It all began in the 1960s when a revolutionary idea for a high-capacity office storage cupboard combined with the heritage and expertise of the Fairburn Lawson Group – a steel manufacturer dating back to the early 1900s. Since then, we’ve expanded our office furniture range to include desking, tables, seating, and more. We’ve also introduced design, project management, and installation services, partnering with carefully selected suppliers to provide an unrivaled choice of office furniture and a comprehensive office fit-out solution.
Over the years, we’ve worked with a wide range of clients, from large government organisations to high-street retailers such as The Body Shop, Swizzels, NatWest, BHS, Eon, Costa, Fox Media, Admiral, and Greggs. We’ve also collaborated with educational institutions like the University of Cambridge, delivering tailored solutions to meet their unique needs.
Harry Amsell designs high-capacity lateral storage cabinets, saving valuable office space. Teaming up with metal sheet manufacturer, Fairbairn Lawson Group, to manufacture the cabinets. Highlighting the flexibility of his creation, ‘Flexiform’ is born!
1985, Flexiform becomes the first office equipment manufacturer to achieve the British standard for quality control. Flexiform supplies filing cabinets to other manufacturers to sell as their own including Herman Miller, Railex, and Millers. Fleximetric, a vertical tambour storage cupboard is launched.
1988, Flexiform announce it’s expansion from Wellington Street, Leeds to the old Thornbury Tram Shed, Bradford, giving Flexiform much-needed extra space.
Flexiform purchased Dalescraft Office Furniture Ltd, a local wood manufacturing company, to expand its desk-making capabilities.Going on to win the B.E.E (Business Equipment Excellence) Design award for the Chess desking range.
1998, Flexiform was acquired by Bullough plc, rebranding their logo and developing their first Flexiform website. Bullough’s encompassed Pentos and Project Office Furniture, two major workspace furniture companies at the time, working alongside Flexiform.
2001, Flexiform developed a new metal outdoor storage range, naming it Asgard Secure Steel Storage. Bulloughs Plc are taken over by Montpellier Group Plc, and Flexiform was subsequently bought out from the group by Nick Hewitt, James Downs and Nick Saunders.
2008, Flexiform was selected by the Design Council’s Immerse program to help with product design and branding. The Design Council analysed the business as a whole, helping to rebrand to its distinctive pink logo, which became synonymous with the brand for many years.
Flexiform introduces Pico modular desking and Freestor office storage range, which are still some of Flexiform’s most popular products. In 2014, Flexiform begins a 5-year project to invest £500,000 into the Bradford HQ facilities, including the roof, car park, and building alterations to maximise space.
Flexiform invests in creating a Space Planning and Interior Design service, embracing new BIM standards with in-house AutoDesk Revit specialists. The London Hub moves into the new showroom at Gee Street, Clerkenwell, where we still are today.
Flexiform are shortlisted for ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ at Mixology North, highlighting their new industrial furniture range Ferro. Flexiform continue to adapt to market trends, introducing Jot-Up sit- stand desk range and Equity task chair, made on-site in Bradford.
After outgrowing our premises, Flexiform undertakes a re-organisation and multi-million-pound investment over the next 3 years to maximise the space of the premises including the purchase of new machinery and upgrades.
Flexiform continues to invest in the factory, installing 2 phases of solar panels, helping to generate renewable electricity. A new IT system is commissioned to maximise efficiency.
Flexiform launches new agile furniture, including a media booth, modular storage bookcase and mobile screens. Re-developing the Pico modular desking offer to a more sustainable, eco-friendly version, naming it Meira. Papillon and Nuke 100% recycled office chairs are launched to reduce our carbon footprint.
