Our 2024 annual general meeting (AGM) was held at the Institute in February 2025.

Tony Rogers was re-elected Chair and the executive committee comprises Ben Wortley (Deputy Chair) and Dane Walsh. Elected to join the Board for the first time were Carl Davies (Chair Solutions) and Marcus Downie (Australian Furniture Association/AFA). Continuing Board members are Paul Besanko, Robert Burnham and Steve Dimotakis.

In his report the Chair expressed:

“Gratitude to our members for their unwavering support.

Our mission is to support the Australian furniture industry, and maintaining financial health has required us to adapt our operations regularly. Challenges such as geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and labour shortages have affected many businesses, including ours. With rising costs outpacing our prices, we’ve had to implement changes just to maintain our bottom line. Thankfully, these adjustments are working, and I’m happy to report that we’re closing the year financially stronger than the past two years”.

The Chair acknowledged Ian Burton and his Launceston team for their exceptional contribution to our success. He also thanked fellow Board members who generously volunteered their time and expertise to guide us forward.

In closing the Chair remarked that “despite the constant challenges in today’s environment, rest assured that we are diligently working behind the scenes. We remain dedicated to our members and to the continued prosperity of the Institute”.

AFRDI General Manager, Ian Burton, outlined the performance of the Institute over the past year and highlighted:

• Testing, certification and membership income was up year-on-year;
• The year included price increases to cover inflation and to enable the Institute to reposition itself for a future which will include additional costs; and
• Major completed and ongoing projects include the following:
  • the revision of the bunk bed standard (AS/NZS 4220). Next stage public comment, due for release mid-2025.
  • the revision of the cot mattress firmness standard (AS/NZS 8811.1, redesignated to AS 5407.1). Public comment phase complete, due for release 2025.
  • the development of a new standard for cot mattress firmness (AS 5407.2), for mattress types not covered in AS 5407.1.
  • the new edition of AFRDI’s sustainability standard (AFRDI 150).
  • the introduction of a new mandatory standard for infant sleeping products.
  • the proposal for a new omnibus Australian Standard for infant sleeping products.
  • the design and build of four new racking test rigs for desk and bunk testing.
  • the design of a new cantilevered chair testing machine.

The GM thanked all our industry members as well as the entire team at the Institute for their efforts during the year. He also thanked the Executive and the rest of the Institute’s voluntary Board (and their companies) for providing commitment and support to AFRDI over the course of 2024.

_{March 2025}