Silentnight named 2017 Sustainability Award winner

Richard Logan, Chief Operating Officer at Silentnight Group; Lord Kirkham, Charity President at The Furniture Makers’ Company; and Dr Tony Smart MBE, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company

We are delighted to announce that bed manufacturer Silentnight has been named winner of the 2017 Sustainability Award.

Silentnight fought off competition from a shortlist of Harrison Spinks, Herman Miller and Senator International to win the award.

Richard Logan, chief operating officer of Silentnight Group, was presented the award by the Lord Kirkham CVO, charity president, and Dr Tony Smart MBE, Master of the Company, during the Company’s Royal Charter Dinner at the Honourable Artillery Company, London on Thursday 26 October.

The Sustainability Award recognises improvements in sustainability in relation to manufacturing of furniture and furnishings. It is based on principles provided by the Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme, administered by the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA).

Part of the Manufacturing Guild Mark, the award considers all aspects of how a business operates – waste and energy management, design process, product improvements, packaging, transportation, procurement, end of life management, client relationships, supplier management, employee engagement and corporate social responsibility.

Entries were judged by a panel of industry experts, chaired by Rupert Senior, Guild Marks chairman of The Furniture Makers’ Company. The judges were Phil Reynolds, general manager at FIRA; Alan Marshall, environmental advisor; Alun Watkins, executive director at PEFC (UK) Ltd; and Stuart Cochrane, sustainability consultant at FIRA. The judges were impressed with how Silentnight had embedded sustainability within the company’s culture and in their decision making.

Dr Tony Smart MBE, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “The goal of the Sustainability Award is to recognise and champion companies determined to leave a fine legacy to future generations. Silentnight successfully demonstrated how sustainability is engrained in all business areas by highlighting specific achievements and changes. On behalf of The Furniture Makers’ Company, I would like to congratulate them.”

Previous winners of the award include Godfrey Syrett, Hypnos Beds, Premiere Kitchens and Senator International.

Nick Booth, marketing director at Silentnight Brands, said: “As a leader in the industry, Silentnight has put a great deal of work into our various sustainability projects over the last few years. To win the award and receive recognition for these investments is just fantastic.”