British Furniture Confederation launches new growth plan to tackle industry challenges
The British Furniture Confederation (BFC), which serves as the public affairs umbrella for trade associations within the furniture, beds, furnishings, and flooring sectors, has revealed its new Plan for Growth, aimed at addressing the pressing challenges facing the industry. Unveiled in a significant update for stakeholders, the plan was developed over several months and incorporates input from various position papers authored by the associations’ executives, alongside a comprehensive survey of their collective memberships.
BFC chairman Jonathan Hindle emphasised the organisation’s commitment to collaborating closely with government bodies to foster a resilient and progressive industry. Speaking to Furniture News Magazine, Hindle stated, “Our Plan for Growth examines the key challenges our sector in particular is facing and sets out a series of recommendations for Government to support us in delivering growth.”
This strategic document outlines advocacy initiatives across four pivotal pillars: skills and education, trade and exports, standards and regulations, and environmental sustainability, specifically within the context of a circular economy. The BFC's recommendations will be disseminated widely among government departments, ministers, and Members of Parliament, playing a critical role in the BFC’s ongoing dialogue with the government. This engagement is aided by the support of the industry’s All Party Parliamentary Group, which is led by Adam Thompson, MP for Erewash.
Thompson expressed his support for the plan, indicating its significance for the furniture manufacturing industry. “I’m very pleased that the British Furniture Confederation have launched their Plan for Growth, to explain how the furniture manufacturing industry can feed into the wider growth and skills agenda in Britain,” he said. The initiative reflects broader governmental commitments to transforming opportunities and driving economic growth, particularly in Thompson’s constituency, recognised as a hub for UK upholstery.
Highlighting the economic impact of the furniture sector, the BFC, citing official statistics, notes that the industry collectively contributes over £41 billion to the UK economy, which includes both manufacturing and retail segments. Moreover, it provides employment for more than 260,000 individuals across over 33,000 businesses, with UK manufacturing alone accounting for an estimated £9.8 billion from around 9,000 companies employing over 91,000 people. Despite this, the document points out that the industry is predominantly composed of micro and small to medium-sized enterprises, with fewer than 500 firms achieving turnovers exceeding £5 million.
Jonathan Hindle further stressed the importance of the sector, stating, “The importance of our sector and in particular our manufacturing capabilities here in the UK should not be underestimated.” He highlighted the balance between heritage craftsmanship and modern technological advancements, calling for targeted governmental support in areas such as finance and ongoing consultation.
Addressing the educational needs of the sector, the BFC reiterated the urgency for collaboration with the new Skills England taskforce, particularly as many manufacturers face significant skills shortages. The need for enhanced access to design and technology education in schools, as well as more informed careers advice regarding manufacturing, was highlighted as a key area for improvement.
In the domain of trade and exports, the BFC noted that while a substantial number of companies are engaged in exporting, many find this process daunting due to limited support compared to international standards. The advocacy for a single source of guidance covering international market access and financial support initiatives is a focal point of the new plan.
On the regulatory front, the Plan for Growth expresses a commitment to maintaining high product safety standards and calls for early consultation with the government regarding safety regulations, which has become increasingly complex post-Brexit.
The document also emphasises the sector's dedication to sustainable practices and discusses the need for government initiatives to consider the costs associated with sustainability efforts, particularly in comparison to imported goods.
In summary, the BFC's newest Plan for Growth articulates a comprehensive framework for promoting the UK furniture industry's evolution, encompassing critical areas of skills development, international trade, regulatory standards, and sustainable practices. The efforts to establish dialogues with government entities are positioned as essential for realising the sector's potential contributions to economic growth.