Minister launches FIRA's new initiative, ukfirst

On January 14th Nigel Griffiths, Minister for Consumer Goods, launched the largest single initiative undertaken by the furniture sector - ukfirst.

ukfirst has been established by FIRA, with the backing of the industry and DTI, and will receive £1.74 million Government funding over the next five years, the aim being to help UK manufacturers to achieve world-class performance in quality, cost and delivery.

Activities to be covered by over the next five years are:

Process Improvement Master Classes (15 days over a four month period) for individual organisations;
Supply chain improvements;
Management development, including training in supply chain, lean manufacturing, process engineering and design integration;
Industrial knowledge transfer – a visit programme to host companies in the UK and overseas;
Distribution of best practice;
SME Improvement programme
Less than one week before the National Furniture Show, more than 120 delegates, including manufacturers, retailers, suppliers and trade associations attended the launch to hear how ukfirst will enhance the furniture industry.

Nigel Griffiths said:

"The UK furniture industry employs 139,000 people in 7,500 businesses; the combined turnover of which is around £10 billion annually.

"The challenge today for this industry is to produce quality products at the right price that not only look good but are functional and which can compete in the global marketplace. The UK has many excellent furniture companies that are striving to do just that, from larger companies to SMEs.

"ukfirst, will offer exactly the right level of engagement and partnership needed to tackle the challenges ahead and secure a bright and vibrant future for this industry."

By engaging everyone in the furniture industry, from shop floor to management, with the expertise of specialists, it is hoped that production processes, efficiency and quality standards can be improved.

Hayden Davies, managing director of FIRA, said:

"The UK furniture industry is facing fundamental structural change driven by a growth in imports. What was previously largely a domestic industry now faces competition from overseas companies, many of which are investing heavily to supply global markets.

"UK manufacturers are actively responding and we have been greatly impressed by the levels of enthusiasm shown across the whole of furniture manufacturing – this initiative really seems to have struck a chord."

FIRA has collaborated with the key furniture trade bodies and manufacturers in the sector to develop ukfirst. Organisations backing the work – and involved in the Steering Group – include manufacturers, suppliers, trade associations, retailers, the trade union (GMB), academia and the DTI.

The recently appointed programme director, John Baldwin, is keen to employ the manufacturing skills that he acquired with organisations such as British Aerospace and the Metal Box Company where he has worked both in the UK and abroad. John said after the launch " I am delighted by the interest of all sectors of the industry and look forward to forging close working partnerships with manufacturers, suppliers and retailers to ensure that companies benefit fully from ukfirst’s support programme

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