Behind the Scenes of the UK’s Leading Furniture Technology Centre

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Fira Editorial LogoThursday 26th February & Thursday 21st May 2015

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If you are a part of the furniture industry or you work with companies within it, don’t miss the opportunity to understand more about how industry standards are set, be confident that you are complying with relevant legislation and witness first-hand how furniture is tested and repaired.

 

With limited spaces available, book your place to attend an Open Day at the Hertfordshire headquarters of the UK’s largest furniture association and leading furniture technology centre.

 

FIRA International and the Furniture Industry Research Association will be welcoming visitors on Thursday 26th February and Thursday 21st May 2015. The events will include a brief update on the flammability regulations and delegates will have the opportunity to get involved in an interactive furniture repair demonstration.

 

From concept and design, to manufacture, retail and after-sales care and repair, FIRA works with the whole furniture supply chain offering a range of services to provide support where it’s needed and raise standards across the whole industry.

 

Visitors can take a tour of the testing laboratories, which includes a flammability testing demonstration, and find out how the Association supports the industry with a variety of projects, such as National Furniture Specifications, Export Hub, Furniture Design Toolkit and the ongoing research into flammability testing. FIRA’s experts will be available to answer questions throughout the day.

 

Phil Reynolds, Chief Operating Officer for FIRA International, said: “Whether you are a designer, small retailer, part of a large manufacturer or a supplier with an interest in the furniture industry, we would welcome you to attend one of our Open Days. They are a great opportunity to ask our experts questions, find out how to keep up to date with the latest changes to legislation and topical issues affecting the industry, and see how we offer a wide range of support and technical expertise to the entire furniture supply chain. We have many years’ experience of writing and interpreting British and European Standards for furniture and there isn’t much we don’t know about furniture or the furniture industry. These events are proving very popular and the February date is nearly full, so get in touch soon to reserve your place.”

 

The day includes a demonstration from FIRA’s acclaimed Ergonomists and informative presentations from experts on topics, such as sustainability in the furniture industry, which looks at information about the Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme, how to comply with the EU Timber Regulation and carbon footprinting. A networking break in the morning will provide an opportunity to speak to FIRA’s experts in furniture testing.

 

The Open Day will begin at 9.45am, with coffee and registration, and concludes at around 2:30pm. Lunch is provided and there will be opportunities to meet with experts to discuss specific enquiries, as well as other staff who can support your business, such as a marketing service for members.

 

To book a place or for further information please contact Chrissie Winsor, email cwinsor@fira.co.uk or call 01438 777 700.

 

Sofa Manufacturer Joins Leading Furniture Association

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One of the largest sofa manufacturers in the country has joined the furniture industry’s leading research body where they will benefit from over 65 years experience.

Buoyant Upholstery has joined the Furniture Industry Research Association. With its unparalleled industry knowledge, it is the only organisation that provides support for all sectors and for the entire furniture supply chain. It is a unique, not-for-profit membership-based organisation, run by the furniture industry for the furniture industry.

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Based in Nelson, Lancashire, Buoyant employs over 600 people and produces in excess of 2000 suites every week.

Glen Ainsworth, Development Director at Buoyant Upholstery, said: “We wanted to join the Furniture Industry Research Association as it is a well-respected body and seen as the world leader in research and innovation for the furniture industry. As a member of the Association, we will be able to use the technical information to our advantage and have the opportunity to influence Standards for furniture.”

The benefits of being a member of the Furniture Industry Research Association include; market intelligence reports, opportunities to influence Standards and issues affecting the industry, technical and innovation reports, access to a technical support helpline, marketing publications, discounts and voucher credits to spend on commercial services offered by FIRA International, such as testing, training and technical services, and the promotion of products via the website.

Phil Reynolds, Director of the Furniture Industry Research Association, said: “We are really pleased to welcome Buoyant as a member. The Association aims to support the furniture industry by providing technical information which helps with business planning and strategy. Our members have direct access to our world-renowned resources and technical expertise, both through our highly specialist experts and through the vast amount of technical and business information we make available on our website.”

For more information about the Furniture Industry Research Association, please visit www.fira.co.uk, call 01438 777 700 or email info@fira.co.uk. For more information about Buoyant Upholstery, please call 01282 691631 or visit www.buoyant-upholstery.co.uk.

Furniture Industry Statistics Published

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With the UK’s economy on the up and an overall increase in consumer spending, there is a positive tone to this year’s Statistics Digest, published by the Furniture Industry Research Association, which contains facts and figures specific to the furniture and furnishings industry from 2010 – 2013.

Published annually, the Statistics Digest is compiled using the latest available data sourced from a range of websites.

Dr. Peter Beele, Technical Services Manager for FIRA International and author of the publication, said: “Increased retail sales of furniture and furnishings in 2013 were reflected in UK manufacturer turnover which rose to in excess of £7 billion, which is the first time this level has been reached since 2010. Whilst exports also increased to £842 million, this improvement was negligible compared to the value attributed to imports (£4.4 billion), the consequence being a widening of the negative trade gap with the rest of the world. Available free of charge to our members, I would recommend the Statistics Digests as an essential read for anyone operating in the furniture sector.”

The Digest further segments the furniture and furnishings sector and notable improved manufacturing performances are evident in relation to beds and mattresses, kitchens and office and shop furniture.

Provisional figures for 2014 won’t be released by government until the latter half of 2015. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that this year has also a good one for UK furniture manufacturers. Recently published trade data also hints at a continued improvement in export performance, but ever increasing imports sit menacingly on the horizon.

In summary, the statistics suggest that there is room for optimism within the UK, although the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement warns of continued global instability which will clearly impact on UK manufacturing, particularly in relation to exports.

Established 65 years ago, the Furniture Industry Research Association was set by the industry for the industry. It provides invaluable technical support to the entire furniture supply chain and funds projects for the benefit of the industry.

For more information about the Furniture Industry Research Association, please visit www.fira.co.uk.

Seating System On Show At Furniture HQ

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A seating system that uses ‘smart chair’ technology to adapt smoothly to its user, offering a high level of comfort and flexibility, is the latest addition to the Innovation Showcase at a world-leading furniture technology centre.

The Axia 2.0 Smart Seating System from BMA Ergonomics, a holder of FIRA’s Ergonomics Excellence Award and a winner of the 2014 Red Dot Design Award, can be seen at the Hertfordshire headquarters of the Furniture Industry Research Association, also home to FIRA International Ltd.

Representatives from across the furniture industry supply chain visit the headquarters on a regular basis and members of the Association have the opportunity to display new and innovative products on the Showcase.

Bas van der Doelen, Ergonomic at BMA, said: “The Axia 2.0 Smart Seating System is not just a chair that helps you achieve a relaxed and healthy posture; it is a complete and sophisticated seating system that brings together all our expertise in the field of ergonomics, technology and sustainability. The system makes users more aware of their posture when seated and actively supports them. Intelligent technology monitors and analyses the use of the chair on an ergonomic level and provides feedback on this. We are very pleased to have achieved FIRA’s Ergonomics Excellence Award and to be able to display this innovative new product at the Furniture Industry Research Association’s headquarters.”

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Products are showcased for a four-month period and offers companies a unique opportunity to gain extra media coverage when launching new products, as well as a way to display the product to others within the furniture industry.

Established over 65 years ago, the Furniture Industry Research Association is the UK’s largest furniture association and the only organisation that provides support to the whole furniture supply chain, across all sectors.

For more information about the Furniture Industry Research Association or FIRA International, please visit www.fira.co.uk, call 01438 777 700 or email info@fira.co.uk.

Want to talk furniture? …Talk to FIRA

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Open Day for the furniture industry – 16th October 2014

The home of the UK’s largest furniture association and leading furniture technology centre will be opening its doors in October for an Open Day.

The headquarters of FIRA International and the Furniture Industry Research Association will be welcoming visitors on Thursday 16th October 2014. The event will include a brief update on the highly-topical proposed changes to the flammability regulations and delegates will have the opportunity to get involved in an interactive furniture repair demonstration.

 

From concept and design, to manufacture, retail and after-sales care and repair, FIRA works with the whole furniture supply chain offering a range of services to provide support where it’s needed and raise standards across the whole industry.

 

Visitors can take a tour of the testing laboratories, which includes a flammability testing demonstration, and find out how the Association supports the industry with a variety of projects, such as National Furniture Specifications, Export Hub, Furniture Design Toolkit and the ongoing research into flammability testing. FIRA’s experts will be available to answer questions throughout the day.

Phil Reynolds, Chief Operating Officer for FIRA International, said: “Whether you are a member of the Furniture Industry Research Association, a customer of FIRA, or simply curious to find out more about how we support the furniture industry, we find visitors are always surprised by the wide range expertise and services we offer. There isn’t much we don’t know about furniture or the furniture industry and we have many years’ experience of writing and interpreting British and European Standards. Our Open Day is a great opportunity to talk to our experts and ask questions while getting a taste of how we can support businesses of all sizes.”

The day includes a demonstration from FIRA’s acclaimed Ergonomists and informative presentations from experts on topics, such as sustainability in the furniture industry, which looks at information about the Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme, how to comply with the EU Timber Regulation and carbon footprinting. A networking break in the morning will provide an opportunity where experts in furniture testing will aim to answer questions.

The Open Day will begin at 9.45am, with coffee and registration, and concludes at around 2:30pm. Lunch is provided and there will be opportunities to meet with experts to discuss specific enquiries, as well as other staff who can support your business, such as a marketing service for members.

To book a place or for further information, please contact Chrissie Winsor, email cwinsor@fira.co.uk or call 01438 777 700.

Specifying Office Furniture

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Specifying Office FurnitureSpecifying Office Furniture

everything you need to know

01438 777 700
www.fira.co.uk
info@fira.co.uk

 

Specifying Office Furniture

If you write specifications and tender documents for office furniture, then we would like to invite you and your colleagues to a free seminar run by the experts for the furniture industry.

Specifying Office FurnitureThere are many things to take into consideration when procuring furniture for an office, reception or meeting room, these include ergonomics, sustainability criteria, frequency of use, average length of time in use and the people using it. All of these relate to furniture standards and there are many to choose from!

The Furniture Industry Research Association, which specialises in understanding furniture standards, is holding a seminar aimed at specifiers of office furniture.

The seminar, ‘Specifying Office Furniture – everything you need to know’, will take place on Wednesday 4th June 2014 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

Who can attend?

This event is for anyone who develops specifications and tender documents to procure office furniture, from procurement professionals and interior designers to someone writing their first and only specification.

What will it cover?

The programme consists of industry experts speaking on a range of relevant topics, from ergonomics to sustainability. It will look at the support available for writing specifications and tender documents, such as our free online specification generator. There will also be a demonstration of how ergonomics experts can measure how well a task chair supports your back. The event will finish off with a workshop and an opportunity to talk to the experts to discuss your specific issues.

Why attend?

Our research has shown that there is frustration within the industry on both sides. Specifications and tender documents can be complex to write, with a requirement to include the correct British, European and International furniture Standards. With regular changes to Standards and little room for error, suppliers find that the knock-on effect of an incorrect specification can be expensive and time consuming for everyone involved. It can also mean that the furniture provided is not suitable and can even end in legal disputes over who is to blame.

Our aim is that delegates will leave with the knowledge of how to create the perfect specification to ensure that all products specified are suitable for their intended use and fit for purpose.

Who are we?

As an industry body, the Furniture Industry Research Association is perfectly placed to bring together the information needed to improve the process for everyone. Its role is to understand and find solutions to issues faced along the whole supply chain. Membership projects, such as this one, are funded by members of the Association where a need is identified and a solution is found to benefit the industry as a whole. This is how we can bring you free seminars, funded by the furniture industry.

How to book

The event is free-of charge, starting at 10am and finishing at 3pm with lunch provided. There are a limited number of places available, so to book your place please click here, alternatively you can call 01438 777 700 or email marketing@fira.co.uk

More information about the Furniture Industry Research Association can be found by visiting  www.fira.co.uk

Kind regards,

The Furniture Industry Research Association

Signs Of Recovery

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Signs Of Recovery For UK Furniture Industry

Information from a publication released at the end of 2013 hints at a small recovery for furniture manufacturing in the UK, but this improvement is overshadowed by poor export performance and China gaining a massive foothold of our import market.

A statistics digest which contains key information about current furniture industry market trends, essential for strategic business planning, is now available.

The annual analysis of furniture industry statistics is researched and published by the Furniture Industry Research Association. Established sixty four years ago, the Association provides invaluable technical support to the entire furniture supply chain and funds projects for the benefit of the industry.

Statistics from the Digest, combined with anecdotal evidence, also show that the general public appears to be happy to lend (and spend) more money and housing starts and transactions are up (although nowhere near the pre 2008 figures). These are all positive signs for the UK furniture sector which manufactured £6.5 billion of product in 2012 and is hoping to have improved on this by the end of 2013.

The significance of imported furniture is reflected by the fact that, at between £4.3 and £4.5 billion, it comprises 40% of the home market. Predictions are that this will have increased slightly by the end of 2013. Exports, however, have remained relatively static for many years and struggle to reach the £1 billion level.

Dr. Peter Beele, FIRA International’s Technical Development Manager, commented: “Whilst the differences between the latest government figures (2012) and the previous year are relatively small, they indicate key longer term trends and show some interesting anomalies. For example, furniture manufacturing is an important contributor to UK manufacturing, but of greater importance to government, employs many more people per pound of turnover than most other sectors.

“Our Statistics Digest does much of the hard work and number crunching that would otherwise be a laborious task for strategic planners and as any good MD, or bank, will attest, understanding current market trends, and predicting future developments are critical components of business planning. We are pleased to announce the release of this year’s publication which is now available on our website.”

The Statistics Digest comprises almost 40 pages of facts, figures and commentary covering production and international trade for a wide range of product groups. It also assesses some of the key drivers behind furniture spend such as lending and house purchasing patterns.

The Statistics Digest is available free of charge to Association members or can be purchased for £300 by visiting www.fira.co.uk/publications, emailing info@fira.co.uk or calling 01438 777 700.

Feeling The Heat?

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Flammability Training To Help Mitigate Risk

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Following the recent BBC investigation into upholstery on sale in the UK containing foams and fabrics that do not comply with British law, a course run by a furniture industry expert can offer manufacturers and suppliers peace of mind. 

Fully understanding the UK regulations for upholstered furniture and how they relate to your products will help prevent issues with non-compliant products and the knock-on effects of expensive product recall and potentially a significant drop in consumer confidence.

Experts at FIRA are here to help, with a course that provides an overview of the UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations (as amended) and aims to give you an understanding of how to interpret the Regulations for your specific business or product.

Knowing the questions to ask a supplier and how to identify potential issues will help to mitigate risk to your business and help build your due diligence.The UK flammability regulations are extremely complex and I would urge anyone who has concerns about the recent issues with non-compliant products, and wants to take measures to help protect their business, to start by ensuring relevant employees and managers have the right training.

said Tristine Hargreaves, FIRA’s Standards and Regulatory Manager, an expert in flammability and course trainer.

The Regulations cover a variety of furniture products, including sofas, chairs, beds, headboards, bean bags and casual seating.

Following the success of the FIRA Flammability Courses in 2013, another selection of dates have been set for 2014, starting on January 28th.

The course is aimed at furniture suppliers, manufacturers, importers, retail buyers and technologists.

Tristine continued: “The UK flammability regulations are made up of several schedules which cover the different parts of a product. Everyone has the responsibility of due diligence and you could be asked to demonstrate that a product is compliant. If a product is deemed to be non-compliant, this is illegal and could result in product withdrawal from sale, product recall or prosecution. We provide a breakdown of the Regulations and give an understanding of how they relate to your products. By the end of the day you should be able to assess your products to see whether they are fully compliant with the Regulations and avoid unnecessary recall costs or fines.”

The Flammability Course looks at why the Regulations were introduced, the different schedules, labelling, test reports, product assessments and traceability of materials. A training certificate will be issued upon completion of the course and training notes provided to assist you with future product assessments. The course also includes a tour of the FIRA Flammability Test Laboratory.

Prices for the course are £250 +VAT for FIRA members and £400 +VAT for non-members. FIRA also offers bespoke training sessions which can be held at your premises. For further information please contact Tristine Hargreaves on +44 (0) 1438 777 606 or email info@fira.co.uk. Alternatively, book online at www.fira.co.uk/training

To Test Or Not To Test

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For manufacturers of consumer products, such as furniture, testing can often be seen as an inconvenient expense and a delay in getting products to market.  A FIRA testing expert reveals the potential cost of not testing.

Sue Mann, FIRA’s Business Development Manager, who has worked in the testing facility for nearly 10 years, said: “The cost of testing a product could be seen as an additional expense rather than an essential one, but often the actual price of not testing a product can be far outweighed by the cost of failures in the field.”

“In the UK and Europe all consumer products have to meet the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD), with the exception of upholstery for domestic use, which must pass the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations. This means that a product needs to be safe, and unlikely to cause injury to the user. If a product is found to cause injury, or pose a threat of injury, to consumers then it is possible that enforcement bodies such as Trading Standards may investigate which could result in a product being taken off the market or even recalled. This cost would have to be borne by the manufacturer or importer, who would also face possible fines or even jail.

“The simplest way for a manufacturer to feel confident that a product is safe is to have his product tested to the latest British or European Standards by a recognised test house. The GPSD recognises this as an example of ‘due diligence’, where the manufacturer has tried to ensure the product is safe by verifying it meets safety Standards.”

“As a minimum FIRA recommends that a product is retested every three years and between six and twelve months in respect of the flammability performance of upholstery. Mattresses must be retested in accordance with the Standard (BS7177) which varies according to the quantity produced. The European and British Standards that are set for testing are there for a reason, to ensure that a product is safe and fit for purpose. If a product does fail during testing, our experts work with companies to help them understand why and what adjustments to try before a retest.” Sue added.

The UK’s flammability requirements are in place to save lives and so compliance is taken very seriously. A problem occurred when FIRA experts were testing the fire resistance of an office chair as part of a large order from abroad. The foam and upholstery used in the chair was supplied separately for testing prior to the delivery of the order and passed the Standard for Medium Hazard as required in the specification. When the order arrived the company receiving the goods became suspicious as the upholstery looked different to the original. The entire product was sent back to FIRA for testing and failed quite dramatically. It transpired that the upholstery sent for testing initially was different to the material used in the final batch of products, they were sent back to the manufacturer and the company involved had a lucky escape.

She continued: “In the domestic market ‘due diligence’ is a legal requirement, so if a company supplying domestic furniture did not notice a problem at the point of delivery it could mean a costly product recall or a fine from Trading Standards. Although this is not the case for the contract market, suppliers sourcing a product to meet a specification which requires it to have a safety test certificate risk the final product being rejected if they cannot prove it is of suitable quality. Knowing where the product and its components are being produced and being able to trace the line of supply back is becoming ever more important. This example shows the varying legitimacy of materials available in the international marketplace and the potential cost implications that come with not being able to provide a product that passes the required Standards.”

It’s not just product destined for the European Market that needs testing. In one case a large order of shelving was shipped to Nigeria where, on arrival, they were not able to produce a test certificate. The order was prevented from entering the country and the supplier was charged ‘demurrage’, an additional cost relating to the length of the delay, until a test certificate could be produced. On this occasion FIRA’s free, online Export Hub (www.exportingfurniture.com) would have provided information about exporting products from the UK.

The FIRA Testing facility provides a service for all types of furniture and related products for the domestic and contract markets. This includes flammability and physical performance tests on fabrics, foams, mattresses and cushions, performance tests on adhesives and boards, and structural testing on finished products. Highly skilled technicians also develop bespoke testing equipment for use in the UK and other countries.

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In addition to FIRA’s UK-based centre of excellence, it has test facilities and accredited testing partners throughout the world, including FIRA-CMA in Hong Kong.

For more information about FIRA Testing services in the UK and abroad, please call +44 (0) 1438 777 700, email info@fira.co.uk, or visit www.fira.co.uk.