[Henry Tadros, Chairman of ercol]

Q. Why did ercol choose to collaborate with Grown in Britain?

A. Working with Grown in Britain (GiB) was an easy decision. GiB was set up 10 years ago and is an excellent forestry not-for-profit organisation. It promotes UK woodlands and the sustainable use and management of these, enabling UK timber to be harvested and used to make goods, including furniture. The ercol GiB project is about re-establishing the UK furniture supply chain. By producing five of our best-sellers – which we manufacture at volume – in British ash, we are supporting Grown in Britain’s aims to drive investment along the entire supply chain and secure a better future for our woodlands.

Q. How will this collection benefit the UK’s forests and woodlands?

A. Here in the UK, we are blessed with incredible forests and woodlands, and when sustainably managed, these provide endless benefits to our health, economy and environment. Currently, the UK is the second biggest importer of timber in the world – we import £8.5 billion p.a. worth of wood products, while our own woodlands are undermanaged. The simple benefit of using GiB timber is that it will focus management of UK’s forests and ways to improve them.



Q. Can you tell us more about the sustainability credentials of this collection?

A. Well, aside from the environmental benefits associated with responsible management of British woodlands and a lower carbon footprint, the ercol GiB Marino Chair and Sofa feature interiors crafted from Quallofil® Blue, a fibre made from recycled bottles. We are also launching a selection of new fabrics which are made from natural fibres and recycled polyester. The British Ash Marino Armchair retails from £1,650. The British Ash Pebble Nest retails from £850. Both are available on our website and in our stores.