Dr Peter Beele, FIRA’s Technical Development Manager said, “Exporting products and services overseas provides a new source of income for UK manufacturers, but it is often an avenue which is over-looked as it is perceived as being too complex. A vast amount of information and advice regarding exporting is publicly available. However, this site aims to collate the most pertinent information all in one place, summarise key issues and signpost users should they require further practical support.”
Through the FIRA Export Hub, understanding the exporting process will be simplified in order to help UK manufacturers make the most of opportunities to export products and services abroad.
Speaking of the Export Hub, Liz Basing, Regional Trade Director for the East of England said, “This is a really welcomed initiative and shows that FIRA recognises just how important export opportunities are to its membership nationally. The UK exported a billion pounds’ worth of furniture last year, up by 18% on the previous 12 months. A partnership like this, combining UKTI’s export knowledge and FIRA’s experience of the sector and ability to reach its members, looks set to be an extremely valuable resource for this industry and an example of leading practice that should encourage others.”
The Furniture Export Hub is one of FIRA’s key membership projects for 2012. Other projects for 2012 have included the launch of the FIRA Specifiers’ Guide, an online portal offering advice for those selecting contract furniture for non-domestic settings.
The FIRA Export Hub is due to be launched on 18 October 2012 in Stevenage at an event highlighting export opportunities for UK Furniture manufacturers.
For more information on UKTI visit www.ukti.gov.uk. To discover more about FIRA, visit www.fira.co.uk.
About FIRA
Established sixty years ago, FIRA with its unparalleled industry knowledge, raises performance throughout the furniture supply chain by offering research, information, testing, consultancy, customer service and after sales service to the furniture and DIY markets.
For more information on FIRA, visit www.fira.co.uk
If you would like to discover more about FIRA’s range of furniture testing please visit www.fira.co.uk, call 01438 777 700 or email info@fira.co.uk.
About UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the Government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK’s economy – acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage.
For more information on UKTI, visit www.ukti.gov.uk or telephone +44 (0)20 7215 8000.
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Media Contacts
For further details please contact:
Hannah Barrett
PR Executive
FIRA
Tel: 01438 777730
Mobile: 07557 265066
Email: hbarrett@fira.co.uk
Inga Wells
Head of Marketing
FIRA
Tel: 01438 777792
Mobile: 07787 281386
Email: iwells@fira.co.uk
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