British Educational Furniture Manufacturers Group (BEFMG)

BEFMG members manufacture or design educational furniture that enhances and supports the learners of all ages and sizes.

Introduction

The group represents furniture manufacturers and furniture designers from all sectors of the education market. They supply a wide range of furniture from tables and chairs, to educational trays and folding tables, right through to all the products required to completely fit out the furniture requirements of an entire school. The range of products offered by member companies caters for all ages and abilities. Hence, it varies from the design, manufacture and delivery of a complete science laboratory costing tens of thousands of pounds to the manufacture and supply of a single woodworking tool.

Our purpose

We aim to add value and promote the success of BESA and the BEFMG. We will work to safeguard the values of the association and ensure that BESA and BEFMG’s obligations to key stakeholders are met.

Who are our members?

The companies that form BEFMG range from large corporations to smaller family run businesses. The companies are all important local employers covering the entirety of the UK. Each in their own way enhances British technical manufacturing skills and the continuance of the British manufacturing base. The companies have flexible manufacturing processes, they are close to the market they serve, and ensure the products they supply have travelled the minimum of ‘miles’ to the end user. Many members of the group are competitors but believe that healthy competition drives up innovation and costs down, ultimately benefiting the UK school sector.

Our market

BEFMG

supply furniture to the entire UK education market from pre-school play groups through to universities. Their products are either sold directly to schools and builders, or sold through third parties such as Local Education Authorities (L.E.A.) and educational supply catalogues. Whether a school is being refurbished, rebuilt or is a new build, the BEFMG is an integral part of the supply chain. The group aims to influence important decision makers within the marketplace, including the relevant government departments, architects, school specifiers and the construction industry.

Innovation

There are constant curriculum changes and therefore requirements in the educational furniture marketplace. The group is well placed to meet these demands with a flexible manufacturing base and commitment to innovation. As the curriculum moves forward it brings new requirements and challenges to the group which they embrace. Using the latest materials, design techniques and manufacturing processes the group serves the marketplace to the very highest standard.

Choice

Members of BEFMG supply a very wide range of products, allowing schools to use furniture to create differentiated and dynamic learning environments. The transformation of traditional classroom spaces though the use of flexible furniture types which support a variety of learning / teaching styles is well documented.

The competitive nature of BEFMG membership means that product formats are available at a wide range of prices to suit all school budgets from high tech IT suites to a single poly chair. The group supply and supports all products that conform to all the relevant British Standards including EN1729 where relevant.

Standards of the future

Our members are committed to the provision of furniture which meets the highest and most up-to-date standards. BEFMG members work with European standards committees in the drafting of new standards. An excellent example of this is the implementation of BSEN1729 – the standard for Classroom Chairs and Tables. This new standard has recognised the importance of both ergonomic excellence and durability in use. BEFMG members have been at the forefront of the development of new products to match this standard – delivering products which support (i) improved lifelong back care for our children (ii) better academic outcomes – comfort = concentration (iii) outstanding value for money through product durability and life cycle costs.

Export

Although the target market for these products and services is mainly in the UK, BEFMG members are increasingly found to be servicing and supporting international demand, as in many parts of the world the UK is seen as being a leader in this area. The increasing use of our products and services across the globe demonstrates that the expertise the members have and that it is valued. Members work with major contractors abroad along with local suppliers.

Generic product areas manufactured or designed by BEFMG members

Tables
Chairs
Educational storage and trays
Laboratory and technical furniture
Woodwork furniture and tools
Specialist furniture for specific age groups.

British Educational Furniture Manufacturers Group (BEFMG)

Terms of Reference

a. A member of the Group must be a full or associate member of BESA, be a UK based company where a recognisable part of the business is to cause design and manufacture of educational furniture and be able to provide evidence of at least three years of business in educational furniture.

b. The Group is known as the ‘British Educational Furniture Manufacturers Group’ (BEFMG) Group of BESA.

c. Any member of BESA may make written application to the BESA secretariat to join the Group and such applications will be presented at the next Group meeting. Applicants which can satisfy the Group that they fit the description defined in paragraph a), by unanimous vote at the meeting, shall be admitted to membership of the Group, subject to right of appeal of the Executive Council on refusal. The Council’s decision shall be final.

d. The Chairman of the Group (or a representative nominated by the Group from amongst its members) will be co-opted to membership of the Executive Council of BESA. The Chairman of BESA is, ex officio, a member of the Group and is entitled to attend its meetings.

e. The Group is entitled to call meetings which will be serviced by the BESA secretariat. Any abnormal costs may have to be charged, as decided by the Executive Council.

f. Copies of the minutes of the proceedings of the Group will be submitted to the Executive Council.

g. In the event of the Group deciding to undertake a course of action leading to or becoming liable to any costs or expenditure over and above the provision expressed in paragraph e) above, or as determined by the Executive Council, such expenditure shall be borne by members of the Group.

h. In the event of the Group wishing BESA to undertake a course of action on its behalf such proposed action shall first be approved by the Executive Council.

i. A Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be elected each year at the Group’s first meeting following the BESA Annual General Meeting. The Chairman and ViceChairman shall be serve for one year, subject to re-election for a second year, two years being the maximum period of continuous service in one office. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be from separate member companies.

j. These provisions will come into effect immediately after approval by the Executive Council which must also approve any future proposals for change.

k. Based on one vote per member, decisions taken at a Group meeting will be simple majority with the Chairman having a casting vote.

BEFMG has a diverse membership of furniture manufacturers producing both specialist education and general office furniture to the highest standards. The furniture group is particularly involved with national and European standards and members of the group are representatives of industry on international and educational furniture standards committees.

How do I join BEFMG?

Joining BEFMG is free and the process to join is an email or letter from the company, stating that you want to join the group, confirming that a recognisable part of the business is to cause design and manufacture of educational furniture and be able to provide evidence of at least three years of business in educational furniture. It would be helpful to confirm a rough percentage of the business that is dedicated to this area.

Also that you are happy to share ideas with the rest of the BEFMG Group and are committed to developing and taking the Group forward and finally that you are committed to a level playing field in the market. In addition you need to meet the Group’s Terms of Reference which are available on the website.

Meetings take place approximately three times a year and are usually held in Crick, Rugby.

Example application letter

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to formally apply to join the BEFMG Group.

Paragraph confirming that

i) A recognisable part of the business is to cause design and manufacture of educational furniture
ii) Able to provide evidence of at least three years of business in educational furniture
iii) Confirm a rough percentage of the business that is dedicated to this area.

Paragraph confirming that

i) You are happy to share ideas with the rest of the BEFMG Group
ii) Committed to developing and taking the Group forward
iii) Committed to a level playing field in the market
iv) Additionally you need to meet the Group’s Terms of Reference which are available on the website.

Yours sincerely,

Next steps

Once your application is completed please email to lois@besa.org.uk. The application will then be either presented at the next meeting or sent electronically to Group members depending on the timescale of when the next meeting is planned.