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Increasing Competitiveness of the Furniture Industry by Use of Enterprise Modelling and Performance Optimisation

Competitive advantage and sustainability for furniture manufacturers requires that they are competitive in many areas. One sector in which furniture manufacturers and allied industries in the UK and the EU can compete effectively with low wage economies is the Make-To-Order and Engineer to order sector.

Virtual furniture could make real money

The concept of virtual worlds is becoming an increasing reality. Many large commercial organisations are becoming actively involved in virtual communities such as "Second Life". They are not doing this for fun, but feel that these worlds present real business opportunities, an issue recently debated on the BBC's Money Programme. This article summarises virtual worlds and identifies some of the potential opportunities - if only we are brave enough to embrace what, on the surface, seems slightly ridiculous.

Standardisation of electronic communications within the furniture manufacturing industry

Electronic communication software is more prevalent than ever within today’s increasingly global furniture supply chain. Without doubt, these systems enhance efficiency and improve competitiveness. They can however, create confusion as different systems attempt to “talk to each other” whilst not necessarily using the exact same language. INNOVAFUN, a European wide collaborative project, aims to advance the use of the new FunStep standard (ISO 10303-236) for electronic communications in the furniture industry so that these problems can be eradicated.

The lean office

'Lean' is normally associated with process improvements and waste elimination on a shop floor level. However, for an organisation to be truly lean, the administration processes must also be given an overhaul. Failure to apply the same techniques to the office activities as have already been applied to shop floor operations can easily result in stalled or regressed factory initiatives

World class performance measurement

Making improvements through the implementation of lean manufacturing and operations relies on the ability to measure performance. It is important to be able to measure both before and after any activities as this provides tangible evidence of the impact that these activities will have on the business. This article is a simple, beginners guide to performance measurement

Lean operations – a case study at Wesley-Barrell

Ukfirst master engineers work with Wesley-Barrell on the development of lean processes to enable companies to develop ways to become more competitive by working with the people who know it best – the employees

Advanced communication - a revolution in after sales service

FIRA’s after sales service provider ‘Service Technicians’ has the facilities to handle all complaints relating to furniture, including upholstery (fabric & leather) cabinet and beds over the internet, guaranteeing to help relieve pressures and significantly reduce administration workloads. As a single service provider there is an ease of communication compared to using many subcontractors or other parties. This, combined with the extensive up to date technology employed, means FIRA has become the leader in using advanced communication systems in its service provision.

Using after sales service to reduce costs and save time

All too often the easy solution for maximising customer satisfaction is to respond to a complaint by offering a replacement. Outsourcing customer complaints and after sales service is much more efficient and cost effective. The service is designed around the concept that large cost savings will accrue if a customer can be persuaded to keep a product that is subject to complaint in the home rather than replacing it, or offering a refund.

The fabric to furniture supply chain

The fabric to furniture supply chain project will review the supply of fabric within four furniture supply chains. It aims to examine and identify the measues, relations and practices employed within and across these supply chains.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the furniture sector

Improve the way that you do business by assessing your performance on environmental, social and economic issues.

Eco-label for furniture

An update on the development of an eco-label for furniture, a European Commission project.

The Furniture Industry Environmental Committee

FIRA chair the Furniture Industry Environment Committee. Find out the workings of the committee and the benefits to the industry

What is lean?

Lean is the antidote to waste and is about doing more with less. It makes work more satisfying and generates immediate feedback. As opposed to re-engineering and restructuring (with the inevitable job losses which have been so popular in some sectors of commerce and industry) lean provides a way to create new work.

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