The Team will be at the NEC Interiors show today/tomorrow, good luck to our exisitng clients and we will look forward to meeting new Companies.
Keep an eye on our jobs pages for some truly exciting career prospects!
Euroforce clients experience record sales throught out the christmas period - long may it continue!
Welcome back to all our clients and candidates, we look forward to a successful 2011.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
NEWS 2010
From Everyone at Euroforce we would like to wish all our candidates and clients a merry Christmas and happy new year.
Thank you for your support in 2010 and we look forward to a succesful 2011!
24th December 2010;
03rd August
The UK manufacturing sector is on track to post the strongest growth in a sixth-month period since 1994, according to recently released statistics.
An economic report compiled by manufacturer’s organisation EEF and accountancy services firm BDO has stated that with the exception of wood and textiles, the manufacturing sector grew by 1.4 per cent in the first quarter of the year and 1.6 per cent in the second.
However, the report is quick to point out that the positive trends will have to contribute for some time to reverse the decline during the recession. Manufacturing output remains more than 10 per cent below its pre-recession peak.
Manufacturing output will likely ease through the second half of the year and remain stable throughout 2011
Lee Hopley, chief economist for EEF, said growth could continue throughout the rest of the year if net trade picks up, as it has yet to make a positive contribution. On the other hand, she said, manufacturing exports have been adding to growth and have risen faster in the first half of the year than what was previously expected.
According to EEF’s latest Business Trends survey, export orders turned positive at the beginning of 2010 and a positive balance of 23 per cent of companies saw an increase in export sales in the second quarter of the year – the highest ever recorded balance.
The increase in exports has likely been boosted by weaker sterling and a recovery in global demand.
EEF and BDO highlight a degree of caution among manufacturers about the strength of the recovery, warning that while order books may be starting to fill up, anecdotal evidence suggests that volumes are relatively low. In addition, credit conditions also remain largely unchanged from the beginning of the year and problems with access and cost of finance could constrain some manufacturers.
Hopley said manufacturing output will likely ease through the second half of the year and remain stable throughout 2011.
‘I don’t think you’re necessarily going to see more quarters of growth at that second-quarter magnitude,’ she said. ‘If you look historically at coming out of previous recessions in the 1980s and 90s you do see a very uneven quarterly growth profile. You’ve got good growth one quarter and it slips back a bit for another. It’s not to say our central forecast is a double dip. That’s an unlikely prospect, but this uneven growth is not unusual coming out of recession of the depth we just had.’
SME output
When focused specifically on small and medium-sized manufacturers, the findings remain largely the same as the entire sector.
Of the 403 small and medium-sized manufacturers that responded to the quarterly SME Trends Survey conducted by the business group CBI, 41 per cent said output rose in the three months to July, while 20 per cent said it fell. The resulting balance of positive 21 per cent growth is the fastest since April 1995, according to the CBI, and a three per cent improvement on the previous quarter.
The survey found the rise in output was driven by strengthening demand at home and abroad. Approximately 37 per cent of firms saw the volume of total new orders increase during the quarter, while 24 per cent saw a decline, giving a positive balance of 13 per cent. The CBI says this is the fastest growth since July 1995.
Additionally, exports had a particularly strong showing, according to the CBI survey, with a positive balance of 22 per cent of firms reporting a rise in the volume of overseas orders, the fastest growth since April 1995. Meanwhile, domestic orders saw a more modest six per cent growth.
Looking ahead to the next three months, the CBI survey indicated that smaller and medium-sized firms anticipate a slight fall in output, around five per cent, as the trends in domestic and export orders are expected to weaken, by a balance of negative five and three per cent respectively. As a result, total orders are also expected to fall by four per cent.
www.theengineer.co.uk
30th July
FIRA and BRC release new guidance on furniture supply
New guidance is being published to help Europe's furniture industry meet the standards required by both retailers and customers.
The British Retail Consortium and the Furniture Industry Research Association are working together to help those working in the furniture sector interpret latest BRC Global Standard for Consumer Products, and achieve and maintain certification against it.
The furniture industry guidance provides additional information to help furniture manufacturers implement the Global Standard and to assist auditors preparing to visit furniture producers.
Phil Reynolds, Senior Technical Manager at FIRA said: “We were pleased to work with the BRC on this document, which incorporates FIRA's world renowned knowledge of furniture standards and regulations.
"This document fits perfectly with FIRA's aims of raising safety and quality within the furniture supply chain.”
He added that certification is an effective and cost efficient way for retailers to establish confidence in products, “reducing the burden” of multiple audits for suppliers.
www.cabinet-maker.co.uk
29th July
16th July
DFS NEW CEO
DFS has appointed Ian Filby to the position of chief executive officer. Since acquiring the business in April, the shareholders of DFS have been working to find a CEO with the skillset to complement the existing senior team of Richard Baker, Jon Massey and Bill Barnes.
Ian has 30 years of retail experience, primarily from Alliance Boots plc, where his most recent roles were retail brand development director and trading director. Until January 2010, Ian was also interim CEO for Nectar, the UK’s leading coalition loyalty programme.
Richard Baker, DFS chairman, says: “Having worked with Ian at Boots for four years, I have had first-hand experience of his skills and capabilities. Ian is perfectly suited to the role of CEO of DFS. His core strengths are in the areas of marketing and brand development, product and range management, store format development as well as online, which are all key elements of the DFS business model.”
Ian Filby says: “I am delighted to be joining the DFS team. I am looking forward to both leading the company through its next period of growth and to working with Richard once again. DFS is a strong brand with a unique culture and I believe that it has an exciting future ahead.”
visit www.furniturenews.net
2nd July
Plimsoll identifies 'zombie' retailers
There are now 154 companies in the UK furniture retailing industry that are “zombie” businesses according to research company Plimsoll Industry Analysis.
These retailers now exist merely to pay off their debts and survive, explains the author of the report, David Pattison.
“These companies are in a state, posting growing losses and despite the obvious freeze in the credit markets, increasing their debts.
"They are Zombie businesses with debts at an average of 49% of turnover – they exist to service their out of control liabilities,” said Mr Pattison.
“Many are also using their suppliers to finance their growing losses, taking twice as long as to pay their bills as the industry average of 49 days.”
The report highlights specific issues these retailers are facing, particularly their productivity which is “well below” the industry average, making it hard to compete as their cost base is too high.
As a result, investment plans have been “mothballed” meaning their ageing assets are further restricting their ability to remain competitive.
But the report also points to some attractive takeover targets hidden among the these troubled retailers.
“Canny investors are seeing an opportunity to pick up a bargain. Some of these companies, stuck in a zombie state because of their balance sheet, have lots of potential for new owners to turn it around. We picked 71 companies that we feel have the most potential,” said Mr Pattison.
www.cabinet-maker.co.uk
23rd June
The Budget
BHF-BSSA Group comments on BudgetMick Weedon, communications director of the trade association group BHF-BSSA, feels that yesterday’s emergency Budget promises outcomes that are far from certain. He says: “There is widespread relief that VAT is ‘only’ going up to 20%, but this is only because the Chancellor so successfully put the frighteners on business in the run-up to the emergency Budget.
“The 2.5% hike will depress employment, dampen spending and rack up inflation. On the other hand, many are thinking, it could have been worse. It could have seen children’s clothing, books and even food brought into the full VAT regime.
“It could also have been implemented tomorrow, so 4th January may well herald a bleak midwinter, but might provoke a consumer boomlet and a happy Christmas in the run-up to the new year. Retailers would have preferred to undertake the massive repricing exercise, if they had to do it at all, after the new year sales and ideally as late as April, but at least they do not have to get the pricing guns out right now.
“There is much that will appeal to small businesses in this Budget, especially as they have been expecting the worst. Cutting corporation tax, capital gains tax changes, particularly the increase in the entrepreneurs’ relief limit to £5m, National Insurance support for new businesses outside London and increases in personal allowances will all receive a warm welcome from retailers.
“On the other hand, 77% of the real Budget still has to be detailed (in the public sector spending round and the reviews of pensions) with departments of Government facing budget cuts of 25%, so there is a lot of bad news yet to come. Given the axe that is to be taken to Government itself, the only thing that rings false in the Chancellor’s predictions is that unemployment will peak this year and then begin to fall through the period until 2015.
“There are a lot of ‘ifs’ in this. The recovery is not firmly established and could easily be destabilised. If unemployment does not turn down, but instead turns upward, 2011 and beyond could well turn out to be even harder than George Osborne has predicted. And there will be no relief in that, at all.”
visit www.furniturenews.net
15th June
Consumer prices rise in furniture
Furniture and household goods both rose in the latest Consumer Prices Index (CPI) and Retail Prices Index (RPI) in May.
According to figures revealed by the Office for National Statistics, consumer prices rose by 2.7% for furniture and household goods compared to May 2009, while RPI prices for furniture rose by 4.8% for the same period, with household goods rising by 3.7%.
Overall CPI rose by 3.4% in May 2010 compared to a year earlier, but was down from 3.7% in April last month. RPI also rose for the same period, by 5.1%, but also was down from 5.3% from the previous month.
Vists www.cabinet-maker.co.uk
10th June
Women in furnishing winner- Airsprung Finance Director
Tean Dallaway, the group finance director instrumental in reversing the fortunes of the Airsprung Furniture Group, has been named Businesswoman of The Year in the first ever Women In Furnishing Awards. The title of Inspirational Woman of the Year goes to Wendy Shorter of Wendy Shorter Interiors, for changing the face of training and qualification standards in the upholstery and soft furnishings sector.
The winners were announced at an awards luncheon held at Furniture Makers’ Hall in central London. In addition to the two main awards, a further surprise presentation – a Lifetime Achievement Award – was made to Norma Kerry, MD of Parker and Farr.
Tean Dallaway was named Businesswoman of The Year. Just four years ago the Airsprung Group was making substantial losses and a refocus of activities was needed. Tean was able to clearly guide the company through a highly volatile period with strict financial disciplines based on a sound business understanding.
Today, the group is back in profit and fellow directors of the company have huge levels of confidence in her advice on all aspects of the business. Tean is also treasurer of the National Bed Federation and has, in the past 12 months, established a collective buying group that has conservatively saved NBF members upwards of £900k.
visit www.furniturenews.net
10th June
B&Q put over 1000 jobs at risk
has confirmed it plans to open a new distribution centre in Swindon and proposes to withdraw its activity from various current sites.
The centres effected are in Preston Brook, Coventry, Chepstow, Swindon and Middleton, which will affect 1031 employees.
However, the new distribution centre in Swindon will create 550 jobs, with 125 employees already located at the Swindon branch looking to be transferred over. The retailer's aim is to bring product closer to the stores to improve customer service and reduce transport costs, miles and CO2 emissions.
The new 796,649 sq ft development, costing £77.4 million, is set to be fully operational by January 2012 and B&Q has said it will work closely with its third party supplier partners that everything is completed with “proper and fair arrangements made for all affected employees along with every option explored for minimising redundancies.”
27th May
Home and Garden performs well online
Online sales for Home and Garden were up 32% this month as shoppers got their house in order for summer.
According to the latest figures from the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, total online sales in the Home and Garden sector were up by 11% in April compared to March 2010. On a yearly comparison, sales were up by 32%.
Overall online retail market was up by 13% on April 2009, with shoppers spending £4.4 billion in April, despite a 3% fall on a month-on-month comparison.
Sales for retailers with both an online and store presence are up 22% compared to last year, whereas those with just an online presence have seen sales increase by only 6% on the same month in 2009.
visit www.cabinet-maker.co.uk
26th May
Carbon Footprint
FIRA is calling for participants to help with a major new research project which aims to develop carbon footprinting benchmark data for a variety of furniture products.
The organisation believes the data will allow manufacturers to understand where their product fits in the market place, and will promote more informed understanding amongst buyers and specifiers.
The UK government’s aim to move into a low carbon economy will encourage companies into understanding the carbon impact of their business and the products they are manufacturing, according to Phil Reynolds, senior manager of Technical Services at FIRA.
“Carbon footprinting is a recognised tool for establishing the environmental impact of a product, service or company,” he says. “However, while it’s relatively straightforward to produce a furniture footprint, it’s not always easy to understand what this means in relation to a product - not everybody uses the same boundaries for collecting data, and there’s currently no benchmark enabling legitimate comparisons between products.”
FIRA will work with manufacturers to produce over 300 product footprints across a variety of different product areas. This footprint data will be analysed and benchmarks produced. Each participating company will gain a carbon footprint for their business and up to ten externally verified product footprints
17th May
Mattress giveaway if England wins the world cup!
A sports-related sales promotion that originated in the United States has crossed the pond, with a retailer promising to give away mattresses if the England wins soccer's World Cup.
MattressNextDay.co.uk., an online mattress retailer, says that customers who buy a certain Ortho mattress between now and June 16 will have the cost refunded if the Cup comes home to England.
According to the website 2010worldcupbetting.info, England is about a 6 to 1 shot to take the title. Competition starts next month and concludes with the final match July 11.
The sports promotion tactic first got widespread publicity in the United States in 2006 when Randy Gonigam, owner of World Furniture Mall in the Chicago suburb of Plano, Ill., promised refunds in the unlikely event that pro football's Chicago Bears shut out the rival Green Bay Packers. The shutout happened and Gonigam made some refunds, but reaped valuable media coverage across the country and abroad.
For more info: http://www.furnituretoday.com
14th May
National Bed Federation
A record number of companies have joined the National Bed Federation, the trade association for the UK bed industry, in the past four months. Applications from 11 bed manufacturers and one supplier have been approved.
“We’re delighted to welcome all these companies into membership,” said NBF executive director Jessica Alexander. “The launch of the NBF Bed Show has raised the profile of the association dramatically and there’s no doubt it has triggered this unprecedented interest in NBF membership. The show is just one of a wide range of exclusive benefits of being an NBF member, but perhaps the most tangible.“
The new members are: Deluxe Beds, Elite Bedding, Jaybe, Joseph International, Komfi, Kyoto Futons, Visco Therapy, Sapsa Latex, Signature Beds, Sleepshaper, Seetall and Swanglen. Total membership now stands at 73 organisations – 42 UK bed/ mattress manufacturing; and 31 suppliers
http://www.cabinet-maker.co.uk/news
14th May
Bed Companies profit falls
The combined sales of Silentnight, Rest Assured and Sealy branded beds dropped 3% to £107.1m in the 12 months to 30th January, according to the company's latest financial report.
Silentnight Holdings Ltd attributed this slight decrease to parent company, Famco Holdings, losing MFI in late 2008 which cost the group £7m in lost revenue. But the company said that the overall bed market had contracted during the trading period allowing Silentnight Holdings to successfully increase their market share.
Silentnight Holdings also reported a before tax profit of £0.28m which was down 90% on the previous trading period. The company explained that this was partly down to changes to benefits in the pension scheme, and a subsequent 14% increase in shareholders' deficit due to the net effect of profit for the period and a significant increase in the pension deficit.
Staff numbers across the Silentnight group dropped 9% through the year as the company continued to to implement “cost reducing actions” across the business.
At the same time, net debt was was down to £12.6m (from £16.8m in 2009).
Silentnight Holdings said that there was opportunity to grow market share by continuing with the management policies which “have resulted in the group maintaining an operating period during the period”. But added that the bed market would remain challenging throughout 2010.
http://www.cabinet-maker.co.uk/news
13th May
SME rise
Small and medium-sized manufacturers have reported a rise in demand for goods, from both the UK and abroad.
According to the latest quarterly SME Trends Survey, conducted by CBI, 36% of the 402 respondents said that their total volume of orders had risen in the three months to April 2010, with 26% reporting a fall. The balance of +10% is the highest significant growth since January 2008, which was also at +10%.
Export orders also performed better than predicted with 33% of firms reporting that orders had increased, while 15% showed a fall, resulting in a +18% balance – the highest for 15 years.
Russel Griggs, chairman of the CBI’s SME Council, said: “The UK’s smaller manufacturers are finally reaping the benefits of all their hard work as well as a relatively weak currency. Exports are growing steadily, domestic demand and production are stabilising, and firms are feeling more upbeat about prospects."
22nd April
Business insolvencies rise in March
The rate of business insolvencies saw a rise 0.048% rise in March, according to the latest data. The Insolvency Index from Experian shows that the rate of insolvencies went up from 0.096% to 0.114% in March.
The Manufacturing sector showed a 0.6% increase in insolvencies, up to 0.20% at the end of March 2010 from 0.14% at the end of March 2009.
Scotland was the only region to see a fall in its insolvency rate from 0.09% in February to 0.08% in March – securing its place during March as the region with the lowest level of insolvencies.
Despite the February to March ‘blip’, the overall year-on-year picture is positive, revealing a significant improvement on March 2009, when the rate of insolvencies had peaked at 0.13%. The year–on-year change in the average financial strength of businesses also reveals a significant improvement from the 79.72 recorded in March 2009.
Rolf Hickmann, Managing Director of pH, an Experian company, said: “Unlike the last recession, when business insolvencies were more than double the rates witnessed during this recession, the business economy has not been admitted to intensive care. In fact, insolvencies have been coming down since early 2009 and, despite the odd monthly fluctuations, are now far more stable."
visit
21st April
Manufacturing sector to bounce back
The manufacturing sector suffered a record number of business failures last year, according to figures from accountants and business advisors BDO.Its data showed that around 2,440 manufacturing firms collapsed in 2009, which was 26 per cent higher than the 2008 figure.
However, the organisation said that the industry is likely to bounce back this year, with failure levels falling by 35 per cent. This is substantially better than the estimated 14 per cent decline in business failures that is predicted for the economy as a whole.
Tom Lawton, head of manufacturing at BDO, said the data shows that there is a silver lining for the sector.
"Manufacturers are considerably better placed to bounce back than other sectors that are reliant on consumer spending to fuel their recovery," he remarked.
Meanwhile, figures released by the Office for National Statistics have shown that the UK's trade gap narrowed to £6.2 billion in February - its lowest since June 2006.
Visit www.bdo.co.uk
19th April
BBQ summer 'will provide a boost to retail'
The UK retail sector could benefit from the prospect of a barbecue summer, according to one analyst.
Joshua Bamfield, director of the Centre for Retail Research, said warmer sunny weather would boost consumer confidence and encourage people to spend.
He acknowledged that there is likely to be a "general election effect" with consumers rushing to spend before a new parliament comes in and announces changes to tax. But he insisted: "It will actually be quite small compared to the impact of there being no more snow, warm evenings and the fact that you can have some people round for a beer and a barbecue."
According to figures from accountants and business advisors BDO, sales among mid-size high street retailers rose by 8.1 per cent in March compared to the same month in 2009.
Don Williams, head of retail at the organisation, said the improvements were driven by an early Easter, sunny weather and "cleverly-targeted" promotions.
visit www.bdo.co.uk
7th April
Strongest Week for furniture sales
Furniture sales have been strong this week, according to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker (week ending 28 March).
Total Homewares sales were the best the sector has seen all year, with takings +16.9%. Furniture sales were “considerably stronger” than in previous weeks, whilst lighting and cookwear also reported a great week.
Overall sales for the week were +6.8%, with non-store sales making a huge gain (+50.%).
http://www.cabinet-maker.co.uk/news
7th April
Land of Leather Close
Land of Leather has confirmed that its 19 remaining shops are going to close, after administrators failed to find a buyer.
The shops will be closed in stages, with the majority by 10 April 2010, in an attempt to complete outstanding orders and liquidate the group's remaining stock holding.
240 employees will be made redundant as a result of the closures.
Lee Manning and Nick Edwards of Deloitte LLP, the business advisory firm, were appointed as Joint Administrators to Land of Leather on 12 January 2009.
http://www.cabinet-maker.co.uk/news
26th March
'Irresponsible rise' says BRC
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has slammed the minimum wage increase as “irresponsible” as it could damage retailers’ ability to hold jobs.
The national adult minimum wage will rise from £5.80 to £5.93 per hour from October 2010, a 2.2% increase.
Stephen Robertson, British Retail Consortium director general, said: “A measure of this magnitude should have been in the Budget speech. This increase is downright irresponsible. It’s at odds with Government promises of prudence and public sector freezes and will damage retailers’ ability to maintain and create jobs. How can an increase virtually double last year’s be justified? Economic conditions were far weaker in the run up to this year’s decision than twelve months earlier.
“The BRC supports the principle of the minimum wage, but it’s sheer madness to be forcing new costs on this scale onto retailers and their suppliers.”
www.cabinet-maker.co.uk
22nd March
New Standards database
The Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) has launched a new standards database.
Standards Plus makes accessing information easy because users can enter the Standard number, product type or industry sector into the database search engine and filter those results.
The database lists all current Standards, withdrawn Standards and Standards in development - and highlights to database users which stage a Standard has reached.
The next phase for the project is email updates for FIRA members, so that they know when work starts on a new Standard.
The database also allows users to make direct purchases.
Phil Reynolds, FIRA’s senior technical manager, says: “This new database will be a great benefit to the industry, as it collates all relevant information about furniture-related Standards into one place. Free access means that all manufacturers and importers will be able to see what the current standards are for their products. Likewise retailers and specifiers will also be able to ensure that their specification documents are current and up to date.”
22nd March
Furniture contributes to CPI fall
Furniture and household goods have contributed to a fall in the month on month Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate, with like-for-like prices rising by less than February 2009.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that the annual rate of consumer price inflation fell to 3% in February, from 3.5% the previous month and Furniture, Household goods and Maintenance were one of the largest contributors (-0.9%).
The sharp drop in the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rate was greater than expected by economic analysts, who forecast a drop to 3.1%. But the CPI peak of 3.5% in January was attributed to the VAT rate returning to 17.5%.
Inflation measured by the Retail Price Index (RPI), which includes housing costs and is used as the basis for many pay deals, remained unchanged at 3.7% last month.
www.cabinet-maker.co.uk
19th March
Plumbs backs furniture scrappage scheme
Furniture re-upholstery specialist Plumbs is backing the sofa scrappage scheme, which encourages consumers to trade in their non-compliant products for new British-manufactured sofas and chairs.
The scheme, launched by The Association of British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM), aims to reduce the number of sofas in UK homes which are made from highly flammable material, pre-dating 1988 safety regulations
www.cabinet-maker.co.uk
19th March
Made.com
A new website has been launched which aims to halve the price of designer furniture by connecting buyers directly with the manufacturers.
Made.com works by showcasing furniture designs on the website and asking people to vote for their favourites. The most popular designs from this poll go forward to production, and those voters receive a discount for their participation in the selection process.
Orders are then placed directly with a manufacturer so, technically, there should be no wastage or unsold stock as the factory only manufactures the exact number of items ordered.
This democratic business model, which has been described as ‘me-tailing’, is designed to cut out the wholesaler and the retailer and deliver cut-price designer goods. And the founders of Made.com say that the model more than halves the price of contemporary furniture, without compromising on the quality or the design.
www.cabinet-maker.co.uk
17th March
London Furniture Show postponed
Further to discussions with its key exhibitors, Insight Exhibitions has decided to postpone the 2010 London Furniture Show, citing the economic downturn and the lack of a suitable number of exhibitors as reasons.
David Wilkins, managing director, Insight Exhibitions, says: “I remain convinced that a new London-centric, furniture show is needed, and that May is the ideal time in terms of delivery of new ranges to retailers for the key Autumn selling period.
"However, we are re-thinking the show’s size and format and possibly the venue and we are currently speaking to key people in the industry, after all it is their needs that this show is all about. We will then announce our plans for the 2011 London Furniture Show.”
Visit http://furniturenews.net
12th March
Inflation hike for furniture
Furniture inflation has risen for the third consecutive month according to the British Retail Consortium, BRC. Inflation in the furniture sector rose to 1.8% compared with 1.2% in Jan 2010, the highest level since 2008.
Stephen Robertson, BRC Director general " The VAT increase is putting pressure on overall shop price inflation but, even so, electricals, home entertainment and clothing are actually cheaper then they were this time last year. Fierce retail competition is protecting customers".
5th March
Furniture retailers- slow growth
Furniture retailing showed modest growth in February, although like-for-like sales comparisons were distorted by last year's snow, according to the latest British Retail Consortium BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
Beds and dining room furniture proved to be the best performers for the four weeks ending 27 February 2010, with homewares also showing good gains, particularly in sales of duvets and bedding.
Like-for-likes were up 2.2% compared to February 2009, with total sales up 4.5% for the same period, but producing growth of only 0.1% for the year.
Non-food like-for-likes were up 1.9%, with total sales up 4%, as Non-food, non-store sales (internet, mail-order and phone sales) were up 15.5% compared on last year.
Feb 25th
Interiors show
Now the dust has settled Euroforce staff have been speaking to clients about how the show has impacted on their business and the general response has been positive with an increase in orders and production.
Furniture News Reports; Interiors 2010, the first and largest dedicated UK trade event of the year, welcomed thousands of key players from the interiors industry to the NEC last week. The show was buzzing and with five halls packed with 588 national and international exhibitors, and visitors enjoyed displays of the latest designs.
Portfolio director Andrew Vaughan commented: “We could not be more pleased with how this year’s show has turned out. The categorisation of the halls worked very successfully and the feedback I have received during the show has been extremely positive."
Around 25,000 visitors attended, says the organiser. Many of these visited the new Thinking Space area, which included the New Design Britain finalists, a showcase from Designersblock and a Seminar Theatre, which was packed for many of the sessions. Kelly Hoppen and Global Color Research/Mix Publication’s sessions were extremely popular, with people queuing outside the theatre.
The show returns next year from 23rd-26th January at the NEC, Birmingham.
Feb 20th
FTBA is FIT for the future
The Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association has a whole new name and look – the FTBA is now known as FIT, the Furnishing Industry Trust.
The new name comes with a brand new image and plans for some new initiatives, but the aims of the 107-year-old charity remain the same as ever – to help people from across the industry in times of difficulty.
Tony Attard OBE, FIT national president, says: “If we are to survive and continue helping less fortunate colleagues for the next 100 years, FIT is going to need more support from many more people. In short, we must become much more business-minded and forge commercial links with companies across the sector.”
One initiative being launched to generate new income streams is the FIT Furnishings Scheme. Tony says: “Manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of furnishings products are being asked to nominate a product from which 5% of the proceeds will be donated to FIT to fund grants for people working in or retired from the furnishing industry.
“Consumers are now familiar with and open to the idea of a charitable element being included within the cost of a product and for many it offers an additional reason to buy, particularly where the cause is made clear.”
FIT has also announced the new Women in Furnishings Awards, designed to recognise women of achievement across the furnishing industry. Says exhibition and award organiser Theresa Raymond: “There are too few high-profile women working in our sector and the awards are designed to encourage recognition of those who do and have made a difference.”
www.ftba.co.uk
15th Feb
HJ Berry
Euroforce are sad to her the news that one of Lancashire's best-known furniture-making firms has gone into administration, after more than 160 years of trading.
Last year millionaire Sir Gerry Robinson offered the struggling firm £1m but the company decided not to take up the offer.
Many of the company's 85 employees live in the village.
Manchester-based CLB?Coopers has been appointed by the directors to take over the running of the business. The company employs around 80 staff, the majority of them skilled craftsmen. The company has traded since 1840, but has struggled in recent years despite a number of high profile manufacturing initiatives, many involving sustainable manufacture.
8th Feb
New Design Britain Winners
The winners of the New Design Britain awards were announced this week during a drinks reception at interiors 2010. The judges – Damian Walton from House of Fraser, Barbara Chandler from the Evening Standard and Dids MacDonald from ACID – had spent a difficult but interesting few hours chatting with the finalists and uncovering the thought processes behind their product.
The New Design Britain awards, in co-operation with the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers and sponsored by Willis and Gambier, are the culmination of months of hard work by the students and the organisers to find the very best product designs the UK has to offer. With over 150 entries from over 80 universities, the final 16 were showcased at interiors.
For more info visit www.furniturenews.net
Accessories
Made in Britain – Ruler by James Cadogan
Designed in Britain – Contoured Blind by Helena Carelson
Fabrics and Surface Coverings
Made in Britain – Golden Stag wallpaper by Lynsey Henderson
Designed in Britain – 4 countries fabric by Jennifer Jones
Furniture
Made in Britain – Coat stand by Lorna Wilby
Designed in Britain – Multi function dining station by Phil Crook
8th Feb
Predicted Growth in Furniture Industry
A new report by MTW Research on the dining and occasional furniture market has revealed the recession cost the industry around £300 million.
However, the good news is the sales of domestic furniture is set to accelerate in 2010, though recovery in the UK economy will remain fragile. For more info visit www.marketresearchreports.co.uk.
5th Feb
IKEA sales growth
Furniture giant Ikea have announced their UK sales for the year to Aug 2009 increased to £1.2 billion, up 1.1% on 2008.
Ikea revealed that in light of the current economic sitution the future remains uncertain, however the retailer is remaining cautiously optomistic "One of the advantages of being a global brand is that we can build our business long term. In spite of the tough economic climate we have not cut our investments and will continue to invest to provide the best possible shopping experience" M Hansson, Ikea UK & Ireland's country manager.
28th Jan
FIRA report to be launched next month
The Furniture Industry Research Association' competitiveness report describes the process of UK furniture manufactoring since the start of the decade. For more info visit www.fira.co.uk
25th Jan
VAT delay help John Lewis sales
Sales in John Lewis’ home sector saw a double digit increase for the week ending 16 January, with the retailer revealing that customers were capitalising on its delay in implementing the VAT increase.
During the week, Home sector sales rose 15.4% with the retailers assortment trading well across the board. Sales in fitted kitchens were up 35%, upholstery up 21% and handmade carpets up 26%.
22nd Jan
£1 billion fund for UK manufacturers
The Royal Bank of Scotland and Natwest have pledged to make £1 billion of new loans available to UK manufactoring businesses.
Targeted specifically for the manufactoring sector, with loans being offered at competitive fixed rates, with the option to defer repayments for up to 3 years. The fund is being launched in response to feedback from cutsomers in the sector who are anticipating growing demand during 2010.
For more info visit www.mattressman.co.uk
Increase in Scottish furniture sales
According to SRC, sales of furniture in Scotland are still up on 12 months ago. Across all sectors, total sales during December were up 4.3% compared to last year. For more information visit www.brc.org.uk.
4th Jan
NEC Interiors
Euroforce will be attending the annual Interiors show at Birmingham NEC this month. This is an opportunity for many of our clients to showcase their designs and manufactoring methods to some of the major furniture retailers, interior designers and contractors etc.
Visit http://www.interiorsbirmingham.com/ to find out more.
2010 General News
Visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/
Sleep is golden, says Verdict research
Britons are spending money on beds and bedroom furniture despite all other areas of the furniture market continuing to struggle, finds Verdict research. Research – in its UK Retail Futures 2014 – Furniture & Floorcoverings report – from the independent retail analyst has revealed that the bed and bedroom furniture market is set to grow by £79.4m this year, while the whole furniture and floorcovering market is predicted to shrink by £518.2m.
Matt Walton, retail analyst at Verdict, says: “Beds have held up well even in the current economy due to the strong connection between quality of sleep and the feeling of wellbeing. This is illustrated by the huge growth in Tempur-Pedic products and the success of beds specialists such as Feather & Black, which has achieved growth rates of more than 40%. Shoppers have proved that they will look to replace a bed as quickly as possible, despite its big ticket price point.”
While beds have achieved consistent growth, the overall furniture and floorcoverings market has been more challenging, with sales set to fall by 3.9% in 2010 to make it the the worst performing retail sector. However, competition in the lucrative beds sector is increasing, with retailers such as Dreams and Sleepright growing their presence aggressively.
Matt adds: “The heavy snowfall at the start of 2010 affected furniture and floorcoverings in particular, as the majority of stores are out-of-town. In addition many shoppers held off purchases until after the election and emergency budget in order to gauge their financial position. The stagnant housing market, which is so pivotal to this sector, has also led to people deferring these purchases. Simply put, the majority of consumers have neither the desire nor ability to buy furniture and floorcoverings currently.
“Bed sales have fared better, but with retailers clamouring to take advantage of the few product areas which are still growing, only the biggest retailers are enjoying the benefits. The rest are finding themselves somewhat squeezed.”
Manchester Furniture Show "holding firm"
With visitor numbers "holding firm" despite the recession, organisers Laraine Janes and Theresa Raymond have announced that over half the show is already re-booked for 2011.
Says Laraine: “We were very pleased with the outcome of the show, bearing in mind the tough times facing retailers. Attendance was on a par with last year, in fact it was very slightly up, with exhibitors reporting surprisingly good sales. Several VIP retailers commented on the noticeable improvement in the appearance of the show and the high standard of exhibitors' stand designs.”
Some 123 exhibitors took part and, at the time of comment, the visitor count was stated as 5650 for the four-day show.
A full review will be published in September's issue of Furniture News.
visit www.furniturenews.net
interiors 2011 seminar programme announced
A programme of free seminars at interiors 2011 will deliver presentations from the industry’s leading professionals and established companies, covering a comprehensive array of topics and appealing to a wide range of interiors professionals.
Naomi Cleaver, Sally Storey and Oliver Heath are among the well-known interior designers speaking at the show. Naomi will look at the influence of design on the home’s atmosphere, while Oliver will be unlocking the benefits of eco chic, and advising how to combine good design with sustainable solutions. Sally’s seminar will focus on commercial environments, discussing the use of energy-efficient light fittings in hospitality interiors.
Business advice will be offered through seminars on media relations, pricing and creativity. Suzanne Trocme, the editor at large of Wallpaper, will reveal how to be published in the press, and Lloyd Princeton will detail steps to securing optimal pricing. Theo Williams of Habitat will advise on how to implement innovation in the lifecycle of a brand.
A series of seminars will focus on e-commerce, a vital sales platform. Peter Tulin from Culture Label will explain how to set up an e-commerce site, while Sitemakers UK will discuss the best ways of turning the site into a profitable business channel. Charles O’Neil of Lloyd Northover Twentysix will give an informative seminar on the variety of e-commerce retail solutions available, while Susanne Pinter from Incahoots will advice on the best use of e-commerce by smaller or independent retailers.
Continuing the retail theme will be Peter Cross, business partner of Mary Portas, explaining the three pillars of retail strategy, and business strategists Insight with Passion, presenting ways of bringing the shop floor to life.
Global Color Research will present both local and global colour trend predictions for winter 2011 and summer 2012, influenced by differing geographical settings, traditions and cultures. Versatility of colour trends will be presented through applying them to domestic and commercial interiors, architecture and product design.
Representatives of the World Wide Fund for Nature, Lighting Association and Birmingham City University will discuss environmental and technological aspects of designing interiors. Julia Young from WWF will look at the introduction of timber certification and the problem of illegal logging. Dr Jubo Jankovic from Birmingham City University will present an insight into the design of the Zero Carbon House – a 170 year old residence which achieved Code for Sustainable Homes Level 6. Finally, Lawrence Barling from The Lighting Association will give an update on the legal phase out of inefficient lamps and new labelling requirements.
The full seminar schedule will be published in January’s Furniture News.
www.interiorsbirmingham.com
www.furniturenews.net
Defence cuts 'could benefit' engineering industries
The Industry is bracing itself for tens of thousands of private-sector job losses following the government’s budget cuts, but some are hoping other industries will gain from the influx of engineers to the market.
Speaking exclusively to The Engineer, Ian Godden, chairman of defence industry body ADS, warned that private-sector job losses could match the 42,000 government redundancies expected as a result of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).
‘How fast that takes place, how much mitigation could be done, how much skill transfer could be achieved we don’t know,’ he said.
“The beauty of being an engineer is the transferable skills”
Craig Slater, Roevin
‘But I’m guessing with reasonable back-up that it’s going to be of the same order – approximately that number of private-sector jobs that go as well.’
Martin Wright, chief executive of the North West Aerospace Alliance, agreed that a squeeze on capital defence budgets meant the prospect of ‘significant losses’ and not just for those involved in designing and building technology.
‘The reduction in mainline equipment will affect support and systems management, for example,’ he told The Engineer, highlighting the scrapping of the Nimrod aircraft programme in particular as a decision that would impact through-life support jobs.
‘The extent of the job losses will depend on any radical reshaping of future UK defence, particularly any shift of strategy with respect to equipment. The devil will be in the detail.’
The industry is particularly fearful of the impact on those working for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) caused by cuts in back-up and maintenance contracts.
‘The SME community has contracts worth six per cent of the total defence budget but the [employment] numbers are much higher,’ said Godden.
‘There isn’t a deliberate policy of making sure those contracts aren’t cut. You may find a lot of those disappear quite quickly to pay for the larger contracts.’
Smaller contracts could also be affected in less obvious ways. In the same way the Ministry of Defence has handed over the bill for the Farnborough air show to the industry in recent years, commitments to tattoos, airshows, museums and other short-term programmes could disappear, said Godden.
But for all the negativity of defence cuts, an influx of engineers into the employment market, combined with investment in infrastructure, raises the question of whether other industries might stand to benefit.
The government certainly seems to think the job losses can be absorbed and has set up a body to help redeploy workers made redundant as a result of SDSR to advanced manufacturing sectors such as civil aerospace, automotive, energy and marine.
Since the start of the recovery, the utilities and energy sectors have seen the biggest growth in job vacancies, according to engineering recruitment firm Roevin, and this trend is expected to continue as government infrastructure investment filters through.
‘There’s certainly enough in that space to absorb some of the losses,’ said Roevin’s director Craig Slater. ‘In areas such gas turbines, nuclear and manufacturing automation there are quite a lot of transferable skills. And the beauty of being an engineer is the transferable skills.
‘The government is investing heavily in infrastructure. There’s a lot of doom and gloom surrounding the [spending review] announcement but for engineering as a whole I think it’s good news
Article taken from 'The Engineer'
Bad weather hits footfall over the weekend, 24% fewer shoppers
The number of shoppers in British retail stores last Saturday dropped a quarter on the same day last year as heavy snow prompted many punters to stay indoors.
Footfall fell 24.3% year on year, according to retail metrics consultancy Synovate, and by 20.5% compared with the previous Saturday.
The West Midlands, down 33.1% and south east England, which saw shopper numbers drop by 32%, were the worst affected regions.
www.furnishingreport.com
Preparing for the January VAT rise
A business support organisation is warning firms that the January VAT rise could leave them with a new year headache if they fail to prepare properly. All VAT-registered traders will be affected by the increase, which will see VAT rise from its current 17.5% rate to 20% at midnight on 4th January.
The change only affects items charged at the standard rate of VAT. Goods and services which are zero-rated, reduced-rated or exempt will be unaffected.
In theory, the change is relatively simple. However, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) is warning smaller firms that things can easily get complicated when put into practice.
Forum chief executive Phil Orford explains: “Many smaller businesses will have to changes their prices before they start trading on January 4th and this will take a sizeable amount of forethought for retailers with thousands of items in their product ranges. Businesses can of course keep their prices the same and absorb the increase but this will affect their bottom lines.
“However, the main problems businesses are likely to encounter around the VAT rise will be with their accounting systems. Firms will need to make sure that their accounting system changes accordingly and is issuing invoices and recording sales and transactions at the new rate from January 4th. Any outstanding invoices for work which was genuinely carried out before the date can still be processed at 17.5% so most businesses will probably need to create a new standard VAT code at 20%, but retain a code for the old 17.5% rate.
“Business owners also need to check that everything is at the correct rate when completing their next VAT return.
“The good news is that HMRC says it will be taking a ‘light touch’ in dealing with errors made in the first VAT return after the change if the error relates to the change of rate. If you do, however, realise you’ve made a mistake, you’ll need to issue a credit note and then a new invoice at the correct rate to put things right.”
The forum is advising small businesses to invest in online accounting software in order to make the VAT change process a painless one. Older desktop accounting programmes often expect the user to update the software to compensate for changes such as the VAT increase. However, newer online accounting systems usually update themselves automatically, saving business owners time and money.
www.fpb.org