Historic South Coast bed maker Millbrook returned to profit in the past year in a period that saw it invest further in its manufacturing capability.

One of flooring conglomerate Victoria's largest UK subsidiaries has cut its trading deficit despite lower output according to newly-filed accounts for 2024/25.

Chinese sofa makers have almost as large a collective share of the UK upholstery market at wholesale prices as British manufacturers combined.

Bedroom and living room cabinet maker Welcome Furniture booked a seven-figure property gain in the 2024/25 period after revaluing its two freehold manufacturing sites in Caernarfon.

Sales-per-employee in the UK bed manufacturing sector has risen steadily through 2025, reflecting incremental productivity gains across the country’s largest producers.

Upholstery vertical DFS will launch the Amanda Holden sofa collection next spring as part of its latest collaboration with The Branded Furniture Company.

Furniture maker Gautier has emerged from court-supervised restructuring after the Commercial Court of Poitiers approved its continuation plan on December 2, ending an 18-month process triggered by a sharp downturn in France’s furniture and housing markets.

Cabinet group Howdens has begun a large-scale expansion of its manufacturing facility in Runcorn, marking the start of a multi-year build programme at one of its key UK production sites.

The British Furniture Association has named Laura Buckley as chair of its HR Forum, the networking group formed last year for HR professionals across the furniture sector.

Emmiera Group, formerly known as Homeserve Furniture Repairs, delivered steady trading for the year as profit levels remained intact and the company outlined an optimistic growth outlook.

International furniture trade is entering a period of heightened uncertainty as new tariffs and shifting policy frameworks begin to reshape global flows, according to the latest World Furniture Outlook 2026 report from research firm CSIL.

Mattress maker GNG Group has appointed Andy Williams as operations director, effective January, adding an executive with senior operations and production experience across the automotive and furniture sectors.

Benchmark, the premium furniture maker co-founded by the late Sir Terence Conran, posted stronger profits in the past year as revenue continued to build.

Frasers Group’s Premium Lifestyle division, home to upholstery vertical Sofa.com and the Frasers department store chain, increased trading profit in the first half as stronger margins at its Flannels banner more than offset lower revenue across the wider portfolio.

Nolte Möbel UK’s administrators say efforts to complete the collapsed bedroom furniture supplier’s outstanding order book have been hampered by widespread disputes over installations, damaged goods and rejected deliveries.

The Thai group behind Essex sofa maker Alstons said the closure of Ashley Manor and Alexander and James represented a decision to "stop throwing good money after bad" and will yield vast savings next year.

Chateau d’Ax is to exit a debt restructuring process by the year-end as the historic upholstery brand readies a multi-year expansion plan that includes new governance, refreshed collections and growth across its largely franchised store network.

Britain's biggest bed maker Silentnight has achieved B Corp certification, following an assessment of its business operations that reviewed areas including supply chain sustainability, employee welfare and environmental standards.

Textiles conglomerate Beaulieu International Group (B.I.G.) has completed the sale of its Tessutica upholstery business to GH Private Equity.

Circa £2 million mattress manufacturer landed with winding up petition by HM Revenue & Customs.

Leggett & Platt said it has received an unsolicited takeover approach from Somnigroup International, the owner of Dreams, Tempur and Sealy, that values the innerspring and foam supplier at $1.63 billion.

Sofa and curtain fabrics supplier Fryett’s reported lower revenue for the year to February 28, 2025 after reduced credit insurance availability for some customers contributed to a double-digit decline in turnover.

Shares in flooring conglomerate Victoria climbed after it revealed it has started production on a new automated ceramics line in Spain that is expected to increase annual earnings by about €15 million.

The Furniture Makers’ Company will open its latest Online Christmas Charity Auction in early December, aiming to raise funds for its education, training and welfare programmes across the UK furnishing industry.

Bed retailer Dreams has renewed its role as official sleep partner to Team GB and ParalympicsGB, extending a relationship that spans back to Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

The British Furniture Association (BFA) has partnered with Saepio Information Security to expand the cyber-security services available to its members.

Britain’s furniture manufacturing industry is set to receive no direct relief from the Government’s plan to cut electricity prices for thousands of factories, after ministers pinpointed only eight priority sectors and their foundational supply chains will qualify under the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS).

Buoyant Upholstery and Furniture Village have jointly acquired the design rights for the Ariana and Mariah sofa models, part of the retailer’s upholstery offer. It follows the closure of Ashley Manor, which previously manufactured both ranges.

Upholstery conglomerate Natuzzi posted a deeper quarterly loss in the three months to end June after lower sales and weaker margins offset cost controls.

Qumei Home Furnishings Group is arranging a new bank loan for its overseas subsidiary Ekornes QM Holding AS, pledging the entire equity of the Stressless maker’s operating company to support the refinancing.

Lancashire sofa maker Buoyant Upholstery will expand into the leather and recliner sector at scale from January through a new manufacturing collaboration with Premier, one of the Far East’s largest upholstery suppliers.

Recliner giant La-Z-Boy says its plans to grow in the UK remain undimmed despite the proposal to close its dedicated manufacturing plant in Lancashire.

Wood furniture imports remained positive for the third straight month in September thanks to a big increase in orders for kitchens, and German-made products in particular.

The Furniture Makers’ Company hosted its annual Confederation Lunch at the Houses of Parliament on November 11, bringing senior industry figures and MPs together to discuss the furniture sector’s economic contribution and future policy needs.

Upholstery imports returned to growth in September on the back of higher shipments from two of the UK furniture industry's three largest sourcing partners in the category.

Furniture brand Another Country has acquired a majority interest in fellow British design studio Goldfinger, bringing the London-based maker into its business as part of a plan to expand sustainable production.

The British Furniture Association (BFA) has appointed three specialists to judge its 2026 Future of Furniture Awards, which recognise members’ work in sustainability and training.

A West Yorkshire beds vertical that sells direct under its own brand and via third party retailers including online marketplaces has folded leaving forecast debts of £1.7 million.

Upholstery market leader DFS said trading at the start of its new financial year has improved, with order intake rising across the first 19 weeks to November 9, 2025, according to a statement released ahead of its annual general meeting on Friday.

Mattress imports into the UK reached their highest monthly level in 2025 so far at the start of autumn as imports from Tempur's European factory continued to drive growth.

Mohawk Industries said chief financial officer James Brunk will retire next year, with Nicholas Manthey, vice president of corporate finance and investor relations, set to succeed him from April 1, 2026.

Sofa.com has remodelled an exclusive Chelsea townhouse to mark its 20th anniversary, unveiling prototype and bespoke pieces that preview the next phase of the upholstery brand under Frasers Group ownership.

Beds market leader Dreams has partnered with Sophie Conran to launch her first bedroom collection, combining what the retailer called expert craftsmanship with the British designer's signature, timeless style.

Imports accounted for a record share of the UK sofa market last year as British producers battled tough trading conditions and retailers pivoting to new sourcing strategies.

Profitability improved at Aspire Furniture in the year to September 30, 2024 as gross margin expansion offset additional overheads from investment in staff and infrastructure.

Sofa fabric supplier Ross Fabrics has rebuilt its stock position after resolving supply-chain issues that curtailed deliveries of key product lines in its 2024/25 financial year.

Soft furnishings group Riva Home said consolidating manufacturing and office operations during a year of “reorganisation and strategic change” has put the business on a profitable growth trajectory.

The CEO of Somnigroup International said Dreams continued to outperform the UK market in the three months to September 30, 2025, with growth in both same-store sales and new openings boosting the group’s international operations.

Beaulieu International Group has agreed to acquire the assets of Congoleum Acquisition LLC, trading as Congoleum Flooring, in a deal that expands the Belgian company’s manufacturing capacity and distribution reach in North America.

Yorkshire bed maker Harrison Spinks has entered the Indonesian market through a new partnership with Duta Abadi Primantara (DAP), one of the country’s leading premium bedding retailers.

Upholstery conglomerate Kuka said third-quarter net profit rose after higher sales and lower financing costs, while the China-headquartered manufacturer also cut borrowing and strengthened its balance sheet.

Asset realisation specialists are in exclusive discussions with a buyer regarding the sale of the intellectual property of embattled upholstery company Alexander & James, according to administrators.

Upholstery giant Man Wah Holdings plans to separately quote a furniture components subsidiary on China’s National Equities Exchange and Quotations (NEEQ) to raise its market profile and open new channels for capital raising.

The Furniture Makers’ Company’s Midlands Region hosted its second networking mixer in Nottingham on October 30, drawing 36 professionals from across the local furniture and design industries.

Nobia, the owner of UK kitchen retail chain Magnet, has recorded a large non-cash impairment against its UK business following a prolonged period of weak market conditions and slower-than-expected recovery.

Headlam Group is said to be looking to sell a distribution facility in Rochdale, the Eclipse Centre, with a guide price of £10.8 million.

Underlying sales and profits increased for Sleepeezee in the first period since its takeover by The Sleep Group, helping the Kent bed maker gain share in a tough market.

Ekornes’ revenue from the UK and Ireland declined in the third quarter as weaker demand in a volatile retail environment offset gains elsewhere in Europe for the owner of the Stressless recliner and furniture brand.

Axminster Group and one of its subsidiaries face the collective write-off of over £1.5 million of intra-company debt after another of its group companies was placed into an insolvency process.

La-Z-Boy Manufacturing UK has begun a formal collective redundancy consultation with staff as it considers closing its upholstery factory in Colne amid weak demand for furniture.

Mohawk Industries said its UK business outperformed wider European markets in the third quarter as increased Government spending on social housing supported demand, helping offset continued pressure in continental Europe.

The owner of kitchen chain Magnet has named Sophie Rose as head of its UK region, succeeding George Dymond, who is leaving the business to take up a new role outside the company.

The owner of Silentnight has disclosed the terms of its Sleepeezee takeover for the first time since the buyout completed in the spring of last year.

Bed maker Sleepeezee completed the sale and leaseback of its freehold manufacturing site in Kent earlier this summer, its new owner has disclosed.

Mohawk Industries will take a fresh round of restructuring actions intended to deliver a further $32 million in annualised savings, taking total expected cost reductions for this year to $110 million.

National retailer Bensons for Beds has been officially certified as a Great Place to Work, the globally recognised accreditation based on employee trust and workplace culture.

The owner of furniture supplier Global Home Group says its largest UK business is primed to deliver a second straight year of top line growth this year but cautioned that its sister Corndell brand had been impacted by customer insolvency.

HM Revenue & Customs is owed almost half of all outstanding debt following the insolvency of furniture importer and distributor Bell & Stocchero earlier this week.

The National Bed Federation (NBF) has renewed its call for an Extended Producer Responsibility scheme in the UK mattress sector, saying mandatory take-back, consistent standards and funding for infrastructure are essential to meet national sustainability targets.

Natuzzi is facing escalating labour unrest in southern Italy as major unions warn that hundreds of jobs could be lost across its upholstery factories in Puglia and Basilicata, according to national newspaper reports.

The Knowsley-based manufacturer trading as Bed Factory Contracts owed more than £300,000 to HM Revenue & Customs at the point of liquidation, according to new statutory filings.

Sofa fabrics supplier Mobus has introduced a new upholstery flame-retardant system after the EU's European Chemicals Agency officially ruled that DBDPE, a commonly-used brominated compound, is a Substance of Very High Concern.

Victoria has scrapped its proposed debt exchange, ending plans announced last month to swap holders of its outstanding 2028 senior secured notes into longer-dated second-priority instruments.

The British Furniture Association (BFA) is positioning its Furniture Component Expo (FCExpo) as a bridge for kitchen, bedroom and bathroom suppliers to expand directly into the broader furniture manufacturing market.

Cabinet furniture imports into the UK reached into nine figures in August on the back of strong growth in the living and dining category.

Dreams has completed the multi-million pound acquisition of its longstanding High Wycombe headquarters, known internally as Bedquarters, from founder Mike Clare.

The intellectual property of Ashley Manor is to be sold for £40,000 to Alstons Upholstery, a fellow subsidiary of the collapsed sofa manufacturer, restructuring advisors have said.

Ashley Manor’s main manufacturing site in Dudley was subject to a break-in less than two weeks after sofa production ceased, administrators have disclosed.

UK mattress imports climbed for the fifth straight month thanks to a large increase in the volume of goods arriving from Tempur's European factory.

Ball & Young, the flooring underlay manufacturer owned by Vita Group, reported lower revenue last year as a weaker market continued to weigh on activity.

Ashley Manor owes in excess of £16.5 million to creditors, with the largest exposure to Bangkok Bank, which is owed £12.5 million under cross-guaranteed group lending, according to the administrators’ filings.

Sofa imports into the UK were lower for the first time in almost a year at the end of the summer as shipments from the two largest source markets stalled.

Furniture output at the factory gate was higher for the third month in a row in August, though the rate of growth slowed compared with earlier in the summer.

Devon bed manufacturer Vispring has expanded its UK retail presence with new standalone showrooms in London’s Marylebone and on King Street in Manchester.

Mike Aramayo, managing director of Colne sofa manufacturer Buoyant Upholstery, hired an entire cinema for nearly 100 guests to watch I Swear, the new film starring his son, actor Robert Aramayo.

Half-year profits matched the prior year for Sanderson Design Group after the fabrics, wallpaper and soft furnishings supplier's cost-cutting programme offset lower sales in its core UK market.

La-Z-Boy has reorganised its senior management to sharpen focus on its wholesale and retail operations, appointing TJ Linz as president of wholesale brands and Rob Sundy as president of retail.

The International Carpet & Flooring Expo (ICFE) will expand to 11 halls when it returns to the Istanbul Expo Center on January 6–9, 2026, reflecting growing global participation in the trade event.

The manufacturer behind the Bed Factory Contracts brand has entered liquidation after a winding up petition was filed by HM Revenue & Customs.

High-end upholstered furniture manufacturer George Smith outperformed the UK sofa market last year as it delivered a large double-digit increase in volumes.

The new parent company of luxury fitted furniture brands Tom Howley, Neville Johnson and London Door Company, has disclosed the terms of its 2024 buyout and recapitalisation for the first time.

Reduced orders from mattress and furniture manufacturers weighed on foam supplier Alfrecell last year as the company reported weaker sales and a loss in its first full year under new ownership.

Privately-owned national retailer Furniture Village will headline sponsor the New Furniture Makers exhibition, the annual showcase organised by The Furniture Makers’ Company to highlight emerging UK design and manufacturing talent.

More furniture and furnishings companies filed for insolvency in the third quarter of 2025 than in any three-month period since the end of 2023.

Platt & Hill profits declined in 2024 as a slowdown in the UK mattress and upholstery manufacturing sectors weighed on demand for the Oldham-based foam and fibre fillings supplier.

Simba Sleep delivered its strongest-ever bottom line in 2024 as margins and cashflow improved ahead of its takeover by Sleep Country Canada earlier this year.

Italian upholstery manufacturer and retailer Natuzzi expects its US revenues to fall short of target in 2025 following higher import tariffs and a weaker dollar, Reuters reported.

Comfy Quilts achieved an eighth successive year of growth last year as the bedding manufacturer and distributor saw turnover hit the nine-figure threshold for the first time.

Luxury woollen fabric manufacturer Moon booked a smaller loss in 2024, supported by a year-on-year swing in its tax position.

Plans have been unveiled for a residential-led development on the site of JTC Furniture’s long-standing factory in Dundee, paving the way for the manufacturer to move its operations to Dunsinane Industrial Estate.

Mattress innerspring maker Leggett & Platt signalled weaker demand across Britain’s bedding industry last year, with sales to the UK market down double-digit on 2023.

The Furniture Component Expo will expand next year to include suppliers of fixtures, fittings and components for the kitchens and bathrooms sector, its organiser said.

The Gallery Direct furniture, beds and home accents group reported a net loss in 2024 after exceptional charges linked to the sale and leaseback of property, but it said the underlying performance improved.

Family-owned sofa manufacturer Steed Upholstery has ceased trading and been placed into liquidation.

Keen & Toms Holdings, the owner of bed maker Hypnos, recorded a reduced net loss in accounts covering an extended 18-month period to December 31, 2024, as it drew a line under a two-year restructuring programme.

Flooring conglomerate James Halstead paid higher dividends despite reporting lower revenue and earnings for the year to June 30, 2025, as weaker demand in Europe and Asia offset growth in North America and Malaysia.

Somnigroup International has appointed Christopher Cook as an independent director, expanding its board to eight members with effect from Tuesday (Sep. 30, 2025).

Victoria said chief executive Philippe Hamers will step down next year after nearly a decade leading the flooring group, following the completion of refinancing arrangements for its 2026 debt maturities.

The owner of HSL increased capital expenditure to £2.1 million in 2024, nearly doubling outflows on new assets as it opened a Solihull store and launched its LIVHOME furniture and lifestyle brand in Aintree.

Lincolnshire upholstered furniture manufacturer Lebus says changes at one of its largest customers impacted the top line last year, while profits declined on higher costs.

Sleep 8 Holding, the Portuguese owner of Sleep 8 Intrinsic, is owed £11.7 million following the planned shutdown of its UK subsidiary earlier this summer, with other co-controlled entities also in line to lose out.

Airea, the group behind the Burmatex carpet brand, reported higher first-half sales as the flooring manufacturer pressed ahead with investment in a new manufacturing facility.

Natuzzi has agreed a partnership with supply chain software provider Toolsgroup to modernise and automate planning across its global operations.

AW (Europe), the UK sales and distribution unit of Belgium-based flooring supplier Associated Weavers, returned to profit in 2024 after a sharp swing in gross margin offset lower sales in its core carpet business.

The UK arm of Norwegian recliner and sofa maker Ekornes paid out seven-figure dividends in 2024, its first owner distribution in six years.

Privately-owned bed maker Hypnos has committed to reaching net zero by 2040 after securing certification from sustainability body Planet Mark.

Solida Capital, together with Alsara Investment Group and Vivium, has acquired Italian furniture maker Giorgetti from Progressio SGR and other minority shareholders.

MillerKnoll’s international contract sales rose in the first quarter of its 2025/26 financial year, though orders fell as currency headwinds weighed on performance across Europe and other overseas markets.

Donald Trump has said the US will introduce steep duties on imported furniture products including sofas as part of a wider package of trade measures.

Beaulieu International Group (B.I.G.) plans to centralise all finishing operations of its needle felt division at its Kruisem site, phasing out ovens and warehousing activities in Oostrozebeke by the end of 2026. Production at both sites will continue.

Upholstery market leader DFS swung back to profit in its 2024/25 financial year, supported by margin gains, stronger sales and lower finance costs.

The md of heritage UK manufacturer Ercol Furniture says the business remains on track to achieve previously-signposted profit milestones this year with further progression to follow in 2026.

The UK flooring industry has been given a window of time to prepare for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), with the UK Sustainable Flooring Alliance (UKSFA) urging stakeholders to collaborate on an industry-led approach.

The National Bed Federation (NBF) named eight winners at its 2025 Bed Industry Awards, announced at the trade body’s gala dinner in Telford last night (September 23, 2025).

Colefax Group, the soft furnishings and upholstery manufacturer, said sales in its fabric division rose in the first 19 weeks of its financial year, but warned that new import duties in the US and on Indian goods will add millions to annual costs.

Bensons for Beds will roll out enhanced family-friendly policies to its 1,800 staff from October 1, 2025, doubling paternity leave and aligning adoption leave with its new maternity package.

The group behind direct-to-consumer brand Adjustamatic returned to profit at the pretax line last year as it recovered some of the revenue lost in the post-pandemic period.

The cabinet maker behind the Spaceslide bedroom furniture brand said revenue declined because of strategic decisions by retail customers last year, which it partially mitigated through diversification.

West Yorkshire furniture maker Moores Furniture Group has adjusted its ownership structure, with management acquiring shares from the Hilco Capital affiliate that had held a majority stake in the business since 2017.

Efficiency measures and lower labour costs helped upholstered furniture manufacturer Whitemeadow deliver higher profits last year despite turnover falling in a difficult trading environment.

Europe's largest manufacturer of home and workplace task seating enjoyed near double-digit revenue growth at its West Yorkshire based UK subsidiary last year.

Employee pay in UK manufacturing rose to an all-time high level in the second quarter of 2025, beating the previous peak set last year.

The British Furniture Association (BFA) has entered into a strategic partnership with Minerva Furniture Group, strengthening ties with the buying group that represents privately-owned UK furniture retailers.

Cabinet furniture imports rose in July on continued strength in bedroom shipments and the living/dining, office and kitchen sub-categories all returning to growth after earlier falls.

Upholstery suppliers Ashley Manor and Alexander & James have entered administration after an unsuccessful effort to secure new ownership. Both companies have ceased trading, with factory closures taking place on September 15, 2025.

Chinese sofa imports into the UK declined for the first time in over a year in July, but overall upholstered furniture shipments still climbed because of the ScS pivot to the Poltronesofà supply chain.

Huddersfield manufacturer Deluxe Beds returned to profit in the year to March 31, 2025, making its first overall gain in six years.

The British Furniture Association (BFA) has extended its commitment to host the Furniture Component Expo at Telford International Centre for another four years.

Mattress imports into the UK climbed for the fourth straight month in July on the back of growth in volumes from China, Denmark and Poland.

Furniture manufacturers' combined turnover climbed at its fastest pace since August 2022 in July with official figures for June also revised upwards.

Morgan Furniture, the £3.7 million turnover manufacturer based in Hampshire and with a showroom in London, has closed after a Hilco-led sales process failed to result in a going concern sale.

A company affiliated to other Midlands bed manufacturers through a former director and location has filed for insolvency, leaving debts to HM Revenue & Customs.

North West based carpet and rug supplier Couristan Carpets (UK) moved to a loss in 2024 in a period that saw it change the way the US-owned business recognises revenue.

The group behind Blackburn carpet maker, distributor and flooring insurance claims handler Cavalier Carpets ended 2024 with a stronger cash position despite lower sales and profits.

The company behind German mattress producer Malie has entered insolvency proceedings ahead of a planned restructuring process.

Bensons for Beds’ long-running tie-up with the British Heart Foundation has now generated £8 million for the charity through customer donations of second-hand bed frames and mattresses.

Ashley Manor and Alexander & James, the sofa businesses majority owned by Thailand-listed TCM Corporation (TCMC), filed new notices of intent to appoint administrators in court yesterday afternoon (Sep. 9, 2025).

Designers Guild has revealed it received a £10 million cash injection after selling its intellectual property and design archive to Dunelm and through the partial repayment of a director loan.

Unilin, the manufacturing group owned by flooring conglomerate Mohawk Industries, has launched refreshed collections from its Moduleo and Quick-Step brands in the UK.

Suppliers from across the industry will sponsor the 2025 Bed Show when it takes place at the International Centre, Telford on September 23–24, organiser the National Bed Federation said in a news release.



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