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Au Leck Chai

Chief Executive Officer,
Malaysian Furniture Promotion Council

"I am very impressed with and surprised at the amount of effort Asian furniture entrepreneurs are putting in to improve their product designs, branding and quality. The local government should recognise such fervent commitment and provide stronger support to help further promote the industry. To remain competitive, Asian furniture businesses should also continue to create outstanding, innovative and original 'green' furniture that are not only eco-friendly, but also with its exotic designs that reflect the natural environment of this region."

Byun Sang Joon

Publisher of GaGu Guide,
Chairman of Korean Living Furniture Association

"We associate Mercedes Benz with Germany. Louis Vuitton and Chanel remind people of France. Toyota is the best-known image of Japanese spirit. And Italy is associated with all the things luxurious and well designed. Brand recognition is the factor that's going to give us an edge in the competition. As the furniture market becomes more globalised, brands that have added value will enjoy market recognition. The question of how high an executive’s profile should be is also a hot topic among Asian furniture companies at the moment.The FLA helps furniture companies that are anxious to get a foothold in the market to build up their brand name. It is great step forward."

Brian Casey

President and Chief Executive Officer of the
High Point Market Authority

"The winners have a combination of traits and diversified business models. It will be interesting to see the longevity of this model.

We are not looking so much at design elements but at the business and its management.

Here it seems, the use of technology is the same as in the US. Some are very sophisticated like ERP systems and SAP. Many find continued challenge is in the connection between software and operating culture.

That said, these are across the board cultural issues faced by businesses everywhere. Every company offers products types depending on the markets they’re selling to. I think you have differences in design and in some aspects, quality. That varies depending on where in the world, even in the US.

However, the elements of pricing, product quality, continual product development and rapid delivery must be implemented throughout."

Professor KC Chan

President, Wholistic Learning Consortium.
Founding Director, Centre for Professional Training and Development

"What I have observed is not surprising but interesting, in terms of the strategies and approaches adopted – there is no one single, but several models that represent success.

These Asian leaders are skilled in leadership, entrepreneurship and management but these qualities do not cascade down to the next in line for leadership succession. This preparation should be done conscientiously and consistently, not on a random basis.

Succession planning is an immediate need because if you expand too quickly without it, your growth process will be slowed down in the long run."

Dr Casey Loo

Founder/ Programme Director, Furniture Leadership Awards
Publisher/Editor-in-chief, Furniture & Furnishing Export International;
Office& Contract International Magazines

"Despite being faced with similar circumstances and macro-economic challenges, Asian companies have creatively adopted a wide assortment of business strategies and are achieving success by leveraging on their unique strengths.

However, undeniably, the low cost theme features predominantly as a base strategy for most. To them, the formula of ‘cheaper, better and/or faster’ is inescapable. Nonetheless, many do realise the difficulty sustaining their advantage via the low-cost, low-price route in the long term, as operational efficiency through advanced technology can be bought.

It is reassuring thus to note that many companies are also committed to offering better products and greater customer service or experience. The latter is the newest hype in the marketing world at the moment. With an emphasis on building their own design capabilities, companies are moving into ODM (Original Design Manufacturing) and some even going into OBM (Original Brand Manufacturing).

Together, AFLA and MFLA mark a significant milestone in the history of Asian furniture. The region collectively accounts for a very large share of the world’s furniture production, yet known solely for the low priced products. This, a distorted image of the Asian furniture industry, will change. It will not happen overnight but surely and it is making good progress."

Takayoshi Nagashima

Executive Director/Chairman, International Relations Committee Of Japan Specialized Newspapers Association
Vice President, Japan Specialized Newspaper Association Federation
Editor-in-Chief, The Home Living
President, AIK Co Ltd

"Many of these Asian companies have ISO certifications and are going green. This is very good. But for equally many of them, the product quality and finishing can be improved. In terms of export destinations, South Africa and the UAE are still not very popular for them.

Chinese furniture companies are increasing their product quality substantially. Next, they will have to improve on their branding.

The Malaysian, Singaporean and Thai companies are rolling out more original designs.

Again, I have to emphasise that it is not good to engage in price wars. What we should have is good original designs with good quality, at reasonable prices."