NEWS

New sofa retailer opens Norfolk showroom

owned The Furniture House in King’s Lynn. The company has also launched its new website, www.sofaeasy.co.uk.

Commenting on the new location, Jamie said: “The new Sofa Easy showroom is 4,000sqft and I plan to offer a selection of made to order products from UK manufacturers such as Lebus Upholstery and Bentinck Sofa Factory, as well as a selection of Italian Leather Sofas.

“I will also continue to sell end of line/clearance and ex display models from high street chain stores. Our focus is purely upholstery and we will continue to offer nationwide delivery in as little as three working days on our clearance/Ex display sofas and chairs, whilst local deliveries can be the same day.

“I’m so excited to have a beautiful retail space in a lovely location. Together with a great location and some brilliant accounts, Sofa Easy will be taking things to the next level.”

Devonshire appoints two Area Manager’s

very ambitious and talented company, who have a ‘can do’ attitude and strong work ethic. This is a great business opportunity for myself to redevelop my territory for Devonshire and we all share the same vision for future projects and design evolution.”

Nicolle Hockin, Managing Director of Devonshire, added: “We are delighted to welcome Mike Brown to the Devonshire team and we’re excited to incorporate his experience and knowledge into future product and business development. Mike has just completed his induction here at our Devon office and is keen to get stuck into the Northern territory.”

The appointment follows the recent return of Anthony Lewer as Devonshire’s new Area Manager for Wales and the South of England.

Anthony worked for Devonshire back in 2017 before expanding his knowledge and experience with the likes of Skovby and Actona. He returns to Devonshire to support the company’s growth strategy, giving another layer of customer contact to its already exceptional service offer.

Independent furniture retailer Sofa Easy has announced the opening of its new showroom.

Situated at Derbyfield Farm on Leziate Drove in Pott Row, King’s Lynn, the new 4,000sqft showroom displays UK furniture manufacturers as well as some Italian brands as featured products.

The business is mainly focused on upholstery and has been launched by Jamie Richardson, who previously

Furniture supplier Devonshire Living has announced the appointment of Mike Brown as its new Area Manager for Scotland and the North of England.

Based in Leeds, Mike has worked with reputable wholesalers such as Furniture Origins, Classic Furniture and most recently Fortune Woods.

Commenting on the new role, Mike said: “I’m delighted to join Devonshire Living as their new Scotland & Northern England Area Manager. Devonshire is a

Commenting on the new role, Anthony said: “After a few tricky years I’m happy to share that I’ve started a new position as Area Manager South at Devonshire Living. If you’re looking for a new forward thinking cabinet supplier with fresh ideas then get in touch.”

Nicolle added: “We are delighted to welcome back Anthony to the team as Area Manager for Wales and the South of England. With many new products in the works, and a brand-new range on the water, Anthony will be a key member of the development team moving forwards.”

Preview: imm Spring Edition

The imm Spring Edition, which takes place from 4 - 7 June 2023, is a platform for unique business opportunities and a source of inspiration. The complementary event programme includes a reception at the end of the first day of the trade fair as well as a Speakers’ Corner and a café situated at the centre of the action.

Over 500 exhibitors will be on display at the show, which includes COR Sitzmöbel, KFF, Asco, Bielefelder Werkstätten, Leolux, Kettnaker, Freifrau, Janua, Brühl & Sippold, Christine Kröncke, Werther, Artisan, Richard Lampert, Raumplus, Schönbuch, Signet, Sanktjohanser, Jan Kurtz, IP Design, Erpo, Sudbrock and Müller Möbelfabrikation, to name but a few.

At the end of the first day, exhibitors and trade visitors can look forward to a reception event in the Pure Galleries area in Hall 11. Live music will help to create a relaxed atmosphere for guests to engage in an active exchange of ideas. In the middle of the Pure Galleries area, the Speakers’ Corner and the open-plan café will act as a central information and communication hub for trade fair participants. On the Speakers’ Corner stage, the audience can look forward to lectures, presentations and panel discussions on industry-relevant topics, innovations and developments over the course of the trade fair. The aim of the forum is to impart industry knowledge while facilitating networking.

“Breaking new ground is, in my view, a very central point for the imm cologne’s future credibility and relevance. Our goal is a newly interpreted leading trade fair for the interior sector in Germany. The imm Spring Edition is the first step towards this future,” says Bernd Sanden.

Organisers have also confirmed that imm cologne will revert back to its usual show time and will take place in January 2024 over five days from 14 - 18 January. “In close consultation with the industry and the associations involved in the event, we’re delighted to be able to announce that imm cologne will return to its usual January dates from 2024. The start of the year always has a unique dynamic, which makes it the perfect time for the industry and the retail and wholesale trade to gather and design tomorrow’s living spaces together,” says Gerald Böse, Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse.

Frank Olsen appoints new Operations Director and Head of Creative

Intelligent furniture manufacturer Frank Olsen Furniture has announced the appointment of Rob Freeman as its newly appointed Operations Director. Rob, who has been promoted from Frank Olsen General Manager, now takes up the new role to support the business moving forward and help deliver on its growth plans.

Furthermore, Kirstie McIntosh has been appointed as Head of Creative and Key Accounts. Kirstie brings design flair and out of the box thinking, ensuring that Frank Olsen designs continue to stand out from the crowd.

Charlie Graybrook Managing Director at Frank Olsen Furniture, commented: “The last few years have been a roller coaster ride from the global effects of the pandemic, but it has made us focus on driving efficiencies, understand our key markets and what makes the brand stand out whilst building stronger relationships through our supply chain and retail partners.

“These two appointments strengthen the management team and will drive our focus on new product developments and operational efficiencies as we deliver excellent new Spring and Summer collections that stand apart in both design and value.

“Whilst there is still an element of uncertainty in the market, we are confident that with our focus on cost and stock control, excellent new designs in the pipeline and a strong retail partner base, Frank Olsen Furniture is well positioned to look forward to exciting times ahead.”

Nest opens new Sheffield showroom

Designer furniture, lighting and accessories retailer Next has announced the opening of its new showroom in Sheffield. The new 3,500sqft store is situated at city’s iconic Park Hill development, a grade II-listed building. The showroom will house Nest’s residential and commercial design support team, as well as its personal shopping service consultants.

Irish Furniture & Homewares Show visitor registration now live

Financial audit of Made.com under investigation by FRC

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has launched an investigation into the audit of online furniture retailer Made.com by Ernst & Young LLP. The investigation relates to the consolidated financial statements of Made.com Group plc for the year ended 31 December 2021.

In a brief statement, the FRC said: “The decision was made at a meeting of the FRC’s Conduct Committee on 20 March 2023. The investigation will be conducted by the FRC’s Enforcement Division under the Audit Enforcement Procedure. The investigation relates to a breach of the fee cap requirements set out in the FRC’s Revised Ethical Standard 2019.” months on, we caught up with Martin, also the MD at And So To Bed, to see how he has settled into the role.

“The transition was seamless, as I had been working closely with Jim for the past six months, and his handover and support has been impeccable. My aim is very simple— to continue building on the success of a truly historic luxury British brand, both within the UK and internationally,” Martin said.

“I aim to focus on the brand’s unique selling point—producing the finest quality mattresses—while collaborating with our partners to deliver an excellent customer experience around the world. In the long term, delivering growth in the UK and globally is fundamental, alongside offering solutions for sustainability and product innovation.”

Organisers of the Irish Furniture & Homewares Show has announced that registration for the event has officially opened for attendees.

The show takes place from 2-4 July 2023 at the National Indoor Arena in Blanchardstown, Dublin. To register, visit: www.ifhs-tradeshow. registrationdesk.ie

“Registration is quick, easy, free and open to all furniture trade customers. Each person must register with their own unique email address and will receive their ticket straight away,” organisers said.

“Ireland’s premier furniture and homewares trade show event gives Irish & UK businesses in the furniture trade the opportunity to do business in a relaxed environment and provides attendees opportunity to see new products, innovative ideas and avail of exclusive deals and discounts from Ireland’s top suppliers, all under one roof.”

Vispring’s new MD looks to build growth following seamless transition

Martin describes himself as a “very hands-on manager” who cares about their sales partners and consumers, while also giving his support to charities wherever possible, whether it’s taking part in activities such as driving to Athens and back in five days, or simply running a marathon. “I relish a challenge, especially for a good cause!”

“The business has been performing well so far this year, as we tend to be generally more resilient at the top end of our product range,” Martin added. Vispring recently reported a growth in sales by 11% to £53.2m for the year ended 31 December 2022, up from £47.7m in 2021, with a pre-tax profit of £18.8m, up from £15.1m.

“Having had the privilege to lead AND SO TO BED during the past five years, I am honoured and excited to be entrusted with taking on this prestigious role at Vispring,” Martin said.

Earlier this year, luxury British bedmaker Vispring announced the appointment of Martin Gill as its new Managing Director following the retirement of Jim Gerety. A few

United Carpets and Beds launches rebrand

IKEA UK invests £4.5m in EV charging infrastructure

This infrastructure is being implemented in addition to the existing customer charging points in IKEA stores. Our customer charging points are available for customers to use during their visit to IKEA, the points were introduced to provide access to more sustainable travel for customers. With the introduction of a home delivery infrastructure, IKEA is building a complete offer for customers to have IKEA products arrive sustainably to their homes, no matter how they choose to shop.

Franchised flooring and beds retailer United Carpet and Beds has announced the launch of its new-look logo and refreshed route to market. The rebrand, which sees the business move away from its historic red, white and yellow colour theme, focusses on the local connections that the many family and local owned stores have, as well as being paired with the expertise and reputation that comes with a bigger brand.

Paul Newton, Operations Director for United Carpets and Beds, said: “As the largest franchised carpet and beds retailer in the UK, we want to celebrate what that brand evolution means for our customers. The United brand is perhaps unique in our sector in that the majority of our stores are still local, family run businesses, and we think that the passion that a local business has to serve their local community is hard to beat.

“At United Carpets and Beds we’re one big family of flooring and bed experts, and our experts are passionate about bringing amazing products at great prices into the homes of our customers in our local communities.”

United Carpets and Beds has also opened a new superstore on Bumpers Lane, Chester. The store is being led by experienced manager Moira Mealing, who has almost 40 years of experience in the industry, and said: “I lived in Chester for more than 10 years and I’m delighted to be bringing United Carpets and Beds back to the city.”

IKEA UK has announced a £4.5million investment in a nationwide electric charging infrastructure, which will provide charging points for electric delivery vehicles across the country to enable more emissions-free deliveries. The new infrastructure will source energy entirely through renewable sources.

The EV infrastructure forms part of IKEA’s ongoing transformation to become even more affordable, accessible, and sustainable. The retailer aims to reach 100% zero emissions deliveries to customers by 2025. By summer 2023, IKEA plans to achieve 60% zero emission deliveries in the UK and Ireland, demonstrating the significant steps being taken to accelerate moving towards the 2025 goal.

This will be one of the biggest EV charging infrastructure projects for last mile fleets in the UK and will see IKEA install 196 chargers, of which 53 will be rapid, providing full charge on vehicles in under an hour. The chargers will be located at IKEA stores across the country, as well as the new Dartford customer distribution centre due to open in spring 2023, with the first ones fitted and operational in IKEA Cardiff.

This move is fundamental in allowing IKEA to continue expanding the electric vehicle fleets being used to deliver to customers’ homes, with the ambition to reach over 500 by 2025, with the charging points will be used by both IKEA and partner electric vehicles.

Jakob Bertilsson, Country Customer Fulfilment Manager at IKEA UK & Ireland, said: “Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at IKEA, and we are always looking for ways to reduce our impact on the planet while supporting our customers to live more sustainable lives at home.

“Investing in this infrastructure of nationwide charging points is a fundamental step in our ambition to reach 100% zero emissions customer deliveries from all IKEA stores and distribution centres by 2025, as well as supporting our ambition to become a climate positive business by 2030.”

NBF appoints new executive director

The National Bed Federation (NBF) has announced the appointment of Tristine Hargreaves as its new executive director.

Tristine is well known to the NBF and its members, having been technical manager for four years before leaving to work for research and technology organisation SATRA. She has spent most of her working life in technical roles within the furniture industry –counting Silentnight, Next and FIRA among her previous employers.

Jessica Alexander announced her decision last October to step down from her role at the helm of the NBF, which she has held for the past 17 years. She will, however, be staying on in a part-time consultancy capacity to support the team and to ensure a smooth handover.

It’s all in house at Sofa Factory

Last month, Big Furniture Group took the opportunity for an exclusive tour of Sofa Factory’s 130,000sqft factory in Gateshead. We met up with Kevin Barfoot, National Sales Manager at Sofa Factory – part of the Bentinck group, who guided us around their premises, where every aspect of the family-owned business, from design and manufacturing to packaging and logistics, is all under one roof.

Focusing on the three core components of sofa making: frame, fabric and foam – Sofa Factory operates on a track production system, starting with raw frames at one end, working its way through each station, where springs, further detailing and more framework are added, ending up at their upholsterers, who put the finished article together and create the sofa.

“Everything starts on a Monday morning with our design team, headed by Phil Bowman,” Kevin said. “These meetings are really important for Sofa Factory. It’s where we look at the latest trends, latest fabrics and new innovative designs so we can keep moving forward.”

The next stop on the tour was the in house ‘Foam Hive’ where they convert huge blocks of foam that are individually cut up. “We even make our own back cushions that are made by the team to fit each individual sofa,” Kevin added. Moving onto frames, the business has invested heavily in their own wood mill, allowing them to make all frames now in house and no longer rely on thirdparty suppliers. Next up, the fabric department. “In our continued drive to bring down lead times we use computer cutting machines. This gives us a level of consistency across all of our models,” Kevin said.

Watching the products go through each stage sees them arrive at Quality Control. “At Sofa Factory the quality of our products is vitally important to us to ensure every piece that comes off our production line meets both ours and our customers satisfaction. We hand check every item via a member of our QC team,” Kevin said.

With checking complete, products are moved for packaging and then onto the final stage of delivery, as Kevin explains: “We go above and beyond the industry standard and we hand wrap each item in both bubble wrap and cardboard, and then bag every item to make sure it arrives at its destination in the condition it left the factory. We have our own dedicated fleet of trucks and drivers to ensure that every delivery gets to every customer on time nationwide.” www.sofafactory.uk