Jacuzzi
Results: UK Bath Division Weakest Link
Jacuzzi
Brands, Inc. announced on December 12th operating results for the fourth
quarter and fiscal year ended September 30th, 2005. Net sales for the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 were $293.3m compared to $308.5m for the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2004. Operating income in the fourth quarter
of 2005 was $17.1m compared to operating income of $37.8m in the fourth
quarter of 2004.
Plumbing Products sales increased 17.6% over the fourth quarter of fiscal
2004, offsetting a 2.9% decline in Bath Products sales from the prior
year period.
Rexair, Inc. contributed no sales in the fiscal 2005 fourth quarter as
compared to $24.1 million of sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004.
As previously announced, the Company completed the sale of Rexair on June
30th, 2005. The Company currently holds an approximately 30% equity interest
in Rexair's new parent company, which is accounted for under the equity
method. As a result of this continuing investment, Rexair is not being
accounted for as a discontinued operation.
Operating income for the fourth quarter in the Plumbing Products segment
rose 36.9% over the comparable prior year period, while operating income
in the Bath Products segment declined 62.7%. Total operating income in
the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 included restructuring charges of $5.8
million, while total operating income in the fourth quarter of 2004 included
restructuring charges of $1.4 million. Fiscal 2004 fourth quarter results
included Rexair operating income of $7.1 million. The equity income associated
with the retained investment in Rexair's new parent company of $0.6 million
in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 was included in other income (expense),
net.
Earnings
from continuing operations in the fiscal 2005 fourth quarter of $4.9 million,
or $0.06 per share, included after-tax restructuring charges of $3.2 million,
or $0.04 per share, and after-tax equity earnings in Rexair of $0.3 million.
Earnings from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004
were $15.0 million, or $0.20 per share, and included after-tax restructuring
charges of $0.9 million, or $0.01 per share. Fiscal 2004 fourth quarter
results also benefited from Rexair's operating income of $0.06 per share.
Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 of $2.3 million, or $0.03
per share included a loss from discontinued operations of $2.6 million,
or $0.03 per share. Net earnings for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004
of $5.4 million, or $0.07 per share, included a loss from discontinued
operations of $9.6 million, or $0.13 per share.
Bath Products
Sales decreased $5.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 from
the same period in fiscal 2004. Bath sales benefited from higher product
pricing initiated to help offset higher raw material costs. However, these
higher prices were not enough to offset the reduced volume, primarily
in our U.K. market. Sales in the U.K., the Company's largest market outside
the U.S., declined by 24% in local currency as the slow down in the U.K.
market, which began in the second quarter of fiscal 2005, continued through
the end of the fourth quarter. As retail sales in the U.K. have declined,
customers have reacted by reducing their inventory levels as they wait
for a consumer rebound. Sales were also negatively impacted by $0.5 million
in foreign currency fluctuations.
Operating income declined to $6.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal
2005 from $18.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004. Operating
income was negatively impacted by the lower volume in the U.K. market
and unfavourable sales mix in the Italian market. In addition, increased
advertising, display and other costs associated with the 2005 global branding
and new product introduction programme also negatively impacted earnings.
These negative results were partially offset by increased profits in the
U.S. bath business resulting primarily from cost reductions in the form
of reduced scrap. Price increases helped offset raw material cost increases
for the quarter.
Operating income in the fourth quarter of 2005 included $0.9 million of
restructuring charges compared to $1.4 million in restructuring charges
in the comparable prior year period. The 2005 charges were primarily related
to staffing reductions in the U.K. and in the domestic bath business and
other overhead reductions. The 2004 restructuring charges were primarily
related to the consolidation of administrative functions into the shared
services centre in Dallas, TX.
Plumbing
Products
The 17.6% rise in Plumbing Products sales during the fiscal 2005 fourth
quarter was driven by the continued growth in principal markets, successful
new product introductions and improved pricing.
Operating income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 increased 36.9%
from the same period last year. Strong sales volume, favourable pricing
and lower purchased parts costs resulting from new sourcing initiatives
helped offset escalating resin costs, which negatively impacted PEX margins
in the quarter.
Fiscal Year Summary
Net sales for fiscal 2005 were up slightly to $1.21 billion from $1.20
billion in fiscal 2004. A 14.6% increase in Plumbing Products sales was
partially offset by a slight decrease in Bath Products segment sales and
the absence of Rexair sales in the fiscal 2005 fourth quarter. The decrease
in the Bath Products segment resulted from the slow down in the U.K. market
and softness in the Italian bath and U.S. spa markets. Fiscal 2005 sales
in the Bath Products segment included a $13.5 million benefit from favourable
currency exchange rates. Operating income decreased from $127.2 million
in fiscal 2004 to $94.4 million in fiscal 2005, primarily as a result
of the loss in Rexair earnings in the fourth quarter of 2005 and a decrease
in Bath Products segment unit sales. The decline in Bath Products unit
sales also triggered decreases in production levels, which resulted in
the lower absorption of fixed manufacturing costs. The U.K. and Italian
bath businesses were also affected by a shift in mix to lower margin products.
Fiscal 2005 earnings from continuing operations of $0.76 per share included
a gain on the sale of Rexair of $24.7 million, or $0.32 per share, a tax
benefit of $8.8 million, or $0.12 per share, after-tax restructuring charges
of $5.3 million or $0.07 per share, and after-tax debt retirement costs
of $1.8 million or $0.02 per share. Fiscal 2004 earnings from continuing
operations of $0.64 per share included after-tax restructuring charges
of $1.7 million or $0.02 per share, after-tax note write-off of $2.5 million
or $0.03 per share, and an after-tax benefit from interest income on a
tax settlement of $1.5 million or $0.02 per share. Excluding the above
mentioned items, fiscal 2005 adjusted earnings from continuing operations
was $0.41 per share versus $0.67 per share in fiscal 2004.
Outlook
David H. Clarke, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Jacuzzi Brands,
stated, ‘I am very pleased with the decisive action which Al Marini
and our whole team have taken, since our management change in mid-August,
to restore profitability and growth at our bath business. We are off to
a good start in 2006 and I believe we will see continued growth in the
plumbing business and a significant improvement in results in the bath
operations this year.’
The Company expects to report earnings from continuing operations of $0.50
to $0.52 per share for fiscal 2006. This guidance includes a $0.07 per
share gain from the settlement of a land note in the first quarter of
fiscal 2006 less $0.01 per share of restructuring charges in fiscal 2006.
This guidance anticipates continued strong performance in our Plumbing
Products segment, increased profitability in the Bath Products segment,
reduced net interest expense and an approximate $19.0 million reduction
in operating earnings from Rexair due to the majority sale of that business.
This guidance does not include any other expenses that might be incurred
in connection with additional personnel eliminations or other measures
that might be undertaken to restructure operations and further reduce
the Company's cost structure.
Joint
MD Retires from William Ball
After
42 years in the business Bob Ball, Joint Managing Director of quality
kitchen, bedroom and study furniture manufacturer, William Ball, is to
retire.
Having lost an incredible 12 stone during 2005, Bob has now decided to
spend his retirement in sunnier climes settling in Perth, Western Australia.
Bob, has been with William Ball from its inception in 1963 and in the
last 33 years he has been Joint Managing Director of the company alongside
his brother Terry Ball. In his role Bob was responsible for overseeing
logistics and administration.
Left,
Bob Ball (before and after his amazing 12 stone weight loss) is to retire
as Joint MD of William Ball and Terry Ball (right) is to take over as
sole MD
From
January 2006, Terry Ball will take over as sole Managing Director of William
Ball.
Commenting on his brother's retirement Terry says: ‘All of us at
William Ball wish Bob and long and happy retirement and a well earned
rest! William Ball is still very much a family company, with the third
generation of Ball's now on the board of directors, and the close personal
involvement of the family has been a key strength of the business to date.
There are exciting times ahead for William Ball with new product launches
and developments afoot and we will continue to forge a path with complete
customer satisfaction in mind.’
Franke
Acquires Market Leader in Egypt
The
Franke Group has acquired majority interest in Egypt's leading sink manufacturer,
SAMI.
The Egyptian sink market is considered to be one of the biggest volume
markets in Africa and the acquisition substantially strengthens the presence
of Franke in this territory.
SAMI started as a licensee of Franke products in 1986 and mainly produces
household sinks from stainless steel with Swiss know-how and engineering.
The SAMI production plant, which is located about 30km outside Cairo,
employs around 300 people and will generate sales of approximately CHF
14 million in 2005.
A further milestone in the expansion into African markets by the Franke
Group has occurred with this acquisition in Egypt. Egypt is part of COMESA
(Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa), the most important and
most successful commercial agreement in Africa. This means that other
African markets can be directly supplied without any trade barriers.
Tel: 0161 436 6280
Email: john.swain@franke.co.uk
Web: http://www franke.co.uk
Electrolux
Decides to Close Factory in Nuremberg, Germany
After
a six-month long investigation, on December 12th Electrolux decided to
initiate closure of the appliances factory in Nuremberg, Germany.
Production will gradually be moved to Italy and Poland. Closure of the
factory is expected to be completed by the end of 2007.
'This was one of the most difficult decisions I ever experienced during
my time at Electrolux. I am aware that this decision will affect, in a
very negative way, many individuals, their families and relatives. However
we finally had to conclude that there is no way to bridge the large cost
gap that would make production in Nuremberg competitive', says Johan Bygge,
head of Electrolux Major Appliances Europe and Asia Pacific.
The factory in Nuremberg has approx. 1,750 employees. The closure of the
factory will incur a total cost of approximately SEK 2.3 billion, which
will be taken as a charge against operating income in the fourth quarter
of 2005.
Electrolux also decided to initiate an investigation about a potential
closure of the compact appliances factory in Torsvik, Sweden, which has
190 employees. The restructuring cost for a potential factory closure
will be communicated when the investigation is completed.
Web: http://www.electrolux.com
Whirlpool
Corporation announced on December 12th that it invested approximately
$250 million in its North American manufacturing base in 2005.
'We continue to strengthen and extend our manufacturing base in North
America, specifically in the U.S. and Mexico, to better improve our operating
platform and to continue to remain competitive,' said David L. Swift,
executive vice president, North American Region.'In this highly competitive
environment, it is imperative that Whirlpool looks for ways to continually
improve its operating base.'
In the last 12 months, Whirlpool has:
- Equipped and primed its Clyde, Ohio, manufacturing facility
for the production of new, top-loading clothes washer models.
- Similarly prepared its Marion, Ohio, plant to manufacture
new clothes dryer models.
- Begun production of new models and the Fast Fill water
dispenser for refrigerators/freezers in its Fort Smith, Ark., plant.
- Begun production of a new front-loading clothes washer
in its Monterrey, Mexico, facility.
- Completed construction of a new refrigerator plant in Ramos
Arizpe, Mexico, to produce side-by-side refrigerator/freezer models, beginning
in 2006 and employing 1,000 workers.
Once
the Ramos Arizpe facility is operational, approximately 730 employees
at Whirlpool's Fort Smith, Ark., plant would be part of a layoff, currently
planned for October 2006, as some models currently manufactured in Fort
Smith would be shifted to the new plant in Mexico. Whirlpool currently
anticipates that the vast majority of the layoffs will be voluntary and
many of those employees would be recalled within 18 months, as part of
the normal attrition rate at the Fort Smith facility. Since 2003, the
Fort Smith facility has hired nearly 800 new employees.
The Fort Smith plant currently employs about 4,600 workers, producing
side-by-side refrigerator/freezer models, counter-depth refrigerators
and trash compactors, as well as icemaker components.
These investments reflect the strategic role of Whirlpool's North American
manufacturing base within the company's global manufacturing and distribution
network and continue the company's ongoing effort to expand its innovation
capability and optimise its global operating platform.
Sirius
Crowns Indesit Company White Goods Supplier of the Year
Indesit
Company has accepted the ‘White Goods Supplier of the Year’
award from Sirius. Monday 28th November saw Marco Marini, Indesit Company's
Managing Director, greet representatives from Sirius, a buying group formed
as part of an amalgamation between Solus and Radius.
The award ceremony took place in the Indesit Company Customer Centre in
Peterborough where Marco Marini was presented the award by Jeremy Huges,
Chairman of the Sirius Management Committee.
To celebrate the achievement, John Morrisey, Commercial Director and Geoff
Woodman, Field Sales Director, were in also attendance from Indesit Company.
Marco Marini, Indesit Company, Managing Director comments:
‘I'm proud to receive this award on behalf of the whole company,
being named White Goods Supplier of the Year by a key International Company
is a real honour.’
Tel: 08701 50 60 70
Web: http://www.hotpoint.co.uk
Siemens
Ties Up with Marks & Spencer for Laundry Promotion
For
the first time, kitchen appliance manufacturer Siemens has teamed up with
UK retailer 'Marks & Spencer' for a laundry promotion due to appear
as an advertorial feature in the Spring 2006 issue of 'M&S' magazine.
The double page spread combines the joint virtues of Siemens's top of
the range washing machine WIQ1435GB & tumble dryer WT46S595GB with
the new own brand machine washable, tumble dry suits for men, recently
launched by Marks & Spencer.
Entitled ‘Suit Yourself’, the advertorial spread focuses on
the unique qualities of the M&S suit which is the first of its kind
on the market and talks about the time and money saved by being able to
wash and dry the suit at home, rather than taking it to the dry cleaners,
thanks to the coordinating Siemens machines.
In the advertisement, a high flying real life consumer is pictured wearing
his freshly washed and dried suit, shirt and tie by M&S standing next
to the two Siemens laundry machines stacked on top of each other for space
saving purposes.
Siemens has endorsed the M&S suits only after extensive testing and
consistently impressive wash & dry results using the company's totalTextile
management system of sophisticated programme options and sensors to ensure
that all the clothes are washed and dried according to their needs.
Comments Siemens Brand Manager Jane Massey who is also quoted in the advertorial:
‘This is perfect positioning for Siemens as it links us up with one
of the most popular brands of men's clothing in the UK. Both companies
are leaders in their respective fields so this kind of tie up reflects
the quality and value for money associated with both brands’
To support the advertorial, two single page advertisements for the washing
machine & tumble dryer models respectively will also appear in the
same issue of M&S magazine, available free to Marks & Spencer
account card customers in store between 26th January and 25th May 2006.
Shires
Bathrooms Working with Wakefield Council
Shires
Bathrooms, the UK bathroom manufacturer, has secured a six month contract
to supply bathrooms to Wakefield District Housing.
Following three years of negotiations, Shires Bathrooms has established
a strong working relationship with Wakefield District Housing and is able
to provide it with a ‘one-stop-shop’ service designed and developed
specifically to meet the needs of this market sector. Shires Bathrooms
is supplying full bathroom suites comprising Plover steel baths, a product
that was designed specifically for the housing association and of which
a key feature is its moulded feet designed to ensure greater stability
and to speed up installation for the contractor; Naiad ‘compact’
WC; Naiad basin and pedestal; Abbey pine and mahogany front and end panels;
Abbey seats to match the panels; lowline steel baths which provide easy
access; and Doc M packs which have high pans and grab rails.
Kenny Cameron, general manager at Shires Limited, comments: 'It is great
that after three years of negotiation we are now working with Wakefield
District Housing. We have listened hard to the needs and requirements
of their end user and have worked with them closely to develop the Plover
bath. This relationship has enabled us to demonstrate our knowledge and
understanding of this market, a sector we identify as a key contributor
to the building of sustainable communities.
Tel: 0870 160 4414
Web: http://www.shires-bathrooms.com
James
Latham's Gateshead depot is giving its existing customers an extra helping
hand in meeting tight deadlines by providing an in-house fabrication service.
The
facility is aimed primarily at providing BWF Certifire Doors sets manufactured
to size and with or without glazed apertures, complete with hardwood frames
within a fraction of the normal lead times.
In addition to this, Lathams can cut to size, bond and lip any panel products,
providing customers with a real 'one stop shop'.
The emphasis is based on enabling a fast turnaround when customers are
faced with meeting tight deadlines, and James Latham's skilled staff can
help with projects that need to be completed quickly.
Also at Gateshead, the hardwood flooring business continues to develop
with the Bausen range providing customers with a quality product in a
wide variety of species and finishes, and the depot has recently increased
its offering by stocking a range of best quality temperate, tropical hardwoods
and specialist softwoods. Species available include oak, ash, maple, beech,
cherry and sapele, cedar and Douglas fir.
In order to ensure these products are stored and handled correctly, a
further significant investment has been made in state-of-the-art racking
and Combi-lift forklift trucks ensuring that orders can be processed quickly
and efficiently.
James Latham continues to add to its extensive range of panel products
and high quality hardwoods, softwoods and timber flooring products. For
further information or to receive a brochure or product guide, please
contact the marketing department by phone on 0116 257 3415, e-mail at
marketing@lathams.co.uk,
or visit http://www.lathamtimber.co.uk.
New
Year Retail Bonanza with Imperial Bathrooms
In
support of its growing network of stockists and to provide a New Year
boost to sales, Imperial Bathrooms is kick-starting 2006 with a new price
promotion across its entire brassware range and selected sanitaryware
lines. Display incentives and POS are also being made available in support
of the promotion.
Running until the end of March, the New Year bonanza offers up to 35%
discount on purchases of the popular Isis and Amena ranges of sanitaryware.
Both retailers and customers will be able to make huge savings when purchasing
a five piece sanitaryware package that includes basin, pedestal, pan and
cistern, and toilet seat.
A separate 20% cost reduction is also being offered on the company’s
comprehensive new brassware ranges. Featuring a mix of traditional and
contemporary styles and designs, the line-up includes Crown Lever, Victorian,
Westminster, Isis, Amena and Aquila together with the latest Regent, Edwardian
and Damonte ranges.
Sales Director, John Gill, said: 'This latest ‘powerful, yet simple’
retail incentive not only provides a genuine profitable opportunity for
both retailers and customers, it re-enforces our commitment to our network
of stockists. Our ongoing new product development programme and hard-hitting
marketing initiatives will also continue to strengthen our new brand identity
- Imperial Bathrooms, A Modern Classic.'
In advance of the New Year promotion, Imperial has provided retailers
with a dedicated pack of promotional material for their showrooms that
includes eye-catching point of sale displays that serve to draw the consumer’s
attention to the competitive retail price points across all ranges. Regional
press activity will also ensue.
To obtain a copy of the latest supporting promotion pack, retailers should
contact Imperial Bathroom’s customer services team on 0870 60 61
62 3. To see any of the product details listed above, please visit http://www.imperial-bathrooms.com
Ideal
Standard Celebrates 25 Years of Robin Levien
This
year Ideal Standard celebrates 25 years of working with Royal Designer
for Industry Robin Levien. To mark the occasion, guests were invited to
an exclusive event at the Design Museum, raising their glasses to a well
respected and talented designer.
Robin
first worked with Ideal Standard back in 1980 with design agency Queensberry
Hunt (later to become Queensberry Hunt Levien) with his wife Tricia Stanton
they decorated some existing products. Then, in 1982, a project came up
to develop a new pan-European volume-selling line - four years later Studio
was born. Almost 20 years on, Studio is still Ideal Standard's bestselling
suite with sales approaching 10 million pieces.
Roger Cooper, Ideal Standard Managing Director, presented Robin with the
company's traditional gold watch (pictured) - a thank you awarded to Ideal
Standard staff for 25 years of service, commenting, ‘Not only is
Robin one of the most talented designers in the UK, he is also one of
the nicest guys I know.’
Robin now acts as Ideal Standard's Design Director in the UK, as well
as non-residential Design Director for the whole of Europe. Commenting
on the relationship Robin said, ‘Good design depends on having a
good client, Ideal Standard has believed in design and been amazingly
supporting and trusting and allowed me to play my part in a very creative
team’
Robin's latest project for Ideal Standard, the Create range, takes bathroom
design into a new era with the idea of today's design-aware consumers
choosing different style elements and combining them with platform products
- creating bathrooms that reflect their individual tastes.
Tel: 01482 346461
Web: http://www.ideal-standard.co.uk
KBSA
Regional Meeting Sponsored by Gorenje
One
of the KBSA's newest corporate members, Slovenian appliance manufacturer
Gorenje, sponsored the KBSA regional meeting for region 6 (London and
the home counties), which was held at the company’s Wimbledon headquarters'
last month.
Regional
and national chair Tony Nicholas welcomed over 40 members to the event
and introduced the speakers for the evening.
KBSA Managing Director Graham Hayden spoke about the plans for the launch
of the three way insurance and the government backed Trust Mark scheme.
Gary Parker from Elesca updated members on how to deal with the recently
introduced Part P regulations.
Mr Nicholas urged members to support the introduction of the three way
insurance and the Trust Mark Scheme, he said: ‘The association is
at a crossroads and these two important initiatives will raise standards
and send a clear message to the consumer that they are dealing with the
very best in the industry.’
The meeting concluded with a presentation from Bill Miller, Sales Director
at Gorenje. He talked about the company and shared some interesting facts,
such as Gorenje manufactures 3.5million appliances from its Slovenian
manufacturing plant, which is the largest manufacturing plant on one site
in Europe.
Members where then able to look around the showroom and network while
enjoying the refreshments provided by Gorenje.
‘We are grateful to Gorenje for hosting such a successful regional
meeting, it is always pleasing to see new members taking an active part
in KBSA activities,’ added KBSA operations manager Lucinda Kenny.
Decorative
Panels at ZOW for the First Time in 2006
British
paper foil laminator Decorative Panels Ltd. is attending ZOW at Bad Salzuflen
in February 2006 for the first time. In fact, says sales manager Stephen
Cadwell: ‘This is the first time in our 90+ year history, that we
have attended an offshore exhibition - and I think that what we have to
offer European board manufacturers and processors will go down very well’.
New
foils for the Euro marketplace will be launched at ZOW, many developed
as part of DP's Synergy initiative for continuity with existing PVC membrane
pressing foils by some of the world's big producers. Continuity, according
to Steve Cadwell, is the key to marrying the use of well printed and inexpensive
paper foils with alternative board facing materials such as PVCs and laminates.
Another first will be the launch of new CPL and LiteCore ranges from Decorative
Panels. CPL is a durable, cost effective 0.2mm laminate which offers significant
cost savings over more traditional HPLs. And LiteCore is a chunky but
lightweight new board alternative which also offers substantial cost savings
as well as flexibility compared with better established thicker board
alternatives.
Tough, hard wearing new UltraFoils from DP will be a strong presence on
the 2006 stand at ZOW. UltraFoil meets demanding British standards including
FIRA 6250 for severe horizontal use and BS6222 and makes the superior
print quality of paper foils viable for use in conjunction with contract
furniture, kitchens and office environments.
A portfolio of more than 100 alternative foil prints includes a broad
selection of wood grain patterns and many complementary unicolours. Decorative
Panels has plans to introduce new foil print designs on a continuous basis
with complementary single colours in response to wide ranging customer
needs and industry trends.
The company says that as the European Union's largest paper foil trade
laminator, Decorative Panels pioneered the technology in the UK and has
recorded rapid and consistent growth during the past 30 years. Supplying
decorative paper foil laminated furniture board in full sheet form and
also wide ranging panel based components, the Yorkshire company has achieved
an annual trading revenue of approaching Euros 60M.
With two lamination lines - one the world's largest at 90mtrs in length
- running 24/7 in a newly custom built 12,000 sq metre factory plus a
thin board line for matching cabinet backs and drawer base panels into
the carcassing equation, Decorative Panels has an overall lamination output
potential of more than half a million square metres of board per week.
And three additional Huddersfield factories are devoted to the contract
manufacture of paper foil laminated panel components supporting Decorative
Panels claim to be: 'Europe's leading paper foil trade lamination house'.
Decorative Panels: Stand B4, Hall 22, ZOW 2006.
Tel: 01484 658341
Email: sales@decorativepanels.co.uk
Bureau
Veritas Hires Consultant to Strengthen Furniture Testing Capabilities
Bureau
Veritas Consumer Products Services UK (BVCPS), specialist in consumer
product testing, inspections and auditing services, has announced the
appointment of David Hawkridge as an Independent Technical Consultant.
David will be primarily responsible for supporting the development and
expansion of BVCPS's furniture testing services in preparation for the
facilities move to new, extensive 'state-of-the-art' facilities in 2006.
Prior
to joining BVCPS on a consultancy basis, David spent 13 years as Managing
Director at Mobeltest Quality Services Ltd, a subsidiary of the Christie
Tyler Furniture Group. Within this role, David developed a significant
testing facility which provided technical advice and consultancy within
the furniture industry. Following the receivership of the Christie Tyler
Group earlier this year, David went on to set-up his own consultancy firm,
focussing on the furniture and furnishings industry.
In his new role at BVCPS, David will be working closely with the company's
established clients sharing his vast industry knowledge and will also
be in close communication with BVCPS's technical specialists regarding
standards and equipment requirements.
David's 25 years experience within the furniture industry will assist
in BVCPS's continued development in this arena. Following the recent demise
of the Christie Tyler Group and the very limited furniture testing capabilities
now available in the UK, BVCPS is continuing to grow its services in response
to growing customer demand.
David's responsibilities will include assisting BVCPS's sales and marketing
activities in developing and cementing client relationships, providing
technical support, advising on relevant standards and providing relevant
training material.
David is a Fellow of the Institute of Quality Assurance, a former Director
of British Furniture Manufacturers and an industry representative on several
CEN and BSI committees.
Earlier this year David was also admitted as a Freeman of the Worshipful
Company of Furniture Makers; the livery company of the City of London
for the furniture industry.
Alan Kirwilliam, Sales and Marketing Director at BVCPS Manchester, comments:
‘David is a proven expert within the furniture testing industry with
an outstanding record in similar environments and we are delighted to
have him on board here at BVCPS. David's unmatched knowledge of the industry
will enable us to develop the best furniture testing services possible,
therefore catering for our customers' growing demands.’
For further information on Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services'
furniture testing services please visit http://www.cps.bureauveritas.com
or alternatively, email bvsales@uk.bureauveritas.com