SBTi Validates Symphony’s Net-Zero Targets

UK’s largest privately-owned kitchen and bedroom manufacturer secures independent validation of its full 2050 decarbonisation pathway.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved Symphony Group’s near- and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets and verified that its 2050 net-zero target is aligned with what climate science says is needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

The validation confirms that the UK’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of fitted kitchen and bedroom furniture now has a whole decarbonisation pathway – not just its next few years – that meets the SBTi’s rigorous criteria.

Symphony Group, founded in 1971, marks 55 years in business in 2026. The company now employs more than 1,900 people across three manufacturing and distribution sites in Yorkshire and produces around 3,000 kitchens a week.

Five years ago, Symphony marked its 50th anniversary by celebrating five decades of industry firsts. Since then, the pace of change has increased further – key highlights include the SBTi validation, a £30 million expansion of its Barnsley factory and a new chapter of ownership.

SBTi validates Symphony’s full net-zero pathway

Symphony’s near-term targets commit the company to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030, to cut scope 3 emissions GBP of value added by 66.33% by 2035, and to reduce scope 3 forest, land and agriculture (FLAG) emissions by 45.5% by 2035, all measured against a 2023 base year.

Its long-term, science-based net-zero target commits Symphony to reduce absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 90% and scope 3 FLAG emissions by 72%, both against the same 2023 base year. In line with the SBTi’s Net-Zero Standard, direct emissions cuts are prioritised throughout Symphony’s operations and supply chain, with any residual emissions neutralised only once those reductions have been delivered.

It follows a run of sustainability milestones, including 100% REGO-backed renewable electricity across all sites, zero manufacturing waste to landfill and carbon emissions per £1 million of turnover cut by 45% between 2017 and 2025.

£30 million Barnsley expansion

Manufacturing capacity has grown alongside those ambitions. A £30 million, 300,000 sq ft extension to Symphony’s Pen Hill Estate headquarters in Barnsley became fully operational in 2023. Symphony’s total manufacturing and distribution footprint now stands at 1.3 million sq ft, including a biomass boiler that was built to BREEAM standards.*

New ownership

In 2025, Belfast-based W&R Barnett – a fourth-generation family business founded in 1896 – acquired a majority shareholding in Symphony. The two businesses share many of the same core values, including a commitment to employee welfare, excellent customer service, innovation and an appetite for growth.

Among the new ownership’s first initiatives is a charity matching scheme that doubles funds raised by Symphony employees for good causes across Yorkshire and beyond.

“Reaching our 55th anniversary with our full net-zero pathway independently validated by the SBTi is an important milestone for Symphony. Sustainability is a key factor in how we operate and invest for the future, and this validation gives us a clear, science-based pathway for reducing emissions right through to 2050. It’s a strong reflection of the progress we’ve already made, while keeping the focus firmly on the work still ahead.” – George Burtoft, Sustainability Analyst at Symphony.

For the customers Symphony works with, independent validation of its net-zero pathway – alongside continued investment in capacity, sustainability credentials and design partnerships – underlines the strength of the business as it passes 55 years.

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Milestone 150 businesses trained on Blum’s REVEGO

Furnishing solutions expert Blum has reached the milestone of training 150 businesses on its REVEGO pocket system.

Since launching REVEGO in 2024, the company has welcomed professionals from across the industry to its Milton Keynes headquarters, delivering extensive training designed to help customers maximise the potential of the system.

As fully integrated pocket door systems are a new concept for many furniture professionals, Blum recognised the importance of providing customers with the knowledge and support needed to get the most from the product. Many had little to no experience in this area and have welcomed guidance on the pocket door system and its integrated technology.

Toby Russell, Sales Director, Blum UK, commented: “We’ve reached 150 businesses very quickly, which demonstrates both the appetite for the product and the potential of the solution. Throughout our training days, we educate customers on how to maximise the potential of REVEGO, and the sessions provide a valuable opportunity for professionals to gain an in-depth understanding of the product.”

During REVEGO training days, Blum experts take customers through the entire product journey, including the process of design, planning, purchasing, manufacturing, installation and adjustment. This includes a demonstration of the supporting software and a live assembly designed to replicate what happens on site. The Blum Technical team also outlines the scope of the system in terms of application and dimensions, while fielding questions from attendees.

Toby continued: “Training days also help forge a lasting relationship between the customer and Blum Technical Support, while providing a meaningful opportunity to meet face to face. They introduce customers to the individuals who will be available to support them in the future and highlight the many resources we have in place to provide ongoing assistance, alongside showcasing an innovative product we’re proud of.

“Our innovation in this space has been to create a pocket that is fully built by our manufacturing customers and sent to site as a fully assembled, fit ready application.

“We designed this solution to give valuable time back to our installers and reduce the time needed on site. Since REVEGO’s launch, we’ve had plenty of feedback from our customers demonstrating that this has been felt on site. This is testimony to our marketing campaign ‘make it happen’ where we are raising awareness of how we give value back in the installation process.”

From coffee stations and home offices, to bars, storage walls and walk-in access areas, the REVEGO system is helping professionals create rooms that can change mood and function in seconds. The system simplifies specification, with standardised pocket widths, ready-to-install components and flexible single or double door applications, making it easier to integrate into different layouts and room sizes.  

Mark Goward, Design Engineer at Bill Cleyndert & Company, commented: “The REVEGO training we received recently was excellent and we have had very positive feedback from the team regarding the Blum facility, the quality of training, and the quality of the mechanism. Everyone involved was very impressed”.

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Fall for Bathrooms to Love this Autumn

There is even more to love from Bathrooms to Love this season with a refreshed new look to the bathroom specialist’s branding as well as its new Autumn/Winter (Issue 28) consumer brochure, out now.

PJH continues to invest in its evolving brand, regularly acting upon feedback to help stockists enhance their customers’ buying journey and maximise Bathrooms to Love sales.  

This latest launch sees the ‘heart’ placed at the centre of the brand, with the unveiling of a new-look logo, designed to reflect the aspirational bathroom ideas that appeal to PJH’s discerning audience of customers. 

A new brochure design with a more premium feel also aims to bring fresh inspiration to all, supported with enhanced lifestyle photography, and clearer, more structured product spreads to improve navigation. Presented in an elevated, editorial style, the new user-friendly layout aims to provide retailers with a stronger sales tool, encouraging ideas and imagination, to help increase sales.

Featuring a number of new product additions, and building on the various range introductions from earlier this year, the finely curated collection boasts many up and coming bathroom trends, designed to take customers confidently into 2027.    

“The 2027 bathroom continues to focus on warm, inviting and individual spaces, with strong connections to nature that promote relaxation and wellbeing”, explained Sally Hough, Multi-Channel Marketing Manager, PJH. 

“Our latest collection is once again influenced by the outdoor world with plenty of earthy tones, warm colours, soft finishes, textured surfaces, statement pieces and material variations, to help create layers of interest and personality. And of course, everyday functionality, smart storage, and innovative design blends seamlessly throughout our bathroom families, ensuring any Bathrooms to Love space is perfectly organised, efficient and practical.”    

Highlights amongst this season’s product launches include new marble and stone-effect worktops suitable for fitted and modular Bathrooms to Love furniture ranges; additional bathroom accessories in a range of metallic finishes; new LED mirrors; traditional ‘Berwick’ shower packs; and an extended MERLYN wetroom and enclosure collection including a larger choice of finishes and sizes.    

Supported by PJH’s class-leading, next-day, nationwide distribution service, the all new Bathrooms to Love Collection makes for a perfect all-round bathroom supply solution. 

Visit PJH’s Partner Portal to order Bathrooms to Love products, view product information, check stock, manage accounts, and to download or order the new brochure. This latest launch is supported by freshly branded POS, competitive display deals, social media promotion, and more, alongside PJH’s excellent ‘First Choice’ service promise.

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