Devon bedmaker awarded B Corp status

John Lewis’ executive director Pippa Wicks is leaving the partnership, and has been succeeded on an interim basis by Naomi Simcock, currently its retail director

MattressTek plans to expand its Rossendale-based machinery manufacturing operation into a neighbouring unit, taking its footprint from 16,000ft2 to almost 22,000

Cox + Cox Ltd has been sold to Giomani Designs Ltd, after the Frome-based online homewares retailer was placed into administration on 27th February, securing the transfer of 65 jobs

Sterling Furniture Group (now Sterling Home) has announced that its MD Gordon Mearns plans to step down, after leading the Scottish retailer for 20 years

The Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO) has appointed four new members to its standards board: Harry Yunis (DFS); Ian Studd (British Association of Removers); Anthony Kirkwood (B&Q ); and Tracey Skea (Tapi Carpets)

Vispring has achieved the ISO 14001 Environmental Standard, following an external audit by the Société Générale de Surveillance at its factory in Plymouth

The Furniture Makers’ Company’s annual Curry Night, organised by its Yorkshire regional committee, raised over £2500 for the charity

Devon-based natural bed and mattress company Naturalmat has been awarded B Corp status.

Achieving the accreditation has taken Naturalmat close to two years of rigorous assessment and the evaluation, says founder Mark Tremlett: “From day one over 20 years ago, we’ve been at the forefront of making planet-friendly mattresses with organic, sustainable and renewable materials. So, needless to say, it feels truly rewarding to be recognised as the ethical business we’ve always strived to be and join this powerful global community of organisations working together for a better tomorrow.”

Further highlighting its commitment to sustainable practices, Naturalmat released its first Impact Report last year, which charts the company’s journey to date and sets out its current sustainability strategies, with ambitious targets it aims to meet by 2025.

Sussex manufacturer takes on Maker&Son licence

Maker&Son has pivoted its model following the sale of the company last summer, and related legal challenges. Maker&Son Licences Ltd, which owns Maker&Son’s IP, will now be responsible for maintaining the brand for the long term, by managing licensing agreements in the UK and overseas.

The first licensee announced is the team behind one of the brand’s existing manufacturers, The Hastings Sofa Company. Led by MD Danny Cleaver, OD Marc Gall and FD Mark Hillyard, the team will run the Maker&Son business in the UK and Ireland, managing customer orders and making and selling the same furniture direct to customers under the Maker&Son brand. Maker&Son says this appointment is particularly positive because part of the deal ensures that past customer orders will be fulfilled in a timely manner. The company predicts a maximum period of 16 weeks to fulfil the backlog.

Jack Mason, group CEO of Inc & Co, parent company of Maker&Son, says: “In our attempt to turn the company around having inherited its substantial debt when it was purchased, we did everything we could to deliver customer orders and find solutions where delivery was no longer suitable.

“Unfortunately, those attempts to maintain the company’s existing structure were unsuccessful and ultimately liquidation followed. Having invested over £2m, and remaining determined to realise the success that the legacy of this brand can achieve, we therefore adapted our approach and brought forward a plan to license the brand to select global manufacturers.”

Maker&Son will now communicate directly with existing UK and Ireland customers to confirm if they would like to proceed with manufacture and delivery.

Danny Cleaver says: “We’re approaching this new licensing agreement as a separate venture from any of our other companies, but our experience of building a successful high-end furniture brand means we’ve already got strong plans to grow the Maker&Son brand in the UK. That will include investing in showrooms and events as well as reintroducing product lines back into the UK portfolio in response to customer demand.”

Other suppliers to the legacy Maker&Son business have been told that outstanding debts will not be paid.

Ipswich joinery continues to expand

Ipswich-based Apex Joinery, part of The First Interiors Group, continues to expand at pace, appointing Wayne Hines (pictured right) as joinery manager, and Ben Stiff (left) as workshop manager.

In his new role, Wayne is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Apex Joinery. He started his career as a joiner at Taylor Made Joinery before being promoted to contracts manager, followed by workshop assistant manager. He joins Apex from Monarch Joinery. He says: “I hope to help the company further its success in the coming years, sharing my knowledge, skills and experience with the team.”

Ben, who has worked at Apex for 19 years, has been promoted to workshop manager.

With the appointment of three additional new joiners at Apex, the duo will lead a team of 10 joiners.

Mike McVey, head of group sales and operations at The First Interiors Group, adds: “Wayne is a talented joiner with excellent managerial experience. We are delighted to welcome him to the team and are confident he will play a large part in our future growth plans. Ben’s involvement with Apex Joinery is second to none, and his professionalism is superb. He is a major asset to the business.”

The newly formed First Interiors Group is a collaboration of four firms – First Install, its sister company Specialist Interiors Division, Apex Joinery and MBS Workplace Environments.