The Furniture Sector in Pakistan: Export performance and ... - TRTA i

Category 3 is the first one to which the term industrial production can really be applied. They
use jigs, higher quality machines, low-cost mechanization and well-maintained, simple
machines. It is possible to produce interchangeable components at this level. Production units
are in a position to enter export markets. Products tend to be standardised, and a series of up to
500 components may be put into production.
This is the category of firms that would be the most receptive to technical assistance by ITC or
by other international organisations. Many enterprises in this group are preparing to take the
crucial step from supplying only the domestic market to engaging in exports. In addition, there
are particularly good opportunities for network development among these types of companies.
It is still comparatively rare to find companies that have reached Categories 4 and 5 in terms
of technological advancement, but there do exist a number of export-oriented large-scale
manufacturers in countries like Malaysia that qualify for inclusion in these groups. Also,
Chinese firms are upgrading in greater number to these levels of technical sophistication and
scale.
All categories can be important to their local region as a source of employment and income,
and in some countries all the various categories may be present. Experience shows that the
most enduring and successful companies have tended to evolve through all these phases.
Discussion on design
To date, there are a very few developing countries that really can boast of having a distinctive
design school of their own. The Philippines is often cited as one of the exceptions, which has in
fact made authentic designs and daring material combinations, an image that is a promotional
tool in their furniture exports.
Furniture design education throughout Asia is plagued with both a lack of interest and a lack of
demand. The fact that the larger Asian furniture industry is embroiled in a low-wage economy
suggests that creative activities such as design and new product development, which involves a
long period of time before becoming a success, may not be rewarding to most manufacturers.
Hence, there is reluctance among the furniture manufacturers in Asia to employ creative design
personnel, and there appears to be growing reluctance among the investing fraternity to fund
such creative and innovative works. Rather, there is an apparent need for quick results on large,
industrially manufactured furniture.
In a survey of design schools throughout the Asian region, it was reported that only 7% of all
industrial design curricula actually incorporated some elements of furniture design into their
programmes. Furniture manufacturers should encourage potential furniture designers by
providing opportunities to take their creative works to the regional furniture exhibitions. A
large domestic market will no doubt spur the development of local design talent, as it serves as
a good platform to experiment with their creative works. It is therefore imperative that the
organisers of the regional furniture fairs pay attention to the upcoming design talent and make
avenues for them to exhibit their creative works. This will inevitably raise the standard of
design and product development throughout Asia. Another possibility is to incorporate
furniture design elements into the existing industrial design and wood technology curricula.
12 International Trade Centre