Wayne Hollis, Managing Director at Celebrity Motion Furniture, reflects on a recent award win, overcoming challenges and popular products.
How does it feel to be voted the Best Occasional Chair/Recliner Supplier in the BFG Awards 2026?
It’s an incredible achievement for Celebrity to be named Best Occasional Chair/Recliner Supplier for the second year running. To receive this recognition from the industry is something we’re extremely proud of, and it’s a real testament to the hard work, dedication and passion of our entire team.
To be recognised once again by those within the industry makes this achievement even more special. We would like to sincerely thank everyone who voted for us and for their continued support. As a proud British manufacturer, we remain committed to delivering quality, comfort, innovation and outstanding service to our retail partners and customers.
How has the year been so far for the business?
Despite the ongoing challenges across the industry, we’re pleased with how the business has continued to perform. We’ve remained focused on developing new products, supporting our retail partners and continuing to invest in the future of the business, all while responding to changing market conditions.
What are the current challenges you are facing and how are you overcoming these?
Like many UK manufacturers, we’re continuing to face significant cost pressures across raw materials, energy, transport and labour. In particular, the upholstery industry has seen unprecedented increases in the cost of foam and fibre driven by ongoing global supply chain challenges.
While these pressures are unavoidable, our focus has been on improving efficiencies throughout the business, carefully managing costs and continuing to invest where it matters most. Our priority remains delivering outstanding quality, value and service to our retail partners without compromising the standards we’re known for.
What has been a popular product and why?
Following a highly successful launch at the January Furniture Show, our new Ashfield range has now reached retailer showrooms and has been performing exceptionally well despite the current market conditions. We believe its success is down to its combination of traditional styling, exceptional comfort and the quality that has always been at the heart of Celebrity products.
SmartSense™ Technology has also received an overwhelmingly positive response. As the only UK manufacturer currently offering this intelligent motion technology as standard on Dual Motor and Cloud Zero riser recliners, it provides real-time awareness by continuously monitoring the chair’s movement as it operates. By intelligently detecting contact with its surroundings and responding instantly, SmartSense™ enhances the user experience while providing added confidence in everyday use. This innovative technology further differentiates our products and demonstrates our continued commitment to innovation and comfort.
Has the company made any recent investments you can share?
One of our biggest investments over the past year has been the development and launch of our exclusive SmartSense™ Technology. This has been a significant project for the business, with considerable time, research and investment dedicated to designing, testing and refining the technology before bringing it to market. We wanted to ensure it genuinely enhanced the customer experience and delivered the levels of reliability and performance our customers expect.
SmartSense™ Technology is now fitted as standard on all Dual Motor and Cloud Zero riser recliners, making Celebrity the only UK manufacturer currently offering this intelligent sensing technology as standard.
Alongside product development, we’re continuing to invest in our manufacturing capabilities, digital technology and production processes to improve efficiency across the business. We’re also focused on enhancing the support we provide to our retail partners, ensuring they have the tools and resources they need to help drive sales and deliver the best possible customer experience.
Can you reveal any new developments in the pipeline?
We’re always looking at ways to evolve our collections and introduce new ideas. While we can’t reveal too much just yet, we’re continuing to develop products and features that build on our focus of comfort, functionality and intelligent design, so there are some exciting developments still to come.
We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support of our retail partners and everyone who voted for us. As a proud British manufacturer, we’re committed to continuing to invest in innovation, quality and customer service, ensuring Celebrity remains at the forefront of the motion furniture market for many years to come.
