With the country moving from the credit crunch to seemingly full blown recession, it is vital for businesses to keep their customers happy, and what better way to do this than to give them what they want.
This year’s National Furniture Conference will explore this crucial area, focusing on all parts of the supply chain, from manufacturers and suppliers through to retailers, specifiers, architects and domestic consumers. All are buyers, and all need confidence and reassurance in these tough times.
An impressive range of speakers from backgrounds representing each sector will give presentations based on their area of expertise, and after lunch a selection of workshops designed to complement the topics discussed.
Andrew Croston , Senior Procurement Manager, London 2012;
The London 2012 Olympics promises to be the greenest Olympics ever.
Delivering the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will require the procurement of goods, works and services from an enormous range of firms. It is expected that around 7,000 direct contracts will be awarded which, together with the suppliers, will form supply chains of around 75,000 opportunities.
They range from construction, engineering and manufacturing to creative, merchandising and retail. London 2012 will directly buy and manage a comparatively small number of contracts with tier one suppliers or contractors. Most of the opportunities for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are likely to come from further down the supply chains.
Greg South, Head of Operations, Consumer Direct (part of the Office of Fair Trading);
Greg will be talking about what consumers expect from furniture and the service.
Consumer Direct is the government-funded telephone and online service offering information and advice on consumer issues. Consumer Direct is funded by the Office of Fair Trading and delivered in partnership with Local Authority Trading Standards Services. Consumer Direct provide clear, practical, impartial advice to help consumer sort out problems and disagreements they may be having with suppliers of goods or services.
Mark Draper of Amaryllis, who was responsible for FF&E at Heathrow Terminal 5;
Mark will talk about the recent fit out of Heathrow Terminal 5 undertaken by Amaryllis and the demands this places on suppliers.
Amaryllis is the first specialist Furniture, Fittings and Equipment management and service organisation of its kind in the UK. It provides a complete suite of service solutions to its clients including design, space planning, project management, fit out, renovation and repair.
Nick Hill, Technical and Sourcing Manager, Marks and Spencer;
Nick will be talking about what he expects his furniture suppliers to achieve in terms of product quality, delivery and environmental performance.
Marks & Spencer is a British retail institution and needs no introduction.
Iain will focus on what a retailer wants from a buyer.
Operating from its 120,000 sq ft factory in Lancing West Sussex, Manhattan has supplied kitchens to the UK's leading developers for more than 40 years. During this time it has developed a reputation for developing products of the highest quality, supported by a high level of personalised service. Manhattan has achieved the FIRA Gold Award both for kitchen products and its installation service.
This one day event has been moved from its home of the past three years, the Heritage Motor Museum, to an exciting new venue, the National Space Centre in Leicester, and will be on Wednesday 26 November 2008. The main auditorium has a capacity of 160, and resembles a planetarium; presentations will be projected on to the wall at a size of 6m x 6m. Each seat has a keypad in the armrest, allowing delegates to vote interactively, with results shown instantaneously. Delegates will also be able to explore the universe during the day, courtesy of the fascinating exhibits on display at the venue, which even includes astronaut training!
This special event is FREE to FIRA members, £100 for non-FIRA members, and £50 for additional attendees, and lunch and refreshments are provided.
To book your place, please telephone Chris Winsor on 01438 777700, or email
* Includes The Furniture Ombudsman, Club Green and FISP members and Service Technician clients.
