Newman & Bright, manufacturers of innovative sofas and chairs and one of the few remaining fully bespoke upholstery workshops in the North West of England, have started the year by becoming finalists in not one but two prestigious awards.
Sam Neumann, Managing Director of Newman & Bright, commented on the news saying, “We are beyond delighted to hear that we have made the finals of the prestigious, national Family Business Awards and, after having been nominated in two categories in the North West Family Business Awards, have also made the finals in their Online Retailers & E-tailers category.
“As a third generation family business we are exceptionally proud of our history and our heritage as well as our continuous innovations. Via these awards we hope to demonstrate how a nearly 130 year old company can remain fiercely relevant in today’s hugely competitive manufacturing and retail environments. We also look forward to learning from other family businesses in our area as we hear their stories and to exchanging ideas and experiences with them.
“As a long-standing business that is profitable and growing, deeply innovative and a protector of time-served craftsmen and other small regional boutique manufacturers, we remain competitive with a customer-first focus. We now design and manufacture the largest range of Retro / Art Deco style sofas and chairs in the UK harnessing the expertise we have acquired over many years. In fact we are one of the few remaining bespoke sofa manufacturers in the North West and we take pride in tailoring our sofas to our customers’ exact needs. All our pieces are design protected and our efforts our focussed on producing high end, high quality, niche products that are very different from what customers would ordinarily find on the High Street. As a brand we continue to be associated with providing the highest levels of service and expertise in UK manufacturing and our commitment to quality and customer service, driven by the legacy of Philip Neumann, endures as we embark on new journeys, seeking to provide the world with the finest leather and furniture solutions.
“2025 and beyond look very exciting for us. We have several bespoke projects in the pipeline as well as expanding our existing range of high quality sofas and chairs. We are also looking to grow further faster through exploring overseas markets and the opportunities they offer us and we already have several very interesting conversations ongoing with potential clients in China.”
Co-founder and Director of The Family Business Community who annually organise the North West Family Business Awards, Sue Howorth, added, “The quality of this year’s entries made the judges’ decisions extremely challenging. The finalists should be incredibly proud of their achievements. We’re looking forward to celebrating with all the family businesses in our region”.
Dave Clarkson, Sue’s co-director, said, “We are thrilled by the level of commitment and attention to detail shown by all the applicants. The strength and diversity of the entries have truly impressed us”.
Sue Bagguley of Siemens in Manchester, who hosted the North West Family Business Awards Judging Day, also shared her thoughts saying, “The calibre of applications has been outstanding and it’s clear that family businesses in our region are both proud and forward-thinking. Many of the entries showcased innovation and a progressive mindset”.
North West Family Business Awards finalists will soon receive a visit from a specially selected panel of judges who will assess the businesses before making their final decisions. The winners will be announced at a vibrant awards celebration on Friday May 9th, 2025. For more information, visit www.northwestfamilybusinessawards.co.uk.
