Issue 388
As manufacturers continue to navigate economic uncertainty, labour pressures and the growing demand for sustainable production, innovation remains firmly on the agenda across the woodworking and furniture sectors. From digital technologies and smarter factory processes to evolving legislation and new product development, this issue highlights many of the conversations currently shaping the industry.
As I write, the sector is preparing for one of the key events in the UK trade show calendar, with momentum building for the Professional Woodworking Expo in just a few short weeks.
The F&JP team is looking forward to catching up with colleagues, industry partners and new faces at the show. We’ll be based on Stand H2-C40, alongside our sister title, Irish Contract Interiors, where visitors are encouraged to drop by, take a break from the exhibition floor and join us for refreshments. We’d love to see you there.
In the meantime, you’ll find a comprehensive preview of the show from page 16 onwards, featuring all the latest events, product launches and must-see highlights you’ll want to include in your itinerary for this new iteration of the expo.
This issue’s profile feature, meanwhile, centres on the success story of LiDR Contract Furniture. Based in Stoke-on-Trent, the family-run business supplies bespoke contract furniture and specialist joinery across commercial, education, hospitality and public sectors, combining decades of manufacturing experience with continued investment in production capability. John Legg met with director Eleanor Owen to find out more on page 34.
Other key insight articles include details of a new guide from Made Smarter designed to help manufacturers cut through the noise surrounding artificial intelligence and focus on what actually works on the factory floor. We also feature a column from Matthew Ekholm, DPP and Circularity Specialist at Provenant, exploring five unexpected ways the ESPR will impact the furniture manufacturing industry.
Our product features delve into the worlds of surfacing, software and automation, dust extraction and wood waste management, as well as CNC machinery.
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