Since the formation, one of the significant developments was the move to a purpose-built headquarters and manufacturing facility in the early 1980s. Over the years, our continued investment has allowed the development of today's 200,000 sq.ft factory which is the hub for the Company’s design, manufacturing, sales, and distribution activities.

50 Years of Change

Office furniture has certainly experienced considerable change over the last 50 years, predominantly driven by developments in technology and working practices.

In the 1970s, desktop computers were still in their infancy with typewriters being more prevalent. By the 1980s, personal computers were increasingly common. The development of ‘one per desk’ computing meant that desk designs needed to change. CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitor screens were big and cumbersome requiring additional desktop space. By 1992, legislation was introduced outlining minimum safety and health requirements for those working with Display Screen Equipment. The corner desk or L-shaped workstation became the norm as it allowed the correct positioning for the monitor.

Flat screen technology overcame the need for these large desks, but many office workers still wanted the additional space for paperwork. The wave desk design offered a larger worktop but with a much-reduced footprint.

Gradually, cable management became more and more sophisticated, but technology still ‘tied’ us to the desk. More recently, advancements in technology have allowed greater freedom of movement and opportunities for shared environments. Collaborative spaces have evolved as people realised that you can also be highly productive away from your desk.

Many of today’s offices still include a blend of the different desk designs supplemented with meeting, breakout, touchdown, collaborative and social space furniture. Lee & Plumpton continues to develop and introduce new designs to meet these evolving requirements.

The founding principles of “premium materials combined with quality manufacturing and robust designs” remain the hallmarks for our furniture and reputation.

Stylish office furniture solutions from Lee & Plumpton

Visit our product pages https://www.leeandplumpton.co.uk/products/ to see the wide range of office and contract furniture solutions - designed and manufactured Lee & Plumpton. We look forward to another 50 years.

FISP is recognised as the benchmark for sustainable practices in the UK furniture industry.

It is an independently certified programme promoting best practise to drive social, economic, and environmental change, via continual improvement of members’ business operations.

Originally registered with FISP in 2007, Lee & Plumpton has maintained its commitment to continuing improvement in all areas of the business with a key focus on environmental responsibility. The latest audit particularly recognised investments in energy and waste efficiencies. This includes a comprehensive system to monitor and minimise energy consumption as well as efforts for reuse and recycling. The Company has held ‘Zero to Landfill’ status for many years with initiatives including maximising material efficiency with off-cuts, for example, being retained for alternative uses, such as different products or packaging.

Lee & Plumpton also generates around 160,000 kWh of electricity annually via its solar panel installation. Approximately half of the generated power is returned to the National Grid which is sufficient to power 26 three/four bedroom homes for a year.

“Since our original audit for membership of FISP in 2007, we have remained committed to continuous improvement,” says Andrew Lee, managing director, of Lee & Plumpton Ltd. “We recognise our responsibilities as a major manufacturer to minimise our environmental impact and maintain a sustainable business model. It is particularly encouraging to have our efforts verified through an independent audit.”

With its headquarters and 200,000-square-foot factory in Attleborough, Norfolk, Lee & Plumpton operates a robust environmental management system which is registered with the British Standards Institute to the international standard, ISO 14001. The Company also holds FSC chain of custody certification for sustainable timber.

Quality and robust manufacture are recognised product qualities for the Lee & Plumpton brand. With a primarily UK-based supply chain, the Company is able to maintain continuity of supply and availability of spare components.

Established in 1974, Lee & Plumpton remains a family-owned and operated manufacturer of office and contract furniture for commercial and education environments.

The FIS (Finishes & Interiors Sector) Client Guide to Office Fit-out and Refurbishment, published in May this year, highlights the importance of starting any project with a series of questions including a fundamental one: “Do you have a robust business case?” Every organisation is different and will have varying requirements according to processes, procedures, and working practices as well as business model and culture.

The office environment needs to match business requirements and be genuinely appreciated by all employees. Communication is so important to understand what will support productivity and well-being and make a positive contribution to the company including environmental and other business targets. The ambition is to create a positive experience where colleagues choose to work.

You are never going to “please all of the people all of the time”. It is, however, essential to consult with staff at all levels of the business, using a variety of techniques, to gather ideas, likes, and dislikes, including considerations for diversity & inclusion, as well as feedback on new proposals. Tangible measurements are essential to understand workflows, space usage, occupancy, potential periods of ‘peaks and troughs’, and HR data.

Whether a large corporate or an SME, office design has a significant impact on the organisation as a whole.

With over 47 years' experience designing and manufacturing furniture for a wide range of different companies and organisations, we aim to take a pragmatic approach. The design team track changes in working practices to ensure that the portfolio accommodates the multi-varied requirements rather than simply following the latest trends.

Desking in the office is still an essential. The choice of solutions, with different functionality and design styles, includes standalone and bench systems which can also create collaborative work tables.

Available as single, two or four-person clusters, Geo can create a collaborative worktable or be used for touchdown desking.

The Ascend range offers a more ‘at home’ aesthetic. The ‘pared back’ retro styling is a popular choice as designers seek to create a more hybrid environment between the home and office.

The collection of soft seating, together with a wide range of tables of varying sizes, is ideal for breakout and social spaces. The fully upholstered booths create a quiet space for concentration or hybrid meetings.

The Liberty range of lockers is ideal for hybrid working providing a flexible and safe storage solution for staff and visitors.

Quality and robust manufacturing are key attributes for each range to ensure the chosen solutions can withstand the rigours of working life and suitable for many years ahead.

Computing and management consultancies, for example, together professional services continue to be reported amongst the top growth industries. Biosciences and pharmaceutical companies are also experiencing ongoing expansion. IBIS World includes in its 2023 predicted figures that there will be over 164,000 management consultancy businesses alone in the UK employing over 430,000 personnel.

Ernst & Young’s Regional Economic Forecast published at the beginning of 2023 also reports: “less consumer-dependent sectors like administrative and support services and professional services are expected to see some growth”.

E&Y’s findings also show the regional variances in economic prospects. The forecast details that, by the end of this year, UK GVA (Gross Value Added) is expected to be 0.1% higher than it was in 2019, with London (up 3.2%), Yorkshire and the Humber (0.6%), the South West (0.5%), the East of England, Northern Ireland and the East Midlands (all 0.3%) outpacing the rest of the country.

Whilst serving the UK market through its network of partners, Lee & Plumpton is geographically located to serve one of the UK’s fastest growing regions, the Cambridge Norwich Tech Corridor. At one end, Norwich is home to both a fast-growing digital tech sector as well as internationally renowned research into food and agri-tech. At the other end, Cambridge has a world-leading life science cluster and a strong and well-established deep-tech sector.  A strong renewable energy formation stretches along the Norfolk and Suffolk coast and into the Tech Corridor.

Being based within the region, Lee & Plumpton offers quality, highly durable solutions for the growing Cambridge Norwich Tech Corridor.

With an organisation dedicated to managing the strategy and development opportunities for ongoing growth and prosperity, the Cambridge Tech Corridor represents a great opportunity. Being based within the region, Lee & Plumpton not only offers quality, highly durable furniture solutions but allows customers to demonstrate their Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) commitments through supporting local manufacturing which is also independently certificated by the Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme.

Whatever the economic situation, sustainability will remain a major focus. As well as corporate commitments, legislation is also starting to impact. Deloitte posted a blog in June 2022: “With a minimum EPC (energy performance certificate) requirement of B by 2030, 80% of London office stock will need to be upgraded.” The advisory firm also stated: “It is imperative that those owners of offices with low EPC ratings spend the next few years on comprehensive refurbishment plans to avoid being left behind and unable to attract new tenants.”

Global real estate company, JLL, also published a report last year highlighting the commercial imperative to retrofit and upgrade property: “The conversation is developing beyond value creation (green premium) to be about value preservation (avoiding a brown discount)”.

Lee & Plumpton installed solar panels at its HQ in 2016 generating over 160,000 Kwh of electricity per year.

Whilst hybrid working is here to stay, there is undoubtedly a return to the office. Employers are focusing on talent retention and, as part of this strategy, many are looking to create interactive, dynamic environments where people want to work and be productive.

It is increasingly recognised that office design can reinvigorate an organisation’s culture, improve the health and productivity of teams, and foster a greater sense of belonging.

The nature of business is that it is always changing and evolving. The office environment plays a vital role in creating the ‘professional home’ and impacts on how well organisations can function and perform. Understanding the opportunities to support different business sectors is a fundamental requirement for workplace designers, fit-out companies, furniture manufacturers and suppliers alike.

The impact of the pandemic, together with a greater focus on energy and carbon reductions, is dramatically changing workplace planning and space allocation.

A recent report, commissioned by the British Council for Offices, highlighted that previously used office space metrics, based on space-per-desk, are less relevant. The BCO is now recommending that allocation should be considered in terms of the amount of space needed per person. Until recently, it was common for companies to be reporting office densities of less than 8m² per person whereas now, the proposal is between 10-12m².

Arguably, the previously high office densities were a fundamental cause of issues relating to employee comfort and well-being. Noise disruption, lack of personal and concentration space also impact overall personal performance.

The opportunity for employees to work for some of the time at home is now widespread. Most companies and individuals do, however, recognise the importance of the office environment to provide a ‘hub’ for collaboration, a sense of community, and corporate culture. The combination of working from home and a central office hub is, for many, the best outcome. It caters to staff who are not always able to travel into the office for a variety of reasons whilst also providing a more formal, structured workplace.

As well as improvements to employee welfare and productivity through reducing office space density, there are energy & environmental savings too. High occupancy levels increase the requirements of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, with associated increases in operational carbon and energy usage.

The impact of hybrid working clearly requires companies to evaluate their real estate requirements. For many businesses, lease commitments, together with the cost and disruption of relocation, necessitate a re-examination of existing space.

Whilst office design now needs to accommodate a range of meeting, collaboration, and social facilities, there usually remains a definite requirement for more traditional work settings. In the case of IT-dependent sectors, many employees still require a dedicated workstation. Standalone desks are still the preferred option for many. In addition, bench desking can offer this option as well as the added versatility to be used as a worktable for interactive discussions.

  There remains a need for traditional working environments with the versatility to adapt to evolving requirements.

Collaborative space attracts employees back to the office.

Lockers offer personal storage for ‘hybrid’ workers.

The nature of business is that it is always changing and evolving. Office design and furniture continues to play a vital role in creating the ‘professional workplace’ and influencing how well organisations can function and perform. Understanding the changing needs and requirements is essential for furniture manufacturers and suppliers alike in order to support the business community.

Like many manufacturing businesses, we will be closing on Friday 23rd December 2022, and re-opening on Tuesday 3rd January 2023.

Any ‘Next Day’ orders received after Wednesday, December 21st  will be scheduled for despatch on Tuesday, January 3rd.

We hope that everyone enjoys this festive time.

Marketing Support

During 2022, we introduced a number of new products including the Active range of mobile, multi-functional pedestals and caddies as well as adding the Grow planter and Recycling units to the Signature range of system storage solutions.

You can find marketing support materials, together with our updated Furniture Collection on the website.

New brochures are hosted in the ‘download’ area – here

In addition, each product range has its own ‘Dropbox’ where you can download assembly instructions, product images as well as additional promotional materials. Visit the Product page and select the relevant range - Products Page

Welcome, 2023!

As a leading British manufacturer, we remain committed to supporting our UK supply chain and efforts towards environmental responsibility and sustainability.

Our established reputation for quality, durable product design and manufacturing together with availability of replacement components is recognised as offering a significant contribution to our overall efforts.

We look forward to working with you in 2023.

Most business managers recognise the benefits of a well-designed workplace and want to adapt to meet the requirements for changing work patterns and styles. With pressures on budgets, particularly within the current economic climate, many organisations cannot commit to employing external design experts and planners.

Many locally and regionally based furniture suppliers, supported by manufacturers, can offer highly professional design and planning expertise. Working with the client, they can analyse working practices and requirements to produce proposals including layouts and space plans to optimise efficiency and well-being. In addition, advice will be available regarding legislation compliance and good ergonomics including correct chair height, adequate equipment spacing, and good desk posture.

Regionally based furniture suppliers, supported by manufacturers, can offer highly professional design and planning expertise.

Today’s offices need to provide a ‘hub’ for the organisation providing a variety of work settings to match different ways of working. More ‘traditional’ desk areas are now supplemented with concentration spaces, together with formal and informal meeting facilities for collaboration and socialising.

Traditional desk areas are now supplemented with concentration spaces, together with formal and informal meeting facilities for collaboration and socialising.

With the adoption of ‘hybrid’ or flexible working, facilities are needed so staff can be confident that their belongings are safe and secure whilst at work. In addition, this can be a convenient facility for visitors to store a laptop, for example, for a few hours.

Lockers provide a practical storage solution for ‘hybrid’ workers.

Access to IT remains an important function for the workplace. Furniture designed to accommodate cable management is, therefore, an important consideration. Similarly, ‘hot desking’ or ‘touchdown’ facilities are often required for non-office-based personnel. All too often, people spend time searching around for an unoccupied desk only to be moved on when the permanent occupier returns from lunch or a meeting!

‘Touchdown’ facilities are often required for non-office-based personnel

A multi-functional, purpose-designed office is not simply for large, corporate environments in prestige business parks and city centre locations.

SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises)* actually account for 99.9% of the business population. 5.548 million small businesses employ 0 to 49 employees representing 99.2% of the total business population. There are a further 35,600 medium-sized businesses with 50 to 249 employees, just 0.6% of the overall total. Larger businesses, with over 250 employees, around 7,700 organisations only represent 0.1% of business population.

All sizes of companies around the country have access to a wealth of experience and expertise from local suppliers providing a personalised service and supporting each regional economy.

*UK Government statistics: business population estimates 2021

Lee & Plumpton has held Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification since 2009. Much of the product portfolio includes wood as a component and we recognise the importance of independent verification of the source of this valuable material.

FSC certification confirms that the wood we source comes from forests that are being managed in a way that preserves biological diversity and benefits the lives of local people and workers. The FSC system contributes to mitigating climate change by promoting sustainable forest management, and the recycling of wood materials.

As a major manufacturer, we are diligent to maintain our status as an FSC certificate holder and ensure all wood, even down to the dowels, is certified. In line with the updated FSC trademark standard for certificate holders, we issue order-specific certificates for wood products. This means that packaging and commercial documents that may include a mix of materials, such as metal, foam, and fabric, are no longer labelled. This approach avoids any confusion while maintaining chain of custody.

We have been committed to environmental responsibility for many years. We were first audited for membership to the Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP) back in 2007 and continue to strive for continuous improvement.

We recognise our responsibility to consider all areas of our business in terms of environmental impact. From management, administration, and product design through to facilities management and logistics together with manufacturing processes and procedures, we strive to introduce positive changes to protect the planet. Our 2022 Environmental Commitment statement is available on our website, here.

*The FSC survey was conducted between 24/03/2022 – 28/03/2022 in the UK by Kantar via OnLineBus, a sample of 1281 adults aged 16+ were interviewed.

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Each school and classroom will vary according to a variety of factors, such as curriculum, class size, space availability, and, of course, budget. Common to all projects, key considerations should be the need to create adaptable, flexible spaces and technology integration.

Lee & Plumpton’s design team can help create adaptable, flexible learning spaces with the integration of technology.

The basic requirements for occupancy comfort are the primary concerns. Factors including room temperature, air quality, availability of natural light, and control of the levels of lighting are priorities.

Interior design, including the choice of furniture, also contributes to the classroom experience. The layout should include the ability to rearrange furniture for a variety of activities and teaching approaches. Furniture must, therefore, be durable to withstand moves and changes.

Tables including tilt-top or folding legs offer flexibility.

Staff and students should have access to a choice of learning spaces. Teaching styles are varied and require different environments according to students’ needs and types of lessons.

The colour choice for the walls, floors and furniture should be varied. Colour can have a significant impact and careful research is needed. Vibrant tones are often applied to create an invigorating space whereas softer hues promote a calmer and more peaceful environment.  The impact of colour choices from a neurodiverse perspective is also now increasingly understood.

Lee & Plumpton’s dedicated bespoke department can develop custom design solutions to match particular requirements

Overall, the ambition for classroom design must be to create spaces that promote active engagement and meaningful learning.