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Morgan Furniture, the design-led British manufacturer of contract furniture, has been awarded the coveted Design Guild Mark for 2010 by the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers for its Miami collection and City lounge chair.

The Miami has been designed by Katerina Zachariades, Design Director of Morgan, and the City has been the first product to come out of the in house Morgan Studio team. Both collections were recognised by the twelve judges for their excellence in design, use of materials, manufacture and function. Other factors considered were whether the materials are from sustainable sources and whether each piece represents good value.

First introduced in November 2008, the Miami Collection provides a striking contemporary version of a vintage style, referencing 1950s and Danish design. The collection comprises a single-seat, plus a two and three seat sofa – all elegantly slim with solid beech turned legs, and fitted upholstery with optional back buttoning.  The judges’ comment on the single-seater chair was, “Notably as elegant from the back as the front.” A matching bench seat and bar stool are also available with metal swivel bases.

The more recent City lounge chair meets every possible need for a contract furniture product and was a creative response to the current economic climate. The collection is contemporary and stylish so delivers when it comes to city-chic looks, but is also quick to make and offers outstanding value. This is made possible thanks to investment in high-tech CNC machinery and Morgan’s industry leading standards when it comes to ecological and lean production methods. The entire range is made in birch plywood while the upholstered components are easily fitted and removed again for re-upholstery.

Now in its third year, the purpose of the Design Guild Mark is to reward excellence in the design of furniture in volume production for both retail and contract markets. By the award of this Guild Mark for designs which meet the criteria, the finest designers working in Britain receive due recognition and the industry is made aware of the importance of investment in design. Each item is awarded a unique DGM number which appears on the www.furnituremkrs.co.uk website for any potential buyer to search if they are interested in sourcing a company that exemplifies excellence in design and production.

Jonathan Hindle, Chairman of the Design Guild Mark Judges comments, “Although there were many submissions for 2010, the judges awarded the Design Guild Mark to only twenty designs. Their designers and manufacturers are now able to use the Design Guild Mark Logo and The Furniture Makers Company Crest on the piece and in their promotional literature.”

Morgan design and develop all their products in a low energy consuming factory, using materials from sustainable sources. The company is accredited by FISP (Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme) and was among the first in the industry to be awarded ISO14001. Morgan also forms part of a lean and environmental improvement ‘think tank’ with other British manufacturers.

For further information from The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers please click here.

To download The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers press release please click here.