| The
UK Furniture Industry and the BFC
UK furniture manufacturing is sometimes perceived as skilled designers
and makers creating traditional bespoke offerings. Whilst this is very
much the case there is also a large and dynamic industry which represents
5% of total manufacturing industry in the UK.
Annual output from UK furniture manufacturing is currently worth nearly
£10 billion at retail prices. The industry directly employs around
131,000 people within 7,500 enterprises and makes a significant, but often
unsung, contribution to the UK economy. In addition the industry supports,
and is supported by, a large supply chain of materials suppliers, component
manufacturers, designers, distributors, contractors and retailers.
The industry is divided between small companies and relatively large concerns.
It is estimated that 67% of all furniture manufacturing concerns employ
less than 9 people, but also that the largest 300 companies account for
45% of the total employment. 58% of output is for the domestic market;
13% for the office market and 29% for the contract market which includes
government.
The BFC is the single voice of the furniture and bed industry in the UK
bringing together the trade associations, Proskills, the Furniture Industry
Research Association and the GMB. The BFC represents the views of its
members to Parliamentarians and government Ministers and in recent months
has met with a number of figures from across the political spectrum. In
June our All Party Parliamentary Group chaired by Madeleine Moon MP hosted
an exhibition of bespoke British furniture, at the House of Commons.
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