Union Veneers plc is the largest manufacturer of wooden veneers in Britain and one of the top five wooden veneer companies in the world. And yet the big player in its industry has learned from Furniture Link and has nothing but praise for the London industry support service.

Union Veneers’ Managing Director Brian Landes says of Furniture Link Sector Executive Grant Baker: “Grant is fantastic. He has tremendous enthusiasm and energy.”

Union Veneers originated in the East End of London about half a century ago. Today it operates factories in the UK, USA and Slovenia in eastern Europe. Between the three countries Union Veneers employs over 200 people. Each year it turns over about £15 million and makes about £500,000 profit, but is poised to increase these figures, partly thanks to Furniture Link.

The USA factory in Missouri and the Slovenian factory slice veneers – just 0.6mm thick – from some of the choicest woods in the world.* The UK factory is just off the Lea Bridge Road in Leyton, London. The London factory has about £2 million worth of veneers in stock at any time.

As well as being Union Veneers’ headquarters, the London base is responsible for the ‘lay on’ of veneers on to heavier boards. The finished product is used in everything from furniture to the dashboards of cars.

Despite its size, Mr Landes confesses, Union Veneers was strangely out of touch with parts of the furniture industry, related industries and support services – until Furniture Link came along.

“ Furniture Link has taught us that other companies in the industry are useful to us – and not just our competitors,” says Mr Landes.

Every two months the MD attends the Furniture Link Steering Group, the networking organisation set up by Furniture Link to bring people across the industry together.

Through the Steering Group, Union Veneers has solved a waste problem at its Lea Bridge Road factory that was costing £8,000 a year.

“ That’s how much we were spending each year to dispose of our wood waste,” explains Mr Landes.

Now another waste company is taking away Union Veneers’ wood waste for free. “That company recycles our waste wood into chip board. So there’s less waste and we’re saving £8,000 a year.”

Mr Landes heard of the other waste firm through Grant Baker and the Furniture Link Steering Group.

Union Veneers recently acquired a 50 per cent stake in a second factory in Slovenia. The company makes veneered components for the furniture industry and was a customer of Union Veneers.

“ The company couldn’t pay our bill so we took half-ownership instead.”

The new acquisition represents a diversification for Union Veneers. All its other factories make veneers or by-products of veneers, such as wood flooring – but that is all they do.
Furniture Link is helping Union Veneers to make the most of its new acquisition.

We’re talking to the designers about how we can make their furniture. We’re looking for mutually advantageous partnerships – thanks to Furniture Link.

* Union Veneers has a Chain-of-Custody Certificate for the wood it uses. This means the wood it uses has been harvested from forests that meet stringent environmental, social and economic standards.

To contact Union Veneers write to
- 20, Rigg Approach,
Lea Bridge Road,
London,
E10 7QN

t: +44 (0) 20 8556 8866 or fax
f: +44 (0) 20 8539 1382.

w: www.unionveneers.com
e: sales@uvgroup.com