SATRA

SATRA is a leading centre of excellence for furniture testing, training, consultancy and innovation. SATRA offers a range of competitive services aimed at improving products, reducing costs, ensuring product safety, technical troubleshooting, reducing customer returns, improving efficiency and increasing technical awareness in all levels of the furniture supply chain.

Testing of furniture materials and components, upholstery, seating, beds and cabinets for all markets is undertaken at the largest and most modern testing facility in Europe.  Many users find SATRA quicker than other test centres and SATRA prices are competitive when compared on a like for like basis.  Free advice and quotes for testing are available from SATRA experts. Visit www.satra.co.uk or www.furnituretest.org for more information or contact SATRA by email at  johns@satra.co.uk or by telephone on + 44 (0) 1536 410000.

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Find out more on SATRA and read expert articles on furniture testing

Furniture Industry Research Association - FIRA

FIRA International offers a range of commercial services for the domestic, contract and office sectors. Our key services include testing and certification - our international reputation ensures a FIRA certificate is accepted and respected worldwide. We also offer consultancy services in ergonomics, environmental management and expert witness services.

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Telephone: 01438 777700

Internet: www.fira.co.uk

The Furniture Ombudsman

The Furniture Ombudsman offers a fast resolution of customer complaints and disputes on behalf of retailers and manufacturers. It is a non–government funded organisation supported by members from all sectors of the furniture industry. Independence and impartiality are its cornerstones, ensuring that better standards of service are promoted and consumers can buy with confidence. The organisation is backed by a range of information and support services, all aimed at reducing the level of complaints and improving supporters’ reputation with customers.

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Tel: +44 (0)1438 777700
Internet: http://www.fira.co.uk/tfo

i-phix

i-phix is a dynamic company with combined experience in all areas of contemporary graphic design, CAD and web design. Our diverse expertise means we offer both a creative and technical service, which gives i-phix the edge over most creative companies. We have a keen eye for detail and a dedication to meeting your aspirations, budget and deadline. As a small company we are super efficient to give our clients a fantastic service and price. i-phix is particularly strong when mixing CAD with graphic design. For example we can create a housing development in CAD, design a brochure, take it to print and build a website with a 3D animated tour. The possibilities are vast.

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Tel: 01623 455 089
Internet: http://www.i-phix.co.uk

Lynch Sales Company

The Lynch Sales Company is the original sales promotion company, the one that many of the finest retailers in the UK and Ireland choose to hold their sales. Why? Because we’ve been delivering real results, with honesty and integrity since 1914. After all those years, we still find it the best way to gain and retain clients. The Lynch Sales Company can always be relied upon to provide high quality sale coordinators with years of experience, fully cost estimate all Sale plans, review them weekly and ensure that the client keeps hold of the purse strings, ensure that nothing gets published without the client seeing it first, and protect the client’s margin by only implementing agreed upon discounts.

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Tel: +44 (0) 1243 378369
Internet: http://www.lynchsales.com/uk

Midland Furniture Auctions

Established in January 2005, Midland Furniture Auctions Ltd is a specialist stock dispersal auctioneer to the furnishings industry. It has a weekly auction sale every Wednesday commencing at 10.30am with viewing on the day of the sale from 8am of manufacturers’, importers’ and wholesalers’ seconds, as well as returned and end of line products.

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Tel: 01773 832 555
Internet: http://www.midlandfurnitureauctions.co.uk

Multiserve At Home

Furniture repair company

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Tel: 0845 0946048
Internet: http://www.multiserveathome.com

retailsystem.com

retailsystem.com is a software solution with a difference. Unlike other software on the market, it's online and, therefore, none of the traditional headaches apply. You are in full control of your own database from anywhere at anytime. All that's needed is a PC and internet access. The beauty of the solution lies in its simplicity - there is a dramatic reduction in paperwork due to the online nature of the system. With the online accounting package, all financial data is exchanged in real-time and is immediately available for management reporting or tax calculation.

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Tel: 08712 20 64 64
Internet: http://www.retailsystem.com

Service Technicians

FIRA’s Service Technicians (formerly known as Home Service Technicians) – the furniture after sales service – developed out of a relationship with one of the UK’s biggest furniture retailers over a decade ago. The client approached FIRA to ask if it could handle furniture complaints from its customers, perform furniture repairs and independent inspections and offer reports, and it was soon realised this was a viable service which could be offered to the trade as a whole. Today Service Technicians handle complaints for over 50 companies, including some of the best known names in retail and manufacturing.

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Tel: +44 (0)1438 777700
Internet: http://www.servicetechnicians.co.uk

Your Department Store

Established by well known furniture importer David Ruddiman and run by former Amazon high flyer Jeremy Paterson, YDS offers retailers the chance to expand their business from 'bricks to clicks' with a customised, transactional website offering a 'gold standard' online trading concept.

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Read more about Your Department Store
Tel: 0800 803 0692
Internet: http://www.yourdepartmentstore.co.uk

British Chambers of Commerce; +44 (0)20 7654 5800
Business Link; 0845 600 9 006
FAMAS Consulting; 01525 221635
Fira International; +44 (0)1438 777700
Furniture Medic Medway & Canterbury; 01622 745566
GfK NOP; +44 (0) 20 7890 9000
Greenwood Retail; 01625 521 010
Oneflow Lean Consultancy; 07795 272 052
SATRA; +44 (0)1536 410000
Verdict Research; +44 (0) 20 7675 7701