The European furniture industry is looking beyond its borders to support export activities and collaborate with third countries partners from South Africa, Egypt, USA, and Canada. In the context of the Furniture Go International project, an initiative to establish a representation in Europe for hosting international delegations arose. With these hubs, we want to boost international trade and collaboration within the furniture sector, fostering economic growth and establishing partnerships with various countries.
In the initial phase of establishing representation hubs, we conducted a Feasibility Study where we analyzed the needs and objectives of each European country involved in the project. The primary goal of these representation hubs is to support international delegations, comprising business leaders, exporters, industry experts, and government officials, in visiting European countries to initiate collaboration, expand market presence, and drive business growth through strategic partnerships and market expansion initiatives. Facilitating these efforts and providing a welcoming environment for experts to form connections within the European industry is essential for the success of the FGOI project.
Objectives of the representation in Europe through FGOI hubs
- Facilitating Meetings and Engagements: Arranging meetings, workshops, seminars, and networking events between visiting delegations and relevant stakeholders in Europe, including businesses, government officials, industry experts, and academia.
- Providing Information and Support: Offering information and guidance to visiting delegations on travel arrangements, local regulations, and customs.
- Promoting Collaboration and Partnership: Actively encouraging collaboration and partnership opportunities between visiting delegations and European counterparts, facilitating discussions on potential business ventures, investment opportunities, joint research projects, and technology transfer initiatives.
- Networking and Relationship Building: Fostering networking and relationship-building opportunities between visiting delegations and key stakeholders in Europe, helping create long-lasting connections and partnerships beyond individual visits.
After discussing the objectives, FGOI project partners were asked to express their interest in establishing an office at their headquarters to create the report and proposal. As a result, six partners have committed to setting up a hub in their respective countries. These representation offices operate independently and are led by owner clusters, including businesses, industry associations, and trade promotion organizations.
European representation for international delegation – Furniture Collaboration Spaces – FGOI Hubs
Project partners have confirmed locations for hosting international delegations and each cluster has set its criteria and procedures for welcoming representatives from third countries.
I. TFC – Transylvanian Furniture Cluster (Romania)
Established in 2012, TFC (Transilvan Furniture Cluster) supports the furniture industry to enhance competitiveness both nationally and internationally. Its founding members include SMEs, research organizations, universities, and catalysts.
Some of the TFC’s results include:
- Romanian Excellence Center for Furniture (CEM): A hub for innovation and research featuring 8 laboratories and a ‘future factory’ for R&D. It promotes advanced technologies like VR, AR, and MR to enhance industry engagement and collaboration.
- Design, Prototyping, and Testing Laboratory: Provides internationally standardized services with 19 specialized devices. It supports industrial designers and furniture industry professionals by offering testing services for various furniture types, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards.
Adress: Str. Tiberiu Popoviciu, 22P, Cluj-Napoca, România
Contact: Ciprian MORCAN: ciprian@cem.center
Andreea TOMA: andreea@cem.center
Cristina DOBRESCU: cristina@cem.center
II. AMBIT – FURNISHING CLUSTER (Spain)
AMBIT – Furnishing Cluster comprises over 215 companies spanning the entire value chain of habitat products, including raw materials, furniture, tiles, lighting, textiles, and home automation. The cluster also integrates knowledge providers such as technology firms, universities, and research centers.
AMBIT organizes Interihotel, a prominent event in contract hospitality across Europe held in Barcelona and Madrid, attracting over 4,000 professionals. The cluster prioritizes innovation in digitization, circular economy practices, and shared value initiatives, enhancing sustainability and competitiveness within the furnishing sector.
Address: Avda. Generalitat, 66, 43560 La Sénia (Tarragona)
Contact: Alba LARA: alba.lara@ambitcluster.org
Antoni ZARAGOZA: antoni.zaragoza@cenfim.org
III. WIC: THE WOOD INDUSTRY CLUSTER (SLOVENIA)
WIC is a non-profit private association comprising 90 Slovenian woodworking companies and institutions, representing a significant portion of the national wood sector. Specializing in clustering, networking, project coordination, and EU project participation, WIC has over 30 years of experience in development, knowledge transfer, training, and internationalization.
As a founding member of Digital Innovation Hub Slovenia, RC31, WIC fosters innovation in the creative furniture industry and collaborates globally through the Furniture and Woodworking Cluster Partnership (FWCP). Additionally, WIC manages Slovenia’s Competence Center for Human Resources Development in the wood sector and supports SMEs in adopting circular economy practices through the ECCP Toward Green Transition Facility.
Address: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Dimičeva ulica 13, 1504 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Contact: Bernard LIKAR: grozd@sloles.com
IV. ICS: THE INTERIOR CLUSTER SWEDEN (Sweden)
ICS (The Interior Cluster Sweden) is a non-governmental, nonprofit organization that unites companies, organizations, and entities within Sweden’s furniture and interior design sector. Dedicated to fostering collaboration, innovation, and growth, the cluster serves as a pivotal platform for knowledge exchange and cooperation.
Their key objectives include facilitating collaboration through events and joint projects, promoting innovation in product development and production processes, supporting internationalization efforts of member companies, and advocating for sustainability practices.
Address: TEGNERGATAN 2, VAXJO 35234, Sweden
Contact: Anna ROSENQVIST: anna.rosenqvist@interiorcluster.se
Susanne ISRAELSSON: susanne.israelsson@interiorcluster.se
V. KČN: Cluster of Czech Furniture Manufacturers (Czech Republic)
The Cluster of Czech Furniture Manufacturers (KČN) is the largest cluster in the Czech Republic focused on the furniture and woodworking industry, including interior design. Established in 2006, KČN comprises leading Czech furniture companies, traders, exhibitors, universities, and research institutes.
KČN facilitates collaboration between businesses and academic institutions, supports applied research and innovation projects, and helps commercialize research outcomes. The cluster emphasizes internationalization, participating in global projects, exploring foreign markets, and organizing joint exhibitions.
Address: Cejl 480/12, 602 00 Brno, Czech Repubilc
Contact: Vítězslav GAJA: gaja@furniturecluster.cz
Lucia HARASLÍNOVÁ: haraslinova@furniturecluster.cz
VI. Bulgarian Furniture Cluster – BFC (Bulgaria)
The Bulgarian Furniture Cluster (BFC) is a dynamic non-profit association established in 2009 that holds an ESCA Label – Bronze. It aims to enhance the competitiveness of its members, ranging from furniture design to manufacturing, both locally and internationally.
The organization has significantly increased international export activities, improved communication and collaboration within the industry, and established a hub for innovation and prototyping.
Address: 23, Mizia str.; Sofia 1124, Bulgaria
Contact: Denitza Doseva: d.doseva@ligna-group.com
Paolina MITOVA: p.mitova@ligna-group.com
Genoveva CHRISTOVA-MURRAY: g.christova@ligna-group.com
Conclusion
The FGOI Hubs in Romania, Spain, Sweden, Slovenia, Czech Republic, and Bulgaria offer opportunities for investment, working and collaboration not only to third countries partners, but also to international organizations, companies and agents interested in the furniture industry.
The content of this news represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility; it cannot be considered to reflect the views of the European Commission and/or the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) or any other body of the European Union. The European Commission and the Agency do not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.
