Furniture makers bank on "design edge"

Furniture makers in Cebu are still banking on its “design edge” as its mighty savior amid a turbulent market for furniture products worldwide.

The Cebu Furniture Industry Foundation Inc. (CFIF) is preparing to widen its scope in discovering new and fresh ideas in home furnishing and furniture design by linking with the "Creative City" campaign, initiated by the British Council.

"It's about time to go beyond our own universe, there's so much creative people in Cebu," said CFIF executive director Ruby B. Salutan.

Salutan said if these creative people will be pooled together and be tapped to contribute their talents to the ailing furniture sector, design capability of Cebu is expected soar, and ultimately find "victory" amid the depressed market demand.

According to Salutan, Cebu had been positioning to be the "design capital of Asia." However, this bid can only be realized if concerted effort will be done, not only from the furniture sector, but in the entire creative industry in general.

Cebu's design capability is the best, if not the only thing that the furniture industry can anchor on, "the competition is so fierce, and we can hardly breath."

Salutan believes that active cross-collaboration will be started in order to save the furniture industry from drowning.

Working closely with the "Creative City" campaign offers a relief to the furniture sector on improving the design capability of Cebu furniture makers, and push the design edge and tap the sophisticated and wealthy furniture markets in the world.

CFIF is joining other industry activists in Cebu, to push the province as the "Design Capital" in Asia, primary showcasing the world renowned furniture, and fashion accessory products.

This time, with the help from British Council, and support from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the entire creative industry in Cebu, will be quantified, and an intensive data-base of creative people will be put in place, to easily tap the talents.

Traditionally, furniture companies are utilizing their in-house designing people to develop unique and attractive designs for their products. This time, furniture makers are stepping up, and ready to utilize other ideas, not necessarily from the professional experts, but also from individuals who are gifted with creativity, or have innate artistic talents.

Through, the "Creative City" campaign, networking of all creative people in the province, will be intensified. Salutan said this move, could provide a "relief" for the furniture industry, as design capability is the only "gem" of Cebu furniture exports to sustain business.

CFIF former president Michael Basubas said that as the furniture sector here is still fighting to keep the business, while its large market—the US is suffering from economic crunch, it is worth-thinking that some markets outside of the United States, are now starting to demand for Philippine-made furniture products.

Besides, he said recovery is also seen in the furniture business, as the Obama-led administration in the US, is putting its focus, to save the economy.

CFIF is set to open the CebuX next month, and is hoping to lure buyers from other emerging markets, such as from Middle East, Russia, Asia, and other continents.— Ehda M. Dagooc