‘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 mentioned.

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

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

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

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

He mentioned manufacturing required sufficient capability, an environment friendly manufacturing unit format, dependable suppliers and high quality management.

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

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

He mentioned his firm had established a design division and centered on chosen tasks slightly than pursue each industrial alternative.

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

Agwunobi mentioned 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, mentioned AFP had participated within the exhibition’s Made by Design present for greater than eight years, lacking just one or two editions.

She recommended 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 mentioned.