As a slogan against the crisis, in this year’s Yecla furniture fair a phrase has been chosen based on Charles Darwin’s theory, ”Evolution of the species”, which stated that before any crisis to the ecosystem, the organisms adapted to their new environment to produce a better prepared species.
During the most critical time in living memory the furniture and timber industry have joined forces, producing an annual turnover of 240m euros worth of goods leaving from the factories, resulting in the second major source of employment in the region.
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Faced with this new challenge created by the current economic situation, the furniture industry relies upon focusing on the brand, quality, environmental issues and the need to create new products as the way forward.
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And it has been this search for a solution in order to counteract this difficult economic situation that this sector has experienced for many years, that has directly led to a development from traditional craftsmanship into a great industry. Without elaborating, our own Fair was borne as a necessity within the sector, which at nearly 50 years old, was experiencing difficult times caused by the lack of capitalisation of companies and the decreasing demand for furniture.
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It is too early to know if new developments will be created in the actual crisis, although one is starting to notice an appreciation in the brand and quality in order to achieve a competitive advantage required over the market saturation of affordable and disposable goods.
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Going forward, future developments will include concepts not currently considered, as in the concern for the environment. With this in mind, despite the economic climate, solvent free furniture production exists in Yecla, the only one is Spain.
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Another concept suggests the requirement for the furniture industry to generate new developments based on the awareness of “harmony and well being”, as a competitive advantage. Considering this, there are companies that have created a range of products which enhance the five senses: from the feel of the furniture, to the fragrance, lighting and overall design.
Ideas like these currently exist amongst the innovative companies within this sector, those that are expected to survive this crisis and to play a major leading role in the future development, as has been the case since the conception of our industry nearly a century ago.
Source: Feria del Mueble Yecla
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