Furniture exporters confident to attain 15% growth this year

CEBU, Philippines - As furniture exporters saw the good turnaround of buyers’ attendance during the recently concluded 21st Cebu International Furniture and Furnishing Exhibition (CebuNext), industry players hope to achieve a 15 percent growth this year.

Although the industry experienced a 50 percent drop on orders last year, in terms of container volume, furniture makers are expecting a “turnaround” this year, as the market is obviously starting to pick-up.

Pre-registered buyers to this year’s CebuNext improved by 30 percent compared to last year, with 600 foreign buyers registered before the show opened last Friday at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

CFIF president Angela Paulin said that exhibitors, even during the first day of the show, showed renewed interest and “they buy more now.”

The enhanced design and quality of products, offered by exhibitors in this year’s show, is seen to pull up the industry’s fate, as players tried their best to offer the “best quality and design” they could in order to “tickle” the recovering market.

CFIF member of the board Charles Estreegan said that with the positive turn-out of number of buyers to this year’s show, and their encouraging buying attitude, furniture exports at least in Cebu is seen to “breath” starting this year, and they expect to hit the 2005 peak level.

The industry experienced the all-time-low volume orders last year, with only 4,000 containers shipped out of Cebu, from an average of 14,000 containers in 2006.

Aside from improved buying interest noted from the major markets such as United States, and Europe, furniture exporters also are seeing movements in Asian market, including the emerging markets in Middle East, China and India.

Players are hopeful that the 15 percent growth this year, can be achieved, specifically that much active efforts now are being implemented by industry players, to fight fierce competition.

Top furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue said that Cebu’s commitment to lead the furniture export sector in the Philippines has not weathered amid the industry’s trials brought about by the global recession.

In fact, serious players are working hard and investing more in order to sustain its market hold, at the same time sustain Cebu’s leadership in the furniture export sector.

Cebu has been able to make a name for itself as the “design” capital in furniture and home furnishing exports, it has to hold on to that name, with or without crisis.

“People always look for us for trends,” Cobonpue said. Thus, even in the midst of difficult situation, players are still putting their nerves together to sustain the industry’s life, thereby preparing themselves for the market rebound, and expect to soar and fight the competition well.

The furniture export sector had let go at least 30 thousand employees in the last couple of years, majority of this lost their jobs last year, because of the demand plunged.

The international furniture and furnishings show in Cebu or CebuNext is a major event in the furniture industry in the Philippines and attracts hundreds of local and foreign buyers. It serves as the showcase of creativity and fine craftsmanship of Filipino designers and furniture makers.

It is part of the Asian circuit of international furniture and furnishing shows in different countries in Asia like Singapore, Malaysia, China scheduled within the three-week span.