NetInfinity fund furniture show success

Furniture West Midlands

NetInfinity has supported the success of Furniture West Midlands (FWM) at Europe’s biggest interiors trade show, The International Furniture Show 2006, staged at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC) earlier this year.

FWM attracted extensive global attention with their range of contemporary, conceptual and iconic furniture designs.  

Through the support of NetInfinity by Advantage West Midlands (AWM) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), talented local design companies were selected to exhibit a range of furniture targeted at highly influential, independent and multiple interior retailers, and contract buyers. 

FWM’s objective for the Furniture Show was to demonstrate that it is innovative, inspirational and design-led and to be seen as the champions of the furniture industry within the West Midlands. The four day show provided a platform for this goal both visually and practically.

The 2006 event helped to bring collaboration between business activity areas through the funding that FWM has received. This funding will allow FWM to help to set and develop policy and to enhance business activities in areas such as design, marketing, training and recruitment until 2008. 

Gerry Logue, FWM Chairman, speaking at the time said: “The 2006 Design Selection represents the diverse design and manufacturing talent that exists and continues to evolve in the West Midlands. The many companies involved with FWM consistently challenge every day furniture design by creating trends, developing concepts and ultimately helping to steer UK furniture design. This collection will change the image of our industry both in Britain and internationally.”

The designs chosen for display at the show went through a selection process in front of a panel. Five of the companies developed a new design or prototype specifically for the show. One company, whose core business is bespoke furniture using traditional techniques, developed a contemporary wardrobe especially for the show while an enterprising component manufacturer worked with a freelance designer to develop a new range of contract furniture to launch at the show.

“The 2006 show has given us huge encouragement with FWM receiving interest from established retailers, architects and design buyers from the UK and abroad.  Many West Midlands furniture companies enquired about joining FWM and interest from independent design businesses was also high. The reaction we had and the interest received has provided us with the belief and support to take FWM still further as an organisation created and run by the West Midlands Furniture industry. We have seen exactly how much can be done by joining forces and providing a window for our members.”   Mike Barton, Advantage West Midlands

Furniture West Midlands’ review of the Furniture Show 2006 has been extremely positive for the group. A diverse range of visitors was recorded, including many from Europe and further a field. The interest not only lay in the 2006 Design Selection that was being launched but also in FWM as a dynamic organization for the industry. Members of FWM were available throughout the show to answer questions, discuss specific areas of interest and above all emphasize the true passion for furniture design and manufacture that lies at the heart of Furniture West Midlands.

 

www.furniturewestmidlands.co.uk

'design and innovation at the heart of British manufacturing’