Exporters collaborate to survive competition

CEBU, Philippines — Striving to keep the industry on top of the game amid the market slump, Cebu furniture exporters are tightening their bond to fight competition.

According to Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation (CFIF) board member Laurie Boquiren “the name of the game now is to work together and collaborate in order to stay on top, while countries like Cambodia and Vietnam are threatening the industry’s position in the world market.”

What kept the industry alive in the last few years despite the changing market landscape is the ability of Cebu to catch up with the transition from mass production to design-driven pieces.

But this continuous fight against competition can only be sustained if the players will work hand in hand, and collaborate especially in promoting Cebu’s reputation as a socially responsible home furnishing producer, aside from its design niche.

The collaboration of producing sustainable home furnishing products, including fashion accessories, through using sustainable materials, upcycling, and other environment friendly methods is seen to protect the industry from being affected from competition.

While the export business in home furnishing is sustained by the design-driven market, customized clients, and sustainable green product, the industry is also bolstered by the dynamic property market in the Philippines.

The domestic market has become the industry’s regular client and it has been able to sustain the industry in the last couple years when the global market dropped primarily due to the US sub-prime problem which heightened in 2008.