The furniture, furnishing and interiors industry is part of the process manufacturing sector, represented by Proskills Sector Skills Council. This sector also includes the following industries: building products; coatings; extractive and mineral process; glass and related industries; ceramics; paper; plus print and printed packaging. In addition, there are several industries that are aligned with Proskills industries, including: glazing and window manufacture; soft furnishings; design; paper merchants; and mining services. The sector as a whole currently employs an estimated 810,000 people in around 76,900 workplaces. Since 1998, there has been a steady decline in the numbers employed in the sector as a whole and the number of workplaces, but productivity in the sector has continued to increase over the same period. Overall, the sector will need to recruit almost 93,000 people up to 2017 to replace those retiring or leaving the sector.
The UK furniture, furnishing and interiors industry creates products for the domestic, office and contract markets. It includes the manufacture of: cabinets; chairs and seats; office furniture; contract furniture (for shops, hospitals, hotels, schools); kitchen furniture; mattresses; and other furniture. It also includes the manufacture of soft furnishings. Demand for new quality goods is expected to remain high and restoration and remedial work is also on the increase in the UK.
Key facts:
- There are an estimated 149,000 people employed in the industry, across 12,200 workplaces.
- Workers in the industry tend to be full‐time and directly employed, rather than on a contract basis.
- Work is often shift‐based, especially in lower levels jobs.
- 15% of the workforce has a Level 1 or entry level qualification, 23% a Level 2, 31% a Level 3, 5% a Level 4 and 9% a Level 5 qualification.
- Annual turnover for the industry is currently around £10.8 billion.
- There are 18,870 sole traders in the industry.
Jobs in the industry range from: assembler, frame maker, wood machinist, restorer, polisher, soft upholster, cabinet maker, kitchen fitter, furniture installer, blinds and shutter installer, upholsterer – cutter, upholsterer – sewer, joiner.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are an estimated 15,600 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,140 workplaces.
East of England – There are an estimated 11,700 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,460 workplaces.
London – There are an estimated 6,500 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,140 workplaces.
North East – There are an estimated 6,500 employees in the regional workforce, in around 360 workplaces.
North West – There are an estimated 19,500 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,410 workplaces.
South East – There are an estimated 16,900 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,770 workplaces.
South West – There are an estimated 14,300 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,160 workplaces.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 15,600 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,230 workplaces.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 23,400 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,240 workplaces.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 6,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 300 workplaces.
Scotland – There are an estimated 10,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 500 workplaces.
Wales – There are an estimated 3,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 500 workplaces.
