Makers’ Company website –www.furnituremakers.org.uk/excellence. Questions about this award can be answered by George Cooper, marketing & communications manager at The Furniture Makers’ Company, by telephone on 020 7562 8522 or email: [email protected]
Assessment procedure
The panel of judges will consider all the submissions at a meeting to be held after the closing date of 30 June 2017 for entries and a shortlist will then be drawn up.
Companies which are shortlisted will be invited to make a brief presentation of their application to the judges and to answer any questions at a meeting to be held at Furniture Makers’ Hall with the presentation of the award taking place at the Royal Charter Dinner on 26 October 2017.
The judges
Tony Smart - Master of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers 2017-2018
Paul von der Heyde - Chairman of the Manufacturing Guild Mark
Jonathan Hindle - Chairman of the British Furniture Confederation
Jeremy Stein - Chief executive of the British Contract Furnishing Association
Stephen McPartland MP - Member of Parliament for Stevenage and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Furniture Industry Group
