Member News
South Tyneside based Funky Chunky Furniture has doubled its workforce, as well as its turnover, as it celebrates its most successful year to date.
The furniture manufacturer and online retailer now employs 48 members of staff at its Jarrow workshop, across roles ranging from production, dispatch, customer services, design, marketing and administration.
Founded in 2013, Funky Chunky Furniture creates handmade solid wood furniture, wooden shelves and mantels which it sells through its website to customers across the UK. The business has grown its turnover every year but the last 12 months has seen its biggest growth to date with turnover more than doubling to over 4.1 million pounds.
Kevin Johnston, managing director of Funky Chunky Furniture Ltd said: “The past 12 months have been challenging for us, as they have for so many businesses. But, with challenges often comes opportunities too.
“Last summer, after the first lockdown of 2020, it became apparent that consumers were investing in home improvements and furnishings, buying online more than ever. For us, that trend is still very much evident and we’ve continued to see sales grow pretty much every month since then.
“It’s a fantastic achievement to double the business’ turnover, but I’m most proud of the fact that we’ve continued to create sustainable jobs for the local workforce. We’re committed to operating in South Tyneside, and as the business grows so too do the opportunities to join our team.”
Funky Chunky Furniture’s leadership team is now looking to the future and ways to capitalise on the ongoing growth. The business is looking to expand its workshop and team further, enabling it to introduce new furniture lines as well as increase the volume of production for its shelving and mantels.
