Filipinos encouraged anew to patronize local products

CEBU, Philippines - Although the local furniture manufacturing industry still thrives amid the entry of similar imported products that are pegged at much competitive prices, Filipinos are encouraged to adopt the “Buy Filipino” attitude to help keep the industry afloat.

Jonathan Ho of Mandaue Foam, one of the country’s largest foam and furniture makers, said that the increasing number of Filipinos who are upholding their values in supporting the local industry, is what’s keeping the local furniture manufacturing alive.

However, he admitted that the growing entry of more furniture and other home furnishing products from other countries have continued to eat up on the local manufacturers’ market share.

“We hope that more Filipinos will patronize our local product versus imported so that the industry which has big potential for growth will be able to sustain amid the tough competition,” said Ho.

Even furniture exporters are now looking at the domestic market while the global demand is still struggling.

In an earlier interview with Mandaue Foam managing director Ryan Uy, he said that despite the bottleneck competition against the imported and cheaper furniture products that entered the Philippine market, Filipino manufacturers like Mandaue Foam is confident that they will be able to fight the competition in terms of quality, design, and workmanship.

In fact, Mandaue Foam is geared towards expanding its market reach in the Philippines, to get closer to the market, with its plan of opening more branches in the provinces, such as Samar, Leyte Manila and some parts of Southern Luzon.

Moreover, Mandaue Foam is also planning to make overseas presence in emerging markets like Vietnam.

At present, Mandaue Foam is cornering 20 percent of the country’s foam and furniture markets, despite the flooding supply of foam and furniture products from China.

According to Uy, cheaper and imported furniture and foam products have not threatened the brand’s growth in the domestic market, although he admitted that imported products’ presence have slightly affected their market share.

Aside from opening more branches in other areas in the Philippines, Mandaue Foam is also investing on expanding its plants, both here in Cebu and in Metro Manila.

He said the country’s home furnishing market is still strong, as Filipinos are starting to appreciate the quality and trusted brand, instead of just looking at the price tag.

In 2010, the company generated total sales revenue of P200 million to P300 million average per branch. An indication that the Philippines still provides a profitable environment for home furnishing business despite the fragile economy.

Meanwhile, the furniture export sector is also intensifying its move to attract the domestic market, specifically the institutional customers, such as hotels, condominiums, and residential buyers in order to sustain the business, while the global market is still under-pressure.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) regional director Asteria Caberte said that the establishment of the “Tindahang Pinoy” in Cebu will help exporters mainly in the furniture and home furnishing, including fashion accessories and gifts, toys, and houseware to stay afloat.

Likewise, Caberte said that there are now a growing number of Filipinos, whose buying attitude is geared towards supporting the local economy, by buying only “Philippine-made” products.