2013: Harvest season for furniture exporters

CEBU, Philippines - An industry player envisions a bright future for the furniture sector in 2013 and considers the year of the water snake as the “harvest” season for manufacturers and exporters after “planting their seeds of toil” last 2012.

Henricus Mathias Hubertus Chrispijn, owner of Hein Chrispijn Metamorfose Philippines, Inc. (HCMPI), said in an interview that the first 10 days of 2013 has been very good with the robust demand from hotels and resorts that have allotted a particular budget to spend on furniture items for the new season.

The Philippine-based Dutch company manufactures and exports outdoor and indoor furniture, home accessories and gift items in a Western style with an Asian taste.

At the moment, hotels, resorts and restaurants in the country are the focal point of his business.

“The export sector will be better in 2013. Hotels and resorts are changing their themes and set-up every time a new year starts. They start to invest on a budget for the whole year. 2012 has been very busy for us and we hope to harvest what we have planted from last year,” Chrispijn stated.

He further described 2012 as a hectic year for HCMPI as the company embarked a lot of changes last year including the relocation of its showroom and production area.

Since the international market has been down in the last years, he said that it is strategic for furniture makers to concentrate its niche in the upbeat local market.

About 65% of his company’s total market share is accounted by local clients.

The strong local markets in the Philippines that he cited include Manila, Cebu, Bohol and Palawan where islands and resorts are mostly located.

He added that international markets such as Japan, Malaysia, Germany and United States that is slowly regaining likely drive the recovery of the export sector. 

Although factors such as the further peso strength still challenge the industry, he said that exporters manage to produce quality products.

To stay ahead of the game, he added that HCMPI aims to provide high-end quality products at cheaper rates.

Meanwhile, Chrispijn revealed that they will come up with the 2013 collection featuring new designs, new colors and new outdoor and indoor items such as beds.

He also said that a complete prototype of a condominium set-up and a hotel room will be added in his showroom in the next 6 months of the year.

A small restaurant will also be put up inside, he added.

With the positive market reception from the “enthusiastic” local market, he cited that the furniture company intends to improve itself in terms of design, production and marketing and make HCMPI’s product line “nicer and nicer.”

Chrispijn used to buy the furniture in country and send it to Holland before he started to establish his own production area in Cebu 14 years ago.

At present, HCMPI has its ongoing Sinulog sale from January 2 to 31, featuring 40 to 70% discount on its selected items.

Its showroom is situated at Zone 4, Buaya, Lapu-Lapu City. (FREEMAN)