The National Bed Federation (NBF) has introduced a new membership category for suppliers of component parts and services to bed manufacturers and retailers. The new membership level is open to businesses which are new to selling to the UK and Irish bed market.
It follows the introduction last year of an associate category for start-up bed manufacturers based in the UK or Ireland. Previously, both categories had to demonstrate a minimum of three years' trading history.
Benefits of the new Associte membership include use of the NBF Associate Member logo, technical advice on product compliance, regulatory requirements and standards, access to NBF market intelligence surveys and reports, and participation at the annual Bed Show, in forums and the AGM.
NBF executive director Jessica Alexander says: “We recognise there are potentially many benefits to NBF membership for a supplier wanting to introduce goods and services to the UK bed market for the first time. Meanwhile, the relationship between suppliers and manufacturers is increasingly more of a partnership and we want our supplier members to feel more valued at trade association level too.”
Associate membership is open to suppliers of all components (including springs, fillings, foam, ticking, timber, hardware, threads, labels POS, glue, etc), packaging and services to manufacturers of beds, mattresses and related products with a UK/Republic of Ireland manufacturing facility.
The trade association, which represents producers of more than 70% of UK bed industry turnover, recognised the increasing alliance between suppliers and manufacturers last year when it first set up a suppliers council to focus on the interests of the association’s component supplier and support services membership.
Jessica says: “It is important that the NBF adjusts to reflect the way in which the industry is evolving – and also gives more companies the opportunity to become part of one of the most respected trade associations in the furnishing sector.
“We represent the industry with Government, regulators and standardmakers at UK, European and International levels, and contribute to the development of standards and regulations covering everything from flammability to the circular economy.
“Our independently audited Code of Practice, which manufacturing members must comply with – and supplier members may opt-in to – is highly respected by retailers and trading standards. Our hugely successful annual Bed Show is the leading platform at which to showcase new products to the industry and this year we will be introducing a Suppliers Innovation Zone for the first time.
“We’ve broadened our membership for both manufacturers and now suppliers because we want to encourage new companies, who are potentially the industry’s leading lights of the future, into the federation at the start of their journey. Hopefully we can give them lots of support, while they can help us continue to deliver a trade association that is of real value to all in the sector.”
