KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
28th January 2021

We strongly recommend viewing KBzine full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.

FIRA members WCFM Sustainability Award success

The Furniture Industry Research Association's is pleased to congratulate its member, Orangebox, on receiving The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers Sustainability Award for 2012.

The award, organised by the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, aimed to recognise companies at the vanguard of furniture manufacturing sustainability. Open to Full Members of the Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP), the Sustainability Award assessed entries against the various criteria of FISP audits including waste and end of life management, energy management, procurement, corporate social responsibility and employee engagement together with wider process innovations and improvements.

The three runners-up in the competition, in alphabetical order, were: Premiere Kitchens, Senator International and Symphony Group, are also members of FIRA. The judges of the completion were keen to emphasise that the runners up were also of an extremely high standard, demonstrating that the industry is not just reacting to legislation in this area but is committed to thinking and acting creatively to make valuable improvements.

The four shortlisted finalists were invited to the prestigious Furniture Makers' Hall in the City of London to give a presentation before the judging panel outlining their entries. The distinguished panel comprised Hugh Garforth-Bles (WCFM Master, pictured), David Walton (Chair of the FISP Steering Group), Alan Marshall (WCFM Liveryman) and Barbara Chandler (Freelance Journalist). Technical assistance was provided by James Bell, FIRA's Environmental Consultant.

As anticipated, the standard of entries was extremely high and the judges felt that all of the submissions deserved special commendation. However, the panel did eventually agree that this year's winner should be Orangebox, which, it was felt, has holistically integrated sustainability such that it has become an intrinsic element of its business ethos. Moreover, the judges felt that Orangebox's submission was particularly exemplary - and, crucially, would act as a symbol of inspiration to other companies in the industry.

"This year's entrants are all worthy of special recognition," says David Walton, Chair of the FISP Steering Group. "The quality of the shortlist was uniformly excellent and the judging was close and challenging. We were all incredibly impressed by the range of sustainability innovations, initiatives and strategies that had been implemented by the finalists, which serve not just as an example to other companies in the furniture sector but to wider industry as well.

"As Chair of the FISP Steering Group it was also very encouraging to see that FISP Membership was fundamental in achieving these sustainability advancements.

"On behalf of the panel I'd like to offer my congratulations to Orangebox and thank all of the finalists for their superb contributions, which has set an exceptionally high precedent for the future."

Orangebox will be presented with its trophy at the forthcoming WCFM Annual Installation Dinner in May at the Mansion House in the City of London.

E: [email protected]
W: www.furnituremakers.org.uk

T: +44 (0)1438 777 796
Fax +44 (0)1438 777 800
E: [email protected]
W: www.fira.co.uk

27th April 2012