Furniture manufacturer eyes expansion following UKSE backing
Cumbernauld-headquartered furniture manufacturer Livn Manufacturing Limited has welcomed a six-figure funding package from UKSE, a subsidiary of Tata Steel, that will help the business invest in new technology and IT infrastructure to enhance its operations.
Founded by Stephen Connachan in 1995, Livn Manufacturing Limited has evolved to become a global manufacturer of bespoke domestic furniture. It supplies clients across the housebuilding, retail, hotel, and student accommodation sectors.
Among its customers are Marks & Spencer and Primark, supplying the high-street giants with fit-out kitchen space for staff areas. Having secured a significant contract for Primark stores across Europe, most recently Livn Manufacturing Limited completed a fit-out for a store in Venice, with the furniture designed and manufactured from its 60,000 sq ft site at Lenziemill Industrial Estate before being exported to Italy.
The funding from UKSE will enable the firm to update its IT infrastructure, modernising its CAD (computer-aided design) to CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) design software that is used to create bespoke furnishings. This will create two new job roles within the technical team, bringing the headcount to 48 over the next 12 months, with plans to grow this further.
Some of the funding is also being used to upgrade the façade of its Cumbernauld site with new branding.
Stephen Connachan, founder and managing director at Livn Manufacturing, said: “Over the last 28 years, Livn Manufacturing Limited has evolved to become a leading furniture manufacturer, adapting to changes in the industry whilst simultaneously building a trusted customer base.
“The funding from UKSE will allow us to future-proof our production line, making us more efficient and better placed to handle the growing demand for our high-quality products and services. We have an ambitious growth plan, and we look forward to continuing to diversify our offering and working with new sectors.”
Scott Webb, regional manager at UKSE, said: “Livn Manufacturing Limited is a fantastic example of a business which has shaped itself to reflect the changing needs of the market. I look forward to seeing the positive effects that our funding will enable, importantly including team growth, and continuing to build our relationship with Stephen and his team.”
Livn Manufacturing Limited also offers individual kitchen design and manufacturing services under the Livn Design Services arm of the business, with a showroom on Clyde Street in Glasgow city centre.