furniture

The exchange rate of the pound against the Euro is bad news for those holidaying on the Continent - but historic British furniture manufacturer HJ Berry is seeing the economic conditions fuel new interest in its products.

John Woodruffe, MD of HJ Berry, says that British-based designers and buyers, who traditionally source furniture from Europe, can face up to a 30 per cent price hike due to the changes in the currency rates.

Now, as the financial climate forces buyers to look to alternative supplies, HJ Berry is seeing enquiries increase in their solid wood range.

John Woodruffe, said: "We've spoken to buyers who traditionally look to Europe, and now we seem to be making some ground in promoting our products to them as an alternative.

"HJ Berry has always been competitive on price, but that fact is much easier to communicate now in this current economic climate.

"With our faster lead times too, and the ability to tailor orders exactly to clients' needs, the benefits of buying British really add up."

In 2008, HJ Berry swept the board in a range of national competitions for its quality and sustainable approach that put it in a class of its own in the furniture marketplace.

These include the Green Apple awards and the Corporate Social Responsibility category of the National Business Awards, for the North West region.

The company also won the Green Business Awards' 'Best Manufacturing Company' - and judges of the contest were so impressed they awarded their own accolade 'Best SME' on the basis of the company's 'green' activities.

Based in the picturesque village of Chipping, in Lancashire's Forest of Bowland - HJ Berry's pioneering work includes the planting of woodland made up of 20,000 trees on the factory site, which will sustain the furniture making process for generations to come.

The company also provides low-cost housing in the village for 15 families working at, or retired from, HJ Berry and off-cuts of wood power the plant.

Mr Woodruffe added: "By choosing furniture from us, organisations can buy well-made, well-priced furniture, which genuinely supports the environment.

"Our business formula proves a company can do well in the modern world and stand out from the crowd because of its commitment to the planet and its people."

HJ Berry started in business in 1840 and is believed to be the oldest chair manufacturer in the country.

Their furniture is made using timber from carefully selected renewable sources - with the vast majority from Britain and only a small amount from trusted, sustainable forests in Europe. Tropical timber is never used.

All trees that are used are from forests that are grown in perpetuity. New trees are continually grown in their place - a cycle that provides the best habitat for wildlife.

Then, for every piece of furniture made, HJ Berry plants a tree in the British countryside, to sustain the broadleaf woodlands of oak, birch and ash, either in their own woodland, or through the donation of trees to groups such as woodland trusts.

Part of its factory is based within a mill once used by a pioneer of the Industrial Revolution, Sir Richard Arkwright. The site still retains a waterwheel which powered the plant up to the 20th Century. 

The company recently launched a new website http://www.hjberry.co.uk to allow retailers, designers and contract buyers to find out more about its extensive range of furniture for the commercial sector.

ENDS

Based in Kirk Mills, Chipping, Preston, HJ Berry manufactures furniture for the commercial and residential sectors.

http://www.hjberry.co.uk

Press release issued by Jane Shepherd of Shepherd PR Limited, 01538 308685/308099 mobile 07985 129315

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