Cabinet Maker 21st December 2018

DESIGN

MANUFACTURE

RETAIL

A look at five fabrics that will make the future of furnishings more sustainable.

Silentnight talks about sustainability with an update on its recent Eco Comfort Breathe mattress launch.

Grampian Furnishers discusses its recent store relocation with an exclusive CM Q&A.

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DAN SQUIRES

CABINET-MAKER.CO.UK 01223 846 825 PUBLISHER Stewart Rickersey stewart@cabinet-maker.co.uk EDITOR Dan Squires dan@cabinet-maker.co.uk PRE-PRESS PRODUCTION Tim Morriss tim@cabinet-maker.co.uk SALES Sharon Rickersey Operations & Sales Manager sharon@cabinet-maker.co.uk Kacem Ellabbar kacem@cabinet-maker.co.uk

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As 2018 draws to a close, three phrases have been ever present during what has often been described as a turbulent year. Challenging market conditions and consumer uncertainty are the main two that have been expressed almost every week up and down the country in every industry. As we all know, this year has seen many challenges and the constant threat of uncertainty among consumer spending has been less than welcome.

However, the third and most cheerful phrase is the sense of optimism for the future ahead, especially in the furniture industry, regardless of what the current economy is saying. In fact, when hearing the first two phrases, the third almost immediately follows as businesses proactively try to see some light beyond the murky clouds of the unknown.

So, as this is the last issue of Cabinet Maker for 2018, this week’s editorial delivers a fivestar serving of feel-good features to indulge in before the Christmas festivities begin.

After you have taken in the latest news coming out of the industry, sit back, relax and spend some time reading through all that’s positive from independent retailers Grampian Furnishers and Land of Beds. Both have had their respective challenges, but both have experienced busy years of growth. Grampian Furnishers has finally completed its highly-anticipated store relocation, whilst Land of Beds has continued to deliver year-on-year growth.

as well as confirming further plans to expand in 2019. Meanwhile, bed manufacturer Silentnight discusses its sustainable approach with the recent launch of its Eco Comfort Breathe mattress. What’s fascinating in this piece is the amount of bottles the business has prevented entering our oceans, with environmentally-friendly practices becoming a reoccurring theme throughout this past year.

Keeping sustainability in mind, SupplyCompass shares its insight into the five key fabrics that can help furniture manufacturers become more sustainable. This is a trend that will feature heavily in the coming years and beyond.

And with trends, our Last Word instalment takes a look at what retailers can expect to see more of during 2019, as well as some top tips to take advantage of these emerging concepts.

2018 has been an eventful year to say the least but, with a renewed sense of optimism, 2019 can shape into a year of opportunity and success. And there’s nowhere better to start than the January Furniture Show. Cabinet Maker will see you there but, in the meantime, have a very Merry Christmas.

Dan Squires Editor

Another business in the form of Hastens has recently launched a new showroom concept,

The opinions and views expressed in Cabinet Maker are not necessarily those of Information Publications Ltd. Being subject to the Advertising Standards Authority guidelines in place at the time of going to press, all data submitted by advertisers and contained in their advertising copy is accepted by Information Publications Ltd in good faith.

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RETAIL MANUFACTURE DESIGN

make fabrics that will A look at five furnishings more the future of sustainable.

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with an about sustainability Silentnight talks Breathe recent Eco Comfort update on its mattress launch.

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discusses Grampian Furnishers an relocation with its recent store Q&A. exclusive CM

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Organised by buyers with a wealth of experience in the independent sector, The AIS Furniture Show presents a streamlined and focused exhibitor line up from a meaningful and commercial mix of brands showcasing the latest in furniture and accessories. Taking place at Cranmore Park, one of the UK’s premier exhibition venues, with exceptional facilities, superb catering and ample free parking just minutes from J4 M42 and only 8 miles from the NEC.

18-21 January 2019 [18 & 19 January AIS Members only]

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INSIDE THIS WEEK’S ISSUE

NEWS

06

FEATURES

14

A GRAND OPENING

Grampian Furnishers discusses its recent store relocation with an exclusive Cabinet Maker Q&A.

16

FIVE STAR FABRICS

Supplycompass looks at the five fabrics that will make the future of furnishings more sustainable.

18

LAND OF OPPORTUNITY

Mike Murray, managing director at Land of Beds, reflects on its recent success as well as outlining plans for the year ahead.

INVESTING FOR THE FUTURE

20

BREATH OF FRESH AIR

22

Silentnight talks about sustainability with an update on its recent Eco Comfort Breathe mattress launch.

PRODUCTS

24

Furniture To Go.

LAST WORD

26

David Nicholls, retail and hospitality CTO for Fujitsu UK, has the Last Word.

16

Bed business Hästens speaks about their new store launch.

20

14

NEWS

NEWS IN BRIEF NEW APPOINTMENT

Offer expansion

The Lynch Sales Company has announced the appointment of Diane Salerno as its newest sales conductor. She will coordinate sales for Lynch clients in both the US and Canada, as she resides in Ontario. Diane has been with Lynch since 2014, working under its additional sales and design personnel department.

Her new position will involve the coordination of sales events.

Global office furniture manufacturer Herman Miller has completed the integration of Danish brand HAY into its business. Back in June Herman Miller acquired 33% equity interest in Nine United Denmark A/S (HAY) for $66m, expanding its product portfolio. Over the past six months the group has been integrating the business into its wider operations, which is now finalised.

Modular design

SHOWROOM CLOSED

Bathroom furniture specialist Crosswater has announced the launch of its new Infinity furniture collection that explores modular design for contemporary living.

Featuring a simple design, Infinity provides two cabinet options with a single drawer unit and a double height box design that can be both repeated and combined to offer infinite possibilities.

Upholstery firm WesleyBarrell has closed one of its showrooms. Oxfordshirebased Wesley-Barrell only opened the space at the Mailbox in Birmingham on 26 October 2017, but it has now closed with immediate effect. A brief statement on its website read: “Please note our showroom in the Mailbox is now closed.”

Award recognition Furniture manufacturer Whitemeadow has announced that it has been awarded the ‘Excellence in Manufacturing’ award at the 10th annual Chad Business Awards. The award recognises Whitemeadow’s modern, efficient and innovative approach to manufacturing.

21st December 2018 | 06

Lighting design Danish lighting manufacturer Louis Poulsen has announced the launch of a silver version of Øivind Slaatto’s Patera. The new version will be available from February 2019. “The light is more playful compared to the classic white version,” says Slaatto. “But this is still a Louis Poulsen lamp, so it’s free of glare and characterized by the comfort, ambiance, and function Louis Poulsen is known for.”

RETAIL

Furniture retailer earmarks second London Studio Swedish furniture giant IKEA has announced plans to open a new Planning Studio in Bromley, South East London.

The announcement follows the launch of IKEA’s first Planning Studio on Tottenham Court Road and forms part of the retailer’s ongoing city centre approach as it responds to the growth of city living and changes to the way people live and shop.

Scheduled to open in Spring 2019, the new 9,600sq ft Planning Studio will be located on the former Mothercare and Early Learning Centre site on Bromley High Street and will offer customers a personalised service dedicated to planning bedrooms and kitchens.

Jane Bisset, IKEA London City centre market leader, said: “The opening of our new Planning Studio in Bromley will mark the next exciting step in our city centre approach as we bring IKEA to the heart of urban areas in London, “Following the successful launch of our first Planning Studio on Tottenham Court Road, we are committed to giving customers the choices they need and understand the role we can play in helping people plan bigger projects in the home. We are looking forward to opening our doors to the people of Bromley and providing the expert advice you’d expect from IKEA, alongside a great service package and delivery offer.”

In addition to the Bromley and Tottenham Court Road Planning Studios, and existing full-sized London stores in Wembley, Tottenham, Croydon and Lakeside, IKEA is currently exploring other locations in London for similar outlets, alongside opportunities to test and trial different formats in the city centre.

IKEA will also be opening its leading sustainable store in Greenwich in early 2019, which will offer a variety of spaces and features to help Londoners live a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.

w www.ikea.com

MANUFACTURE

BED MANUFACTURER SIGNS UP FOR NEW ZONE AT JFS Bed manufacturer Millbrook Beds has confirmed it will be exhibiting at the January Furniture Show.

Taking a space in the new bed zone in Hall 5, Millbrook Beds will showcase their latest collections.

Producing six distinct bed collections, including the Perfect, Wool, Cotton and Quilted ranges, it not only produces a wide selection of beds for the retail market, but also supplyies beds to the England and GB Hockey teams, the England Commonwealth Team and various other sporting partnerships, as well as producing a variety of beds for the hospitality sector.

Organisers of the event said that Millbrook is a ‘welcome addition to BEDS at JFS’, which already includes Sealy, Rest Assured, Vogue, Highgrove, Mlily and Silentnight.

w www.millbrook-beds.co.uk

aQO RETAIL

DESIGN

Furniture retailer continues to grow Irish footprint

Digital printing focus at interzum

Irish furniture retailer Michael Murphy Home Furnishings has announced the opening of its new store in Dublin.

Officially launching at the end of November 2018, the new space is located on Blanchardstown Retail Park in Blanchardstown and becomes the businesses third Dublin store.

Michael Murphy Home Furnishings has continued to expand since 2014 when it opened its Outlet store as well as its location in Sandyford.

Following the launches came the opening in Wexford during 2015, Airside, Swords, in 2016, then its most recent launch in Blanchardstown.

Established back in 1974, the retailer also operates out of its stores in Newbridge and New Ross.

Commenting on its recent launch, the business said: “Our store is ready to impress and become a boutique destination for interiors in Blanchardstown and the surrounding area. This is our third store to open in Dublin, joining our Airside and Sandyford locations.”

w www.michaelmurphy.ie

Organisers of industry event interzum have highlighted the growing importance of digital printing, offering greater individualisation in furniture production and interior design.

In Hall 3.2’s edutainment area, the potential uses of digital printing will be shown in a highly practical demonstration ranging from the design concept to the finished piece of furniture and thus including all the important process steps required for the integration of digital printing into furniture production and interior design.

The entire process will, therefore, be shown, from the choice of decoration and its transfer into the computer programmes to the actual printing stage and the subsequent finishing step. In this way, visitors will discover how digital printing technology can be integrated into their processes to worthwhile effect. Organisers said with this knowledge, visitors would gain valuable know-how with practical relevance.

Maik Fischer, director of interzum, said: “The recent rapid development in the operational readiness and stability of digital printing has convinced us to give this topic more space at interzum, because the desire to use this technology is growing among our visitors.”

w www.interzum.com

WHY SLEEP ON

MANMADE WHEN YOU CAN SLEEP ON

Platinum Enterprise (UK) Ltd T/A Sareer Furniture Savile Business Centre Mill Street East Dewsbury West Yorkshire WF12 9AH

21st December 2018 | 07

NEWS RETAIL

MANUFACTURE

Carpet retailer remains confident

UPHOLSTERY SPECIALIST EXPANDS PRODUCT RANGE

Flooring and beds retailer Carpetright has confirmed that its restructuring plan remains ‘on schedule’, despite losses widening.

La-Z-Boy UK will display its largest ever selection of new products at the January Furniture Show.

According to its latest trading update for the 26-week period ended 27 October 2018, group sales fell 15.7% to £191.1m from 226.6m against the same period last year, with UK like-for-like sales down by 12.7%.

Carpetright said that UK sales marked a ‘sequential improvement’, with the second quarter down 8.9%, which followed a 16.8% fall in the first quarter and reflected the challenges around stock availability, negative sentiment associated with the restructuring process and weak consumer demand.

The group reported an underlying EBITDA loss of £2.1m in the UK compared to its profit of £8.4m, whilst overall pre-tax losses widened from £0.6m to £11.7m.

Carpetright said that legacy property issues had been addressed with the closure of 65 underperforming stores in the UK as it continues to make progress through its restructuring process.

The retailer added that it is ‘on track’ of achieving the £19m of annualised cash savings as part of the recapitalisation of the group, whilst also confirming that it plans to invest in digital technology to improve both the online and in-store experience.

This is set to be installed during Spring 2019.

w www.carpetright.co.uk

MANUFACTURE

FURNITURE MAKER REBRANDS AHEAD OF JFS Furniture manufacturer Hyder Living has rebranded its company to H Living.

As part of its decision to rebrand, the company said it would create clear space between its tradition as a bed supplier and its future as a bed, sofa and contract furniture specialist.

The new brand gives improved scope for future product developments and will be officially unveiled at the January Furniture Show.

Biny Hyder, director, explained: “For decades the Hyder name has been closely associated with beds, particularly our bunk and ottoman lines, but we are now so much more than that.

“Recent years have seen us develop a broader range of products including stylish upholstered bedsteads, sofas and The Natural Collection of premium mattresses. We felt now was the right time to break with tradition and create a fresh brand that gave us the room to expand our horizons and introduce new and expanded ranges.”

Along with a new line of sofas, H Living has also seen a growth in the contract furniture arm of its operations, supplying beds and mattresses to national holiday parks and hotel chains.

w www.sheffieldkitchenoutlet.com 21st December 2018 | 08

The recliner specialist will unveil a host of new upholstery ranges, plus its full selection of premium beds and mattresses and never-before-seen occasional and dining furniture.

Its stand will feature products “to suit a wide spectrum of consumer tastes”, marketing director Mark Draper revealed.

“For the first time ever, our UK and Irish customers can rely on La-Z-Boy to furnish almost every room in their home,” he said.

“We’re very excited to be expanding our product categories and introducing so many new upholstery ranges, offering a wealth of opportunities to our growing network of retailers.”

In the upholstery category, new ranges in the traditional Comfort Studio and the contemporary Urban Attitudes collections will be unveiled. Additionally, three chairs with a push back recline mechanism, which is highly popular in the USA, will be introduced to the UK. A new high-end leather featuring an aged appearance, called Dune, will also be added to the swatch selection.

Four upholstered bed frames and a collection of three pocket sprung mattresses, along with a luxury boxed mattress, will be on display. Roomsets will feature brand new occasional furniture and dining sets, which will be unveiled for the first time.

w www.la-z-boy.co.uk

RETAIL

Furniture business to relocate showroom Independent furniture business Ferrious has revealed plans to relocate its showroom.

Currently situated on Whitworth Street in Manchester, the company will move into its new store in Altrincham in the New Year.

Based on Stamford New Road, Ferrious is currently refurbishing the property ready for launch and will house products over two floors, expanding its floorspace from its current site.

The company said it was looking forward to being part of a growing community in Altrincham and the new showroom will present products and play host to exhibitions as well as providing a platform for young designers to showcase their work.

Ferrious, which has been at its Manchester premises for the past 21 years, is currently holding a relocation sale ahead of the move.

w www.ferriousonline.co.uk

aQO MANUFACTURE

RETAIL

Furniture retailer continues doubledigit growth

NEW INNOVATION CENTRE

Furniture retailer The Cotswold Company has reported another growth in turnover as sales surpassed the £40m mark.

According to its latest filed accounts for the year ended 25 February 2018, total sales rose 21% to £42.3m from £35m in 2017.

Gross profit also rose 14% to £21.9m from £19.1m, whilst pre-tax profit resulted at £458,695, down from its profit of £2m recorded last year.

Stated within its report the Norwich-based business said profit fell due to increased pressures on product margins, principally resulting from exchange rate fluctuations following the Brexit vote.

Looking ahead, the company added that post-filing there has been an improvement in its foreign exchange rate contracts.

The Cotswold Company operates from four stores in Norwich, Stow-on-the-Wold, Chelmsford and Godalming.

w www.cotswoldco.com

The opening of the innovation centre Paula Nickolds, MD of John Lewis, was the guest of honour at the official opening of Harrison Spinks’ £2.5m Innovation Centre at its headquarters and manufacturing site in Leeds.

The Innovation Centre houses the company’s development engineering team, sleep lab, management, sales, IT, purchasing, customer services, finance and marketing teams, and also a state-of-the-art showroom for its Somnus range.

The official opening was also in celebration of an incredibly successful year for the 178-year-old Bedmaker following a series of high-profile award wins, including two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in Innovation and International Trade, an export award, and Bed Manufacturer of the Year 2018/2019 award.

w www.harrisonspinks.co.uk

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21st December 2018 | 09

NEWS RETAIL

DESIGN

Homewares retailer to open second concept store

Fraudulent interiors company shut down

Fashion and homewares retailer H&M has announced plans to open a second London H&M HOME concept store.

The new 7,500sq ft store will be situated in Regent Street and will offer the full H&M HOME range, including its newly-launched collection of furniture and lighting.

The planned opening forms part of H&M’s wider HOME concept, which launched earlier this year in five European markets, with its debut standalone store in the UK launching at the Westfield London shopping centre.

H&M said that the official opening date of its second HOME concept store would be confirmed ‘early next year’.

w www2.hm.com

MANUFACTURE

NEW APPOINTMENT AT MANUFACTURER Philip George

Interior design company Bluethorne Trading Limited has been wound up by the courts after it was found to be used as a vehicle to fraudulently secure credit.

Bluethorne Trading Limited was wound up in the public interest at the High Court on 20 November 2018, with the Official Receiver appointed as liquidator.

The company claimed to be an interior design business, operating from an office in Medway, Kent, offering key accounts with many manufacturers in the furniture, flooring and lighting sectors.

The Insolvency Service was made aware of complaints about Bluethorne Trading and, after an investigation, the High Court ordered the company be put into provisional liquidation on 28 September following a petition presented by the Secretary of State.

It was discovered that the company relied on false and inflated accounts to give the impression it was a profitable business in order to apply for credit for a wide variety of products, some not typically associated with its stated business.

Investigators found no evidence that the company ever carried out any legitimate business to support the accounts filed with the Registrar of Companies, and Bluethorne Trading failed to cooperate with enquiries, providing further evidence that it couldn’t back-up its activities.

In making his ruling, Judge Jones found that the company’s 2017 and 2018 accounts were false and applications made on the back of those accounts were also fraudulent.

Adjustable bed manufacturer Furmanac has announced the appointment of Philip George as its new national sales manager.

The appointment follows the resignation of sales director Stuart Page, who intends to step down at the end of 2018.

A statement from Furmanac said: “After joining earlier this year, Stuart Page, sales director, has decided to leave Furmanac as of the end of the year. Stuart’s decision is based on a personal level, enabling him to spend more time at home and will be starting a new venture on his doorstep.

“With this in mind, we are very pleased to announce that Philip George will be taking up the position of national sales manager with immediate effect.

“Philip, like Stuart, has a wealth of experience and we are looking forward to working with Philip, who will be helping to grow the family of brands within the Furmanac business.”

w www.furmanac.com

Judge Jones added that the conduct of the company and its officers was wrong and ‘such conduct cannot be allowed to continue’.

Irshard Mohammed, case manager for the Insolvency Service, said: “The company was used as a vehicle for the fraudulent application for credit relying on the false accounts filed to make the company appear a good credit risk.

“These winding-up proceedings show that we will use the full weight of our powers to take firm action against companies that operate in such an unscrupulous way.”

w www.gov.uk

MANUFACTURE

CURRENCY EXCHANGE IMPACTS LIGHTING SUPPLIER

DIY retailer links with carpet firm

Lighting supplier Poole Lighting has reported a fourth year of consecutive turnover growth. According to its latest filed accounts for the year ended 31 December 2017, total sales rose 5.6% to £52m from £49.2m in 2016. Pre-tax losses widened to £3m compared to its loss of £474,303 the previous year.

Home improvement retailer Homebase has announced an agreement with carpet retailer Tapi over a concession partnership. The partnership will see Tapi concessions open in a number of Homebase stores across the UK over the next two years, with the first concession already open in Orpington.

Stated within its report, Poole Lighting experienced a significant loss of £2m from changes in fair value of foreign exchange contracts, which impacted its bottom line. The company added that costs for 2018 would fall back to normal levels, with profitability to also return moving forward.

w www.tapi.co.uk

w www.poole-lighting.co.uk

RETAIL

21st December 2018 | 10

aQO MANUFACTURE

NEW CREATIVE DIRECTOR Pasquale Junior Natuzzi

RETAIL

Furniture retailer and foam producer agree new leases Hardwood furniture retailer Oak Furniture Land and foam supplier Apollo Foam have taken the last units at an industrial estate.

JB Global Ltd, which owns Oak Furniture Land and SofaStore.com, has taken a 7,800sq ft unit on a six-year lease. The unit will be used for warehousing and distribution of its oak furniture and sofa products.

Landlord Hortons Estate has also agreed a five-year lease with Apollo Foam, manufacturers of industrial foam and adhesives, on a 5,700sq ft unit.

Italian furniture specialist Natuzzi has announced the appointment of Pasquale Junior Natuzzi as its new creative director and stylist.

Pasquale Junior Natuzzi, 28, joined the Natuzzi Group in 2012 as marketing program manager.

From March 2016 to July 2017, he served as global communication director and deputy creative director, overseeing the development of Natuzzi’s global brand strategy.

In July 2017, he was appointed chief marketing and communications officer, a position he will continue to hold alongside the new role.

Following the lettings to Apollo Foam Ltd and JB Global Ltd, Anchor Brook is now fully let. Other tenants include Virgin Media, West Midlands Ambulance Service, Marshall Thermo King, Glenlake International and Fully Furnished.

Richard Walker, from Hortons, said: “We are very pleased to have secured these lettings as both units have been vacant for some time.

The estate is now fully let which is great news.

“We are now bringing further development land forward at the site to provide additional space to meet current occupier demand for warehousing and industrial accommodation.”

w www.oakfurnitureland.co.uk

Commenting on the new position, Pasquale said: “I accepted this new challenge with enthusiasm, a sense of responsibility and a great desire to develop the image of one of the bestknown furniture brands in the world. Natuzzi is a brand with 60 years of history and a clear strategy: transformation from a furniture player to a lifestyle brand.

“The collections, retail store experience, communication, marketing and consumer service must encompass the brand’s vision, since only through a holistic approach can we project the brand towards a modern, distinctive creative language and high experiential value and thus create our community of brand lovers.”

w www.natuzzi.co.uk

RETAIL

Appeal to locate stolen trailer containing furniture Staffordshire Police has issued an appeal after a trailer containing £35,000 worth of goods was stolen in Stone.

The trailer, belonging to Home Style GB, contained £30,000 worth of furniture and £5,000 worth of steel rope.

Unknown offenders drove in a white MAN lorry cab to Micklow House Farm on Eccleshall Road at approximately 9:10pm on 8 December and left 50 minutes later with the trailer attached, before making off.

Anyone with information that may help the investigation is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 65 of 11 December.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

w www.staffordshire.police.uk 21st December 2018 | 11

NEWS RETAIL

MANUFACTURE

Online supplier in administration

FIRA PUBLISH NEW OFFICE FURNITURE GUIDE

Retail furniture, equipment and catering supplier Shop-Equip has entered administration.

The Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) has published its latest knowledge entitled ‘Electrically Powered Office Furniture — ­ A Guide To The UK Regulations’.

Howard Smith and Christopher Robert Pole, both of restructuring firm KPMG LLP, were appointed as joint administrators on 10 December 2018.

A statement displayed on Shop-Equip’s website said: “Unfortunately, the current economic climate has taken another casualty. It is with the deepest regret that the long-established Shop-Equip Limited has now been placed in administration.

“Should you have any difficulties with your commercial equipment, please contact the manufacturer wholesaler direct.”

Detailed in the company’s latest filed accounts ended 31 December 2017, the business said that 2017 was a ‘very challenging year’ with sales growth in excess of 39% but with a ‘detrimental impact on margin’.

The company incurred increased advertising costs, limiting growth in its bottom line, and did state a positive outlook for the year ahead.

However, further growth has not materialised, leading to the company entering administration.

Shop-Equip, which was established in 1989 as catering and retail equipment and retail furniture supplier, is based in Langwith. No further details on job losses were disclosed.

w www.home.kpmg.com

MANUFACTURE

TURNOVER ROCKETS TOWARDS £50M FOLLOWING CAPACITY INCREASE Kitchen furniture manufacturer Ultima Furniture Systems has reported record turnover as sales edged towards £50m.

According to its latest filed accounts for the year ended 31 May 2018, total sales rose 22.9% to £48.3m from £39.3m in 2017.

Gross profit increased 20.8% to £18m from £14.9m, whilst pretax profit resulted at £10.4m, up by 18% compared to its profit of £8.8m the previous year.

Its bottom line figure marked an eighth straight year of sevenfigure profit growth, with the current result its highest in its history.

Stated within its report, Ultima has continued to invest in technology and new facilities, investing £4.1m during the year on machinery and £0.8m on new delivery vehicles.

The investment was made to increase manufacturing capacity, which in turn reflects the company’s growth and increase in turnover, as well as creating a platform for future growth.

w www.ultimafurniture.co.uk

The 62-page guide was authored by Bruce Lovell, a consultant at FIRA International (the service provider to the Research Association).

The guide follows on from a similar expanded publication aimed at the domestic furniture market published in March 2018.

Industry feedback following the domestic publication showed an appetite for an office furniture version to help dispel confusion around regulations.

The new guidance is particularly clear in identifying the relationship with powered office furniture products, such as sit / stand desking and other electrically-powered office furniture falling within the scope of the directive. The current industry practice is that the machinery directive did not apply to such products, probably due to the interpretation of the directive.

Sections in the comprehensive office furniture guide includes clarity on harmonised standards and European directives, CE Marking Directives, the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC), the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) (2014/35/EU), Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive (2014/30/EU) and the RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. The guide then turns to more practical advice, including proving conformity for CE marking, identifying applicable directives and standards, self-certification, internal checks on the manufacturing process to assess conformity, risk assessment, traceability, through to user instructions and safety information.

w www.fira.co.uk

RETAIL

‘Fantastic’ charity golf day A cheque is handed over at Chesnut Lodge

Held at True Fit Golf, Penketh, Sleeptight Beds has raised £6,000 for local foundations Chesnut Lodge Special School and Warrington & Halton Neo Natal Department.

Each foundation is focused on catering and servicing the differing needs for children and babies in the local area. In addition to this a local dog rescue home will receive a £500 share of the money raised.

Sleeptight Beds handed over the cheque for £2,750 at Chesnut Lodge Special School, with the money given a welcome addition to the school’s Sensory Garden fund. The company said: “We are determined to make a mark in the local community. This year’s event was a huge success and was a fantastic effort.”

w www.sleeptightbeds.org 21st December 2018 | 12

Independent business Sleeptight Beds has announced the results of its annual Charity Golf day.

aQO RETAIL

MANUFACTURE

UK furniture business agrees South Korean partnership

LIGHTING FIRM ENTERS ADMINISTRATION

High-end furniture business The Conran Shop will open its debut store in South Korea next year.

London-based The Conran Shop has agreed a new partnership with South Korean department store chain Lotte Department Store.

The new store will open during the second half of next year and will occupy a space of 25,000sq ft in Lotte’s Gangnam district of southern Seoul.

The partnership forms part of Lotte’s drive to promote an increased home furnishings offer to adapt to the country’s rising demand within the interiors market.

Following the launch of its first Conran Shop, the partnership is expected to expand to other outlets in Korea at a later date.

w www.conranshop.co.uk

MANUFACTURE

Lighting specialist Harvard Technology Ltd has entered administration, making a number of staff redundant.

Sarah O’Toole and Chris Petts, both of Grant Thornton UK, were appointed as joint administrators to Harvard Technology Ltd on 10 December 2018.

The Normanton-based business, which was undergoing a turnaround process, entered insolvency after suffering from ‘challenging trading conditions’ and ‘cash flow pressures’.

Administrators said that this led to the board exploring a sale for ‘a number of weeks’, which they are still currently pursuing.

In a statement, administrators also added that ‘a number of insolvencies had to be made’ although the exact figure was not disclosed as they continue to explore the sale of ‘possible parts of the business’.

Over recent years Harvard Technology had seen turnover slip for three straight years from £40m in 2014 to its most recent figure of £21.2m for the year ended October 2017.

Pre-tax losses had also widened from a loss of £2.1m in 2016 to a loss of £4.1m.

OFFICE FURNITURE GROUP RETURNS TO UK GROWTH

w www.grantthornton.co.uk

The UK division of global office furniture group Steelcase has reported a return to sales growth as profits rise for a fourth straight year.

New apartment concept

According to its latest filed accounts ended 28 February 2018, total UK sales rose 15.5% to £24.7m from £21.4m in 2017.

DESIGN

A Zed Room

Despite the uptick, gross profit declined by 6.9% to £4m from £4.3m, whilst pre-tax profit resulted at £1.2m, up by 57.6% compared to its profit of £761,000 recorded last year.

Its bottom line figure was the highest achieved since 2013 when profits also stood at £1.2m, and also marked another year of continuous growth following its loss of £445,000 back in 2015.

Stated within its report, Steelcase said that, despite continued uncertainty around Brexit, the UK market remains a core segment for the group.

Furthermore, the group confirmed the acquisition of UK furniture firm Orangebox Group Limited, which is expected to add towards group turnover during the following financial year.

Orangebox previously posted revenue of approximately £69m over the 12 months through to August 2018.

Completed back in September, the transaction involves the acquisition of all the outstanding capital stock of Orangebox for £60m, less an adjustment for working capital, with an additional £3m payable to one of the sellers over three years based on the achievement of certain performance obligations.

w www.steelcase.com

Boxed mattress brand Simba has unveiled the launch of boutique apartments, The Zed Rooms.

Designers from Simba and Cuckooz joined forces to create the ultimate boutique getaway to help guests quite literally sleep like a baby on their travels — ­ by creating a bedroom that resembles a womb.

Experts spent nine months meticulously developing the state-ofthe-art apartments based in Shoreditch, London, which feature a ‘Woom’ bedroom, with a cocoon-like bed, inspired by the safety and snugness of the womb.

With muted lighting, soft pink walls and high-tech mattress, each ‘Woom’ bedroom within The Zed Rooms has been designed to encourage positivity, relaxation and REM-rich sleep.

Sleep psychologist at Simba, Hope Bastine, said: “If you’ve ever noticed that you don’t sleep as well in a hotel, you’re not alone.

“Scientists recognised the ‘first night effect’ over a decade ago, where one half of the brain unconsciously acts as a ‘night watchman’ staying more alert when in unfamiliar surroundings.”

w www.simbasleep.com 21st December 2018 | 13

F E A T U R E |G R A M P I A N F U R N I S H E R S

Royce Clark, managing director of independent retailer Grampian Furnishers, discusses its recent store relocation with an exclusive Cabinet Maker Q&A.

A GRAND When did the new store officially open?

The new store is located in Elgin and opened on 20th October 2018.

How has the initial feedback been?

The feedback has been overwhelming and the first weeks of trading have been better than expected.

When did the old store officially close and how did you feel on the last day?

We had been running a closing down event in the lead-up to the opening and managed to pretty much sell out all our stock when we closed the week before opening. It was certainly an emotional day as we closed the doors for the last time and handed over the keys to the new tenants. I remember helping my dad move into the building in 1986 and it has been my second home for the past 22 years, during which time we invested over £500,000 in refurbishing it.

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How much investment has gone into the new store?

The total investment in the land, infrastructure and building is circa £3.5m.

Why was now the right time to relocate and expand?

Now wasn’t the right time, far from it, we have had Brexit, the continued threat of Independence, the oil downturn, exchange rates going south and several rounds of price increases from suppliers... However, this process took us three years so it was difficult to predict what was going to happen in the big bad world during that time!

What challenges did you face along the way?

I think I could write a book on the challenges.

The biggest one was getting planning permission on an industrial zoned site to

which a national competitor and the local BID group objected. We did our homework prior to the planning hearing and put across a sensible case and I gave a heartfelt pitch to what it meant to a small family business our staff, customers and local community.

What is your favourite thing of the new location?

I thought it would be having great coffee every day but the coffee house has been that busy I’m actually drinking less now than I have ever done! I think the design of the building and what it looks like as you approach it by road is my favourite thing, but from the vision I had it’s pretty much perfect!

Have you increased your workforce?

Yes, so far we’ve gone from 14 to 28 and I think that will quickly pass the 30 mark. This is a mix of office/sales/front-of-house/chefs.

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“I REMEMBER HELPING MY DAD MOVE INTO THE BUILDING IN 1986 AND IT HAS BEEN MY SECOND HOME FOR THE PAST 22 YEARS.” Birds-eye view of the new Grampian Furnishers store How do you have your store laid out?

It’s over two floors with living and dining on the ground, and bedroom, flooring, accessories and the coffee house on the first floor.

Why is it important to have a store layout strategy?

For me it’s years of experience in my own store, visiting lots of other stores around the UK and Europe, even taking ideas from exhibitions over the years too. I would say the strategy is important so the products are laid out to make the customer journey as good as possible. I have taken lots of ideas and created what I think works. However, I am still tweaking things and I’m sure this will continue to be the case for as long as I’m there!

Have you expanded any product categories following the relocation?

We have partnered with Pagazzi lighting to offer the biggest selection of lighting locally.

All our categories have expanded as the new store is three times as big as our previous store, however, sofas have seen the biggest increase as we now have over 60 different

Royce Clark sits comfortably in his new store... models on display.

Do you have any other new investments planned for next year?

Yes, we have an application in to build an on site warehouse.

Do you have any favourite memories from the former store you wish to share?

I remember crawling under the floor collecting

old pennies when we moved in as being an old cinema these had been dropped through the floorboards!

How has the year been so far for the business?

It’s been a good year of trading for us with closing one store and opening another and all the publicity along the way, but I think if we hadn’t had all this going on we may have been finding trade tough, I’m told it’s been a challenging year for many in the trade.

Finally, how did you celebrate the opening of the new store?

We had a family and friends drinks reception the night before opening and on the big day I asked my two nieces and two nephews to cut the ribbon watched by the rest of my family.

The new store is at Waulkmill House, Linkwood Place, Elgin, Moray.

w www.grampianfurnishers.com

... and celebrates with a branded bus statue 21st December 2018 | 15

5

F E A T U R E |S U P P L Y C O M P A S S

Star Fabrics

Eco leather

Flora Davidson, co-founder of Supplycompass, looks at the five fabrics that will make the future of homewares more sustainable.

Moving the industry towards a more sustainable future means reconsidering the fabrics used in the manufacture of furniture are both socially and environmentally kind.

To assess the sustainability of a fabric, you need to consider its social and environmental impact in four main areas: 1. The extraction of the raw material.

2. Textile production.

3. Dyeing, printing, washing and finishing colour fix.

4. End of life, biodegradability and ability to be recycled.

Here are five fabrics to look out for if you want to help protect the environment:

1. ORGANIC COTTON Much of the world’s cotton is now Bt [genetically modified cotton]. Organic cotton is better for people and the environment than its non-organic counterpart.

No pesticides are used in the production of organic cotton, which is important as not only are pesticides bad for soil and the environment, but they are extremely harmful to the health of those working with them.

They can be deadly and cause a multitude of chronic illnesses.

Organic cotton replenishes and maintains soil fertility rather than depleting it. Crop rotation is required with organic farming, which helps lock in C02 and build stronger soil. Organic farming techniques use less water because crops are predominantly rain-fed and the 21st December 2018 | 16

increased organic matter in the soil means it holds water better.

Fairtrade organic cotton means farmers can command a higher price and be certain of a more stable income. Organic cotton is grown using natural, untreated, GMO-free seeds which means farmers don’t need to rely on expensive chemicals and risk spiralling into dept.

2. ECONYL Econyl is a form of nylon that is made entirely from waste products. It is made from a range of post-consumer waste, including abandoned fishing nets, carpets and rigid textiles, and aims to be a green alternative to the original product which is made from a derivative of oil.

To make Econyl waste products, such as reclaimed fishing nets, are first taken to pretreatment facilities, where they are sorted and shredded into pieces small enough to be put through the Econyl process.

The shredded material is then moved to a regeneration plant, where it is put into huge chemical reactors that, through a process of de- and repolymerisation, break down the components of the material and regenerate the polyamide 6. The final product is then processed into yarn.

Econyl has great eco-friendly credentials.

Firstly, the use of abandoned fishing nets is helping to clean up the seas — entanglement in abandoned nets causes the death of many thousands of whales, dolphins and other sea

life every year. For every 10,000 tonnes of raw materials recycled into Econyl, 70,000 barrels of crude oil are saved, and 57,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions are avoided, compared to traditional production methods. Econyl fabrics can be recycled infinitely without losing quality, supporting the vision of a more circular fashion industry.

3. TENCEL Tencel is the registered brand name of a revolutionary sustainable fibre of botanical origin, produced by the Lenzing Group. Based in Austria, the Lenzing company was founded in 1938 and has built an impressive worldwide reputation among aficionados of ethical fashion by focusing on the manufacture and development of highly sustainable fabrics.

The fibre, also known by the generic name lyocell, is a variety of rayon. It is made entirely from regenerated cellulose, and as such it is exceptionally environmentally friendly. The source material used in the manufacturing process is dissolved wood pulp, which makes it one of the most sustainable options available to the ethically-minded clothing manufacturer.

Hailed by many as a modern wonder material, lyocell was first synthesised in 1972 at Enka, North Carolina, under the working title of ‘Newcell’. Having captured the imaginations of forward-thinking innovators within the clothing industry, the fabric was further refined at the Courtaulds factory in Coventry, England during the 1980s, and it was there that the name ‘Tencel’ was first used.

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Abandoned fishing nets can be used to make Econyl

Organic cotton The first stage in the manufacturing process is the sourcing of suitable wood pulp. The major factor that sets this material apart from other forms of rayon is the choice of raw materials, which are specifically chosen for their eco-friendliness. All the wood pulp used in its manufacture is harvested from eucalyptus trees, which have been specifically farmed for the purpose, on land that would otherwise not be used as it is unsuitable for agricultural development.

Unlike many other man-made materials, the farming process scores highly in terms of environmental sustainability. No existing forests are depleted, no pesticides are used, and absolutely no genetic manipulation is involved in the process of farming the raw materials.

This offers a significant advantage over many other synthetic fibres, which generally require extensive chemical processing. The synthesis of most other forms of rayon involves the use of chemical catalysts, such as cobalt and manganese. Both of these can be highly toxic to the environment, resulting in high levels of air and water pollution that can have a potentially catastrophic effect upon the ecosystem.

A life-cycle assessment conducted in 2008 by the University of Leipzig reported that the production of lyocell is far more ecofriendly than the harvesting of cotton. The study found that the manufacturing process consumes 10 to 20 times less water than would be used in the production of an equivalent amount of cotton.

was produced and work out a way to develop their own version. No spider DNA is used in its manufacture and the end product is completely synthetic.

The main input in the fibre-making process is sugar from plants that are grown, harvested and replanted. The sugars from these plants are fermented and this produces a protein that is then spun into a fibre — spider silk.

The great thing about this material is that it is made from renewable resources so the environmental impact is also lower.

5. ECO LEATHER

4. SPIDER SILK

In the manufacturing of leather, skins are stripped of hair, degreased and cured with salt, before being submerged in water for up to two days to desalinate and moisturise the hide. The next, and most vital stage, is tanning, which helps to fortify and preserve the hide. Without this stage of the process, the untreated skins would rapidly decompose and become unsuitable for most purposes.

Despite the name, spiders are not used in the production of this material. The company that invented spider silk, Bolt Threads, studied spiders and their DNA to learn how the fibre

One major criticism of the industry hinges on the ecological impact of the tanning process. In ancient times, the process used purely natural ingredients, but since the

industrial revolution the use of highly abrasive chemicals such as chromium sulphate has become standard throughout the industry.

One alternative is the use of ‘Eco Leather’, a relatively recent development within the fashion industry. The ‘Eco’ variant still uses genuine animal hides (i.e. it is not vegan), but the manufacturing process sidesteps the more environmentally-damaging impact of mainstream tanning. Rather than using abrasive chemicals, this far more ethical approach utilises natural, plant-based products such as tannin, extracted from the bark and leaves of trees, to create the same preservative effect.

By working with fabric manufacturers who use sustainable materials you can ensure your furniture brand is looking to the future of both the planet and its people.

w www.supplycompass.com

21st December 2018 | 17

F E A T U R E |L A N D O F B E D S Land of Beds NBF Awards 2018-19

Land of

Opportunity Mike Murray, managing director at Land of Beds, reflects on its recent success as well as outlining plans for the year ahead.

In the hard-fought battle for the prestigious title of ‘Large Online Bed Retailer of the Year’ at the Bed Industry Awards 2018-19, Land of Beds came second only to Argos.

percent of sales to online activity at www.landofbeds.co.uk.

It’s a trend that is set to continue, managing director Mike Murray told Cabinet Maker: “Our third-generation business has come a long way since its humble beginnings on the High Street. We now have the requisite logistics, technology and promotion capabilities in place to ensure we continue to gain a bigger market share.

‘As one of the earliest adopters of ecommerce, we will continue to lead from the front by growing a sustainable and profitable online business alongside a carefully considered portfolio of physical stores.”

The independent multi-channel retailer, which has been trading for more than 40 years, was described as ‘a strong runner-up for the award’ and highly commended for having ‘embraced technology to futureproof the business’ and ‘thriving in this new digital era’.

The plan for the next 12 months is to ensure that when and wherever the customer is online, Land of Beds is also with them. To that end, the company has partnered with YouTube to design an innovative new video content strategy centred around independent, expert-led product reviews.

This awards success came during a year that saw Land of Beds’ turnover exceed seven figures for the first time ever. The company, which has been voted ‘Retail Family Business of the Year’ (a nationwide award presented

by Family Business United), now attributes 60

“We want to be at the forefront of creating videos to help inform the consumer when they most need help,” said Mike, who has invested in an in-house video production studio — built on site at the company’s flagship Greater Manchester showroom.

21st December 2018 | 18

“This also feeds into our new blogging strategy for 2019, which will see Land of Beds partnering with our suppliers and sleep experts to create original content that advocates for wellness. We want to help consumers become more ‘sleep literate’ – increasing their knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the importance of sleep.”

With the content strategy in place, Mike and the family director team have also invested in boosting the infrastructure of the business to ensure that it can cope with the everincreasing influx of orders. Recent appointees include a data scientist, as well as digital marketeers.

“We are also recruiting more software and web developers to enhance our bespoke platform which will ensure we remain a leading force when people are researching mattress and bed products online,” added Mike. “The new recruits began work this month, so they will be ready to hit the ground running in 2019.”

In addition to these specialist appointments, Land of Beds has also announced plans to recruit more administration and accounting staff to support the existing back office team.

“There’s so much more to running a

FOR FULL STORIES AND DAILY NEWS UPDATES: WWW.CABINET-MAKER.CO.UK

The ecommerce team at Land of Beds

successful ecommerce business than simply creating a website,” explained Mike. “We have a customer call centre staffed by bed experts who have completed NBF-approved sales training; a team of administrators who process all our orders; and a distribution hub, which is home to a network of delivery drivers who travel the length and breadth of the UK every day. Moving into 2019, this team of essential support staff has to grow, as our market share is only going to increase.”

Workforce wellness is also a strategic objective for the company in 2019, with steps being taken to safeguard the team throughout a period of unprecedented growth. A series of charitable challenges that will involve teamwork are planned, with colleagues training for them together.

“In their own unique way, these challenges are contributing to our goal of becoming the UK’s largest online bed seller.”

Having already been bracketed in the same category as multi-billion seller Argos in the industry’s biggest awards, the scope of Land of Beds’ ambition is greater than ever for 2019.

w www.landofbeds.co.uk

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“AS ONE OF THE EARLIEST ADOPTERS OF ECOMMERCE, WE WILL CONTINUE TO LEAD FROM THE FRONT BY GROWING A SUSTAINABLE AND PROFITABLE ONLINE BUSINESS ALONGSIDE A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED PORTFOLIO OF PHYSICAL STORES.”

“You might wonder what exercise has to do with being an online seller, but the answer is a lot!” concluded Mike. “The new starters who are joining Land of Beds have a very different skill set that’s designed to futureproof our business; however, it’s important that we all have shared goals, which will help team bonds to develop faster.

“That’s why we have agreed to sign up for Tough Mudder 2019 and the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge – raising money for good causes that support local families.

‘Any time you are asking more of your workforce, I believe it’s important to do everything you can to encourage a happy workplace and to promote resilience.

Exercising regularly plays a critical role in that – especially amongst our colleagues who may be seated in front of a computer for lengthy periods throughout the day.

The team at Land of Beds enjoy a Tough Mudder 21st December 2018 | 19

F E A T U R E |H Ä S T E N S

INVESTING FOR

Sanja Tegeltija, head of public relations and hospitality markets at bed business Hästens, speaks about its new store launch in a quick-fire Q&A. When did the new store open?

The new store officially launched on 6 November 2018 and is situated on Notting Hill Gate in Notting Hill, London.

How much investment went into the new store?

We have invested roughly around £1 million.

For the right product it is always the right time to invest. Despite the doom and gloom being reported in certain UK retail sectors, we firmly believe that brick-and-mortar retail will continue to flourish. Hästens new concept is innovative and offers great shopping experiences.

How many jobs have been created?

We will start with five new members of staff in Notting Hill but are likely to increase this number. In Hästens we take a good care of our people by investing in their development through different training workshops, which are held in Koping, Sweden.

21st December 2018 | 20

THE FUTURE

As part of the launch, the business has unveiled new colourways. What are they?

The new colourways: Princess Green, Dusty Mauve and Pink Beige have been designed in collaboration with Swedish design icon, Cay Bond. Bond was inspired by desert flowers when choosing the colours. Cay looked to draw influence from nature as a source of serenity and calm. It was decided that the colours could bring this same calming influence to the bedroom.

future. In line with this Hästens new Sleep Spa concept will use technology, which includes Apple TV screens, a mobile point of sale, as well as a Hästens App. This is to further improve the personal, tailored experience we aim to provide for each customer. Hästens beds alleviate stress, so we want the choosing stage to be as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.

Does the business have any future plans for 2019?

Three more stores will be opening in London and we are doubling the space in Harrods 3rd floor furniture department. As a part of £200 million Harrods renovation, which will be ready next year in May, we are going to have our latest concept: ‘the Sleep Spa’ store and nine floor model beds as we believe the process of choosing a new bed should be as interactive as possible.

Have there been any challenges so far this year?

At Hastens we always work with continuous improvement in mind and this year we have introduced four new beds. The biggest challenge for us was to educate our existing clients who have long-loved their Hästens beds and to change their mindset so that they can embrace the new improved technology that has been developed for the new beds.

However, we did not need to do too much to overcome this challenge because as soon as they tested the new beds the feedback was fantastic!

We strongly believe that creating a personal experience for our clients in store is key.

Retail technology will play a huge part in the

Generally, how has the year been for the business?

We are expanding globally and last year we

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“WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT CREATING A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE FOR OUR CLIENTS IN-STORE IS KEY. RETAIL TECHNOLOGY WILL PLAY A HUGE PART IN THE FUTURE.”

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had a 76% increase in UK retail. This year we are 20% up with a very healthy forecast for the last and busiest quarter in the year.

We are growing and always adapting to see how we can improve to keep our customers happy and have all of their needs met as best we can. Being complacent or staying stagnant is not an option.

What has been the key to success for Hästens?

Sleep is increasingly being recognised as vital to good health. Not only does it help us feel good and function effectively, it is necessary for good physical health. People are more conscious about their eating habits, excessing and general wellbeing.

Also, consumers are increasingly mindful of their purchases. More and more shoppers are choosing products that are sourced responsibly and are good for their bodies and the environment. Hästens beds are all naturally hypoallergenic and created from sustainable materials — we put sustainability and wellbeing at the heart of everything we create which is why we are seeing more and more interest in our brand, beds and values.

Are you noticing any trends within the bed sector?

Demand for bigger size beds has increased; our 200x200cm and 210x210cm are among bestselling sizes. What’s hot are the softer tension beds, whilst we have seen less demand for firm beds.

New colourways include Dusty Mauve, Princess Green and Pink Beige Watch this space: Exciting collaboration to launch next year

Has there been a stand out product at Hästens this year?

It is the 2000T bed model.

Finally, what’s next for Hastens?

We will have an exciting design collaboration launching next year, that’s all we can reveal at this stage!

w www.hastens.com

The company has invested around £1m into its new store 21st December 2018 | 21

F E A T U R E |S I L E N T N I G H T Silentnight has helped prevent over 105 million plastic bottles go into the ocean

Breath of Fresh Air Angela Moran, product strategy director at Silentnight, talks about sustainability with an update on its recent Eco Comfort Breathe mattress launch.

Being an environmentally friendly and sustainable business is proving to be a key driver behind success. Bed manufacturer Silentnight is keen to be one of the pioneers in shining a light on eco-friendly processes and, more importantly, products.

In fact, this time last year the business set itself a goal to lead the way on sustainability, which has been duly recognised by being awarded a coveted Sustainability Award by the Furniture Makers Company — an accolade Silentnight has won for two consecutive years. It was awarded for the business’ wide commitment to sustainability and environmental initiatives.

Cabinet Maker decided it was about time to find out more behind Silentnight’s ecoschemes, especially on the progress of its recently-launched Eco Comfort Breathe mattress. Angela Moran, product strategy director at Silentnight, revealed: “Concepts for Eco Comfort Breathe were first shared in May earlier this year at a trade event, which we held at Brooklands Museum. We fully launched the range at our recent roadshows around the country in September.

21st December 2018 | 22

“It’s been one of our most exciting and successful new product launches and we’re now in full production with products live across our retailers.

“Although it only seems like yesterday, our Eco Comfort Breathe development actually started over three years ago as part of our Better Sleep, Backed by Science research and development programme.

“As the UK’s most trusted bed brand, we’re keen to understand what makes a great night’s sleep and how our mattresses can help, not only with falling asleep, but also in staying asleep so you wake up rested and ready to go. We can’t do this alone and, therefore, we work with a number of external partners, including suppliers, universities, consultants and researchers, as well as test labs.

“A key part of this development was our investment in new testing technology, which allows us to track how heat and moisture travel through mattress layers. Along with porosity testing, we’re pretty confident that

Eco Comfort Breathe is our most breathable mattress that we’ve made!”

So what does the Eco Comfort Breathe actually do? The collection uses its innovative Microclimate System™, which combines three layers of advanced breathable technology to create the ideal conditions for ‘deep, fresh and restorative sleep’. The eco-friendly mattresses are made from fully sustainable and patented materials to bring ‘premium comfort and enhanced breathability’ that won’t cost the planet or your pocket.

Helping to save the planet has been widely publicised at present — and for good reason — which has led Silentnight to form a new partnership with the Marine Conservation Society, as Angela explains: “As part of the Eco Comfort proposition, we recognised the benefit of our Eco Comfort Fibre comfort filling and the benefit it has for our oceans.

Last year we saved more than 105 million plastic bottles from the oceans through the manufacture and use of the filling.

“To build on this benefit, we pledged support to the Marine Conservation Society to ensure

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they can continue their work to keep our seas as healthy, pollution-free and protected and they continue to do fantastic and crucial work across the UK. Last year alone, 568,000 pieces of litter were removed from our coasts as a result of MCS campaigns.”

“LAST YEAR WE SAVED OVER 105 MILLION PLASTIC BOTTLES FROM THE OCEANS THROUGH THE MANUFACTURE AND USE OF THE FILLING.”

Some amazing work played a key part in the formation behind the concept. Angela continued: “We know that one of the main reasons for disturbed sleep is overheating, which affects over half of adult sleepers. This, along with a desire to expand on the success of our Eco story and provide an alternative comfort feel, formed the design brief for Eco Comfort Breathe.

“We were also keen to know how well our products perform with real-time sleepers, and commissioned Awake, a leading fatigue and sleep research company, to design a study using Actiwatches and sleep diaries so that we could test our new mattresses during normal sleeping conditions. We even went as far as to invite notoriously poor sleepers to test the mattresses and the results revealed people fell asleep quicker, enjoyed better quality sleep, woke less during the night and had less issues with overheating.”

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Silentnight) delivering brilliant benefits for sleep, which are easy for retailers and consumers to understand, as well as the additional benefits of being chemicaltreatment free and part of our Eco range, which supports our commitment to sustainability,” Angela said.

And the work doesn’t stop there. Angela revealed that Silentnight has just launched the next extension to its Eco collection of products, which is its new range of children’s products under the sub brand ‘Healthy Growth’.

All products contain the sustainable Eco Comfort Fibre™ comfort filling and have been specially designed for toddlers to young teens, providing support that promotes healthy development in a fresh and clean sleeping environment free from foam and chemical treatments.

If Silentnight continues its sustainable approach to products and the environment, 2019 could see a third award coming its way.

w www.silentnight.co.uk

The Eco range has been one of the many highlights for Silentnight during 2018, with the feedback being ‘fantastic’.

“We put this down to a combination of the patented microclimate system (which is exclusive technology only available from

Eco Comfort Breathe

21st December 2018 | 23

PRODUCT PROMOTION|FURNITURE TO GO

BROLO A stylish design for a modern marketplace It’s geometric. It’s asymmetric. With the optional lighting added, it’s electric. But above all, it’s contemporary and uniquely stylish.

Our designers of the Brolo range have taken a refreshing approach to furniture, with each piece in the collection being not only perfectly functional and serving an important purpose, but also being intrinsically attractive — a conversation piece, a focal point of any room, as near as furniture can be to pieces of art while still being completely practical.

21st December 2018 | 24

With its high gloss, and bold geometric styling, the WOW factor really stands out! A distinctive and quite unique collection which will appeal to anyone with modern tastes and an eye for upcoming trends.

All easy to assemble and available for next day delivery.

w Visit www.furniture-to-go.co.uk

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LAST WORD DAVID NICHOLLS, RETAIL AND HOSPITALITY CTO FOR FUJITSU UK A look at the top six technology trends for the retail industry to consider as they move into 2019.

Digitalisation A number of retailers have looked at digitalisation of the in-store environment over the past year, and we expect to see this accelerate over the coming months, driven by a need to increase employee productivity.

With external factors and costs outside of retailers’ control, such as business rates and the national living wage, they’re under mounting pressure to find ways to improve operations and the bottom line. As a result, investments in digitalisation will become more of a focus to improve business process, the store environment and store operations, as well as drive a better and deeper customer experience and entice people to come into store.

“WE WILL SEE AN ACCELERATION OF RETAILERS PARTNERING TO DELIVER A MORE CURATED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE.” JFS PREVIEW 2 WESTBRIDGE ICONOGRAPHY

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) We also expect more and more retailers to experiment with RPA to explore its potential, driven by a need to improve accuracy, processes, productivity and product availability. We will see retailers embrace automation more widely across the supply chain and within the store to cost-effectively manage the movement, control and availability of product both within the store and to the customer.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Up until now, AI has been focused on specific environments to create a dashboard on what’s happened, rather than on what’s going to happen. Retailers will begin to use AI to extract value from all forms or real-time data being collected across their operations. Through the use of AI, retailers can link the data together in real-time and create new business insights and actionable data to engage the customer, optimise stock availability and movement, drive operational efficiency, and prevent loss.

of customers and the overall operations of the store.

Move to Services Driven by the need to deepen customer relationships, in the coming months we will see retailers evolve to offer services alongside their product offerings. This will provide retailers with both higher margin and revenue growth opportunities, and deliver an improved, more tailored customer experience for the increasingly time-starved consumer.

Collaboration and Partnerships In 2018, collaboration between retailers grew. Over the course of the next year, we will see an acceleration of retailers partnering to deliver a more curated customer experience to make big box retailers a shopping destination once again. Retailers will combine operations for shared beneficial services to deliver lower operating costs and allow these savings to be passed onto the consumer.

Mobilisation With the increase in digitisation comes greater mobilisation for store colleagues.

Retailers will accelerate investments to empower store colleagues with access to product information and store systems in the aisle and warehouse to support customer journeys and optimise operations. Up until now, employees have had to carry clipboards or go to certain desk points in the front and back end of the store to help with queries and tasks, which has been an unproductive use of their time. However, we expect to see retailers’ rollout smaller form factor colleague devices and wearable technology, and use actionable real-time data and insight generated to assign tasks dynamically to colleagues and mobilise them to the benefit

TO HAVE YOUR LAST WORD OR OPINION PLEASE CONTACT DAN@CABINET-MAKER.CO.UK

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