When the British Furniture Association launched the Furniture Component Expo (FCE) in 2024, it was conceived as a focused showcase for the unseen heroes of furniture manufacturing – the fittings, foams and fastenings that underpin design excellence. Less than three years later, it has evolved into something much larger: a cross-sector platform that reflects the full ecosystem of British furniture production, from materials and surfaces to motion technology, adhesives and logistics.
From core components to complete collaboration
FCE’s growth under the BFA and its Managing Director, Phil Spademan, marks a defining shift in how the industry connects. What began as a technical meeting point for the supply chain has become a marketplace of ideas, where innovation in process, sustainability and supply merges to define what comes next. By expanding its reach into adjacent sectors such as kitchens and bathrooms, while broadening its exhibitor mix to include timber, textiles, digital systems and software, FCE now captures the full narrative of modern furniture manufacturing.
“The show goes from strength to strength,” says Spademan. “Its profile increasingly makes it of interest to sectors beyond furniture, including kitchens and bathrooms, offering a true one-stop-shop where manufacturers can review, network and source world-class materials and technologies. By broadening the scope, the Expo opens even more opportunities to connect the decision-makers who drive our industry forward.”
Reflecting a connected industry
This spirit of connection underpins the Expo’s continued residency at the Telford International Centre, now confirmed through to 2029, and supported by key sponsors such as BeA Group and Carpenter Ltd. Together, they help ensure the event remains accessible, relevant and directly aligned with the real challenges manufacturers face — from efficiency and ergonomics to sustainability and skills.
Visitors to Furniture Component Expo 2026 can expect a broadened showcase integrating machinery, technology, timber, software, upholstery systems and services — representing not just the component trade, but the integrated supply chain that defines Britain’s furniture manufacturing future.
“As the first show of its kind in the UK, the Furniture Component Expo embodies the collaborative spirit of our sector,” Spademan adds. “It’s by the industry, for the industry – and it continues to get stronger, broader and more connected every year.”
https://fcexpo.co.uk/exhibit-sponsor/
