Victoria expects no let-up in demand

Victoria: demand set to carry on

Victoria has told shareholders it anticipates current demand can be ‘sustained for the foreseeable future’.

‘Trading continues to be very strong across all of Victoria's geographies and product groups, with double-digit percentage increases over 2019. Encouragingly, leading indicators, such as housing transactions, savings rate and consumer confidence, suggest that the current high levels of consumer demand for Victoria's products will be sustained for the foreseeable future.’

The group says it has been able to mitigate raw material cost increases by raising prices and negotiating with suppliers. It repeated that it expects further acquisitions soon.

‘In my 30 years in the industry, I have never known it to be busier at this time of the year. Our continually enhanced service proposition has proven to be the cornerstone of the company's growth trajectory. Victoria’s production is running at full capacity and some factories have orders taking all their output through until autumn. We are outsourcing some production to ensure service standards are met and market share gains sustained,’ says Philippe Hamers, Victoria ceo.

‘Our management team’s depth of industry experience and entrepreneurial initiative has proven invaluable as we have been able to overcome the risk of potential raw material shortages by leveraging our long-term relationships, size and extensive knowledge of supply chain options. I am confident shareholders will be very pleased with the way the business is performing this year.’

David Woodward, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company greets the team

Cyclists smash Step 2 It target

Five cyclists who braved the elements and rode 200 miles from Axminster to London across three days have smashed their fundraising target and raised almost £12,000 for The Furniture Makers’ Company’s Step 2 It campaign.

The ride started on 18 June, with cyclists Ben Burbidge, Hayden Davies, Peter Hooper, Alan Styles and Paul von der Heyde, and David Dewing as support van driver having overnight stays in Salisbury and Godalming, and arriving at Furniture Makers' Hall, London on 20 June at 1pm.

The group had initially set themselves the target of raising £7,500 for the charity but upped their goal to £10,000 just prior to the challenge.

The total currently stands at £11,800 and donations are still coming in.

Garratt to leave BFM

Nick Garratt, BFM md, is to leave the furniture manufacturers trade association.

He told the association’s management board that he wants to leave the role at the end of the year.

‘As we look ahead to a post-pandemic world, the BFM is in a strong position – and Nick has had a huge part to play in navigating the association through these difficult times. He will be a very hard act to follow. The board and members of BFM all wish Nick well for the future,’ says Brian Ahern, BFM chairman.

‘It has been a privilege to be part of BFM and to serve the association as md over the past three years. I am very proud that BFM is in a strong position as I prepare to step back from day-to-day operations and enjoy more time with my family,’ Garratt says.

UK debut for Noble Souls

Timothy Oulton has opened its first standalone UK Noble Souls stores, on London’s King’s Road and Tottenham Court Road.

‘As we expand our brand, we’re excited to open the first bricks-and-mortar Noble Souls galleries where people can come and immerse themselves in the whole experience. The Noble Souls concept is about giving you permission to relax and truly let go. In a home, these pieces of furniture become a hearth, a place where you can reconnect with each other more deeply, or even just with yourself. I think the appeal of things that are natural, simple, trustworthy, extremely comfortable and beautiful is what people want to fill their homes with at the moment,’ says Timothy Oulton, founder and creative director.

The collection was first introduced at Timothy Oulton stores in 2018.

One of the stores is Tottenham Court Road