Mission statement“To represent the membership, safeguard its interests and promote the standards and competitiveness, both nationally and internationally, in conjunction with the provision of services which have an impact on members’ businesses.“

Customs Duty Advisory ServiceFew companies are aware that certain components can be imported at no duty or reduced duty – if you only know how to take advantage of the various cost reduction schemes operated by HMC&E.

Key Facts:

Components and fabrics can attract rates of duty between 2% and 15%. Once the BFM scheme has been implemented this will be reduced to 0%.BFM member companies can testify to significant savings, in most cases amounting to thousands of pounds per annum.There is no cost for the advice received and a one-off fee is charged in the order of 30% of any savings made over the initial 12-month period.

British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM) is a trade association and employers’ organisation and has been representing the interests of the furniture industry for more than 50 years.

BFM has a broad-based membership covering manufacturers of domestic furniture, contract furniture, office furniture, beds and kitchens, as well as designer makers. Associate members include suppliers to the industry and retailers.

BFM has compiled a portfolio of services that is available to our

members and designed to impact upon businesses in five key areas.

This guide has been produced to offer prospective members an insight into the workings of BFM; who we are, what we do, how we assist the industry and most importantly, how we support our members.

The last five years have seen a shift in our perspective. We are proactive in our approach, operate as a commercial entity and the portfolio of services that we provide our members is key to their development and success.

We hope that you decide to take advantage of the opportunities that exist with BFM.

BFM’s portfolio of services focuses on five areas:

Reducing operating costsLegal compliance

RepresentationBusiness supportSales & marketing

introduction

Preferential Purchasing SchemesBFM has negotiated exceptionally good prices for a number of products and services. These prices are exclusive to BFM mem-bers.

Key Costs:

Insurance incl. employers’ liability insuranceDiesel fuelDiesel bulkGas oil (heating oil)Energy brokerage service – including gas, electricity and waterTelephones – including line rental, calls and mobile phone agreements

Climate Change Levy Rebate SchemeThe Climate Change Levy (CCL) levy is applied to all energy use and typically adds around 10%-15% to the cost for a furniture manufacturing company. BFM has developed an agreement with the government specific to the furniture industry and avail-able only through BFM.

Key Facts:

A rebate of 80% of the levy can be claimed by companies with coating operations which use solvent either in solvent borne or water borne coatings (the latter normally contain 5-10% solvent). This is not a one-off saving but one that continues each year and the scheme is set to last until at least 2010.The scheme can generate significant savings running into thousands of pounds per annum for an annual registration fee of just £500.For example, if you spend £30,000 per annum on energy (gas/electricity) and have a coating shop you are likely to be able to save around £2,000 pa (after paying the registration fee).

BFM Health & Safety SchemeAll members have the opportunity to join the ‘BFM Health and Safety Scheme’:

Key Facts:

Accredited by the Association of British Insurers (ABI)ABI has issued the details of the scheme to all itsmembers.ABI says that insurers will view members of BFM scheme more favourably than those who do not join.Thousands of pounds saved for BFM members every year.

reducing operating costs

legal complianceHealth, Safety & EnvironmentBFM has introduced a number of health, safety and environ-mental services to help member companies meet their legal obligations and provide a safer working environment for their employees.

Key Services:

Site surveys – advice on legal compliance, risk assess-ments and best practice.Monitoring – dust, noise, LEV’s Waste minimisationAdvice lineTrainingRegular updates and supportAssisted applications for government funded supportBenchmarking best practice

Environmental issues are moving up the business agenda and legal controls are imposed upon such areas as:

Solvent useWood dust extractionPackagingWaste managementContaminated landNuisance issuesEffluent disposal

All services are carried out by our industry-specific consultant.

British Standards & Product Support

The BFM technical consultant, covering all aspects of furniture manufacturing, is available, free of charge to members.

Key Facts:

BFM offers representation for the furniture industry on all relevant, national, European and international standards committees. BFM ensures that the industry has an authoritative voice on technical matters with government departments, in the media and the trade press.BFM will also assist with the implementation of ISO 14001 and BS 8555 (standards for environ-mental management.

representation

The National Labour AgreementBFM and the GMB steward the National Labour Agreement (NLA) for the furniture industry. Every year, we negotiate on wages and conditions. The NLA is only avail-able to BFM members and is used for both benchmarking and conciliation.

Representatives from member companies are able to sit on the negotiating com-mittee and also be involved in the consultation process on the annual review.

Membership of UEA CBI BFC FFINTOAs a member of the European Federation (UEA), the CBI, the British Furniture Confeder-ation (BFC) and consortia member of Furniture, Furnishings & Interior Training Organisa-tion (FFINTO), BFM is able to represent and present the views of its’ members and the furniture industry with a strong voice.

It is able to address many critical issues on behalf of members at government and Eu-ropean levels, including: Environment, Health & safety, Technical, Training, Employment law.

All Party Furniture Industry Parliamentary Group

BFM has been instrumental in the formation of the “All Party Furniture Industry Parliamentary Group”. Formed in 2006, the group exists to highlight to MP’s and Lords specific issues that are affecting the industry.

BFM Management Development Group

The BFM Management Development Group exists to broaden the managerial skills of young managers by introducing them to disciplines and experiences, which they may not have previ-ously encountered. Membership is aimed at professionals aged between 25 and 40 who are the future of the industry.

The group provides a network for members within the industry and activities include:

• Benchmarking• Industry and Consumer Trends• Finance and accounting practices• Legal and Human Resources trends and legislation• Design and product development• Annual overseas mission• Marketing, brand management and advertising

business supportEmployment & PersonnelBFM offers extensive employment & personnel services, providing you with solutions and offering support on all aspects of industrial relations, including:

Key Services:

• Employment documentation audit and drafting• Advice line• On-site support• Tribunal Representation• Direct Assistance with negotiations• Access to our employment website• Monthly employment updates• Absenteeism control and monitoring packs

Business Support Legal HelplineThe ‘BFM Business Support Legal Help-line’ is avail-able by telephone and free of charge to members. The service is available from 8am – 6pm, Monday to Friday and you can speak to qualified solicitors for advice when you need it.

The legal help line provides answers and solutions to queries on:

TaxVATPAYE & payrollCommercial legal

Credit searchThe ‘BFM Credit Search’ is available to members to provide a fast company search and information service. Services range from full company reports to abbreviated snapshot reports for companies in the UK and overseas information is usually faxed to you within 15 minutes.

The BFM Knowledge Centre

BFM holds significant information and knowledge, built up in our fifty plus years of operating. Members are kept fully updated with industry information to help in the development of business strategies. Much of the information that we hold is exclusive to BFM members.

Key Information:

• Overseas market reports• Import and export statistics• ‘State of Trade’ survey• Buyers and agents lists• National Labour Agreement• Wages survey

London Fabric

BFM organises the London Fabric Show, for the benefit of mem-bers.

Key Facts:

London Fabric is the UK’s only manufacturer’s show of furnishing fabrics. It gathers weavers from around the world and is aimed at upholstery manufacturers, curtain fabric buyers, wholesalers and fabric houses, as well as large retailers and contract specifiers.

London Fabric takes place yearly in February at Earls Court, London. New designs are showcased from suppliers from the UK, continental Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Design Protection

BFM operates a low cost Design Registration Scheme.

Key Facts:

Members are able to register furniture designsThis will provide reliable evidence establishing that a product existed on a given date. The registration fee (per design) is £10 plus VAT

Logo

Key Facts:

Members are free to use the BFM logo on all company mar-keting and sales literatureProvides recognition of UK manufactured productsOffers further credibility for your companyThis is a powerful symbol, statement of pride and quality

www.bfm.org.ukKey Facts:

www.bfm.org.uk has a tremendous profi le on the internet 700 visitors to the site every day – both trade and consumerFree entry in the ‘Directory of Members’ – including product images Links to your own website Members can testify to a signifi cant increase in activity on their own sites via www.bfm.org.ukSales via the website total hundreds of thousands of pounds

Website content includes:

Brand new Consumer Section – including ‘Why buy British?’Directory of members – for trade and consumers to source productsNews & EventsInformation and statistics‘BFM Industry Forum’Member-only information:

Employment documentationThe National Labour AgreementAnnual wages surveyState of trade survey - 4-monthlyAnnual profi t and costs survey

Business Enquiries & Sales Leads

Key Facts:

BFM receives countless enquiries and sales contacts from within the UK and abroadThese enquiries are passed on to membersBFM helps to generate millions of pounds for member com-panies every yearRecent enquiries include:

the procurement offi ce of The British Embassy in Brussels seeks UK upholstery manufacturersSouth Korean retailer seeks manufacturers of oak furnitureJapanese retailer seeks UK bed manufacturerRussian hotel company seeks supplier of furnitureretailer in Kent seeks manufacturer of mahogany tables

‘Update’

‘Update’ is sent to the membership fortnightly. It is used to for-ward enquiries and information that BFM receives.

Categories include:

Industry and internet newsExport informationExhibitions and eventsUK & export sales leadsHealth, safety & environmental newsSuppliers news & offersAgent enquiriesBSI Standards

By simply ticking the relevant box and returning, further informa-tion relating to the enquiry will be forwarded to you.

ExportsBFM is committed to reducing the trade defi cit in the furniture industry. This means not only promoting British furniture within the UK but also around the world. Through our network of For-eign and Commonwealth Offi ce contacts, built up over 25 years, we are able to co-ordinate events aimed at increasing export sales for our members.

Key services:

Co-ordination of British groups at overseas furniture trade fairsOutward trade missions to furniture markets, which have been identifi ed as growing or lucrative.Overseas market reportsInward missions – inviting foreign buyers to BritainAdvice and solutions on export issues, agents or shows

sales & marketing

publication

BFM head offi ce

Wycombe House9 Amersham HillHigh WycombeBucksHP13 6NR

Tel 01494 523 021Fax 01494 474 270Email: info@bfm.org.uk

www.bfm.org.uk

Furniture Times

The BFM’s quarterly newsletter keeps the industy up to date with the latest news,events and key issues.