"The UK furniture industry employs 139,000 people in 7,500 businesses; the combined turnover of which is around £10 billion annually"
Nigel Griffiths, UK Minister for Consumer Goods

Nigel Griffiths, UK Minister for Consumer Goods, today launched the largest single initiative undertaken by the furniture sector - UK First.

UK First aims to assist the furniture industry, which turns over £10 billion annually, in achieving world-class performance in quality, cost and delivery.

UK First has been established by the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA), with the backing of the industry and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and will receive £1.74 million Government funding over the next five years, through the DTI's Industry Forum Adaptation Initiative.

Activities to be covered by UK First 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 - including three/four day workshops.

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 UK First 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.

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

By engaging everyone in the furniture industry from the shop-floor to the 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 UK First. 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 DTI's Industry Forum Adaptation Initiative (IFAI), launched in 1999, is based on a model used by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which started in 1996 and has increased output by an average of 30% and value-added/person by 40% in the automotive supply industry. Since IFAI's launch the DTI has invested £26 million in 14 Industry Forums including aerospace, construction, chemical processing, ceramics, textiles and others.