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.