Leading the Way in Sustainable British Furniture

Our partnership with Grown in Britain and Tyler Hardwoods marks a transformative step towards revitalising UK furniture manufacturing with home-grown timber.

For decades, the UK has relied heavily on imported wood, while much of our locally sourced hardwood was underutilised. The UK is currently the second largest importer of wood, importing 73% of timber. 85% of locally sourced hardwood is being burned as fuel while manufacturers import wood for furniture making.

The project was not without its challenges, but with a shared vision with Tyler Hardwoods we have found solutions.

Ian Peers, Operations Director, ercol said:

“We were already having discussions internally about our environmental journey. We knew we had to do something, but we weren’t quite sure where to begin. The opportunity to work with Grown in Britain came at exactly the right time..”

With support from the Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Fund, we have invested in new processes and materials, overcoming early challenges to start our journey in creating a competitive, environmentally responsible supply chain.

As Ian Peers, our Operations Director, explains:

“As the business has grown, we've achieved improvements in economies of scale, closing the gap of competitiveness with imports. Home-grown timber will get more competitive as demand and investment in the supply chain grows.”

By using Grown in Britain-certified ash for some of our most iconic pieces, we are proving that British timber can be both sustainable and commercially viable. We selected the Marino chair and sofa along with the Pebble tables to be made from GiB timber initially which then extended to include the Fairmile dining table and chairs, along with the Lugo chair due to the success of the initial ranges.

With the opening of our flagship store in London and an expanding range of British-made furniture, we are proud to lead the way in sustainable manufacturing, bringing timeless design and local craftsmanship back to its roots.

Read more about the Forestry Commission's full case study here.