Eighteen companies from across the furniture indsutry have joined the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA), industry’s largest association.
This year FIRA has welcomed fourteen full members as well as three international and one associate member. New members include mattress retailer, Dormeo UK, office fit-out organisation, Hog Furnishing Ltd, and Hille Educational Products Limited, which produced the original polypropylene chair in 1963, still used in schools today.
Established sixty years ago, the Association is a unique, not-for-profit membership-based organisation, run by the furniture industry for the furniture industry. It is the only organisation that provides support for all sectors and for the entire supply chain.
Phil Reynolds, association director and chief operating officer for FIRA, said: “We are delighted to welcome so many new members to the association. We have found that companies are actively seeking out the type of support and expertise that we offer. Amongst a range of benefits, this could be the opportunity to take part in the forums we organise, to encourage networking and discuss solutions to issues affecting the industry. Members also have free access to market intelligence to help shape their business objectives and drive sales.
“As the largest association for the industry we have a lot to offer businesses of all sizes, from small independents to large corporate retailers and manufacturers. Contact our membership team to find out more about how we can support your business.”
FULL MEMBERS
Clinchplain Ltd – a family-run business of 26 years which specialises in converting polyether foam and fibre.
D&O Solutions Ltd – a company which specialises in the production, sales and distribution of general purpose furniture for the home
Divania International - a leather suite wholesaler based in Scotland.
Dormeo UK Limited – a supplier of Italian-made memory foam mattresses, direct to people's homes.
Duresta (contract division) – a manufacturer of sofas and upholstered seating based in Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire.
EEF Retail Limited – a wholesale furniture company with a distribution centre based in Northampton.
GFW Limited (The Furniture Warehouse) – a supplier of bedroom and living room furniture based in Blackburn.
Glencraft Limited – a manufacturer and supplier of mattresses, divans and furniture based in Aberdeen since the company was founded in 1843.
Furniture Resource Centre – a national supplier of contract standard furniture to social landlords, local authorities and construction companies.
Hettich UK Ltd – a designer and manufacturer of a range of drawer systems, hinges and handles, as well as folding and sliding doors and lighting for furniture.
Hille Educational Products Limited – a designer and manufacturer of seating and tables for educational settings which has been at the forefront of furniture design for many years.
Hog Furnishing Ltd – an office fit-out and refurbishment organisation with headquarters in London.
Richard Stamp Agencies Limited – an importer and exporter of quality furniture.
Trent Pottery Co Limited – a supplier of contract furniture for pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, cafes and conference centres.
INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS
Artmatrix Technology Sdn Bhd - a designer, manufacturer and supplier of office furniture to corporate offices and institutions.
BMA Ergonomics BV - a supplier of ergonomic office chairs.
HTL Furniture (China) Co. Ltd – manufactures leather sofas and leather upholstery hides.
ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Independent Quality Solutions Limited - an independent consultancy specialising in Product Safety and Product Compliance for goods sold in the UK and EU.
Depending on the type of membership, the benefits of being a member of the Furniture Industry Research Association include: market intelligence reports, opportunities to influence standards and a forum to have your voice heard at government level, technical and innovation reports, access to a technical support helpline, marketing publications, discounts and voucher credits to spend on FIRA International's commercial services, such as testing and training, and the promotion of your products via the Association website.
Subscriptions for UK manufacturers are based on turnover of furniture sales in the previous year. Furniture suppliers, traders and retailers pay a flat rate for their subscription.
