Nick Dawson, owner of furniture manufacturer HND, reflects on the previous year and looks forward to this month’s INDX Furniture Show where a focus on product design will be on display.
HND specialises in manufacturing table tops in stone for its programme of tables, chairs and stools, as well as for other companies supplying furniture for both domestic use and for the hospitality industry. The brand has been one of the leading makers in its field for almost 30 years and with 2023 now wrapped up, the year ahead looks to be another period of growth.
“Business overall has been buoyant for 2023,” Nick says, continuing: “The supply issues that arose post Covid have eased and we have continued our programme of investment in new machinery to enable us to service the increasing demand for bespoke products in the interiors industry.
“It’s been a solid year for us and we anticipate 2024 to be much of the same, as we are investing in new chairs, stools and table frames, as well as introducing new stones to our range for the retail programme for the year ahead and beyond. It’s certainly an exciting time for our business.”
HND always aims to be one step ahead of design movements in the industry it serves. The company tracks the development in kitchens as 70% of its tables are used in that room. Change is also consistent, as Nick reveals: “The top end of the fitted kitchens market is moving away from manufactured quartz for work tops as these materials are mid mass market and are moving to quartzites, a natural stone type that looks like marble but performs like granite.
“We are starting to use this, and to a degree porcelains, ceramic and sintered materials. However, we are resisting ceramic based materials as they generate 10 times the CO2 to make natural stone on a sq meter basis.”
Sustainability continues to be a key priority at the business, and following its earlier investment in solar panels, Nick added that this particular upgrade has seen additional benefits. “We invested in solar about 18 months ago and since then it generates nearly twice the electricity we use. It has also helped cost control by reducing expenditure on energy, but the main benefit is that it enhances our sustainability.
“We also work with a local company that employs people with special learning needs to provide HND components for our tables and we also supply returned items that have damage, but are structurally sound, to Armchair in Worcester, who supply these items free of charge to disadvantaged and people in need of furniture.”
With the focus on the INDX Furniture Show, HND are showcasing its modern kitchen casual dining, a newer, more traditional range of inside/outside furniture and its new occasional tables. “This year, our new products focus on design led styles, where will be displaying our new chairs and action stools, as well as our unique extending dining table that features a real stone top to provide greater flexibility to our table range.
“We’re excited to present these new products to our customers and look forward to kicking off the year in style. Make sure you come and see us during the INDX Furniture Show.” www.hnd-uk.com
