A joint survey from SCA and Hawthorn Timber of Hull has revealed that a high proportion of small- and medium-sized furniture manufacturers have a close-knit relationship with their timber suppliers.
Some 48% of manufacturers meet their timber suppliers’ representatives regularly – but the same proportion ultimately do not put their timber supply out to tender.
More than 80% felt their timber suppliers understood the furniture business, with 93% stating that their supplier provided them with timber tailored to their needs, emphasising the reliance of smaller manufacturers on their suppliers’ knowledge.
Primarily among smaller buyers of timber, there was a reasonably even split between those who held a buffer stock against emergencies (51%) and those who worked on the basis of just-in-time deliveries (48%).
All 100% of those probed said they would listen to suggestions from suppliers on how to cut costs through better use of raw materials.
