Fabric to Furniture update

The Fabric to Furniture Supply Chain project, jointly funded by ukfirst and Cardiff University Innovative Manufacture Research Centre (CUIMRC), is reviewing how fabric is supplied in four sectors: contract, office, beds and upholstered furniture.   Participating companies benefit from understanding their supply chain in much greater detail, identifying and sharing good practice with opportunities for improvements.  

Initial activity has been in the office/contract sector and is now extending to the bedding and upholstery supply chains.  

Initial findings include: 

Fabric supply chains rely on substantial levels of inventory at most stages to service the market 

Introducing key supply chain measures for quality, cost and delivery across the whole supply chain would provide an element of control and a basis for continuous improvement. Generally, measures currently existing are in isolation and do not extend upstream or downstream 

Subjectivity about defects can cause considerable rework along the supply chain.  Standardisation and a quality agreement would assist at all levels 

Information transfer needs to be strengthened at all levels 

Whilst much fabric is sourced overseas, a significant volume is produced in the UK with the significant customer benefit of being close to market, able to meet changing demand and minimise time in introducing new products and designs
The research continues into 2006.

To register your interest now for the Fabric to Furniture Conference on Thursday 13th July 2006 please call 01438 777801 or email .

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