Furniture Industry Masterplan Tabled at the SA Furniture Sector Forum as a “Game Changer”

The Chief Director of Agro-processing and Forestry-based industries at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Ms Ncumisa Mcata-Mhlauli has remarked that the Furniture Industry Masterplan has since been submitted to all relevant stakeholders, and that it will arrive at finalisation and implementation in the coming months. Mcata-Mhlauli made this remark during a Furniture Sector Forum webinar, which took place today.

The Furniture Industry Master Plan (FIMP) was established to set clear guidelines and targets for the furniture manufacturing industry as well as guide public sector procurement as part of government’s efforts to support and stimulate the industry.

Mcata-Mhlauli said that the FIMP was centered around three-pillar which ranged from Market Access, Transformation and Improvement of Competitiveness.

“Some of the target objectives set for the Furniture Industry include the building of fast-growing, profitable, inclusive and sustainable South African furniture industry. To  increase local production by 50% from current baseline levels by the end of 2021. The improvement of domestic and export sales by 100% from current baseline by end of 2024. The Increase of formal employment from current levels by 25% and doubling participation of black and/or women participants in industry by end of 2022,” she said.

She added that despite massive challenges that were posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the dtic continued with the implementation of the Re-imagined Industrial Strategy Master Plans.

“Across all Master Plans, the dtic will continue focussing its efforts on supporting local manufacturers to increase local capacity in order to respond efficiently to the growing domestic demand and to reduce dependency on imports. We will also sharpen our non-financial support and focus efforts on adressing illicit trade, and the use of trade measures to support domestic industry, including strategic use of standards to secure markets for our products. The revitalisation of the economy requires a collaborative approach and strong partnerships between all spheres of government, business and labour, an approach already fully embedded in the Master Plan methodology and processes,” said Mcata-Mhlauli.

Theo Bothma agrees with the sentiment. He, like the other interior designers and architects on the panel, says that he would be keen to source more local furniture, provided that manufacturers maintain a high standard and make their wares easy to source.

As an architect, he says, you must guard your reputation. So, when you source from a local supplier, that supplier must be sure to maintain high standards and support when working with designers and architects.

Vackier, a well-known furniture designer and manufacturer, agrees and says that local manufacturers should offer fast turnaround times on all enquiries and orders, and they should offer consistent quality and a high level of adaptability. This, she says, will undoubtedly corner a significant share of the market.

The panel discussion concluded with a call to local furniture manufacturers to use the current COVID-19 crisis to their benefit. The crisis has caused a significant delay in the import of international furniture and has sent many interior designers, architects and developers looking for alternatives. This creates fertile ground for local furniture manufacturers to market their wares, work with SAFI as the industry body and grow their businesses in South Africa.