Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi) has achieved the prestigious Gold Certification from the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) in recognition of its high quality products and professional craftsmanship.

Based in Springburn, Glasgow, RSBi employs over 240 workers, of whom more than 50 per cent have a disability, including veterans from recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

RSBi is operated by City Building – Glasgow City Council’s arm’s-length construction company – and is one of Europe’s largest supported employment facilities, producing a range of furniture and construction products to exacting standards.

The independent FIRA Gold certification scheme is a quality certification mark for a product or its installation within the furniture and kitchen industries.

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Samples of RSBi’s kitchen units were sent to FIRA’s Furniture Technology Centre in Stevenage to be independently tested to rigorous structural and performance standards.

Assessors from FIRA then visited the factory to ensure working practices were being strictly adhered to and that manufacturing met the rigorous FIRA Gold Certification standards.

FIRA aims to help shape government policy in relation to the UK furniture industry, push up standards within the industry in the UK and abroad, and lead the field in research and development.

John Foley is managing director of City Building. He said: “RSBi produces market-leading furniture and construction products to exacting standards, while giving genuine and lasting employment opportunities to local people, including those with disabilities.

“We are dedicated to ensuring our products are of a very high quality and meet our customers’ specifications. FIRA Gold Certification is an excellent achievement for the team and we will continue to work hard to ensure our products exceed expectations.”

Jonny Westbrooke, FIRA’s chief operating officer, said: “We are proud to announce that RSBi has achieved FIRA Gold Product Certification for its kitchen units. This is not just a cause for celebration for RSBi, but also for RSBi customers who can be assured that fitted kitchens purchased from RSBi will be consistently produced to a high quality. Ensuring fitted kitchens are thoroughly tested is more important than ever, particularly now that the BSI Kitemark for fitted kitchens has been withdrawn.”

(GK)