Ferwood: A Sustainable Solution

The woodwork industry has firmly placed the spotlight on sustainability in recent years, with UK furniture manufacturers working hard to respond to global and consumer demands to reduce carbon footprint by prioritising renewable resources and energy efficient production processes.

The role of used and reconditioned machinery in achieving sustainability goals is one area that continues to gain momentum, as manufacturers recognise that purchasing choices not only make a significant impact in carbon reduction, but help create a more sustainable industry for the future.

For panel processing machinery, a circular economy that maximises machinery life - by reconditioning, reusing and recycling - reduces our negative impact on the environment and improves our ability to meet and adapt to increasing market variables.

One company that has been working hard to transform the used machinery market and providing manufacturers keen to reduce their operational footprint with a real alternative to new machinery purchase, is the Ferwood Group. As the leading global supplier of used and reconditioned machinery, Ferwood has to date, recycled 4,000 machines, saved 6,000 and currently carries 150,000 recycled spare parts.

Specialists in their field,  Ferwood UK’s team of experts’ source and supply machinery from leading machinery manufacturers, including Homag Group, Biesse Group, SCM Group and IMA Schelling Group. As well as selling used machinery from its UK showroom, the Ferwood Group refurbishes high production panel processing machinery and complete production lines for many of the world’s biggest furniture manufacturers from its headquarters in Pollenzo, Italy.  From edgebanders, beam saws and CNC routers to full production lines, every Ferwood Approved machine is fully reconditioned, extending machinery life and reducing aunnecessary carbon footprint.

And those carbon savings are impressive: In 2023 alone, Ferwood customers purchased 500 used machines and helped save 4.625 tonnes of carbon. The steel required to produce this much new machinery would result in an average of 9.25 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, amounting to a staggering 92.500 tonnes over 10 years. With growing demand, continued investment in state-of-the-art factory facilities and highly skilled technicians providing high-tech customisation of full production lines, the Ferwood Group anticipate that carbon savings will continue to increase, making an impressive contribution to reducing carbon footprint in the furniture production industry.

Whatever the scale of production, the investment in panel processing machinery is a large part of any budget, and the financial implications of strategic sustainability can cause concerns. For manufacturers that recognise the importance of incorporating sustainability commitments into planning, used machinery is an effective and easy to implement purchasing strategy, whilst reducing unnecessary financial exposure.

"Reducing carbon footprint is not a new versus used machine scenario," says John Wilson, CEO of Ferwood UK. "Every manufacturer with a new machine on order is likely to have an old one that can be reconditioned and every high-quality machine provides potential to be reconditioned and re-used. By committing to place machinery into the circular economy, you help create affordable options for smaller manufacturers to streamline production and further reduce waste. This is positive action that supports efforts to reduce carbon emissions and helps create a sustainable industry."

John continues, “Whether purchasing  used machinery or making used machinery available, we can all play a role in this naturally circular economy. For any manufacturer looking at waste management, incorporating machinery disposal as part of the overall company sustainability policy makes sense.”

With a fast and straight-forward purchasing service, Ferwood can even coordinate the dismantling of old machinery with the delivery of new ones, avoiding costly breaks in production. John adds, “Your robust sustainability commitment improves your own sustainability credentials and helps reduce the carbon footprint for another manufacturer.”

The UK furniture manufacturing market remains a key player in the overall economy, with the UK government’s adoption of the Climate Change Act (2008) which set a target to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions in 2050 to  80% below 1990's levels. We all play a role in reducing carbon footprint in the industry, and we will achieve more by continuing to work together. 

As more manufacturers look to incorporate used and reconditioned panel processing machinery as part of their sustainability process, the positive impact in the industry can only increase. Manufacturers can achieve significant benefits in a circular economy and these can extend further than those all-important green credentials.

High-quality used furniture production machines provide all manufacturers with the opportunity to update machinery without being hindered by prohibitive capital expenditure increases. For growing businesses, this makes streamlining production, minimising error and increasing flexibility more achievable, and helps build in additional protection from the more difficult to control economic and market variables.

In a circular economy, what comes around, goes around - and it's naturally and mutually beneficial. Let's not forget it's often these smaller manufacturers with a focus on bespoke designs that kickstart the consumer trends set to shape the future of high output production. With growing consumer demands for sustainable products, customised designs and affordability, manufacturers that align with sustainable practises can benefit from increased customer loyalty.

“The furniture production industry has faced unprecedented challenges in a very short period,” says John. ”From escalating materials costs, supply chain difficulties and labour shortages, to unpredictable economic climate. Committing to sustainability and reducing carbon footprint can feel like an onerous task for many manufacturers already concerned about budgets, but it doesn’t need to. From the largest manufacturers to smaller bespoke joinery outfits, introducing used and reconditioned machinery into purchasing and disposal choices are an effective way to reduce waste, conserve resources and create a more sustainable environment and a more sustainable industry.”

The success of a circular economy is dependent on all parts having the same goals and aiming for the same high standards. Ferwood Groups reputation is built by only supplying premium brands whose build quality and reputation are already market leading  and combining with second-to-none consultation, refurbishment and personalisation. Ferwoods success led to investment that has seen their headquarters grow to accommodate more than 200,000 sq. ft of factory space, with each separate area designed for handling, cleaning, sanding and painting, edgebanding, cutting, drilling and routing. The impressive showroom, sectioned and categorised by function, displays completed machinery and full production lines for customers to view in full operation. 

“At Ferwood, we believe that the success to growing a circular economy is in supporting a shared vision,” says Riccardo Rossi, CEO of Ferwood Group. “We invest in the best brands, the latest technology and importantly, the best employees. In doing so, we work together to create further resilience and sustainability in an industry we care passionately about. Ferwood saw 50% revenue growth between 2020 and 2022, and with demand for high quality used and reconditioned machinery continuing to increase, we have extended our presence in Europe and the USA.

“Successful sustainability policies can reduce resources and create growth in new areas and at Ferwood, we are part of this progression. As automated machinery increase productivity and reduces reliance on labour, the demand to repurpose machinery will naturally create a widening labour need elsewhere. As the market for reconditioned machinery continues to grow, so too does the market for highly skilled engineers and apprenticeship programmes like our own.

“We continue to look at ways to improve our internal organisational sustainability and include wellbeing and experience within our plans. We’ve introducing virtual tours as an alternative option for customer visits, invested in solar panels for the Ferwood HQ factory and showroom, and opted for recycled materials for the new staff room. These are just some of the small steps in our journey to becoming more sustainable,  and like the industry as a whole - these are the little steps that begin to build a brighter future.”

The importance of sustainable furniture production in today’s society can only increase. With growing awareness of environmental and social issues and global initiatives likely to expand - the industry will continue to develop sustainable practices that minimise the impact on the planet and promote a stronger industry.

The most effective circular economies promote the coming together of like-minded companies and individuals to share collective responsibility to create a better future together and working collaboratively is what the woodworking industry does best.

Riccardo adds, “The market for used and reconditioned machinery isn’t in competition with new machinery sales – it works alongside to reduce carbon footprint and create equity for all furniture manufacturers. Ferwood are committed to their part in providing machinery solutions that help create a more sustainable industry for the future.”