The Furniture Makers’ Company, the furnishing industry’s charity, has announced that for the fist time ever it will be accepting entries for its prestigious Sustainability Award from all UK furnishings manufacturers.

Now in its fourth year, the Sustainability Award recognises improvements in sustainability in relation to manufacturing of furniture and furnishings.

Previously restricted to Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP) members, The Furniture Makers’ Company is inviting entries from all UK manufacturers, including furnishing companies such as fabrics and flooring as well as furniture.

The annual award considers all aspects of how a business is operated – waste and energy management, design process, product improvements, packaging, transportation, procurement, end of life management, client relationships, supplier management, employee engagement and corporate social responsibility.

The Furniture Makers’ Company Sustainability Award is based on the foundation provided by FISP, administered by the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA).

Previous winners include Hypnos Beds, Premiere Kitchens and Senator International.

Paul von der Heyde, chairman of the Manufacturing Guild Mark Committee, says: “The goal of the Sustainability Award is to recognise and champion companies determined to leave a fine legacy to future generations. We believe that by extending entries to all UK manufacturers we will be achieving our ambition.”

UK companies are invited to submit case studies for consideration by a panel of judges who will select the manufacturer deemed to have made the best contribution to sustainable manufacturing in the previous year. The size of the business concerned will be taken into
account so that the relative importance of their progress can be measured to equalise opportunities.