LOFA - Lesisure & Outdoor Furniture Association

LOFA to celebrate 35 successful years

Since it's inception in  November 1967 membership of The Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association (LOFA) has grown from the initial 17 companies to a current membership of 65.

To celebrate its 35 year anniversary LOFA will be reminding the retail trade the importance of this sector and pointing out to the general public how fashions in outdoor furniture and leisure have changed in such a short time. Members of LOFA will be providing pictures to illustrate the changes that will be featured in general and home interest magazines and newspaper supplements. Competitions will be announced asking the public to send in pictures of garden furniture bought in the 1960's and 70's and to alert organisers of examples that are still in use today. The anniversary year will culminate with an exciting exhibition at GLEE 2003 where examples of yesterday's and tomorrow's designs will be on show.

The general interest in patio furniture and general outdoor living has seen the industry grow again in the 2002 season. LOFA has agreed a new market size for furniture in 2002 of £506 million, an increase of 15% on last year's figure of £440 million at retail value. The retail value for barbecues and accessories is now estimated at £ 146million an increase of 22% on last year's £120 million. The HTA have recently reported similar growth levels in the Garden Industry Monitor

The Secretary of LOFA, Richard Plowman is currently putting together a history of the Association and the people who have played an important part in its success. The inaugural meeting of LOFA was held in London on 2 November 1967 where Frank Odell of L E Gant was elected the first Chairman. Council members on that date included Alan Cranston (G W Scott); Leslie Harborne (Buttons) A Gray (Continenta) and K Paulus (K W Paulus). At the time tubular steel chairs and loungers with flowery cushions were all the rage and open charcoal barbecues or hibachi the only outdoor cooking implement.

During the last 35 years the nation has learned to appreciate the benefits of outdoor living and the use of the garden as the biggest room of the home. The members of LOFA have combined to ensure that the products that furnish Britain's terraces and gardens are of the highest quality, are durable, fashionable and fun.

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For more information about LOFA please contact:

Richard Plowman, SECRETARY LOFA

113 Worcester Road, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 5EE

Tel: 01243 839593 Fax 01243 839467 Email info@lofa.co.uk

Notes for Editors

LOFA is the Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association and represents over 80% of UK manufacturers and suppliers to the trade of garden furniture, barbecues and other products associated with outdoor leisure. These include parasols, gazebos and outdoor lighting.

The LOFA seal, the logo of the Association, has come to represent quality and excellence.

The aim of LOFA is promote the trade of garden furniture and barbecues but also has a wide range of benefits for members.The Association began on 2nd November 1967, over 35 years ago, with Frank Odell as the first Chairman: there were 19 Companies represented then. LOFA now has over 60 members under the Chairmanship of John Smye from Cosmo Ltd. A Board, usually 10 members, governs the Association. The LOFA office is in Chichester and there is a full time Secretary, Richard Plowman,

Representatives of the Association consult and negotiate with Government Departments e.g. DTI, on both UK and EU legislation that impacts on the Industry. The Association is also represented on BSI and CEN Committees developing standards in relation to the Industry's products. In addition, LOFA has signed up to Law Care, which provides all LOFA Members telephone and written access to a defined period of free legal advice. Members each year also receive, 2 LOFA Desk diaries and 2 LOFA Pocket diaries

LOFA runs regular round table meetings to give Members the opportunity of an exchange of views and information on matters of common concern. As well as an Annual General Meeting, and Christmas General meeting, traditionally, there is also a Weekend Conference, usually just after the GLEE Exhibition.

LOFA was indeed a founder member of GLEE, the International Garden and Leisure Exhibition, now held at the NEC, Birmingham.

The original LOFA web site was launched back at GLEE in 1997 and it listed all LOFA Members’ details and product range. Just before Christmas 2000, the LOFA website was totally re-configured, to facilitate simple, direct requests to members for catalogues of their products. The website also provides for a direct link for those Members who have their own website on the Internet. There is information on the www.lofa.co.uk site for the public to help in their choice of furniture, barbecues and other leisure outdoor products but also advice on how to look after and care for the products.