DPS (7198) - DPS Resources Bhd: Investing in machinery to produce new innovative products(THE STAR)
(March 10) This year, Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF)
features a whopping 543 local and international exhibitors, a turnout of
12% more than the number of exhibitors last year.
Covering 80,000sq m of Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur,
the 23rd edition of the fair has a strategic partnership with Muar
Furniture Association to bring the Muar Hall, and also highlights the
China Hall, Taiwan Hall and MIFF Office – the largest office furniture
showroom in South-East Asia with 100 companies gathered from Malaysia,
China, Taiwan, South Korea and Indonesia.
There are also several delegations from Japan, Italy, Belgium, India
and Germany visiting the show, and presence of the foreign trade media
from 22 countries.
“We are honoured by the presence of so many who have worked hard to develop the furniture industry into what it is today.
“MIFF will continue to enhance its position as the leading and most
important furniture industry event in South-East Asia,” said MIFF
founder and chairman Datuk Dr Tan Chin Huat.
Exhibitors at MIFF firmly believe they are going strong and expect things to improve this year.
Safari Office System Sdn Bhd executive director Wendy Kiew said the
company has participated in the annual MIFF for the last 20 years since
its establishment as an office furniture manufacturer in 1980.
image:
http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/03/10/furniture-fair-with-more-to-offer-2017-edition-sees-12-increase-in-number-of-local-and-international/~/media/7cfa8def126f42fab41286a2537df8e1.ashx?h=333&w=500
Kiew says she has met many new customers at the fair and it has helped expand her business internationally.
“Throughout the years, we met many new customers at the fair and expanded our business internationally.
“Besides export, we have also taken up many local projects to sustain our business and build our brand presence in Malaysia.
“Although the demand has been slow, it has been steady as we produce
high quality products with new and current designs and offer them at a
reasonable price to attract our loyal customers,” she said, adding that
the company’s latest offerings were displayed at the fair.
Similarly, Tube Home (M) Sdn Bhd has been sustaining its business with
strategic planning that has boosted its presence in the local and
international scene where it also supplied its products to the Sydney
Olympics 2000 and Rio Olympics 2016.
image:
http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/03/10/furniture-fair-with-more-to-offer-2017-edition-sees-12-increase-in-number-of-local-and-international/~/media/aadaee5499e74039ae1172910f6da221.ashx?h=333&w=500
Sow (right) and DPS Resources Bhd executive director Emily Sow Mei C at Shantawood Manufacturing Sdn Bhd's booth.
Tube Home chairman Datuk Y. C. Tan said the furniture manufacturing
industry was very competitive, especially among international industry
players.
“We used to make aluminium and steel furniture for our garden furniture
series but, over time, we lost volume due to the increase in
competitors.
“As these materials were also more expensive, we improvised by
investing in machinery to produce new innovative products that use
cheaper material such as robust plastic.
“This led us to designing new products such as our plastic garden
furniture and single beds that can be assembled in less than two
minutes, and these were supplied to the Olympics in 2000 and 2016.
“The market may not be as great as it used to be, but with thoughtful
planning and strategising, we will be able to sustain a steady business
as the market continues to slowly improve,” said Tan, who was
participating in MIFF for the 22nd year.
DPS
Resources Bhd executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr Sow Chin Chuan said its
subsidiary company Shantawood Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, a producer of
wood-based products, is doing well overall except for the shortage of
manpower.
“Although it appears that technological advances are becoming
increasingly popular and subsequently taking away jobs, it doesn’t mean
manpower is not important in production.
“MIFF is a good platform for exhibitors to meet new customers and expand their business networks.
image:
http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/03/10/furniture-fair-with-more-to-offer-2017-edition-sees-12-increase-in-number-of-local-and-international/~/media/8e10044677ec4241a2e26fd395e6d169.ashx?h=333&w=500
Y. C. Tan showing off the beds that were designed for and supplied to the Sydney Olympics 2000 and Rio Olympics 2016.
“This is also one of the ways companies can get orders, but sometimes,
they may be asked for more than they can deliver and this is when
manpower is much needed.
“If the government can be more lenient with its foreign worker policy,
specifically for export-oriented manufacturers, it will benefit local
industry players and the overall economy, especially with the weakening
of the ringgit as most transactions are made in US dollars,” Sow
explained, adding that this will also encourage industry players to
explore business overseas.
Today, MIFF will be announcing the outcome of the MIFF Furniture Design
Competition 2017 and the winners of the Best Presentation Award and the
Furniture Excellence Award at 2.30pm.
Next year, MIFF will be co-held at the new Malaysia International and Exhibition Centre and PWTC.
Star Media Group Bhd is the media partner of the event.
For details, visit www.miff.com.my
DPS (7198) - DPS Resources Bhd: Investing in machinery to produce new innovative products(THE STAR)Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/03/10/furniture-fair-with-more-to-offer-2017-edition-sees-12-increase-in-number-of-local-and-international/#FMSW0VIvpwu8RlBy.99
