Member Article

Manufacturing Guild Mark success is music to the ears of Sound Leisure

Leeds-based manufacturer Sound Leisure has successfully passed the rigorous audit to be awarded the prestigious Manufacturing Guild Mark, demonstrating excellence in furnishing manufacturing.

Founded in 1978, Sound Leisure manufactures and distributes jukeboxes and coin-operated equipment worldwide, with a reputation for combining market leading technology with superior product quality.

Sound Leisure designs and manufactures many components and sub-assemblies in house, having a metal workshop, woodworking and Vacforming facilities within the factory. In addition to an 80,000 sq ft manufacturing facility, it also incorporates a hardware and software division that is based in Nottingham, which concentrates on the development and manufacture of both hardware and software for Sound Leisure’s range of products.

Sponsored by Biesse Group and Lectra, the Manufacturing Guild Mark has been the mark of excellence, distinguishing Britain’s top furnishing manufacturers, since 1993. The Mark is awarded to companies that demonstrate high standards across seven assessment criteria: design, product development and function, manufacture, human resources, financial stability, sustainability and sales and marketing.

Dids Macdonald OBE, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, presented Chris Black, managing director of Sound Leisure, with the Manufacturing Guild Mark on Monday 27 January.

Dids Macdonald OBE, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “It is an honour to present the much coveted Manufacturing Guild Mark to a company which not only values its heritage, people and manufacturing skills but had an absolutely focused strategy to meet the exacting standards of this company audit. This is a truly deserved accolade of which Chris Black and the team at Sound Leisure can be justly proud. Adding UK Manufacturing Guild Mark recognition to their strong international calling card is another feather in the cap for this remarkable company.”

Chris Black, managing director of Sound Leisure Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have met the stringent criteria that was set down during the independently reviewed audit. This clearly demonstrates that all areas of the business are working at an exemplary level, something that our team should be extremely proud of. There are not many companies in the UK that meet these standards and to be included alongside some of the other well-known brands that already display the Manufacturing Guild Mark is a great honour.

“Sound Leisure is proud of its UK based manufacturing heritage. Employing in excess of 80 staff, we have remained true to our core principles of supporting local businesses and people. Sound Leisure has sold over 100,000 jukeboxes around the world and our products can be found in some of the finest locations. The skills and techniques required to manufacture a range of our cabinets are unique to this plant and have to be taught in house.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellie MacDonald .