As the UK’s principal showcase of suppliers working in the domestic furniture market, the January Furniture Show, which returns to the NEC Birmingham from 22nd-25th this month, is the perfect forum in which to identify the players leading the field – and The Furniture Awards have celebrated the industry’s stand-out performers since 2015.

Established by Furniture News magazine in partnership with the event, The Furniture Awards ask each year’s exhibitors to explain why their business excels in one of several thematic categories. 

Evaluating the entries, and chaired by awards co-ordinator Paul Farley, this year’s judges are: Malcolm Walker (owner, FIRST MW); Suzy McMahon (CCO, Oak Furnitureland); Sheetal Sachdev (founder, Treniq); and Andy Stockwell (senior retail manager, Gardiner Haskins). 

Having assessed all the entries, the judges have shortlisted the following finalists in each category:

Sustainability

This category is for any business that champions sustainable practices and demonstrates the will to make the world a better place. 

* Think Rugs (stand 2-C25)

* Westbridge Furniture Designs (stand 1-F20)

Best of British

This category is for businesses that principally manufacture in the UK, and demonstrate high standards of output, with regard for their place in the local economy and industry. 

* GNG Group (stand 5-H55)

* Shire Beds (stand 5-G20)

* RH45 (PIK Associates, stand 2-F30)

Design Innovation

This category is for any business that puts original design at the heart of its strategy – entries should include visual evidence of these directions, plus detail of their route to market. 

* Citibed (stand 5-J55)

* Gallery Direct (stands 2-E20, 2-E22)

Global Player

This category is for any business that majors in imports, and their entry will need to reflect their strengths in product development, pricing and fulfilment, plus details of how their offer is tailored to the UK marketplace. 

* Tomasella Industria Mobili (stand 1-D70)

* Wiemann (stand 4-C50)

* Tokyo Fabrics Int (stand 5-C20)

* Incanto Italia (stand 5-C10)

Superior Service

This category gives the industry’s service providers – from software and CGI specialists to sales and logistics providers – an opportunity to highlight why their offer could be a game-changer in today’s market.

* Iconography (stand 1-G25)

* Sci-Net (stand 2-A14)

The winners will announced at the show’s exhibitor party, taking place from 6pm on Sunday 22nd January at the Furniture Talks stage in Hall 1.