LOFA, the Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association, is the latest trade association within the furniture industry to join forces with the furniture’s industry’s political lobbying group, the British Furniture Confederation (BFC).
Martin Jourdan, chairman of the BFC said: “We are delighted to welcome LOFA as a full, executive, member of the BFC. Outdoor furniture is an important part of our industry and the more comprehensive our representation, the more seriously our views will be taken within government circles. I am sure that LOFA’s contribution to furthering the aims of our Strategic Plan and to developing specific policies and responses to government actions will be invaluable.”
Richard Plowman, secretary of LOFA said: “We are delighted to be joining the BFC. The outdoor furniture sector needs to have a wider influence with government and being part of BFC gives LOFA and the furniture industry in general a stronger voice to meet the challenges of the future.”
The BFC was set up by the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers (WCFM) to bring together furniture industry trade associations and membership bodies – including the British Contract Furnishing Association (BCFA), the National Bed Federation (NBF), the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA), the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers (AMUSF), the Interior Designers Association (IDA), the industry training agency, Proskills and Anti-copying in Design (ACID) – with the principle aim of engaging with government at all levels regarding matters of concern within the furniture, bed and furnishing industry. The BFC employs the services of political consultants Politics Direct to advise it on government activity, facilitate lobbying and to provide the secretariat of the All Party Parliamentary Furniture Group, chaired by Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland.
LOFA represents over 80% of UK manufacturers and suppliers to the trade of garden furniture, and other products associated with outdoor leisure. Established in 1967, LOFA now has over 70 members under the chairmanship of Eric Hopper from Outback and a Council of 10 elected members. LOFA runs the SOLEX trade exhibition held at the Telford International Centre in July, now in its fourth successful year.
The next meeting of the APPFG is at 5pm on Monday 13 June at the Houses of Parliament. Attendance is open to all members of the BFC’s affiliated associations but requires an invitation–please contact the BFC if you have an issue you would like to bring to the APPFG’s attention and/or you would like an invitation to attend.
ENDS
Press enquiries: Martin Jourdan on 07778 848166 email: martinjourdan@dovecot.me