Bridgman Furniture: A Legacy Of Craftsmanship & Innovation

Bridgman Furniture, a name synonymous with luxury and quality, has carved out a distinguished place in the furniture industry over decades. Known for its exceptional craftsmanship and innovative designs, Bridgman's journey from a modest beginning to a celebrated brand offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of fine furniture making.  Paul Andrews spoke to the third generation CEO, Alex Bridgman, to find out more.

The story of Bridgman Furniture begins in the early 1970s, when the company was founded by my father, Peter Bridgman, beginning to trade in 1979. “My father’s Bridgman's vision was clear from the outset: to create high-quality, durable furniture that combined traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. The company initially focused on producing classic wooden furniture, emphasizing meticulous handcrafting techniques passed down through generations,” explains Alex, “but even before creating the business my grandfather had already run a small furniture business so as a family we knew about the sector.”

As the company grew, so did its ambitions. The 1980s and 1990s saw Bridgman expanding its product range to include outdoor furniture, recognising a growing market demand for stylish and robust garden furniture. This move proved to be a pivotal point for the company. Bridgman's outdoor furniture collections, featuring teak and rattan pieces, quickly gained popularity for their elegance and resilience against the elements.

“This was an important time for the business as we began to diversity and outdoor furniture provided more opportunities too, “continues Alex.  “My father continued to source the raw materials for us to manufacture quality products and supply extensively across the UK and even into Germany, simply because my father spoke German and exploited the opportunity," he adds.

Innovation has always been at the heart of Bridgman Furniture. The company was among the first to introduce all-weather rattan furniture, combining the aesthetic appeal of natural rattan with the durability of synthetic materials. This innovation not only extended the lifespan of outdoor furniture but also set new standards in the industry.  “We were pioneers in the sector and kept pushing boundaries but it was all about quality products and giving people choices too,” explains Alex.

A cornerstone of Bridgman's success is its unwavering commitment to quality. Each piece of furniture is crafted with the finest materials and undergoes rigorous quality control processes. The use of sustainably sourced wood, high-grade metals, and UV-resistant fabrics ensures that Bridgman furniture is not only beautiful but also built to last.

This dedication to excellence is reflected in the company's customer service philosophy. Bridgman offers extensive warranties and after-sales support, reinforcing its reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction. This approach has garnered a loyal customer base that values the trustworthiness and durability of Bridgman products.

Today, Bridgman Furniture continues to lead the market with its innovative designs and superior craftsmanship with Alex at the helm. 

“I did a business degree at the University of Nottingham and had an interest in hospitality so joined Radisson as a trainee and progressed through to senior management.  I enjoyed the career and was considering options when an opportunity arose to join the family business,” explains Alex.  “Dad’s business partner of over 20 years worked on the sales side of the business and Dad was more operational, which worked well, but in 2012 his partner was looking to retire so I thought about it and then went through a rigorous interview process before starting a role in the business."

"Trust me, there was no nepotism in the process as the interview was tough and I started at the bottom but the grounding in hospitality and an aptitude for working with people stood me in good stead.”

“I did lots of different roles within the business and worked my way to the CEO role through the sales route, starting as a Sales Executive and working through the ranks as Sales Manager and then Sales Director, so it was not easy.  Today, I run the business with my Dad still involved, coming in three days a week and it works well.  We have 38 staff and partner factories that we work closely with to ensure continued quality and craftsmanship and are always looking to continue to innovate in all that we do,” he adds.

Today, the company offers an extensive range of indoor and outdoor furniture, catering to diverse tastes and styles. From contemporary minimalist pieces to classic timeless designs, Bridgman's collections are celebrated for their elegance and functionality.

The advent of e-commerce has allowed Bridgman to reach a global audience. The company's online presence showcases its wide array of products and provides customers with a seamless shopping experience. Bridgman has also embraced digital innovation by offering virtual showrooms and augmented reality tools, allowing customers to visualize how furniture will look in their spaces before making a purchase.

“We always need to be innovative and exceed customer expectations, “adds Alex. 

“I am passionate about this business, something that is reinforced as my name is above the door, and am always striving to improve what we do and the way that we do it too."

"It gives me great pride too that I have been entrusted to run such a great heritage brand, something that I treat with the utmost responsibility and will continue to do so as we look to the future.”

Looking ahead, Bridgman Furniture is committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The company continues to explore eco-friendly materials and sustainable manufacturing practices. By prioritising sustainability, Bridgman aims to minimise its environmental footprint while maintaining the high standards of quality and design that customers have come to expect.  “We have to be responsible business owners,” continues Alex, “and as a recognised leading luxury and outdoor furniture supplier take that responsibility seriously.  Our core family values of quality, collaboration, integrity, trust, customer centric and accountability are all embedded in the way that we operate every day and it matters that we do business the right way too,” he adds.

Bridgman Furniture's rich history is a testament to its dedication to craftsmanship, quality, and innovation. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a leading furniture brand, Bridgman has remained true to its founding principles. As the company continues to evolve, it stands poised to shape the future of the furniture industry, setting new benchmarks for excellence and sustainability, something that Alex is acutely aware of.

“Running a business today is not easy and there have been plenty of economic and supply chain issues for us all to contend with over the past few years and I am aware of the responsibility of being the next generation leading a family business and all that it brings.  I am fully invested in the business and we have a good team of people who care about the business too and that really helps, knowing that customers are in safe hands and continuing to receive the level of service and quality products that our reputation has been built on,” continues Alex.

This is a business that has been built on an innovative footing and one that continues to innovate and diversify as it looks to the future.  “Seasonality is obviously a big issue for us as a business so anything that we can do to mitigate the impact is important, and one of the reasons we launched our interiors range back in 2021.  We hold good stock levels and the business has been built on solid foundations and as we look to the future I am excited about continuing to build and keep our heritage brand going, expanding in a good way and keeping the Bridgman name alive with a solid reputation, continuing the values and purpose that were defined and used to grow the business by my Dad from day one,” he concludes.

Bridgman is a great example of a family business that has come a long way and has grown into an award-winning luxury garden furniture manufacture, and the Bridgman brand remains known for its quality, comfort and style, as well as for innovation and continuing to explore the use of new materials that withstand the elements all year round. 

We look forward to the next chapter in their journey as a successful and innovative family firm.