New Furnishings and Chemistry Division at corporate member SATRA

Corporate member SATRA has appointed Martin Heels as divisional manager of the newly formed Furnishings and Chemistry Division – incorporating the existing furniture, floor coverings, flammability and chemistry business areas.

With the importance of chemical compliance and continuingly evolving chemical legislation, access to chemical knowledge and expertise for manufacturers, retailers and all in the supply chain for the furniture and floor coverings industries is crucial.  With Martin’s appointment, SATRA is able to provide increased support and expertise in this area, along with access to our UK testing facilities, for customers and members in this sector.

Martin has a first-class degree in applied chemistry, he is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Fellow of the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists. Martin also uses his expertise in chemistry to represent the United Kingdom on CEN and ISO international standards committees.

Since joining SATRA in 1998, Martin has held various positions within the SATRA chemistry team, most recently as the business area manager for 13 years, and has been key to the growth of the services offered by SATRA in this area. Supporting Martin in his new role is the experienced team of Johnny Worthington, business area manager for furniture, Phil Weal, business area manager for floor coverings and flammability and Emma Norris, appointed as SATRA’s new chemistry business area manager. This new structure strengthens SATRA’s recognised expertise in the furnishings industry by providing additional chemical compliance support, consultancy, training, testing and innovation across all areas that are important to the industry.

SATRA’s executive director Michael Bodsworth said: “Chemical compliance and understanding is critical at every level of the product supply chain, and creating this new division will allow SATRA to provide valuable support and services in another important area for the furnishings industry and its supply chain.

“Chemical knowledge will be shared by Martin and members of the chemistry team at the forthcoming ‘Chemical compliance for the furniture and furnishings industry’ seminar SATRA is holding on Thursday 4 May 2023, one of many planned events to support the industry in this critical area.

“We also take this opportunity to say ‘farewell’ and wish our colleague Tristine Hargreaves all the very best in her new role as executive director at the National Bed Federation (NBF). SATRA experts will continue to provide technical support to NBF members and we look forward to the working relationship between the two organisations continuing to grow.”