National Bed Federation
ACID (Anti Copying in Design) has formed a trade association partnership with The National Bed Federation to help raise the profile and value of intellectual property (IP). This move is part of an on-going campaign by ACID to actively support trade organisations pan-industry. Through IP education – how to protect designs and integrate IP as part of a corporate marketing plan – ACID will advise the Bed Federation on IP issues which affect the sector.
Says Jessica Alexander, Executive Director, National Bed Federation, “I am delighted we have been invited to join ACID as a Trade Association Partner. Intellectual Property infringement is an issue which has affected many members and I hope our new partnership with ACID illustrates our commitment to fighting design theft and raising awareness about the positive aspects of brand protection and commercialisation. The move is timely with the current Review on Intellectual Property commissioned by the Prime Minister and the NBF will be fully supporting ACID’s submission to the Review”.
Dids Macdonald, CEO of ACID, said, ‘The National Bed Federation is the 5th trade association to take advantage of ACID’s Trade Associations module. Our trade partnership scheme is bespoke according to specific market sectors and includes a discounted group membership fee, seminars, tailored IP advice through regular web and newsletter features, standard tender agreements and IP clinics plus over 30 ACID membership benefits including IP legal advice and the use of the free ACID design bank. I strongly advise any trade association who is committed to design protection and IP education to talk to ACID.”
Founded in 1912, the National Bed Federation (NBF) is the only trade association specifically for the UK bed industry, representing UK based bed manufacturers and their bedding component suppliers (both UK and overseas based).
The NBF is strongly supported by the bed industry – it is estimated its members account for over 75% of UK bed manufacturing turnover. It prides itself on its representation of the bed industry as a whole rather than any one part of it, treating manufacturer and supplier members as equals.
The NBF is one of the most respected trade associations in the furnishing sector. It represents the industry with government, regulators and standard makers – both in the UK and Europe. It is an executive member of the British Furniture Confederation (BFC), which works to raise the profile and concerns of the furniture and bed industry in political circles; and a member of the European Bedding Industry Association. It also enjoys close links with the USA’s International Sleep Products Association (ISPA). The NBF is also a member of the British Standards Institute and plays an active role on standards committees for mattresses and beds; and a member of the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA).
As a leading, impartial authority on beds and mattresses, the NBF is a regular source of information and advice for consumer, retailer, professional, legal and media enquiries. And through our public face, The Sleep Council, a major educator on sleep, as well as beds.
Members also benefit from a number of specific services: Credit Controllers Forums; State of Trade benchmarking surveys; Trade Name Register, twice yearly GfK consumer marketing reports; free website listings and an online classified product search; and a Buying Group that has identified savings of over £900,000 for participants (an average of over £34,600 per company).
The NBF is also the organiser of the Bed Show – the UK’s number one showcase specifically for beds, which held its first, hugely successful event in 2010. A second event is being held in from 27-28 September 2011, once again at the International Centre in Telford. The event has significantly raised the profile of the NBF over the last year and as only NBF members can exhibit there have subsequently been a significant number of new applicants to the NBF.
All new members are carefully vetted and the criteria for membership is strictly monitored to ensure standards are maintained. All companies must have been trading in the UK for 12 months and members supplying the UK market with mattresses, divan sets, bedsteads, futons, or headboards must have a UK or Ireland-based manufacturing plant making a substantial part of that product offering. A Charter of Membership declaring compliance to UK regulations on flammability, health & safety, environment and employment regulations is also signed annually by members.
