In this Exhibitor Spotlight, we speak to Andrew Reynolds, Managing Director, Curtis Furniture Ltd.
What does Curtis Furniture do and what makes its offering unique?
Curtis Furniture is a specialist manufacturer of great quality, bespoke bedroom case goods to large hotel groups, branded franchises and independent hotels.
As the largest specialist manufacture of hotel bedroom furniture in mainland Britain we can offer far more certainty on both capacity and lead times than smaller factories here in the UK or moreover those companies facing the increased challenges of trying to import contract furniture from abroad.
Our unique specialist services including finished samples, mock-up rooms , full project management and the ability to deliver high quality design coupled with flexible manufacturing capability ensuring projects are completed consistently on time.
From our Yorkshire-based 60,000 square foot factory, our in-house manufacturing facility means Curtis Furniture has complete control of the production process, enabling us to work to tight timescales if required and the flexibility to meet our customers’ requirements.
Our 5-year contract guarantee demonstrates our confidence in the quality of our workmanship and our commitment to manufacturing high quality hotel furniture that is fit for purpose in a heavy duty contract environment.
How has your business adapted for the post-pandemic hotel and hospitality industry?
Thanks to a healthy order book, Curtis Furniture has managed to remain strong and respond quickly to growing demand from the industry. Curtis Furniture has significantly increased staff numbers in order to remain competitive in the post-pandemic boom.
We have strengthened our buying team to respond to the increased supply chain challenges posed by both Covid and Brexit.
Other strategies Curtis Furniture has adopted in order to meet growing demand post-pandemic, is using locally sourced raw materials to help us to deliver our customer’s projects on time. We have also adapted our offering to include kitchen furniture products in response to the growing trend towards apart-hotels.
What can the hotel and hospitality industry learn from the global pandemic?
The bar set to meet guest expectations is only ever going to go upwards. With all the challenges surrounding achieving a successful new build or refurbishment it is essential to de-risk the process wherever possible. The potential extra cost of buying UK made products is massively offset by the certainty of delivery.
Among the big social shifts to have occurred over the last 18 months, which will be the most significant driver of change over the next 3-5 years and why?
Over the next 3-5 years we will see changes in furniture designs which are more ‘insta-worthy’ and sustainably sourced. How photogenic the room appears is in recognition to customer’s growing affinity to post pictures on social media means it’s important to focus on the furniture’s visual appeal. At the same time, however, the ethical and environmental credentials of our furniture will also play an increasing role in the future of the hospitality industry.
Previously, guests have seen the hotel’s ecological credentials as a ‘nice to have’ and today’s generation of hotel guest will demand that their chosen hotel brand can evidence the environmental efforts it is making. Buying from UK makers and cutting out tens of thousands of product miles is as strong a message as any.
What products will you be featuring at HIX this year and why should visitors visit your stand?
The Curtis Furniture stand at HIX this year will showcase a range of key bespoke pieces which highlight our skilled workmanship and our commitment to deliver the best for our customers. Pieces on display include: an executive TV unit with V-groove detailing, stone shelves and brass legs, a combined wardrobe and waiter station with contrasting open metal work and a deluxe desk with split-level seating and dressing-table/full length mirror options.
Visitors should come to the Curtis Furniture stand to speak to our expert and friendly team and find out about our most recent case studies and how we can help with design development, project management, prototyping, samples and room mock-ups.
Is there anything new and exciting in the pipeline for Curtis Furniture that you can share with HIX attendees ahead of the event?
As we are starting to come out of the pandemic, Curtis Furniture is excited to resume its Factory Tours. Our factory visits will include a tour of our recently expanded 60,000 square foot site to see the latest CNC routers, beam saws and edgebanders, ensuring Curtis Furniture’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is the most energy and cost efficient. In addition to seeing the production facility, visitors will also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the guest experience and view our full size mock-up hotel sample rooms helping our customers bring their design vision to life.
What are you most looking forward to about HIX 2021?
We are looking forward to re-engaging with industry experts and exchanging a shared passion for beautiful furniture and statement pieces. The HIX event will enable Curtis Furniture to be in the heart of London’s design community and take its place in the hotel interiors supply chain.
