CFIF CHECKS OUT RUSSIAN MARKET

A delegation of furniture exporters headed by the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation (CFIF) President Eric Vincent Casas and Cebu X Chairman Laurie Boquiren visited Mebel in Moscow, Russia for a Study Mission.

Mebel, the International Exhibition of Furniture, Fittings and Upholstery, now on its 19th year ran from November 12-16, 2007. Amidst the apparently challenging traffic situation in the largest country in the world, the group found the engagement a successful one having been able to touch base with the show organizers, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation and the Philippine Embassy in Russia.

The Cebu delegation was composed of the top management of APY Cane Inc., Castilex Industrial Corp., Coast Pacific Manufacturing Corp., Diamond Cane International, Inc., F & R Ceniza Family Trading Corp., Kirsten International Phils. Inc. and Pan Arts Accessories. These dynamic furniture and accessories manufacturers that actively participate in trade shows saw the huge business opportunities in Russia. The strong spending power of the local buyers, which is 65% of the Mebel show visitors and the remaining international visitors that are mostly from the former USSR, is very much apparent.

CFIF is seriously considering the organization of a group participation to Mebel in the 2008 show.

All praises to Armi Garcia, Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation for organizing the mission and making it one that exceeds every participant’s expectations. Through Consul Garcia the Philippine business community, very much including the Cebu furniture industry, will have a lot of positive things to look forward to now with the signing of Philippine Russian Business Assembly, co-founded by Garcia herself.

Photo Caption: Cebu delegation with Philippine Ambassador to Russia Ernesto V. Llamas (center)

Cebu: Furniture Capital of the Philippines, Design Destination of Asia

Cebu – A narrow island province about 225 kilometers long surrounded by 167 small islands is the Philippines' Queen City of South. It boasts of fine white sandy beaches, an underwater plateau, a magnificent marine sanctuary … it is the fastest growing economic region in the Philippines and the tomorrow's information technology hub of Southeast Asia.

Cebu also lives up to its reputation as the furniture capital of the Philippines. It enjoys a substantial percentage share of the country's furniture export sales which is over 60% of the total annual figures. This despite the fact that Cebu manufacturers comprise only 20% of the entire Philippine furniture industry.

In an industry that is dominated by small and medium entrepreneurs, it has succeeded in becoming a billion-peso industry. Today, the industry is employing a huge employment base of 220,000 workforce, both directly and indirectly hired, who are greatly dependent on the Cebu furniture industry for their utmost survival.

Noted for its distinct designs and excellent craftsmanship, the industry relies on its design capability and unique mix of indigenous materials to further keep its edge over its Asian competitors. The growing competition has anything but discouraged nor limited the very talented Cebuano furniture designers into creating beautiful furniture made from combinations of traditional and indigenous materials such as sea grass, abaca (Manila hemp), arorog, and butay (coconut twig) mixed with wood, bamboo, rattan, stone and wrought iron, aside from the traditional wood. These designs are expertly handcrafted by the finest craftsmen in the area, giving attention to the tiniest detail that make up the essence of each piece. At present it already serves the European, North American, the Middle East, and Asian markets, thus making it a furniture resource of great promise.

For the last eighteen years, the Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition more popularly known as CEBU X has served as the most valuable marketing platform for most SMEs in Cebu's furniture industry.

Organized by the primary support organization of the Philippine furniture and furnishings export industry, the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc. (CFIF), is responsible for fostering cooperation among its members, promoting the Philippines as a major furniture and furnishings resource in the international markets for over 30 years.

Cebu X is considered the biggest furniture trade event outside Metro Manila. Started in 1990 with just 35 exhibitors it has, over the years, grown to more than 123 participants from all over the Philippines. Participating companies from both the furniture and home furnishings category cover the classical, transitional and the modern cotemporary requirements of international buyers.

This year's run of Cebu X will be another feast of the senses as it features the finest boutique lifestyle presentation of the Filipino craftsman and designers. It will be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotels and Casino, right at the heart of Cebu City, Philippines. Scheduled to open on February 26 next year, this four-day event will kick-off the Asian circuit of furniture shows.
This is Cebu.

A flourishing Asian trading post long before Magellan's ships arrived in 1521…

Balmy beaches, chilly mountains…

Furniture capital of the Philippines. Design destination of Asia.

PHOTO CAPTION: The featured photo is Kenneth Cobonpue's Yoda Chair. To know more about Mr. Cobonpue and his masterpieces, log-on to www.kennethcobonpue.com.

Cebu X 2007: Definitely inspiring!

Cebu X 2007 – Everything Inspires

By Ruben Licera, Jr.

Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition (Cebu X) this year showed a more dynamic and varied representation of its avant garde and design oriented masterpieces. The credit goes to Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation’s (CFIF) intensive design and product development program implemented by the business and design information powerhouse of the Philippine furniture export industry – the CFIF Information Centre (CFIF IC).

Tagged under the project name “Design and Product Development Program (DPDP) for Cebu X 2007”, 26 companies participated in a well-orchestrated series of consultancy visits coupled with seminars and workshops designed to enhance the industry’s outlook in conducting research and product development.

The pool of consultants for the program is composed of two of the industry’s leading designers, Carlo Tanseco and Val Padilla, along with three of the finest from Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP) – Art Delgado, James Non and Rowe Requejo.

The series of design and product development trainings and workshops with consultancy visits was done through CFIF’s collaboration with the Association of Industrial Designers (VDID). The partnership was facilitated by the Foundation of Economic Development and Vocational Training (Sequa) and funded by Asia-Invest of the European Commission. Featured resource persons are leading German industrial designers Matthias Votteler, Frank Bauer, Jan Armgardt and Auwi Stuebbe.

The participating companies’ products were highlighted in well-curated special settings located in major thoroughfares of the show.

The consultancy program is subsidized mainly by CFIF with funding from Asia-Invest of the European Commission and Pearl2 of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Cebu X 2007 international trade buyers, guest and visitors pulse showed that they were impressed with the newly showcased products displayed in boutique-style representation.

Despite the downtrend in statistics of the last shows, show organizers are optimistic that this development can still infuse the required adrenaline to further advance Philippine-made furniture and furnishing products to be in every home in the world

SHOW STATISTICS. USA is the country’s largest market contributing to almost 18% of the total sales during the show as reflected on the reports given by the exhibitors. Cebu X 2007 earned more than US$15 Million in total sales.

Industry Experts Conduct Design Trend Seminar during Cebu X 2007

As an added attraction to Cebu X 2007, design trend seminars were conducted by respected international industry expert. The seminars were to open to Cebu X exhibitors, CFIF members companies, the academe and other interested individuals.

Susanne Lengyel, an industrial designer and president of the German Association of Industrial Designers (VDID), conducted the “product Competence through Design” seminar last February 28. Among the topics discussed by Ms. Lengyel were the creation of sustainable design – what is possible and why we have to think different. Ms. Lengyel also shared her expertise in industrial designing – from concepts to realization. The 73 seminars audience was a mix of students, designers, company top management and international buyers.

Industrial Designer and Design Management consultant Frank Sander, on the other had, talked about furniture trends during the “Furniture Design in Europe” on March 1. The lecture include a presentation o the standing of international furniture fairs, magazine and shop displays in the 2006 and 2007 to show the interesting design developments in Europe and relate them to the Philippine furniture industry. Prof. Sander also talked about how to create new furniture design by evaluating past furniture trends. He discussed the important role of technology and materials for new furniture designs. A total of 67 persons attended the seminar.

Esteemed USA’s Furniture Today Publisher Joseph “Joe” Carroll meanwhile, shared some valuable insights in this talk on “The U.S. Market: Evolution or Revolution.” To an audience of 42 exhibitors, CFIF members and industry enthusiasts, Mr. Carroll explained the economic strategies that bring in business for exporters trying to establish themselves in the U.S. market. Mr. Carroll also gave out 723 channels of distribution for furniture, explained economic that must be considered and opportunities that exist for the small manufacturers. He also gave a comprehensive market overview of the U.S. Furniture market giving out a list of the top 25 US furniture retailers, and the new market niche markets to explore. He gave a prediction of things that will happen in the US market in 2007 as well as of the three keys to success in the business: delivery, price, and design innovation.

For more information, you can log-on to www.cebuexhibition.com or email us at info@cebuexhibition.com.