Turkish Furniture Brands, The Consumer`s Choice - Ite
Transcription
Turkish Furniture Brands, The Consumer`s Choice - Ite
IMOB INGILIZCE:Layout 1 1/31/11 6:06 PM Page 1 Brand: Turkish Furniture Interview on Discovering Turkish Furniture with Ramazan Davulcuoğlu, MOSDER Chairman Page >> 2 Brands, The Consumer’s Choice “Success lies in differentiation” According to MOSDER Research, consumers tend to prefer branded furniture shops Raşit Karaaslan: Successfully competing with countries with low manufacturing costs depends on ‘succeeding in differentiation’. Page >> 4 Page >> 5 www.mosder.org.tr 01 FEBRUARY 2011 TUESDAY Targets grow with ‘IMOB 2011’ Showcasing the furniture sector on the world stage and thanks to its location and influence, İMOB 2011 is set to become the world’s thirdmost important furniture fair. İMOB 2011 will offer significant opportunities for new partnerships in this sector, a sector that exports to 173 countries around the world. Target growth in exports is 20% The furniture sector grew its exports from $75M in 1995 to $1.153B in 2009. Continuing this progress, a further 20% growth in 2010 increased the total to $1.4B. The sector’s export is predicted to grow by another 20% this year, on the heels of İMOB 2011. The domestic market volume had grown by 8% at the end of 2010. The sector that employs half a million workers, including ancillary industries, also targets a ten percent growth on the domestic market in 2011. F urniture professionals, from within and outside the country, will be coming together for the seventh time at the Istanbul Furniture Fair (İMOB) 2011, to be held at the Istanbul CNR Expo. Hosted by MOSDER (Association of Turkish Furniture Manufacturers), İMOB 2011 collaborates with furniture manufacturers, auxiliary industries, importers and retailers to help develop the furniture industry. Growing in influence and leveraging its geographic location, İMOB 2011 is firmly set to become the thirdmost important furniture fair in the world. Over 300 companies exhibit at the fair that covers an area of 120,000 m² in nine separate halls. The fair, which has inspired the sector every year of its history, plays host to nearly 500 home furniture and accessories brands. Istanbul Furniture Fair 2011 is a crucial platform for learning about the latest developments and newest trends, as well as identifying opportunities, in furniture. 100,000 visitors Over 100,000 visitors are expected at İMOB 2011. The fair attracts a large number of visitors from abroad too: Over 10,000 foreigners are expected to visit this year’s fair. Also expected are many purchasing missions, as well as groups from Denmark, the United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, Angola, Japan, the Netherlands, India, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Iran, Uzbekistan, Russia, Syria and the Ukraine. The fair will create significant opportunities for new partnerships in this sector that exports to 173 countries. • IMOB INGILIZCE:Layout 1 1/31/11 5:42 PM Page 2 INTERVIEW The world discovers Turkish furniture… Introduced as “Turkish brands utilizing their design, quality and affordable pricing policies to reach out to the world stage” the Discover Turkish Furniture project organised by MOSDER (The Association of Turkish Furniture Manufacturers) aims to raise the profile of Turkish furniture around the world. Interview: Ümit Özkan aving achieved a remarkable annual increase in the manufacturing capacity of the furniture sector, Turkey now exports to 173 countries on five continents. 2011 targets are 20% growth in exports and 10% on the domestic market. Exports have doubled in the furniture sector; no current deficits and high added value make this one of the rare sectors that contribute to the Turkish economy, and its labour-intensive nature makes it a valuable contributor to employment figures. MOSDER’s Discover Turkish Furniture project aims to promote Turkish furniture worldwide; the stateof-the-art manufacturing technology, proximity to the market, affordable pricing policies, speedy delivery and conceptual consistency all combine to mark Turkey as a major base of furniture manufacturing. The objective is to announce all this to the world with carefully selected messages. Our interview with Ramazan Davulcuoğlu, MOSDER Chairman, covered the position of the Turkish furniture sector in Turkey’s economy, its competitive strength on world markets and the mission of the Discover Turkish Furniture project in this context. Davulcuoğlu, businessman and MOSDER Chairman, answered our questions and shared his views with us… As I noted earlier, the fact that exports have doubled the value of the imports, thus achieving a constantly growing added value to the economy and trade surplus, have combined to make this a rare sector. Because exports reach out to 173 countries they also address a wide variety of tastes and requirements. Leading the factors that have strengthened the sector in exports are the investments made in technology and design and the increased manufacturing capacity. We benefit from a huge manufacturing capacity, high quality standards and qualified human resources. Expansion abroad is supported by concept stores opening in neighbouring countries. Geographically, we are positioned as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East and Africa. H Would you please, first and foremost, explain the importance of the furniture sector in the Turkish economy, given its high added value and large export numbers? The furniture sector is one that exports twice as much as it imports; so it is one of those rare sectors that create added value, as well as trade surplus. As it is a labour-intensive sector, the industry’s positive contribution to employment, one of the key issues of Turkish economy, is also significant. Turkish furniture exports had grown by 20% by the end of 2010, to a total of $1.4B. The domestic market has, in the same period, grown by eight percent, to 2 New investments have led to an annual increase in Turkey’s manufacturing capacities; we currently export furniture to 173 countries on five continents. Our furniture exports totalled $75M in 1995; this figure reached $1.153B in 2009. A 20% growth in 2010 increased our exports to $1.4B. Our growth target for 2011 is 20%. What is the Discover Turkish Furniture project that MOSDER has initiated? What would you like to tell us about the objectives of the project? Ramazan Davulcuoğlu MOSDER Chairman $8B; the target for 2011 is a growth of 20% in exports. Our sector employs half a million workers, including the ancillary industry, and we expect a growth of 10% in the domestic market. What is the positioning of the Turkish furniture sector on foreign markets and what has the past 15-20 years’ progress been like? How has MOSDER contributed to this development? A key representative of the Turkish furniture sector, MOSDER successfully tackles its duties of reinforcing international relations and raising the profile of our sector on foreign markets. Our association actively conducts market research in target countries, reporting, organising commercial delegations, and--most importantly-participates in international furniture fairs to promote our sector and members. In addition, we invest in design, the one factor that will raise our competitive edge on international markets. We hold design contests to attract students and industrialists. And finally, it is our association that leads the organisation of İMOB, the Istanbul Furniture Fair, the principal showcase in our effort to open up to the world. The Turkish furniture sector has made huge progress in the past 15 to 20 years by investing heavily in design, branding, R&D, quality and technology; an additional point to note is the highly competitive pricing policy. Our “Discover Turkish Furniture” project aims to promote Turkish furniture brands on the world stage with their design, quality and affordable pricing. Our objective at MOSDER is to raise the profile of Turkish furniture worldwide. The project seeks to contribute to the promotion of Turkish furniture, with special emphasis on the state-of-the art manufacturing techniques, huge manufacturing capacity, trendy designs, proximity to the market, affordable pricing policy, speedy delivery, and conceptual consistency. This is a longterm project for our association, and one on which we both place great importance as well allocate a large budget. We aim to raise the profile of Turkish furniture on the world stage by carefully selecting relevant messages that reflect our competitive strength. These messages seek to emphasise the following premises: that Turkey is a furniture manufacturing country, that IMOB INGILIZCE:Layout 1 1/31/11 5:42 PM Page 3 01 February 2011 sectors capable of representing Turkey on the global market; we can even go so far as to state that a Turkish furniture phenomenon now exists in the world. Turkish furniture now addresses different tastes and requirements in over 173 countries worldwide. Our distinctively functional furniture offers life-simplifying features. For us, however, the EMEA region, that is, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, occupies a special place in our hearts. Turkey constitutes a bridge between Europe, Asia and Africa, bang in the heart of these continents. Aziz Sarıyer: Design is life itself It is only superior design that creates a competitive edge in the world. I am convinced that Turkish furniture is set to become a veritable force in the near future, thanks to its capability and growing design experience. The features that will give Turkish furniture a competitive advantage on the international markets are as follows: manufacturing technology, manufacturing capacity, proximity to the market, Turkey’s strategic importance on the international markets, high quality at affordable prices, speedy delivery, consistency in concepts, monitoring and implementation of the latest trends in design. Discover Turkish differentiation,’ design the latest in manufacturing Furniture Project; becomes one of the key technology is utilised in Aims to present parameters of Turkish Turkey--in other words, that Turkish Furniture furniture, just as it has in our manufacturers closely with its aspects of However much our sector has other industrialised sectors. Is follow technological production capacity embraced technology, hand finishing the Turkish furniture sector development abroad to pick and newest still plays a vital part; benefiting from a able to make good use of the best technology to use, production highly skilled workforce, the importance design as an effective method that Turkish furniture technologies. the industrialist places upon high quality of adding value? designers monitor the latest in manufacturing, the constant drive for in the world and create Turkish furniture designers progress, the increase in the number of trendy designs, that the closely follow developments in manufacturers that employ modern Turkish furniture sector is the world and now create techniques, the growth in the design well set to become a ‘trendy’ designs. Competitive pricing has capacity, the successful trendsetter on the world stage, that always been one of the top parameters of entry into Turkish furniture companies, ever Turkish furniture; this is now supported many effective and professional, always offer by design as the most effective method foreign the best quality at great prices, that of adding value. Innovative design is far countries and Turkey is located at the most strategically more popular these days. The most the wide advantageous site for the European, important element of furniture, design, product range Asian, African and Middle Eastern stands out with fine detail and all create a markets, and that this location contributes differentiation. Quality and price competitive to speedy and timely deliveries and so, converge in an increasingly competitive advantage. Turkish furniture brands benefit from a environment, and the quality of price conceptual consistency. The Turkish and design take equal billing with furniture sector function, durability, ergonomics and We are planning to reach out to the is one that aesthetics. relevant people and institutions by creates added publishing these messages at major Our sector does have the technology, value and stands international furniture fairs in China, design ability and out on the global Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, potential to move stage, thanks to a Russia, Libya, the UAE, Rumania, Essential in creating from ‘competing young, highly France, Iran, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, in price’ to global Turkish brands qualified workforce, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, ‘competing in constantly developing Lebanon, India and Kenya, as well as in will be the support innovation and design potential newspapers and trade press. provided to companies differentiation’; creating contemporary moreover, the and original pieces, the and brands in their Where does the Discover Turkish infrastructure is in use of the most Furniture project stand amongst the growth strategies, place and innovative work you as MOSDER have done to MOSDER operations, organisations manufacturing promote Turkish furniture in the supports this technologies, the fact and technological world? potential in the that virtually all the consultancy, as well as sector with the Our objective as MOSDER is to help raw materials are activities and develop strong global brands, and thus procured in the building and investment in contribute to the exports of our country, country, its establishing a positive and using these global Turkish brands so design, especially contribution to in creating the developed to strengthen the profile of image of Turkish made employment, the university‘Turkish Furniture’ and the prestige of expansion with abroad by the sector itself. Our tactical position has industry concept stores communications and cooperation. been one of support for the mission of displaying distinctive the Turquality project that aims to promotional activities. brands and its dynamic reinforce the profile and prestige of and constantly What are the Turkish brands. The Discover Turkish developing structure. qualities that will Furniture project is a huge opportunity to create a competitive edge for Turkish display the changing and developing furniture on the international markets? face of Turkish furniture. Provided appropriate policies are As ‘competing in price’ gives way to followed, furniture is one of those ‘competing in innovation and • Aziz Sarıyer, whose design features on the Discover Turkish Furniture poster, expresses his belief that the time has come to discuss ‘superior design’ and not simply ‘design’: “The Turkish furniture sector will only gain a competitive edge on the world markets when it has consistently standardised design and quality. Design is much more than simply creating a differentiation. It is imbuing the product on offer with the required qualities first and foremost. It is only through design that a product gains the correct and useful characteristics. Design is basically the process of solving a problem. It is as much a science as mathematics or geometry. Neither is design a mere solution argument on the furniture or industrial field. Design is life itself. The wider span of design covers everything, from individuals planning their personal and private lives through to states doing the same for their socioeconomical and political programmes. I believe that the time has come to discuss ‘superior design’ and not simply ‘design’. It is only superior design that creates a competitive edge in the world. Consistency in improving design and production quality is essential to reaping the just rewards of these promotional activities. I am convinced that Turkish furniture is set to become a veritable force in the near future, thanks to its capability and growing design experience. 3 IMOB INGILIZCE:Layout 1 1/31/11 5:42 PM Page 4 RESEARCH 01 February 2011 The Consumer Looks for Quality and Insists on Brands T A Nielsen Research survey commissioned by MOSDER reveals the profiles of consumers who prefer branded furniture, their use and buying behaviour, the recognition of furniture brands and the brand images in the consumer’s mind. he Association of Turkish Furniture Manufacturers has underwritten a comprehensive survey together with Nielsen Research. This survey reveals the importance placed on branded furniture in Turkey. Fourteen provinces provided the basis of the survey, sampling based on the Turkish Statistical Institute guidelines: Istanbul, Tekirdağ, Bursa, Kocaeli, Izmir, Aydın, Ankara, Kayseri, Antalya, Adana, Samsun, Trabzon, Erzurum and Gaziantep. The survey sought to determine customer profiles, brand awareness, customers’ views on brands, image characteristics, attitudes, behaviour and buying habits. The research took place between the 11th of December 2010 and the 3rd of January 2011; a total of 1,014 subjects were interviewed face-to-face. The subjects fell into the A, B, C1 and C2 groups, had either purchased furniture in the past two years, had decided on a brand or were at the decision stage, and consisted of men and women, between the ages of 18 to 60. Over half of the consumers stated that 12 months was the most suitable repayment term, while two out of nearly three (63%) preferred credit card repayment schemes. Preferred payment type The survey also reveals some clues to the frequency of replacing furniture in Turkey. The average replacement time is eight years. This term is longer in Central Anatolia. Two out of every three consumers expressed a preference for The survey reveals a preference for branded furniture stores when customers buy furniture. Furniture Renewal Frequency ‘promotional campaigns that offer instalments, discounts and term advantages’ when buying furniture. Campaigns that offer complementary pieces and those that exchange new for old come second and third in the list. The survey also reveals that the top criteria in buying furniture are ‘the quality of the goods’ and ‘the reliability 4 • %75 of furniture consumers prefer installment buying. More than half of the consumers indicate that 12 months installments best suits with their conditions. Furniture Consumer Profile Average age is 33, and the socioeconomic grouping is C1, while the branded furniture buying consumers’ average per family monthly income is TL2,045. Three out of every four consumers prefer buying on credit; nearly half of those (47%) explained their repayment preferences as dependent upon ‘the extra cost on term or rates’. of the brand’. The price, practicality and design of the goods, as well as the payment conditions and after sales service all ranked amongst these criteria. IMOB INGILIZCE:Layout 1 1/31/11 5:42 PM Page 5 DESIGN 01 February 2011 “We need to raise the bar in exports” “Exporting original design furniture to the developed countries of the West means exporting the aesthetics created by this nation and the fruit of the quality and labour of this nation’s craftsmen and masters. We as the furniture sector have joined the ranks of those who are contributing to our country’s economy with our exports.” Interview: Yaşar Çelik R aşit Karaaslan’s Interior Architect manufacturing, has now journey in design been proven in numbers. Furniture Designer extends all the way Given this track record, Raşit Karaaslan and back to the 1970s. how do you position his daughter Obtaining his Interior Turkish furniture on the Pınar Karaaslan Architecture and Industrial way to becoming a brand? Design degree from the then In order for rapid growth Fine Arts Academy (today’s and high manufacturing Mimar Sinan University) in capacity to be sustainable, 1975, Karaaslan had taken manufacture needs to be fed extra lessons in industrial constantly with original design; design in his final two the product needs to stand out years, predicting the ascent on quality and branding is dependent on all of that particular discipline in Turkey. After those. Becoming a brand means developing a short stint in a number of offices working an original identity and personality in the on a variety of projects, Karaaslan found product, and identifying the product with the himself enchanted by Bursa when a chance company name, all the while avoiding the job took him there and decided to settle in easy way out that is imitation. My belief, in that city. It was there that he began to view of the above, is that the Turkish manufacture furniture on a small scale, as well as take on interior projects, Karaaslan’s furniture sector now needs to focus more closely on branding criteria, so long ignored modest workshop led to his own retail shop. during the rapid growth period. I do believe Founding Mobi in 1983, Karaaslan not only that the near future will be more challenging participates in trade fairs at home and and difficult. Our companies must produce abroad, but also has won many awards with patents as well as goods. Unless we are able his designs… to create patents, our high manufacturing The development of the Turkish volume will provide nothing more than a furniture sector, in particular in transient contribution to branding. Award winning: Brass Tray Coffee Table Your company was one of the first to export. What is the importance of export in your sector? Evaluating the furniture sector today, do you believe it is where it should be in respect of exports? Selling your production abroad means making a direct and valuable contribution to the economy of the country in which you live. I have been working towards this goal at Mobi since the late 1980s. At the time, how much I sold was of little importance. What I sold, and where to, was what mattered. Furniture meets a number of functions in our lives. Ergonomics and aesthetics are equally relevant. between us and those that govern us. The ‘Design Contest’ organised by MOSDER to emphasise design and encourage designers has now become a tradition. This contest brings us, the industrialists, and the universities together. MOSDER also works exceptionally hard to seek new markets for the sector. In short, MOSDER’s performance augments the work done by the companies themselves to invest in the future of the Turkish furniture industry. yatırım oluyor. Allow me to make a point here: Exporting original design furniture to the developed countries of the West means exporting the aesthetics created by this nation and the Our companies fruit of the quality must produce and labour of this What are the obstacles to nation’s craftsmen patents as well as export? How can these and masters. This is obstacles be overcome goods. Unless we of vital importance. and what are the The Turkish furniture are able to create expectations of furniture sector, as we all manufacturers? patents, our high know, has made huge progress in exports The point I would like to manufacturing and currently holds a emphasise here is this: volume will provide constant increase in our very solid position. We as the furniture nothing more than a manufacturing costs in sector have joined the recent years has significantly transient ranks of those who weakened our export are contributing to contribution to potential. I will refrain from our country’s going into detail on the branding. economy with our factors that increased our exports. I belong to costs. I do expect, however, those who believe that the bar in exports for manufacturing and manufacturers, if needs to be raised constantly. We haven’t yet they are exporting, to be compensated for reached the point we should have. the loss in currency exchange rates. The Turkish Lira is overvalued, supported by other economic fields; but this strains the manufacturing sector across the board. It How competitive is Turkish furniture must be borne in mind that the furniture on foreign markets? How would you sector, in particular, employs a large evaluate the efforts of MOSDER and workforce and has the potential to create their 35 members in raising Turkish more jobs. The state has to support furniture’s profile abroad and increasing exports? What are your views and advice in this respect? As I mentioned earlier, competing on price loses its value over time. There are a number of factors to consider. Competing with other countries of low manufacturing cost now hinges upon ‘succeeding in differentiation’. We as a country have to go up a level here. We will achieve differentiation with our design and product quality. This is our only way out. MOSDER is the umbrella that brings the sector together, our union that represents us, and creates a bond manufacturing in every way in our country where unemployment has risen considerably. This is what our exporters expect of our government. On the other hand, we, as the companies, have to create the competitive edge we all need, by successfully differentiating ourselves. • Tombo Coffee Table 5 IMOB INGILIZCE:Layout 1 1/31/11 5:42 PM Page 6 BRAND Alfemo’s new collections Alfemo combines original design with distinctive colours and fine materials; Alfemo’s first collections of the year are on show at the İMOB. L Integrated design ilyum is a pure white, elegant and noble collection, combining the nobility of white with the elegance of a lily, all for 2011. Alfemoda’s Yin-Yang model, inspired by the duality in the Yin Yang philosophy has met with great acclaim in the short time since its launch. Alfemo’s latest collection focuses on functionality, comfort and ease of use; with a large range of products, from dining and bedroom furniture to sofa sets, corner concepts, wall units, Young Alfemo, the Disney Collection and Sleeper beds, Alfemo offers a complete solution to every home’s furniture requirements in one single store. www.alfemo.com.tr Aldora Furniture combines ergonomics and fashion; Aldora’s new design philosophy for 2011 is integrated design… T he engineering skill that translates boutique product design into mass production is the new formula that enables access to Aldora Furniture. Aldora Furniture participates in İMOB 2011 with a wide and brand new collection. Presenting contemporary and avant garde products at the same time, the company focuses on the colour white, the symbol of lightness and purity; an additional point is the complete overhaul of the bedroom product range. Aldora beds now use the latest in sleep technology; their special features have attracted a great deal of consumer attention at the fair. www.aldora.com.tr Avant-garde Bedroom Cardin Furniture shows off an avant-garde bedroom dressed up with details, during IMOB Fair. C ardin presents esthetic solutions to consumers for designing different places with the bright face of renewed nostalgic view. “Cardin” also creates a new fashion in avantgarde by getting minimalist line A refreshed product range… Bellona takes up its rightful place with innovative products that will stamp their mark on 2011. B ellona’s design and quality are well established; its latest collections on display at İMOB 2011 are set to take centre stage once again. Bellona’s Anfora series, for example, in the Hall 8 stand, has been specifically designed for middle-aged consumers. The Vivaldi dining room, a predominantly white series, is aimed 6 at newlyweds as well as those looking to refresh their homes; colours and chrome figure details feature on this range too. Lexus bedroom furniture is panelled in the latest 2011 trend of matt white enamel, another demonstration of Bellona’s contemporary identity. www.bellona.com.tr together with classic and dressing it up with many small artistic details. By visiting “Cardin Furniture” in Hall 8 you can have an idea about 2011 furniture and fashion trends. www.cardin.com.tr IMOB INGILIZCE:Layout 1 1/31/11 5:42 PM Page 7 01 February 2011 Original design, large choice Doğtaş Furniture’s inaugural participation at İMOB is marked by a contemporary line and superior quality… D oğtaş, a Turkish furniture manufacturer, exhibits the 2011 collection comprising outstanding pieces at İMOB. Innovative face to the fore, Doğtaş’s confident collections on display at the 900 sq. m. stand in Hall 2 at İMOB attract a good deal of attention. Original designs, large choice, contemporary lines and superior quality all characterise the Doğtaş collections; the extraordinary designs set the brand apart, offering, as it does, unique choices that combine comfort, quality and aesthetics. A large number of striking dining, bedroom and young people’s room furniture makes a début at the Doğtaş stand. www.dogtas.com.tr Latest in car beds Turkey’s leading children’s furniture brand Çilek launched the 2011 car bed collection at İMOB 2011. Ç ilek is firmly set to be the buzzword in 2011 with the BIPINKY model, eagerly anticipated by little girls, and the BIFIRE and BITURBO models aimed at racing enthusiasts. The car beds feature the latest in technology, are exceptionally comfortable and equipped with top safety features. Car beds are available in black, red or pink; they also feature light and sound systems. Remote controls on the headlights, light strip and unique sound effects offer children a lot of fun in their rooms. www.cilek.com Return to the avant garde Donat Collection’s products in unconventional colours take the stage at İMOB; distinctive concepts mark the bedroom and dining room furniture, sofa sets, beds and bases and wall units on show. U tilising the latest in manufacturing technology at the factory, Donat Collection employs expert and professional engineers in their own fields. The company created the popular slogan, “Inegöl furniture, Turkey’s fashion” as it offers consumers two new collections each year in both modular furniture and sofa sets lines. Donat Collection returns to the avant garde, while unconventional colours mark the new products on display at İMOB: Bedroom and dining room furniture, sofa sets, beds and bases and wall units in distinct concepts take the stand throughout the fair. www.donatcollection.com Innovative products at Gala Furniture trends develop by the day; new trends are on offer to consumers in less than six months. G ala Furniture regularly creates new models to respond to consumer expectations, while refreshing the colour selections at the same time. Gala Furniture designers, whose palettes picked walnuts, whites, fuchsias, smokes and cappuccino colours for the newest series on display at İMOB, have thought of every last detail, especially in bedroom furniture: Wardrobe interior modules featuring a large number of drawers, sensor lights, slow-closing doors, accessories such as trouser and tie hangers, lighted dressers and dressers and chests with opening mechanisms, all aimed at ergonomics and comfort. Just visit the Gala Furniture stand at the fair, or one of the showrooms, to see the latest innovations. www.galamobilya.com 7