The Furniture Component Expo 2025, hosted by the British Furniture Association (BFA), took place on 19 and 20 March at the Telford International Centre.
This highly anticipated event brought together manufacturers, suppliers, and industry leaders in the furniture sector to explore innovations, network, and gain critical insights into the industry’s future. Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2024, this year’s expo proved to be an even greater triumph, with expanded offerings and a robust seminar program that addressed pressing issues in furniture manufacturing.
The Expo is a one-stop-shop for furniture manufacturers, enabling them to review, network, and purchase products across the entire supply chain. The event featured over 70 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge machinery, components, software, fabrics, and timber. It also provided attendees with access to exclusive seminars led by industry experts, fostering meaningful discussions about challenges and opportunities within the sector.
Exhibitors at the Expo showcased groundbreaking products and services designed to enhance efficiency and sustainability in furniture production. Highlights included Peak Converters who debuted their fully recyclable sprung sofa cushion, PeakPocket™, catering to eco-conscious manufacturers. Erdem Fabrics introduced flame-retardant velvet collections that combine safety with luxury. Spinks celebrated its 100th patent for a new coil design that enhances comfort in bedding and seating applications, while Leggett & Platt Springs UK celebrated its recent achievement of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System accreditation.
Exhibitors shared positive feedback and reported significant foot traffic at their booths. Peak Converters said: “This was our second year taking part in the Furniture Component Expo. We enjoyed catching up with our existing customers and suppliers, as well as meeting new contacts. It is clear the show is evolving into a mainstay industry event, and we were honoured to receive the ‘Excellence in Sustainability’ award.”
Fibre Components found the Expo to be “very informative”. “We had a mixture of meetings with current customers and first point meetings. The show was run well and everyone we met was very upbeat about the future of British furniture manufacturing.” Alfrecell’s debut was a great success. “The event offered a valuable platform to connect with new and existing industry contacts and reaffirm our commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative foam solutions as a trusted supplier to the furniture manufacturing industry.”
As for Spinks, “We were very pleased with FCE, with many existing and new customers attending this year. There was a really big interest in our microcoils as a sustainable alternative to foam for the furniture industry and we were pleasantly surprised by the strong turnout from mattress customers as well.”
JJ Smith’s robotics solutions drew significant attention. “Building on last year’s success, our woodworking automation solutions impressed national and global manufacturers, highlighting efficiency gains and workplace safety improvements. The event reinforced the growing demand for woodworking automation in an increasingly dynamic and competitive market, positioning JJ Smith at the industry’s forefront.”
Erdem Fabrics reported a busy event too. “We were absolutely delighted by the response to our stand. The feedback was incredibly encouraging, and it was a real pleasure to engage with so many buyers and partners who value quality and design. One of the key highlights was the launch of the “Velvet Touch” collection—an opulent yet hardwearing velvet range designed with both aesthetics and durability in mind.”
Lectra added: “It provided an excellent platform for meaningful discussions with industry leaders, fostering knowledge exchange and business opportunities. We engaged in productive conversations about our cutting-edge solution, Valia, and its role in Industry 4.0 transformation, reinforcing our commitment to customer support and future cooperation.”
VetiGraph presented its range of CAD/CAM solutions for upholstery design and cutting, while LCK International had a “fantastic” show, showcasing innovative furniture care and technical repair products. “We connected with quality leads and developed promising business opportunities. It was a great platform to demonstrate our expertise in the world of furniture care.” Assyst Bullmer detailed how your business could cut costs, save on materials and improve on cutting accuracy with its machinery.
Carpenter exhibited as a headline sponsor with great success. “Our stand was busy with both current customers and new contacts, experiencing our latest innovations in comfort technology. We showcased several new products, with the stars being Serene® Foam with Supportive Air Technology™, Podz™mini and the Podz™ Pocket foam springs.”
Visitors praised the expo for its value in facilitating face-to-face interactions. Sarah Osborn of Sarah Osborn Upholstery noted: “As a result of meeting a sewing machine supplier I have now purchased a machine from them, which I wouldn’t have done were it not for the show.” Kingcome Sofas emphasised the importance of physical demonstrations: “Seeing examples in person really is quite valuable” and Craftwork Upholstery also benefited from the event, stating: “Got a few new suppliers at better prices.” These testimonials highlight how the expo bridged gaps often left by online-only interactions.
BFA members enjoyed special privileges at Club BFA, a dedicated lounge offering refreshments and networking opportunities in a relaxed setting. This perk underscored the association’s commitment to supporting its members while facilitating connections among industry professionals.
The seminar program was a popular feature of the expo, addressing critical topics that are shaping the future of furniture manufacturing, while attendees enjoyed a live recording of the “Sit On This!” podcast hosted by Vicky Grubb and Ray Clarke, which featured lively discussions about upholstery trends and challenges in modern manufacturing, as well as a number of competitions across some of the exhibiting stands.
As part of the Expo’s agenda, the BFA hosted its annual Future of Furniture Awards ceremony. These awards celebrated businesses and projects focusing on sustainability and education within the sector. Winners – Fibreline was awarded Excellence in Education, Peak Converters won the Excellence in Sustainability, and Harrison Spinks’ Technical Manager, Ethan McGuigan, secured the top title of Sustainability Champion – were recognised for their innovative contributions to training programs and environmentally friendly practices.
Phil Spademan, Managing Director of BFA, expressed his satisfaction with the event’s success: “Once again, FCE was all about backing the British furniture industry. Comments from delegates and exhibitors have been extremely positive. We look forward to an even bigger and better event next year.”
Save the Date
Furniture Component Expo 2026 will take place from 11–12 March 2026 at the Telford International Centre.
