Editor's Comment

Click. There goes the switch.

Against a backdrop of unstable energy prices, looming legislation and mounting consumer pressure, has our industry’s green economy finally crossed the line from praiseworthy to practical?

Whatever your personal feelings on climate change, electric cars and meat-free burgers, we’re entering an era of sustainable norms, in which eco-friendly credentials are much more than a ‘nice to have’ or a tick in a box, but truly good for business.

I’ve no doubt that those eye-watering energy bills have catalysed many enterprises’ efforts to implement renewable alternatives, but in our own sector, plenty have already realised that it actually pays to be green, and are comfortably ahead of the curve.

In the past month alone, we shared reports from HSL, which was certified carbon-neutral three years ahead of its target, Leekes, whose £1.4m investment in solar energy will enable it to be up to 45% self sufficient from this spring, and Barker and Stonehouse, which managed to cut energy costs by -35% through a raft of initiatives.

On the supply side, award roll-calls from Furniture News and the BFM highlighted the groundbreaking work being done by the likes of Westbridge and Jay-Be, while much of the UK upholstery sector paid little mind to new anti-dumping legislation – having already cleaned up its act some 10 years ago.

Yes, the green angle is eminently ripe for PR spin. But that doesn’t detract from these businesses’ choice to sit down and take a long, hard look at their running costs, decide that ecofriendly is the way forward, and put in the graft to join that journey.

This month, we’re getting back to nature ourselves, with a cover story focused on Forte’s sustainable journey (p10), and a feature dedicated to sustainable success stories, led by a discussion around the challenges and opportunities of recycling and reuse (from p24). You’ll read some pretty alarming statistics about the amount of furniture that goes into landfill, which may give you some idea of how much incoming disposal legislation could cost the unwary … perhaps, suggest the specialists, it’s time to get ahead of these rising costs, and do the world some good in the meantime?

The seeds of the green movement were planted long ago. The more they’re nurtured nurture them, the sooner we’ll reap the harvest – our conscience all the cleaner for it.

Elsewhere in this month’s issue we meet Bed Kingdom’s Levon Hall (p18), get personal with Swyft’s Keiran Hewkin (p20) and discover Dreams’ customer-first strategy courtesy of CCO Paul Solly (p14), while Furniture Today’s Bill McLoughlin shares his thoughts on broadening attitudes to customer service (p49).

Whether you’re seeking new business directions or an entertaining read with your morning coffee, look no further …