A recent analysis by VCR's companion directory Furniture Link Canada (FLC) found that about 25 per cent of Canadian furniture manufacturers with six or more employees and listed in FLC between 2003 and 2008 closed their businesses, as shown in the above sample of the approximately 100 closures.

When calculated at an average of 30 employees per company, the closures represent a loss of 3,000 jobs. (This estimate does not include companies still operating that have laid off thousands of additional workers.)

On May 5, Quebec-based household furniture manufacturer Shermag Inc. sought court protection from creditors. CBC reports Shermag took this action after consolidating production plants and reducing its workforce to 800 from a high of 2,400 four years ago.

Despite these dismal numbers, millions of Canadian tax dollars continue to fund academic and furniture industry "support" programs, which have failed to stem the loss of community-supporting manufacturing jobs.

News UK Guild Awards

Design Week reports on the first Design Guild Mark awards for excellence in British furniture design. Selected by Sheridan Coakley of SCP and 10 other panel members, winners included Mark Gabbertas, Matthew Hilton, Marc Krusin, Luke Pearson and seven other designers.

Interested in the work of Robin Day, Ernest Race, Gordon Russell or other British furniture designers from the 1950s and 1960s? VADS (Visual Arts Data Service) lists their work in a searchable UK image database.

News French Design 2008

VIA, the Paris-based organization promoting French furniture design, announces the winners of its 2008 Project Assistance grants. Pages 41-84 of its PDF catalogue feature products ranging from lighting to storage by 10 young designers. VCR featured VIA in its Fall 2007 Issue.

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News Belgrade's Best

The University of Belgrade blog features designs produced by students in its wood processing and furniture design program and exhibited at the Milan Funiture Fair. The innovative furniture emphasizes sustainabilty, as featured in VCR's Spring 2007 Issue.

The Singapore Furniture Industries Council's (SFIC) 2009 Furniture Design Award (FDA) seeks creative, marketable and functional designs that incorporate environmental-friendliness and ergonomics. Open Category deadline December 15.

News Swedwood Opens

Iswonline reports on the opening of IKEA's Swedwood plant in Danville, Virginia, where it produces honeycomb core panel "Lack" and "Expedit" storage cabinets.

News ICFF Adds

This year in cooperation with Material ConneXion, Inc., the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) adds Materials Matter, an extensive "mind-expanding exhibition of cutting-edge materials and innovative production processes." Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, May 17-20.

VCR Update

Listings VCR's events calendar now clearly identify postings for furniture design competitions and awards worldwide with deadlines.

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Find archived VCR home page items here or search 200+ VCR news and contemporary resources pages here.