Current Issue

Raja Badrulnizam Raja Kamalzaman
Trade Commissioner
High Commission of Malaysia in UK, Commercial Section

“This is our first participation at Birmingham and we have companies who are doing sofas, dining sets, bedroom sets and so on. So far, based on the positive responses from importers and retailers, they want to see more Malaysian products on the market. This show is a good platform to penetrate the UK market and despite the economic recession, the industry here is moving forward while the economy is on its recovery path. Our growth in the UK market has been consistent.
According to the numbers, from January to October 2009, export of our wooden furniture has increased by 29.4 percent, as compared to the same period in 2008. Dining and bedroom sets are the bulk of the sales while leather sofas and garden furniture cateogores are growing.
Consumers change furniture more often now and they look for multi-functional pieces with extensions, built-in storage facilities and so on. Our quality is also higher than Chinese furniture and buyers realise that. We must work on our finishings, colours and packaging. Malaysian companies must also follow regulations in terms of packaging standards, using sustainably forested and certified timber, fire safety regulations, EU directives on product safety requirement and the EU’s ban on DMF to penetrate the UK market.
MATRADE monitors regulations and produces market alerts to send out to MATRADE officers, MATRADE members, and affiliated associations. These studies will have lists of requirements, which sectors to target, so it is important for all Malaysian companies to join MATRADE.”

Tony Crinion
Event Manager
Interiors Birmingham
UK

“Year-on-year we have been the same in terms of exhibition size. Areas we find difficulty in are the low end products. Their pricing are competitive but rising transportation costs and currency fluctuations are having an impact on them. To them, pennies matter things can be difficult for them. I’ve seen mid and high end markets stay strong and it is reflective in the halls in the show. Traditional halls have grown and buyers value those who don’t cut corners and are willing to pay for quality.

The fair is coming out well and we’re working hard on product categorisation because buyers only stay for about a day and a half on average. We found our new hall layouts have managed the traffic well and buyers get to see as much as they possibly can.

As for 2010, the furniture industry will remain depressed but you’ll always hear of success stories from companies with the right mindset. Struggling traditional companies who are not forward thinking might not survive. Companies who survive consistently and continually have new ranges of products. The UK market has lost a few strong brands this year. Those who hope a good-selling chair will last them seven years would be hard pressed to keep up with the times especially if they are not inventive.

In Birmingham, we saw a lot of companies that didn’t rest on their laurels and they’re fighting against trends. We also saw more new ranges of products compared to other years.

Our main competitors such as IMM Cologne and Maison Paris have their own strengths and weaknesses. In Interiors Birmingham, 75 to 80 percent of total exhibitors are UK retailers and most of them won’t be travelling to other shows. We are also into features and seminars but not just for students but for everyone in the industry.”

Fang Hui
Secretary-General
Dongguan Famous Furniture Association
China

“I’m confident as we managed to ride out a difficult 2009. I think 2010 will be better for both import and exports markets. I think we’ll grow a lot and we’ve been getting positive feedback.”

Bernard Deheegher
Export Director
Belgian Furniture Export Association
Belgium

“In 2009, Belgium’s internal market was decent as it is one of the best performing markets in Europe. We didn’t suffer so much compared to other countries in the region, however as for export markets we suffered a little bit. As for 2010, it depends on the dollar’s performance and how it is in relation to the Euro. It also depends on the economic situation whether if the optimistic news will continue throughout the year.”

Jill Ngai
Merchandiser
Home Retail Group
Hong Kong

“We provide merchandise and own a retail group in Hong Kong as well as chain stores and catalogue shops in the UK. I believe that we will grow up to 10 percent in the coming year. I definitely think that the economy will head for the better.”

Mituo Kosuga
Incanto Group
Japan

“It’s difficult to say as we just got a new government, and they stopped a lot of export industries. Also, the economy is very slow in Japan for the past 12 months. I think Japan’s furniture industry will be depending on the government to help them with promotion and pump some money into companies. The low end product retailers will do alright but medium and high-end products will suffer. Big retailers are selling mostly accessories but not much furniture.”

Tom Leon
President
International Marketing & Development
Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc

“The furniture industry is resilient and this year will be a great one. I’ve seen improvements right off the back and those companies who survived will come out stronger. The people I’ve talked to are excited and big improvements in the overall worldwide business.”

Zilahi Imre
Editor-in-Chief
Mobila furniture magazine

“The first event of the year really counts in the furniture industry. IMM Cologne 2010 was a breath of fresh air amidst the worldwide economic crisis. The Romanian furniture manufacturers I know, those who have been exhibiting their products here for more than a decade, have told me at the end of fair: that dealing with the crisis will be a heavy task for us in 2010. But fortunately they’ve made good enough businesses at IMM Cologne so the year ahead doesn’t look so worrying.

I think the strength of Kölnmesse is that they have organised the fair brilliantly, and IMM Cologne is also going to strengthen its leading position among the European furniture and contract trade fairs. However, the D3 design show this year was not so convincing, and the new Pure Village hall did not impress me. Nonetheless, the big names in design and comfort – like Team7, Himolla, Interlübke, Bretz and others – thrilled the visitors with fine new pieces.”