Manufacturing Guild Mark success is music to the ears of Sound Leisure

Leeds-based manufacturer Sound Leisure has successfully passed the rigorous audit to be awarded the prestigious Manufacturing Guild Mark, demonstrating excellence in furnishing manufacturing.

Founded in 1978, Sound Leisure manufactures and distributes jukeboxes and coin-operated equipment worldwide, with a reputation for combining market leading technology with superior product quality.

Sound Leisure designs and manufactures many components and sub-assemblies in house, having a metal workshop, woodworking and Vacforming facilities within the factory. In addition to an 80,000 sq ft manufacturing facility, it also incorporates a hardware and software division that is based in Nottingham, which concentrates on the development and manufacture of both hardware and software for Sound Leisure’s range of products.

Sponsored by Biesse Group and Lectra, the Manufacturing Guild Mark has been the mark of excellence, distinguishing Britain’s top furnishing manufacturers, since 1993. The Mark is awarded to companies that demonstrate high standards across seven assessment criteria: design, product development and function, manufacture, human resources, financial stability, sustainability and sales and marketing.

Dids Macdonald OBE, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, presented Chris Black, managing director of Sound Leisure, with the Manufacturing Guild Mark on Monday 27 January.

Dids Macdonald OBE, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “It is an honour to present the much coveted Manufacturing Guild Mark to a company which not only values its heritage, people and manufacturing skills but had an absolutely focused strategy to meet the exacting standards of this company audit. This is a truly deserved accolade of which Chris Black and the team at Sound Leisure can be justly proud. Adding UK Manufacturing Guild Mark recognition to their strong international calling card is another feather in the cap for this remarkable company.” 

Chris Black, managing director of Sound Leisure Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have met the stringent criteria that was set down during the independently reviewed audit. This clearly demonstrates that all areas of the business are working at an exemplary level, something that our team should be extremely proud of. There are not many companies in the UK that meet these standards and to be included alongside some of the other well-known brands that already display the Manufacturing Guild Mark is a great honour.

“Sound Leisure is proud of its UK based manufacturing heritage. Employing in excess of 80 staff, we have remained true to our core principles of supporting local businesses and people. Sound Leisure has sold over 100,000 jukeboxes around the world and our products can be found in some of the finest locations. The skills and techniques required to manufacture a range of our cabinets are unique to this plant and have to be taught in house.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

The Manufacturing Guild Mark is only open to companies that manufacture the majority of their products in the UK. Companies undergo an audit every three years by the Furniture Industry Research Association to ensure high standards in manufacturing, design, product quality, marketing, financial stability, commitment to training, employment conditions and sustainability.

For more information about the Manufacturing Guild Mark, go to Manufacturing Guild Mark/

About The Furniture Makers’ Company

The Furniture Makers’ Company is the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry. It fosters the industry by supporting those in need, nurturing skills and expertise and inspiring excellence. It provides support and assistance to those in need who are working or have worked in the UK furnishing industry. It supports students and young people with grants, training and mentoring in order to foster talent and safeguard the future of the industry. It encourages the highest standards and best practice in the design, making, marketing and selling of all kinds of furniture and furnishings throughout the UK, recognising quality through the award of its Guild Marks and Awards.

For further information, contact George Cooper, marketing@furnituremakers.org.uk  or 020 7562 8522.

About Sound Leisure

Sound Leisure Limited was founded by Alan Black and Eddie Moss in 1978. Since the launch of its first jukebox in 1980, Sound Leisure has become a name synonymous with high quality and innovative products. Now owned and run by the next generation of the Black family, the company remains the oldest single ownership company in the sector. During this period Sound Leisure has brought together some of the finest craftsmen and technical minds in the leisure industry, the research and development team continually strive to create cutting edge products that are reliable and simple to operate and service.

Sound Leisure is proud of its UK manufacturing heritage and works closely with local universities, colleges and schools with the aim of inspiring the next generation of engineers and designers.

Sound Leisure designs and manufactures many components and sub-assemblies in-house in Leeds, having a metal workshop, woodworking and Vacforming facilities within the factory. In addition to an 80,000 sq ft manufacturing facility, the firms also incorporate a hardware and software division that is based in Nottingham, this division concentrates on the development and manufacture of both hardware and software for Sound Leisure’s range of products.

In addition to designing and manufacturing its classic range of jukeboxes Sound Leisure is the sole UK distributor for TouchTunes digital jukeboxes, the world’s largest digital jukebox manufacturer. Sound Leisure is also the UK sole supplier for Instore Kids Corners (IKC) products that it installs in children’s areas.

40 YEARS OF INNOVATION

Dedication to ongoing Research and Development has been a key factor in the success of Sound Leisure. The reputation for innovation and creativity is second to none within the sector. SL’s development engineers are backed by a production workforce committed to maintaining the highest quality product achievable. Customer feedback from operators and sites heavily influence ongoing product development and SL’s efficient management structure enables quick decisions to be turned in to quick product enhancements.

HAND BUILT IN THE UK SINCE 1978

Sound Leisure is proud of its U.K based manufacturing heritage. Employing in excess of 90 staff, the firm has remained true to its core principles of supporting local businesses and people.

Sound Leisure has sold more than 100,000 Jukeboxes around the world and products can be found in some of the finest locations. The skills and techniques required to manufacture a range of cabinets are unique to this plant and have to be taught in house. With the emphasis on “apprenticeship” style training, Sound Leisure actively encourages the passing on of skills from one person to another, often from one family member to the next. As a family owned and run company, the importance of supporting the family group is among the company’s highest priorities. This support is repaid many times over by the commitment and dedication of its team, with a large number of employees achieving in excess of 25 years’ service.

As a major manufacturer Sound Leisure is determined to achieve and maintain best practice and demonstrate compliance with all legislation.