Furniture

The Eastern Cape has large forestry base, great potential for further development, and a history in furniture production and strong base of skills. There are opportunities in the manufacture of pine furniture components and high-value hardwood furniture for both local and export markets. An important development is provincial government’s efforts, with partners, to establish a furniture incubator in Mthatha, close to some of the province’s most important forestry areas.

SOME OPPORTUNITIES:

• Knock-down furniture components: Manufacture of pine components (legs, surfaces) in the East London IDZ from timber freighted from the former Transkei.
• Handcrafted furniture: Quality and well-designed custom furniture, mostly hardwood. High-level skills.
• Furniture manufacturers: Promoting small furniture businesses through credit and training.
• Furniture cluster: Opportunity in the IDZs, especially East London, to cluster small specialist furniture companies.
• Improved furniture design: Access to design trends and innovative use of mixed materials. Joint ventures with international furniture manufacturers.

USEFUL CONTACTS:

• ECDC furniture sector specialist
— Tel: 043-704-5606 | E-mail: furniture@ecdc.co.za | Website: www.ecdc.co.za
• Department of trade and industry (Furniture)
— Tel: 0861-843-384 | International — Tel: +27 11-254-9405
— E-mail: contactus@thedti.gov.za | Website: www.dti.gov.za
• Federation of Furniture Manufacturers
— Tel: 011-333-3366
• Furniture Export Council
— Tel: 012-258-0015 | E-mail: furnt@netactive.co.za
• Furntech
— Tel: 044-871-0953 | E-mail: training@furntech.org.za | Website: www.furntech.org.za