'Funky' furniture brand celebrates major growth with predicted 133% turnover

A Jarrow-based retailer has expanded in space and staff after experiencing significant growth.

In order to accommodate the company’s brand new product launches and revamped IT systems, the team have moved into larger work premises in Jarrow to aid further growth.

Since its conception in 2013, Funky Chunky Furniture has been creating handmade rustic homeware and has expanded with new ranges, staff and a notable revenue increase.

Kevin Johnston, who had previously been running Ask The Joiner, a local joinery service, founded the business in order to pursue his ambition to break into the furniture manufacturing industry within the region.

He commented: “In year two, our turnover had increased by 259 per cent, [and] in year three we increased by 68 per cent. In year four, we increased by 55 per cent.

“This year, we are forecast for a further 133 per cent growth in turnover. The business has performed very well in the first five years, on average it has grown 59 per cent year-on-year.

“There is a good market for our products but the success of the business is down to our excellent staff, they are great at what they do and work very hard. We are lucky to have such a great team.”

Kevin began in 2008 on a small work premises equipped with just one machine. In need of an operations director to lead the company, Kevin approached James Brand, who holds a photography degree and an extensive IT skill set, which would come in handy with future online sales.

In just a short time, orders started coming in and the duo appointed another joiner, Jordan Chatten, who now resides as the workshop team leader.

Funky Chunky Furniture has been continuously recruiting to support its retail demands over the past four years and thoroughly anticipate it will continue over the next few years.

Now in 2018, the firm has 16 full-time employees across a range of fields including customer services, product design and joiners within the workshop.