The Furniture Makers’ Company young professionals visit SATRA

Welcoming new furniture industry employees to learn more about SATRA.

27th June 2024

SATRA welcomes the next generation of furniture experts.

SATRA was pleased to host a recent visit of a group from the Furniture Makers’ Company Young Professional Industry Experience Programme, who came to our UK furniture testing facilities in Kettering.

This industry experience programme is an intensive three-week scheme which provides young professionals with opportunities to visit and gain a broad understanding of the furnishing industry supply chain.

Participants learn about raw materials and components, the complexities of manufacturing, buying, pricing and marketing, as well as after-sales customer service. Over the course of five weeks, they will be visiting 25 organisations in the industry, from forestry projects to large manufacturers and bespoke furniture makers.

During their visit to SATRA, the attendees were welcomed by SATRA’s head of furniture testing, Johnny Worthington, who spoke to them about the General Product Safety Regulations and vital safety requirements that should be considered when designing and making furniture. He helped the group to understand the importance of testing and ensuring that products meet relevant industry standards.

Lorna Harding – a member of SATRA’s chemistry team – then explained some of the chemical legislation and testing relevant to the furniture industry, and Tom Notley from SATRA’s furniture and floorings department demonstrated some of the flammability tests conducted on furniture and foams.

The participants then enjoyed a tour of the physical testing facilities at SATRA in order to gain an understanding of the rigour and thoroughness with which furniture products can be tested.

On July 25th, all participants in the programme will be invited to the Furniture Makers’ Hall in London to share details of what they have learned and gained from the programme, including their time at SATRA.

It was a pleasure for SATRA to be able to host the group, and to be involved with this worthy incentive to help the next generation of industry professionals to gain a greater understanding of furniture making.

Please contact furniture@satra.com or chemistry@satra.com for information on any technical matters related to testing.