The Furniture Show at May Design Series, organised by UBM Live Built Environment, is collaborating with the Spanish association of furniture manufacturers and exporters, Anieme, to help connect the association's members with key furniture agents in the UK.

Together, UBM and Anieme will facilitate a recruitment event at UBM’s headquarters in London on November 12th in order for this non-profit trade association to meet with UK agents. UBM is already accomplished at making these introductions, with success stories such as the introduction of leading Spanish upholstery manufacturer Pedro Ortiz to The Easy Chair Company.

Jason Tuck, MD of The Easy Chair Company, says: “I have worked closely with the team at UBM for the last 15 years, so they knew I was looking for new international manufacturers to represent in the UK. They introduced me to Pedro Ortiz, a leading Spanish upholstery manufacturer, in April 2013, and we have since gone from strength to strength. We were delighted with the response at the Furniture Show at May Design Series. I think it’s great that UBM have relationships and are working together with international furniture associations and their members to improve furniture imports and exports to and from the UK.”

Inmaculada Rey, director at Anieme, says of the partnership: “We are delighted to be collaborating with UBM and the Furniture Show at May Design Series. The UK is an important market for us to be operating in and we’re pleased to be working with an industry-leading show such as May Design Series to meet the necessary and relevant contacts. We hope to be showcasing a selective range of new products and brands from Mueble De Espana that have never been seen in the UK before.”

Suzie Ager, brand director of the Furniture Show at May Design Series, adds: “This is what our event is all about – connecting the industry with relevant business contacts and opportunities while bringing innovative, new international brands to the forefront of the UK market – certain to benefit lots of stakeholders, exhibitors looking to export and visitors.”

Established UK agents looking to represent international brands should contact sales director Oonagh Colligan on 0207 955 3927 to find out more about the November open day.

May Design Series is forging relationships with many other international associations including AIMMP (Association of Wood and Furniture Industries) of Portugal, APMR (the Romanian Furniture Manufacturers' Association), BCWFI (the Bulgarian Branch Chamber of Woodworking and Furniture Industry), the EFEC [Egyptian Furniture Export Council] and AIPI [Portuguese Lighting Industry Association].