Ismail Dogan, newly elected chairman of Mosder, association of furniture industrialists, organized a festival participated by 56 firms.
Getting the flag from his predecessor Ahmet Gulec, at the 8th general meeting of the association, Ismail Dogan, Dogtas-Kelebek board member, started his term with a festival. He informed about the development in the industry and the association.
Contribution of the festival in furniture and bed industry
We expect a growth of 20 to 25 percent in the market, about 500 millions of TL sales this year. It will help the dynamism of the national economy. During the festival, prices may be cut by 70 percent, besides surprise sales and opportunities. It will add a great dynamism in the sector.
About member companies
We have a number of bed manufacturers as members. We will assume our responsibility to promote bed as a health product.About 15 members are producing bed and furniture only. We know that, out of 9 billion dollar sales of furniture industry, one billion of it belongs to bed producers. Bed is a product that should be replaced in three to five years’ time. However, furniture is replaced in 8 years on the average. Bed is considered as a complementary item besides furniture, though it is a separate industry. We will emphasize on it.
Freight charges are the biggest problem
Our industry mostly exports to neighboring countries such as Iraq, Iran, Libya and Azerbaijan. Confusion and distress in these countries hinders developments in exports. Producers should re-consider their target markets to overcome the problems. They may turn their attention to Far East. For these markets freight charges are the biggest problem. Chinese government support Chinese exporters for their transport costs and provide insurance against foreign currency fluctuations. These measures are helpful for exporters.
Mattress gains momentum
We will expand our efforts directed to bed industry. Our first priority is to help our members in their efforts to make bed a separate product category, not a supplementary item for furniture. We even think about how it can be sold on prescription in health related retailers. In this regard, we have chosen our board members for our association from among bed manufacturing companies. Bed will be a major topic in our agenda.
