Movers And Shakers Who Shape Asia:
Winners Comments
Winners of Asian Furniture Leadership Award (AFLA) 2009 and Malaysian Furniture Leadership Award (MFLA) 2009 forecast the shape of Asian furniture in time to come.
"I think we will see a global trend over the next one or two decades that manufacturing will move closer to the geographic areas where the main consumption is. Closer proximity to the consumer marketplace will lower transportation costs and fulfill the increasing demands on reducing CO2 emissions. Inevitably, this will lead to a drastic transformation of the furniture industry in Asia."
Malaysia, Aik Chee Furniture Sdn Bhd
Mr Roger Tee Seng Chee
• Outstanding Young Leader Award
• Product Excellence Award
"The main challenges faced by the Malaysian furniture industry are the recent government labour changes – in which it had restricted the number of foreign workers into Malaysia, as well as the lack of support the government gives in terms of tax waivers and exemptions."
Singapore, Air Division Pte Ltd
Mr Michael Toh
• Asian Furniture Leadership Award
"China is leading the charge for Asia to become the next global power in the foreseeable future. There will also be more collaborative efforts being forged between Asia and the rest of the world. We expect to see more Asian companies move away from traditional OEM to ODM and able to take over as the leader in furniture design and exports to the rest of the world within the next five to 10 years."
Malaysia, Artak Design Sdn Bhd
Mr Albert Tong Chin San
• Brand Excellence Award
"Although Malaysian furniture is of better quality, the future does not look bright as we continue to face strong competition from China. We need stronger support from the Malaysian government. Companies also have to be flexible and strengthen their international presence."
Vietnam, Dai Phuc Hung Thinh Co, Ltd
Mr Mai Nguyen Ngoc An
• Asian Furniture Leadership Award
"Asian furniture industry is still developing and it will take approximately two years for our economy to return to what we had achieved before. There is also an increasingly trend for the Asian furniture industry to produce and design more indoor furniture."
中国 东莞市慕思寝室用品有限公司
China, De Rucci Beddings Co., Ltd
王炳坤 Mr Wang Bing Kun
• Asian Furniture Leadership Award
“In the near future, the economies of Asian countries will continue to grow at a certain rate. In five to 10 years’ time, Asian furniture will move from simple processing to research and development of new technology. At the same time by then, more will Asian companies will become OBMs. A new batch of well-received own-branded furniture from Asia will take to the stage both within the region and internationally.”
Malaysia, Deep International Sdn Bhd
Ms Candice Lim Le Lan
• Product Excellence Award
• Service Excellence Award
"To obtain better selling prices and maintain competitiveness, the Malaysian furniture industry should focus on brand-building, as well as the designing and production of more innovative and original furniture pieces."
中国 东莞市城市之窗家具有限公司
China, Dongguan Window of City Furniture Co., Ltd
王东升 Mr Wang Dong Sheng
• Asian Furniture Leadership Award
“I have huge hopes and faith in Asian furniture. Right now, the global power structure is changing. The West used to dominate the world market but this strength is shifting to the East now. This is a rare and valuable opportunity for us. Therefore in five to 10 years’ time, Asian furniture industry will collectively grow stronger and become the trendsetter in the mainstream.
Right now, Asian furniture is still at its growing phase. Areas of design, production technology and brand building still need improvements. Nonetheless, this growth will be rapid.”
Malaysia, Euro Holdings Bhd
Mr Lew Fatt Sin
• Asian Furniture Leadership Award
• Malaysian Entrepreneur Of The Year Award
• Brand Excellence Award
• Product Excellence Award
“The Asian furniture industry will remain uncertain in the short term but will achieve satisfactory growth rate when the global market recovers eventually. Demand for furniture would be more apparent in countries with higher developing growth rate and in newly opened–up markets.”
Malaysia, G-Orient Industries Sdn Bhd
Mr Soon Yit Siang
• Corporate Social Responsibility Award
"Malaysian furnture is still very competitive, in fact, more competitive now. In the past, we used to face considerable competition from China and Vietnam. Now, our solid wood furniture is enjoying very good prospects, because our costs have remained relatively stable as compared to these two countries. Component supply is also not a problem. My company attends the major exhibitions like IMM Cologne to keep abreast of the latest technology, so as to provide my clients with quick delivery and updated components."
Malaysia, Green Continental Furniture (M) Sdn Bhd
Mr Ooi Ah You
• Asian Furniture Leadership Award
• Product Excellence Award
"The Malaysian furniture industry should brand itself as an unique player, not only in terms of pricing, delivery and quality, but also as a value providing partner, eco-friendly manufacturer and producer of original Asian-designed products."
Singapore, Haleywood Industries Pte Ltd
Mr Ong Kim Chuan
• Asian Furniture Leadership Award
“In a region where opportunities and resources are abound, the Asian furniture industry needs to constantly find ways to add value to rise above the global competition. Future leaders need to work together to establish a culture of product innovation and creation in Asia. We need to re-invent and produce original Asian pieces, rather than just focusing on manufacturing. This will give the Asian furniture industry a much needed re-branding on the whole.”
Malaysia, Hin Lim Furniture Manufacturer Sdn Bhd
Mr Thomas Lim Hock Chuan
• Asian Furniture Leadership Award
• Product Excellence Award
• Service Excellence Award
"It is hard to see the demand yet but the IMM Cologne show in January 2009 will be a very important show for us and for other Asian suppliers. If the response gathered at the show is good, it will be a good indication that 2010 will most likely be a better buying season than 2009."
Malaysia, Home Upholstery Industries Sdn Bhd
Ms Tee Hwee Ing
• Asian Furniture Leadership Award
• Product Excellence Award
"Asian furniture enterprises will have to focus more on brand building. As customers are increasingly looking for a one-stop sourcing platform of all kinds of furniture, businesses will also have to diversify their product range and include a more thorough collection of furniture."
Thailand, Image Intermarketing Co., Ltd
Ms Nuntawee Pitakteeratham
• Asian Furniture Leadership Award
“As customers are increasingly having greater influence on product designs and creation, we expect the Asian furniture industry to be even more integrated as manufacturers, consumers and designers forge closer relationships to produce items that suit market trends. Asia is the current global leader in furniture manufacturing and we believe we will retain this competitive edge in this decade.”
Malaysia, Inart Furniture Sdn Bhd
Mr Eom Tae Hun
• Brand Excellence Award
• Product Excellence Award
"Buyers are looking for a furniture seller that provides consultation and allows them to buy whatever they need for their homes and offices under one roof. Malaysian furniture enterprises should hence focus on producing an entire range of furniture in which the designs are also highly original."
Singapore, Innoplan Technology Pte Ltd
Ms Ivy Seah
• Asian Furniture Leadership Award
"Southeast Asian furniture is considered premium when compared to China's, in terms of design, industry outlook and also business operations. We should expect to see more European style influenced pieces being produced as Asian companies are collaborating with European companies more often than before."
Malaysia, Isotop Corporation Sdn Bhd
Mr Manfredd Ng Hak Khin
• Brand Excellence Award
"The increasing cost of rubberwood and the lack of local participation and high dependence on foreign labour are some of the challenges facing the Malaysian furniture industry today. The latter especially, is made worse by the inconsistent labour policies with regards to on the intake of foreign labour in 2009."
Singapore, Lorenzo International Ltd
Mr James Goh
• Asian Furniture Leadership Award
"As the global economy recovers, the future looks bright for the furniture industry in the region. We are confident that there are greater opportunities for us to grow our businesses and we look forward to building Lorenzo as a resilient regional brand, offering premium quality lifestyle furniture."
Malaysia, LY Furniture Sdn Bhd
Mr Tan Kwee Chai
• Asian Furniture Leadership Award
• Corporate Social Responsibility Award
“We have to actively and laboriously follow the current trends, as well as upgrade our product quality and production skills. These are the only ways for Malaysian furniture to stay competitive in the world market. At the same time, we have to constantly be on our toes to adapt to any market adjustments. Change is the only constant, and therein lies all our solutions. To achieve this, we also must come out of our shells and comfort zones, and find out what's new in the market, and be driven to innovate.”
Vietnam, Rare Dragan Co. Ltd
Mr Dragan Mladenovik
• Asian Furniture Leadership Award
"Although the economic slump has hit us hard and we might take a while to recover, the downturn has also reinvigorated the industry, in which only the better players remain. Buyers gain as a result of such intensified competition."
Malaysia, Shantawood Manufacturing Sdn Bhd
Ms Cheryl Fong Hui Fong
• Outstanding Woman Leader Award
"We are equipped with the latest technology knowledge and customers trust the quality and workmanship of Malaysian produced pieces. With the global economy improving, the outlook remains bright for us. Despite that, stronger support is also needed from the local government to ensure the viability of our operations."
Singapore, Star Furniture Pte Ltd
Mr Richard Koh
• Asian Furniture Leadership Award
"We can expect slow recovery for Europe and the US, although emerging markets of Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia will be growth markets for most furniture players in Asia. The global financial crisis has brought about some consolidation in the furniture industry worldwide. You can expect those who had emerged from the economic downturn with strong resilience to do well in 2010."
Malaysia, Wegmans Furniture Industries Sdn Bhd
Mr Collin Law Kok Lim
• Outstanding Young Leader Award
• Product Excellence Award
"If the US currency does not depreciate any further, the prospects of the Asian furniture industry are good as we see a steady rise in the number of orders coming in recent months."
Malaysia, Wysen Industry Sdn Bhd
Mr Kenny Low Chin Koon
• Outstanding Young Leader Award
“Comparatively, Asia’s economy is strong and stable. With the region’s large population, I am confident that Asians will quickly become the biggest furniture consumers in the world.
As an office-furnishing exporter from Asia, I feel the strategy should be to focus on domestic and regional demand. Not only is Asian consumption growing quickly, the close proximity will help me, and my buyers, save on transport costs. This geographical advantage, coupled with Malaysia’s natural resources supply in rubberwood, put us in good stead”.
“In five to 10 years’ time, more Asian furniture brands will surface, and these will be brands that have competitive edge over European ones. For now, we will have to improve on design, management and branding. Given our relatively stable economies, lower production costs, as well as speedy growth rates, we are in a very advantageous position to take on the future.”
Malaysia, Zone Furniture Industries Sdn Bhd
Mr Jamaludin Murad
• Outstanding Bumiputera Leader Award
"We have to be more pro-active in promoting Malaysian designed and produced furniture to the world. We have to create a unique identity and lifestyle the world can associate with when they think of "Malaysian furniture."
Current issue:
March/April 2010
To Gather Again In March
Every March, the international furniture community gears itself up for a jam-packed calendar. Starting with MIFF in Kuala Lumpur and to finish with the CIFF-Office Show at the end of March, buyers and suppliers gather in Asia for the latest products and designs the region has to offer. This is in the form of more than a dozen exhibitions running back-to-back.
