Find out what makes Ashley Manor the sofa manufacturer of choice for the UK retail sector
Nestled in the heart of England, Ashley Manor has been crafting exquisite, top-quality furniture for 30 years. From sofas to stools, armchairs to ottomans, all of Ashley Manor’s products are lovingly handcrafted in the UK from its purpose-built factories in the Midlands. Stocking a wide range of elegant designs across multiple brands and collections, Ashley Manor offers something for every style, be it rustic, minimalistic, modernistic, cozy or luxurious.
In 2024, Ashley Manor is proud to celebrate its 30th year in business. In light of this milestone, Nic Furlong, Managing Director at Ashley Manor, shares some insight into the business’ design and development process, as well as all of the qualities that make the company the furniture manufacturer of choice for the UK retail sector.
“We are proud to have grown Ashley Manor to its status as one of the largest sofa groups in the UK,” Nic begins. “Our attention to detail and service has meant that we are the number one supplier of choice to two of the biggest retailers in the UK for upholstery. We sell to high street retailers, both larger groups and independent retailers, either with our own range or with retailer specific designs that are unique to them. 
“We’re known for producing beautiful sofas and chairs to suit all homes, combining traditional techniques and skills with cutting-edge manufacturing technology, ensuring consistently high quality in every piece of furniture we make. Our reputation is enhanced by our own dedicated design and development team which constantly strives to keep Ashley Manor the manufacturer of choice for the UK furniture retail sector.”
Whether it’s researching the latest industry trends or perfecting a timeless classic, design and development is a fundamental part of the business. With ten unique collections within its portfolio, Ashley Manor’s design team are committed to cultivating fresh, exciting designs that retailers and homeowners will love.
“The design team plays a pivotal role in staying ahead of the competition by continuously identifying and integrating emerging trends into our product lines,” Nic continues. “By closely monitoring shifts in consumer preferences, as well as advances in materials and global design movements, they ensure our collections resonate with modern lifestyles. They collaborate with industry experts, attend design expos and leverage data-driven insights to anticipate what customers will want next. Balancing aesthetic appeal with functionality, they innovate with features like modular designs, eco-friendly materials, and customizable options, ensuring our sofas not only meet but exceed market expectations. This proactive approach solidifies our reputation as trendsetters in the competitive furniture industry.”
United platform
To help stay ahead of industry trends, Ashley Manor has recently invested in a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. “ERP will be a game changer for the business by integrating various functions into a unified platform,” Nic explains. “This will allow for real-time insights, meaning we can achieve quicker, data-driven decision-making, reducing delays in advancements and enhancing responsiveness to market demands.”
Green strategies
Furthermore, Ashley Manor has been significantly investing in its sustainability strategy; one way the business has been doing this is through mapping and auditing its supply chain and adopting a ‘forest friendly focus’.
“We strive to set our goals and our affiliations so we can make a positive impact on Earth. We will work with selected experts on how this can be done in the quickest possible timeframe,” Nic elaborates. “We have begun mapping our supply chain across all businesses. This process has started with the leather journey, working in partnership with the British Leather Council. Our aim is to visually represent our sourcing locations by way of an interactive map which will indicate key details about each product’s roots.
“TCM Living, the company within which the Ashley Manor brand is incorporated, ensures all leather in our supply chain is audited through the Leather Working Group. This body meets the highest environmental and social standards and evidence traceability through the entire supply chain. By the end of 2024, TCM Living will also source all of its timber-based products from responsibly managed forests.”
Additionally, Ashley Manor is minimizing its own energy consumption within its facilities by recycling waste materials for energy recovery and implementing high-efficiency light bulbs, solar panels and biomass boilers into its factories. The business is also aiming to transform its entire company car fleet to EV vehicles when the infrastructure allows.
“Whilst consumers in their homes can have an impact, industry has a bigger role to play. TCM Living is currently in a process of review, to best understand which models or initiatives can drive our greenhouse gases down with Science-Based Targets,” Nic highlights.
Quality & innovation
This dedication to environmentalism is just one of the qualities that makes Ashley Manor the manufacturer of choice for retailers. The business highly values its relationships with its retail partners and is fully committed to strengthening these relationships through collaboration, mutual success and adaptability to market changes.
“We actively seek feedback to align our strategies with their needs and priorities and we promote open and consistent communication to achieve this,” Nic says. “We also support partners with in-store training and exclusive product offerings to enhance customer experiences and drive sales. Additionally, we’ve embraced the digital shift by collaborating on e-commerce efforts, providing digital resources. These initiatives have built trust, improved profitability, and reinforced our position as a dependable and innovative partner.”
As 2024 draws to a close, Nic reflects on all of the factors that have contributed towards the 30 years of growth and success at Ashley Manor. “Marking our 30th anniversary is a proud milestone. Our unwavering focus on quality and innovation has ensured our products consistently meet and exceed customer expectations,” she shares. “The ability to adapt to market trends while preserving our brand’s core values has allowed us to evolve and remain relevant. Strong partnerships with suppliers, retailers, and customers have built enduring trust and loyalty, while a collaborative and forward-thinking company culture has driven creativity and continuous improvement.”
The Christmas period is an extremely busy time for Ashley Manor, but the business’ unwavering commitment to quality and care continues to remain unrivalled, both for their retail partners and customers alike.
“The priority for the end of 2024 is to deliver the Christmas order book on time,” Nic reveals. “The retailers will be judged by their consumers on delivering that beautiful British-made sofa in time for hosting at Christmas and we will not let them down.”
Looking to the future, it’s clear that the retail sector will continue to evolve and transform, but one thing will always remain certain, and that’s the need to build a beautiful, comfortable home. In five years’ time, Asley Manor intends to lead at the forefront of British furnishings. “Almost every home has a sofa, and our aim is to have an Ashley Manor product in as many homes as we can.”