A survey report on design for manufacture in the UK furniture manufacturing industry

Abstract

This article reports on a questionnaire survey with the aim to determine the extent of familiarity with and use of design for manufacture (DFM) in the UK furniture manufacturing industry. It was revealed that only a small proportion had experimented or applied one or more DFM techniques. The majority of them did not understand what exactly DFM was and wished to know more about it, while a noticeable level of benefits had been achieved, perceived, or expected. Embedding DFM activities in day‐to‐day operations was perceived by industrialists as the most effective way of implementing DFM while training for a formal team was necessary for its introduction. A high level of management support was evident, so were worries about the high risk and cost. However, the special needs of the furniture industry require further investigation.