British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM) is celebrating after a double win: Best Business Support (Furniture) and Best Trade Association. The two accolades shine a spotlight on the work BFM has been doing to support its members across the furniture industry.
‘To be recognised by the readership of such a well-respected title as Interiors Monthly is a fantastic achievement and I am grateful to each person who cast their vote. I’d also like to congratulate the team at BFM, whose hard work has been recognised with these two prestigious awards,’ says Phil Spademan, BFM md.
The Best Business Support (Furniture) Award reflects BFM’s commitment to providing information, advice and services to members, including its Trends reports and analysis, which offers insight into key factors such as sales, labour costs and material prices. Based on regular in-depth surveys of its members, the Trends series helps identify long-term patterns as well as setting a data-driven baseline for industry forecasting.
BFM members can gain more insight into specific subjects via events such as in-person round-table workshops, regional meetings and webinars on topics including fabrics and fire regulations, Planet Mark, exporting, apprenticeships and tech solutions.
‘We are delighted to have been recognised for this award. It is a clear endorsement of the work we have been doing to ensure our members access to a variety of benefits and services. To also be awarded Best Trade Association 2024 is a real honour. The BFM team works incredibly hard to help our members boost their businesses and promote the excellence of British-made furniture on a wider scale,’ says Spademan.
Membership of BFM has expanded in recent years, with full membership for manufacturers and associate membership for associated suppliers or services, and approved retail membership for retailers that sell furniture products made in the UK by British manufacturers.
This year, BFM built on that foundation further with the introduction of the Furniture Components Expo, providing a platform for companies across the supply chain to come together and showcase their products and services to manufacturers and retailers. The Expo also featured in-depth seminars and discussion panels on subjects including fire safety, automation and exports. Its success has led to the date being set for the next FCE on 19-20 March 2025, again at Telford International Centre.
Earlier this year, BFM hosted its Future of Furniture Awards, which recognise member companies that excel in education, sustainability and ESG (environmental, social and governance) reporting, as well as presenting a prize for Sustainability Champion.
‘Awards are key to highlighting great work and it’s a pleasure for BFM to celebrate this double success. I’d like to thank the readers of Interiors Monthly for recognising our achievements.’
BFM has represented the interests of the country’s furniture industry for more than 75 years. Member benefits include money-saving activities such as discounts at the January Furniture Show, access to special rates through affinity services, and help with regulatory cost avoidance. Members also have access to a wide range of information and statistics to help run their business efficiently, and BFM can offer specialist advice, particularly of a technical or legal and commercial nature, which is not necessarily readily available to small and medium-sized organisations.
