Creationz 

In the late 1970s a Hastings manufacturer of tubular steel furniture, Furnware Industries, decided that it was time to expand beyond the institutional school and hospital markets.

At that time, there was a boom in booze barn makeovers. This required a cultural shift from simply tendering for supplying generic products, to developing and marketing new products to new markets.

The brief to Michael Smythe (a director of Marks and Smythe Designers at that time), was to design a range of chairs, stools, tables and bar leaners for the hospitality market. Constraints included minimising danger in the event of furniture being used as weapons...

Research among interior designers and architects found that they would most like to use Bentwood chairs, but they were too expensive and vulnerable.

Other manufacturers where making steel tube imitation Bentwood, but Smythe said, "Why limit ourselves to the constraints of bending timber? Let's be honest about our materials - let's make BENTUBE chairs."

The design honours the heritage of Bentwood by using the same diameters employed in the classic hoop-back chair. There are no ends requiring plugs that can fall out.

The full range included a stacking chair, a chair with arms, a low stool, a bar stool, coffee tables, dining tables and bar leaners.

The original intention was to powder coat the tube and offer a range of plastic, cane, vinyl and wool seating finishes. The designer noted that black vinyl and chrome was becoming trendy (the '70s art deco revival) and the client enthusiastically headed off down that track.

The client rose to the occasion and invested in the development of technology to produce the range at a consistent quality standard - thus positioning themselves beyond the skills of their competitors.

Only the stools and stacking chairs were produced in any volume - Michael Hill shops used the bar stools.

Unfortunately, Furnware at that time was owned by an equity investor with a short-term focus. At the point where a major investment in marketing was required, Furnware became a contract manufacturer for a Swedish range. This meant they could return to their comfort zone, so Bentube went on the back burner.

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