‘Furniture makers still rely on imported components’ – Daily Trust

Furniture producers in Nigeria still rely on imported elements, together with hinges, locking techniques and fabric materials, regardless of finishing up a lot of their manufacturing domestically, business practitioners have stated.

An architect, Ina, who has labored with AFP, the furnishings manufacturing subsidiary of Julius Berger, stated many of the firm’s woodworking and meeting processes occurred in Nigeria, whereas some elements have been sourced from overseas.

Speaking in the course of the ongoing Design Week Lagos Expo, he stated the corporate’s timber processing operations, together with seasoning wooden earlier than manufacturing, additionally fashioned a part of its native manufacturing actions.

He stated the provision of extra elements from Nigerian producers may scale back reliance on imported supplies.

At a panel session in the course of the exhibition, AFP General Manager, Oliver Cohnen, stated producers ought to perceive market demand and clients’ wants earlier than investing in equipment.

He stated manufacturing required sufficient capability, an environment friendly manufacturing facility structure, dependable suppliers and high quality management.

“For me, it is the people who make the difference, not the machines,” Cohnen stated, stressing the necessity to prepare employees earlier than increasing manufacturing.

Also talking, the co-founder of TRT Arredo Ltd, Jonathan Agwunobi, stated standardising manufacturing processes may assist producers keep consistency and enhance effectivity.

He stated his firm had established a design division and centered on chosen initiatives quite than pursue each business alternative.

According to him, the method allowed the corporate to develop experience in its chosen areas and use buyer suggestions to enhance its work.

Agwunobi stated the corporate had additionally tailored some practices noticed throughout a go to to a producing agency in Italy to swimsuit its operations.

Earlier, the founding father of Design Week Lagos, Titi Ogufere, stated AFP had participated within the exhibition’s Made by Design present for greater than eight years, lacking just one or two editions.

She counseled the corporate for integrating younger designers into its manufacturing processes.

“I really like the fact that they have integrated young designers into what they are doing because at Design Week Lagos, we are really for promoting young designers and young thinkers,” she stated.