Local furniture makers regaining export niche

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu furniture industry is slowly regaining its niche in the export market by learning the ropes of surviving a tight global market.

Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. (CFIF) consultant Ruby Salutan said Cebuano furniture makers were quick to sense the changing dynamics of market demand from export consumers, wherein volume is no longer viable.

What sustains the furniture export business in Cebu amid the softening of the global market is its ability to accommodate not only the growing domestic demand but also the rising demand for personalized pieces from discriminating clients around the world.

Salutan said industry players have learned the trick and are now doing away from mass production and instead focused on customized home furnishings.

"It’s all about cash flow. We don't want our money to be tied up in the inventory. The way of doing business is totally different now," Salutan added.

This shift also pushed the local furniture industry to a bigger market instead of just focusing mainly on the United States and Europe as its bread-and-butter markets.

She admitted that in the past, furniture companies particularly in Cebu were built for mass production due to huge quantity orders particularly from the United States.

Today, the capacity of furniture plants have been adjusted to accommodate the fast growing customized home furnishing customers worldwide.

Aside from sophisticated designs, the Cebu furniture industry is also banking on its performance turnaround on the strong custom-made savvy consumers. (FREEMAN)