Lancashire fitted furniture components supplier HPP booked lower profits through 2022/23 as higher output was outweighed by rising costs.

Victoria sold 175,000sqft former Westex carpets factory last year, but sale price hadn't previously been disclosed.

Optimism among furniture makers about the trading environment has faded according to an updated poll of its members by the trade association British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM).

Flooring conglomerate Victoria last week recouped tens of millions of euros after closing a transaction to sell off surplus property in Belgium acquired as part of its takeover of Balta's rugs and U.K.-oriented broadloom carpet activities last year.

The executive chairman of Victoria has moved to reassure investors regarding the resignation from the board last week of the co-founder of one of the flooring group's largest shareholders.

Revenue returned closer to pre-pandemic levels for Suffolk bed maker Mansion House Bedding Group through 2022/23 thanks to increased demand from the contract sector. Profits declined on higher costs and investment.

JPL Upholstery, a circa £5 million turnover recliner and sofa maker that was producing three models for one of the country's largest furniture retailers, has been placed into liquidation.

Flexlux, the modern chair and sofa brand from Danish upholstery producer Theca, will enjoy its largest U.K. retail trade audience yet when its makes its January Furniture Show debut early next year.

Floorcoverings conglomerate Victoria has reported a half-year net loss of £22.5 million on weak demand, higher finance costs and a slew of underlying restructuring line items.

Fritz Hansen, the designer furniture maker whose products are sold through some of the U.K.'s sharpest modern retailers, has appointed Henrik Steensgaard as its new chief executive as it looks to return to profit.

Upholstered furniture manufacturer Man Wah Holdings has confirmed it plans to appeal a judge's ruling in the U.S. that it should pay damages to a former supplier after an intellectual property (I.P.) dispute.

U.K. and Ireland revenue almost halved for the owner of the Stressless and IMG upholstered furniture brands in what proved a challenging third quarter.

Upholstered furniture imports into the U.K. continued to trend down in September as they lapped record levels of trade last year.

Shipments of living and dining wood furniture arriving into the U.K. continued their year-long tumble in September, falling sharply on the same month last year.

Man Wah Holdings, the Hong Kong listed upholstered furniture conglomerate, booked higher first half profits despite revenue continuing to slide on the back of weaker trade with its biggest export market.

Foam and sprung mattress imports into the U.K. were higher for the third consecutive month on a year-on-year basis in September.

Bedroom cabinet furniture imports into the U.K. declined double-digits in September with Brazil proving the outlier after a climb in the value of container loads of products arriving from South America's largest country.

Carpet imports into the U.K. declined for the third straight month on a value basis in September and at a steeper rate than in the year so far.

Flooring supplier Victoria received almost universal backing from shareholders to accept the company's 2022/23 accounts and reappoint its auditor on Monday, but its share price fell sharply, paring back recent gains.

Upmarket furniture design, wholesale and retail group Neptune has pinned a hefty 2021/22 loss on shipping cost inflation but says it has made a swift return to profit after making cost savings and restructuring its leadership team.

The privately-owned flooring group behind regional distributors such as Pennine Flooring, Volante and Planners Services booked lower profits last year as rising costs mitigated the impact of higher output.

Global Components (UK), the West Yorkshire based bed, mattress and upholstered furniture components supplier, booked lower profits last year on rising costs and falling revenue.

London based upholstered furniture manufacturer and retailer The Sofa & Chair Co has so far kept to the terms of a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) agreed with HM Revenue & Customs and other creditors a year ago. It follows the finding of cost savings and space consolidation.

YouTube review adverts extolling the virtues of Emma mattresses from a website controlled by an Emma Sleep subsidiary have fallen foul of marketing guidelines, the Advertising Standards Authority has ruled.

Associated Weavers says the launch of its new state-of-the-art warehouse in Northampton can help it recover share lost in the cut-length market segment as a result of events outside its control.

Former England footballer David Beckham has signed to become a brand ambassador for premium bedding brand Tempur Sealy in its Asia-Pacific markets.

Logistics supplier Wincanton has won a contract to carry out white-glove home deliveries for The Conran Shop, the designer furniture, homeware and lifestyle retailer.

Castle Donington furniture wholesaler Birlea has revealed its new-look logotype and corporate identity amid an expanded product roster and new senior managerial appointment.

Premium lighting, homeware and occasional furniture supplier Porta Romana delivered class-leading profits in the year to end April on the back of sales growth and its ability to pass on price rises to customers.

Risings costs and weaker sales hit profits at Riva Home ahead of the Yorkshire soft furnishings supplier's buyout of upmarket fabrics producer Voyage Maison earlier this year.

The Fine Bedding Company found trade tougher through 2022/23 but still allocated six-figure resources to both capital expenditure and charitable endeavours.

British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM) latest Industry Matters podcast is now available online, featuring an all-female lineup discussing the recent launch of the Women in Furniture Network.

Mohawk Industries, the world's largest floorcoverings company and a major supplier to the U.K. market, reported a third quarter net loss of $760 million after a non-cash asset write down.

Retail and wholesale brand Habitat is to create a range of tableware and kitchen products based on Sanderson's National Trust collection of fabrics, after the parties signed a licensing agreement.

The chairman of TCM Corporation, majority owner of U.K. upholstery group TCM Living, says the company remains in the market for more takeovers, including from outside the sofa sector.

Asset disposal specialists have begun a six-day sell-off of manufacturing equipment following the planned closure of the smallest production facility of a major upholstery vertical.

Upholstery manufacturer and distributor La-Z-Boy U.K. has promoted Tristan Pyke from sales director to managing director.

Speculation that the qualified audit opinion delivered on the 2022/23 financial accounts of flooring roll-up Victoria would lead to a change of auditor for next year has proved unfounded.

Weaker sales and higher operating costs hampered profits at the U.K. distributor of well-known flooring brands such as Quick-Step, Pergo and Balterio last year.

CPS, the multi-faceted print specialist that majors in providing services to beds and furniture industry clients, says it is on a path to net zero after making sustainability core to its business processes and products.

Benchmark, the premium cabinet furniture manufacturer co-founded by the late Sir Terence Conran and md Sean Sutcliffe, grew profits through 2022/23 as wider margins offset lower revenue.

U.K. sales returned closer to pre-pandemic levels for high-end Italian designer lighting company Artemide last year, but at a cost to margins.

Selling an underutilised area of its vast Trowbridge factory site along with other plant and equipment generated £10.9 million in cash for the Airsprung beds and upholstery group through 2022/23, masking a decline in underlying profits.

Wider gross margin helped the North West supplier of bedding and household textiles under brands spanning Dorma to Content by Conran find a big performance boost through 2022/23.

Sales hit nine figures for TradeChoice Carpet & Flooring in 2022 amid multi-million pound investment ahead of the launch of its new transactional website and additional depots this year.

The U.K. comfort foam operations of Recticel were more profitable despite lower sales ahead of the business unit being carved out and sold to a private investment company earlier this year.

The Giomani Designs' affiliate that acquired the assets of Victoria Plum will pay £7.8 million in all as part of the transaction that saw it rescue the circa £100 million turnover bathroom products retailer.

Stressless owner Ekornes delivered record revenue in the U.K. and Ireland last year, breaking a landmark that had stood for the upholstery giant since 2011.

The value of Chinese mattresses arriving into the U.K. doubled in August in a rise out of step with the year-to-date trend.

The market capitalisation of AIM-listed flooring manufacturer and distributor Victoria fell by more than £70 million in a single day on Monday with its value now almost half what it was a month ago.

Weak demand for cabinet continued at the height of the summer as the value of wood living, dining and bedroom goods maintained the trend of falling in every month so far this year.

Simba Sleep has returned to profit at the EBITDA line this year with CEO and co-founder Steve Reid saying the direct-to-consumer and wholesale bed brand is continuing to put the building blocks in place for international expansion.

Sofa imports declined for a ninth straight month in August primarily as a result of weaker trade with European partners including Poland, Italy and Romania.

Belgium, habitually the largest exporter of carpets to the U.K., slipped to third in the rankings at the height of summer as it was usurped by near-neighbour Netherlands and fast-emerging rival Turkey.

Half-year profits advanced for Sanderson Design Group (SDG) as the premium interior design and furnishings supplier enjoyed the benefit of new licensing agreements.

Profits declined but remained class-leading at global fabrics giant Romo last year ahead of a transaction that saw of one of the founder's great-grandsons buy out another.

Profits returned for TCM Living group last year on the back of sales growth, a strong performance from its Alstons business unit, and the disposal of Arlo & Jacob.

British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM) will bring a new approach to connecting buyers and sellers at its inaugural Future Component Expo (FCExpo) next year by hosting an Innovation Trail.

Profits declined at flooring giant Amtico last year as it absorbed rising costs and upped its warranty provision in relation to a discontinued product line.

Flooring distributor Kellars has expanded its distribution network with the buyout of an independent South Wales supplier.

The joint venture that acquired Sealy U.K. three years ago has taken total investment in the Cumbria bed maker to approaching ten times the initial outlay that was made to buy the operation off Silentnight Group.

Fleur Carson has been promoted to U.K. managing director at Karndean Designflooring. She succeeds Paul Barratt, who has decided to step down after 11 years in the role at the luxury vinyl tile supplier.

Gross margin tumbled at Swoon last year as the ecommerce-led furniture brand faced up to weaker customer demand along with rising product and freight costs.

Tempur U.K. achieved record sales in 2022 after flat wholesale revenue was buoyed by an increase in the performance of its own-showroom network.

More furniture and flooring industry companies filed for insolvency in the third quarter of this year than in the first three quarters of 2021 combined as tough trading across the sector led to record corporate imperilment.

West Midlands sofa manufacturer Ashley Manor Upholstery more than halved its net loss last year after a large reduction in sales costs.

The Vita Group, the diversified industrial giant that produces block foam, finished mattresses and flooring underlay, has appointed Omar Hoek as its new chief executive.

The market cap of flooring roll-up Victoria dropped by more than £67 million in a single day on Tuesday in what proved a rough day all round for floorcoverings conglomerates.

Upholstered furniture vertical Sofa.com has reached out to apologise and reassure customers amid delivery issues brought about by a warehouse move and switch to a new logistics partner.

Beds and sofas group Airsprung has consolidated production after moving its Cavendish Upholstery manufacturing operations to its Trowbridge headquarters.

Halo Creative & Design, the circa £150 million turnover international furniture group, has increased its equity position in South East sofa manufacturer Dudgeon.

A two-store furniture retailer has settled with Core Products after it was accused of copying several of the Scottish cabinet supplier's designs.

Swedish kitchen giant Nobia has finalised the sale of its freehold manufacturing property in Dewsbury in an all-cash deal worth £13.6 million.

Wider gross margin helped mitigate a sharp fall in sales for upholstery vertical Natuzzi in the second quarter as revenue fell at a steeper rate than in the first.

Trade association British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM) has opened the entry process for its second Future of Furniture Awards, celebrating education and sustainability across the industry.

Sofa manufacturer and wholesaler Scan-Thors (U.K.) returned to profit last year after a decision to bring more of its production in house yielded big margin improvements.

Flooring conglomerate Victoria moved to reassure shareholders on Friday after what it described as the "considerable reaction" to its auditor offering a qualified opinion on its 2022/23 results, a consequence of incomplete accounting records at a subsidiary called Hanover Flooring.

Roy Povey, one of several former Headlam executives who helped established challenger flooring supply group Likewise five years ago, is to stand down as chief financial officer.

Peter Kelsey, md of Chesterfield-based Designer Contracts, has been made a patron of North Derbyshire’s Ashgate Hospice, in recognition of the floorcoverings supplier's longstanding support for the charity.

The co-founder of Anti Copying In Design (ACID) says there is still much to be done to "change the pervading culture of design theft" as the organisation celebrates its 25th anniversary.

The owner of adjustable beds and riser chair maker Sitting Pretty had its business recapitalised last year in a transaction that vaporised £11 million of debt.

Narrower gross margin and lower output saw furniture importer and wholesaler Annaghmore Agencies record a loss last year against a backdrop of challenging conditions.

A Somerset based group whose activities span mattress production to the sale of bedroom cabinet furniture via online marketplaces booked a loss last year after sterling dropped in the aftermath of "the disastrous mini-Budget."

The Swedish investment company that acquired Julian Bowen in 2021 collected bumper dividends from the wholesaler last year, as it delivered profits that remained class-leading albeit down on a pro-rata basis.

The group behind North West manufacturer and flooring insurance claims handler Cavalier Carpets found earnings growth last year despite lower revenue.

Flooring distributor STS says the second half of 2023 has got off to a promising start after a softer trading period stymied efforts to hit targets earlier this year.

Imports volumes across key case goods categories climbed for the first time in well over a year at the height of summer, driven largely by lower prices.

Mattress imports returned to growth in July with the product category on track for a new record high over the course of a full year despite inconsistent figures through 2023 so far.

The Furniture Makers’ Company has unveiled the logo for MyFurnitureCareer.org.uk, the new early careers website launching later this month.

Weak figures from key European source markets sent sofa imports to an eighth consecutive year-on-slide in July. Chinese imports also fell, but at a shallower rate.

Aquafil, the world's largest supplier of textile flooring yarn, is planning to close its Scottish carpet yarn facility with the expected loss of more than 30 jobs.

Carpet imports returned to negative year-on-year territory in July after a rare increase at the start of the summer proved to be just a blip.

The upstream mattress and upholstery supply chain has limited bad debt exposure following the reorganisation at the motion furniture group behind the MiBed and Hestia brands, according to new statutory filings.

U.K. factory gate furniture turnover declined at its sharpest rate in 29 months in July but the Office for National Statistic (ONS) says the previous three months were not as bad as originally reported.

H.I.G. European Capital Partners (H.I.G.) has launched a takeover approach for delivery and logistics company DX (Group), one of the largest operators in U.K. furniture and beds fulfilment.

Two furniture industry organisations have teamed to launch a free service that will support furniture and furnishing businesses in closing their skills gaps and recruiting new apprentices.

Post-pandemic revenue recovered for the U.K. arm of high-end Italian furniture maker Poltrona Frau but higher costs weighed on the bottom line.

Bluebone Imports worked down stock levels and rebuilt its balance sheet though 2022/23 ahead of it bringing back a popular brand to the U.K. market this autumn.

Panther Logistics' revenue passed nine figures for the first time last year as the warehousing and two-person delivery company profitably onboarded a series of new customers.

Alessi, the Italian designer homeware company, saw revenue drop back at its wholly-owned U.K. operation in 2022. Sales still remained ahead of the preceding seven years.


Turnover was down 12 percent to £4.26 million at Alessi (U.K). in the 12 months to December 31, 2022, with the business unit delivering profits down 5.7 percent to £78,693.

_____
Alessi (U.K) revenue: 2013–2022 (£m)


Alessi uk sales550

The Italian company's products are sold via its own channels as well as through third parties spanning department store retailer John Lewis to design retailers including Heal's and SCP.


Net assets for the U.K. subsidiary increased to £1.12 million (2021: £1.05m), which largely reflects £1.3 million of historic shareholder equity funding.

The U.S. ready-to-assemble cabinet maker that owns brands including Eden Bridge Designs says it plans to cease operations at its dedicated U.K. subsidiary company.

Lancashire fitted furniture manufacturer J&J Ormerod (JJO) agreed a new multi-million credit facility last year as it continued to fund the purchase of a majority stake in the business by its employees in 2021.

Flooring giant Headlam last Wednesday completed the second of two under-the-radar summer acquisitions as the Midlands wholesale giant continues to bolster its distribution network.

The West Midlands manufacturer behind the adjustable beds and upholstery brands MiBed and Hestia has effected a second corporate restructure inside a little over a year in a move owners say will lead to lower prices.

Three well-known kitchen and tableware brands operated by a Derbyshire supplier that historically generated annual sales of close to £10 million have been rescued via an insolvent buyout.

West Yorkshire bed manufacturer Jay-be is to ramp up its international aspirations after securing a £2.5 million funding package, guaranteed by the U.K. Government's export credit agency.

Experienced kitchen industry executive Damian Sheridan has joined Wren Kitchens in a newly-created role aimed at galvanising its launch into the developer and house builder market.

Tufted and woven carpet exports from Belgium, Europe's largest carpet manufacturing nation, dropped last year as the Netherlands, its biggest rival and near-neighbour, made gains.

Foam company Orsa Foam, a key supplier of semi-finished products for both the mattress and upholstered furniture sectors, is buying out its joint venture partner.

Upholstered furniture giant Ekornes booked higher year-on-year revenue in the U.K. and Ireland in the second quarter of 2023 as it recovered from a slow start to the year.

West Midlands importer and wholesaler Heartlands Furniture built inventory to never-before seen levels last year amid industry-wide stock accumulation.

The South Wales group that rescued Midlands kitchen manufacturer Mereway last week did so through a new corporate entity.

A freight forwarder later named one of the largest unsecured creditors of Kettle Interiors U.K. had become its landlord three months before the furniture wholesaler's insolvent restructure earlier this year.

BeA Group U.K. has become the second headline sponsor of Furniture Component Expo, the new trade show taking place next spring.

Restructuring advisors have been called in at Bridstock Gate, the bedding suppler that trades as Portfolio Home, after the company was hit by a downturn in trade.

Underlay supplier Ball & Young found top line growth last year saying new customers came aboard as specifiers and consumers are increasingly demanding real sustainability that goes beyond fine words and hopeful claims.

Wallpaper company Graham & Brown has begun a consultation with employees after proposing to close a manufacturing facility in Blackburn, the Lancashire town where it was founded in 1946.

A second former colleague of CEO Rachael Nevins has taken a senior C-suite post at Westbridge and Tetrad owner Belfield amid a number of structural and functional changes at the private equity backed upholstery and soft furnishings group.

Aspire Furniture, the Leeds manufacturer and distributor of beds and mattresses, has named Charlie Oulton as non-executive chair.

Half-year living, dining and bedroom cabinet imports declined by more than a third after falling in every single month of 2023 so far.

The market capitalisation of flooring conglomerate Victoria dropped by nearly £53 million on Tuesday after the company said its auditors have requested further time to complete their final audit procedures.

The value and volume of carpet imports into the U.K. advanced for the first time so far this year in June, but the improvement was not enough to eliminate the decline in first half trade.

A combination of weak demand and key stakeholders working stock levels back to historic norms meant sofa imports dropped by almost a quarter in the first half of 2023.

The value of half-year mattress imports into the U.K. have climbed on the back of above-inflation growth from Romania and Turkey, making up for weakness from other historic trading partners.

U.K. furniture manufacturers' turnover declined for the fourth month in the past five in June and at its steepest rate since the start of 2021.

The cabinet furniture manufacturing and wholesale giant behind businesses ranging from Lacquer Craft and Universal through to Legacy Classic has issued a profits warning.

Higher sales, business model adjustments and restructuring helped Furniture Wholesale Group reverse the effects of the most challenging year in its history.

Chinese conglomerate Aosom Ecommerce has pumped millions of pounds into its circa £200 million turnover U.K. furniture and home goods web operation as part of a recapitalisation.

Adjusted profits jumped double digit for Karndean last year as the luxury vinyl tile (LVT) floorcoverings supplier found revenue growth across world markets.

Sanderson Design Group has cut costs after the multi-faceted fabrics and furnishings supplier took steps to streamline its U.K. support function.

Carpet Recycling U.K. (CRUK) has become the sixth trade association from the furniture and furnishings sector to become a member of the British Furniture Confederation (BFC), the organisation which liaises with, and lobbies, Government on behalf of the industry.

National flooring supplier Designer Contracts has moved into larger office premises in Yorkshire to accommodate growth and future proof its operations in the area.

GNG Group has launched a mattress programme that brings benefits to the consumer market derived from its experience of supplying the National Health Service (NHS).

Stakeholders including furniture retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers are being encouraged to provide their views on a proposed new approach to the fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture and furnishings.

Lower demand for U.K. made goods from Ireland, particularly mattresses, hit furniture exports ahead of the summer, according to new data. Upholstery exports held up stronger.

Donna Bellingham has returned to the furniture industry after being appointed chief executive at heritage Yorkshire furniture manufacturer Shackletons.

Sales of bedding products fell sharply for mattress components company Leggett & Platt in the second quarter with the key cog in the manufacturing supply chain citing weak consumer demand.

A company voluntary arrangement (CVA) has lightened the debt burden for a South London based interior design company after it accumulated six-figure tax liabilities.

A container haulage company with depots across the East of England was placed into administration on Friday after a financial creditor called in its debt.

Imports of wood living, dining and bedroom cabinet furniture declined for a sixth straight month by value in May on weak data from the Far East.

A furniture and bulky goods delivery company describing itself as the most sustainable forward-thinking two-person delivery company in the U.K. has filed for insolvency.

Flooring wholesale giant Headlam Group found more growth from white collar retail buyers than white van man fitters in the first half but still warned on profits after citing weaker than forecast residential volumes.

Profit growth returned for the U.K. dropshipping company behind the Artisan Furniture and PD Global brands in the past year.

The volume and value of carpets imported into the U.K. declined for the fifth consecutive month in May after a further decline from Belgian producers.

A near year-long slide in the number of sofa units arriving at U.K. ports came to an end in May after an increase in container loads of goods arriving here from China.

High-end Italian furniture company Calligaris has recapitalised a U.K. subsidiary in a move that, all other things being equal, repairs its balance sheet.

Stakeholders in the regional retail, wholesale and contracting company behind the Tile & Floor brand in Bath have completed an insolvent restructure that saves jobs but compromises creditors.

Kitchenware supplier Sabichi Homewares claimed market share gains last year but higher costs meant profits declined.

Cousins Olivier and Antoine Roset have succeeded their respective fathers Michel and Pierre Roset as co-CEOs of Ligne Roset as the high-end furniture company enters a new phase in its near 100-year long history.

Fabrics and window dressings retailer and distributor Terrys cut costs and made business model adjustments as it mitigated a market downturn in the second half of last year.



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