Sourcing Furniture from Turkey is an alternate option for those companies currently purchasing from the more common Asian supply base.

Overview

Sourcing furniture from Turkey is an untapped opportunity for many businesses. Furniture plays a vital role in our lives as it essentially turns a house into a home giving us a space for comfort and relaxation. Varying in shapes and sizes, furniture takes up most spaces in our homes, helping us have a healthier and more organized lifestyle. These days, people tend to spend a lot of time and money to find furniture that adds charm, class, style, and function to their homes or offices, which leads to furniture becoming a huge sector; globally in dollar terms it was $547 Billion in 2020 and is and is expected to grow a further 44% by 2027 to $789 Billion.
When looking for overseas manufacturers of furniture, the two most common countries would be China and Vietnam. Both have the raw material and the labour pool to produce furniture across a wide range of styles and with different materials. It is no surprise, therefore, that they take the number one and two spots on the list of the largest furniture manufacturers/exporters globally (China and Vietnam respectively).

Covid has significantly disrupted both these Asian markets due to the related shortages of containers and the subsequent upward pressures on freight rates. This has been no more profoundly felt than in the furniture sector when buyers are often trying to cram as many bulky items as possible into containers. When you are only able to get 40 items in a container (compared with 10,000 pieces), the cost implications of the high freight costs will have a tangible impact on your landed price. The result is that buyers are scouring other markets for furniture opportunities particularly where there are freight savings from ‘near-sourcing’ countries.

Lucky Number 13

Casting one’s eye down the list of furniture manufacturers/exporters, Turkey makes the cut at 13th. Is sourcing furniture from Turkey a viable option for you? There are many reasons and we have set some of these out below:

1. Heritage

The Turks have been producing furniture for centuries. There are examples of furniture that date back to the Hittites in the Anatolian region. As with many ancient civilisations, the skills and workmanship were passed from generation to generation via family-owned workshops. These workshops, which are still active today, have been producing hand-carved furniture the same way for generations. This expertise was built upon in the dawn of industrialization as mid to large scale production capabilities were developed. These large-scale factories enabled automated mass production of standardized products with the majority of output destined for export.

2. Raw Material

Turkey has access to a range of raw materials that either grow domestically or are produced locally (such as steel etc). Particularly with regards to wood, there is a broad abundance of local wood that can be used in furniture production providing a range of different physical characteristics. The total land area of Turkey is more than 80 million hectares, with forests making up 27.2 percent (21,2 million hectares) of that. With 9,000 herbaceous and woody plant species, Turkey possesses one of the world’s most diverse floras. This gives the country easy access to many trees for roundwood production such as Calabrian pine, Crimean pine, Scots pine, beech, fir, spruce, cedar, and oak.

3. Established Industry

Turkey’s milling and wood manufacturing industry is qualified to supply wood products to overseas markets, especially those countries that do not have an advanced wood fabricating segment. Besides, Turkey is in a favourable position to provide semi-processed wooden items and furniture to the EU owing to its flexibility, comparatively lower labour costs and design capability.

4. Export Track Record

Turkey exports to over 170 countries and the biggest importers of Turkish furniture are Germany, Saudi Arabia, USA, France, UK, Israel, the Netherlands, Qatar, Romania, United Arab Emirates, the Czech Republic, Italy, and Azerbaijan. Moreover, many of the manufacturers have reinvested in their capabilities during the pandemic.

5. Not Asia

In order to build ‘flex’ into any supply chain it is important to identify suppliers in different markets. With Turkey sitting on the edge of Europe, it is perfectly positioned as a near sourcing option when it comes to furniture.

Summary

Supply chains and sourcing strategies have been largely turned on their head over the course of this Pandemic. Buyers are looking for other opportunities outside of the more traditional sourcing jurisdictions, like China. Sourcing furniture from Turkey will only enhance your sourcing strategy and breadth of the sourcing market. This is especially important if you are a European business.
As ET2C, we are well placed to provide you with the best furniture products Turkey has to offer. For all enquiries, please contact us at contact@et2cint.com.

Multifunctional Furniture has become an increasingly important trend as people look to maximize the use of space within their homes.

Overview

Multifunctional furniture has the ability to enhance our homes. The ‘winds are changing’ and more and more people are mindful of their living space and choosing functionality over size. With increased property prices and cities being overpopulated, optimizing your space seems to be the best solution for those who are conscious of their budget and space, and want the furniture to last longer. It is also part of the current surge in downsizing that is the driving force behind a range of creative and elegant furniture solutions.

Multifunctional Furniture is particularly useful when you need to decorate smaller apartments and living spaces or simply adapt a trendy and interesting solution to your space. It is also a good way to make a bold statement about your personality and enable your lifestyle with furniture that adapts to your way of life.

Multifunctional Furniture

What is Multifunctional Furniture and what are its advantages? The right piece of Furniture can:

• Help keep your belongings tidy;
• Optimize living space;
• Make the best use of small apartment; and
• Feature interesting and trendy design.

Multifunctional Furniture can be a part of any room’s interior, including the kitchen, bedroom, study, kids bedroom, Living room and even terrace or balcony.

Below are a couple of ideas for different living zones and spaces.

1. Furniture for Kids’ Room

Having their ‘own corner’ is extremely important for children of all ages. And regardless of how big or small the room is, everyone realizes that a child should have as much space as possible to play in, learn and discover. Below are some great solutions for Children of all ages.

• Childbed with storage unit;
  Drawers under the bed and wall shelves can help to organize clothes, toys and books. This design will grow together with a child and will be a great fit in the room of a toddler right through to a teenager.

• Childbed with slide and playground;
  Nothing presents a better example of combining functionality and fun when it comes to young children. The bed can be combined with a slide, ladder, exercise wall or even treehouse.

• Craft paper folding bench
  This unique and sustainable collapsible design allows up to 10 people to be seated. When folded together, it can be stored under the table or used as a side table. A perfect piece of furniture for an unexpected children party. And it is also available as a stool option.

• Nesting Children’s Furniture
  The nesting children’s furniture looks like a gradient side table when stacked together neatly. When pulled apart, they form two sets of desks for different age groups. Each desk component is equipped with storage compartments as well.

2. Space-saving Pet Furniture

Over the past year, lots of office workers spent significantly more time at home due to the Pandemic with extended lockdowns and working hours’ adjustments. For many of them, this meant spending more time with their pets. Below are some of the solutions that allow furniture to be shared with your pets:

• Rocking-2-gether chair
  This chair is a combination of a rocking chair and a pet house. A great spot for relaxing on the chair along with a furry friend absorbing some afternoon sun.

• Cat litter box/planter
  Some litter boxes are designed to look like a house plant to cleverly become part of the home décor. With a two-piece bottom and a cut-out, a cat can easily take care of its business. The Litter box can also be hidden inside the side table or storage unit.

• Cat hammock
  It is easy to share a table for a morning coffee or late evening snack together with your cat by fixing a cozy hammock right under the coffee table. It can also be placed on any chair or even inside the ottoman to get an extra secure spot for your pet.

• Bookshelf Window Perch
  For those small pets, a Bookshelf with step pads and perch will easily blend into the study or living room’s décor. Storage units can be used to declutter your home, and give a pet some exercise as well as help with fighting anxiety and boredom by giving free access to the window when an owner is not around.

3. Table solutions

• Table-mirror transformer
  A table is an essential part of any space, that allows you to dine, do some office work, practice a hobby or to just read the paper. A table that serves as a mirror when on the wall, and as a dining table or work surface when down is a great example of Multifunctional Furniture.

• Foldable dining table
  From a slim side table to a full dining table in a couple of minutes – these multi-use furniture pieces can seat up the whole family when fully unfolded.

• Extendable kitchen trolley
  Handy for storing extra dishes, using as a breakfast bar or adding a bit more workspace when preparing meals. This trolley can be easily moved away when not required allowing more mobility in the kitchen.

• Stacking table
  Stacking units come apart easily to be used as separate coffee tables. When put back together it can be used as a book/storage shelf.

Multifunctional Furniture – Develop Your Concept

We at ET2C work with a range of factories from China, Vietnam, India and Turkey in order to support and develop new Multifunctional Furniture concepts. Aluminium, steel, wood and even cardboard can be a material for inspiration. Reach out if you are looking for some unique pieces of furniture that can help to optimize home space and organically fit into all kinds of homes. For more information, please contact us at contact@et2cint.com.

Outdoor Furniture and Garden: as new habits emerge from the Pandemic, new trends will point towards the design of the outdoor space.

As we did last year, we are ready to predict some interesting outdoor and garden trends for the next spring-summer season.

The past 18 months have introduced many new behaviors, which have led to new trends in the outdoor furniture and garden sectors. As a direct consequence of the many lockdowns, the consumer started to design their living space in line with the adoption of these new habits and ultimately a greater reliance on time spent in their homes.

Of course, the Outdoor Furniture & Garden sector does not have a fast turnover of trends, when compared with fashion as an example, so we anticipate some SS21 trends to follow through into the next season as well. Look out for “Outdoor as Indoor”, Urban Gardens and Permaculture and the use of Natural Materials that are likely to feature in SS22.

Outdoor and Garden Trends SS2022

Vertical Gardening

The long periods of lockdown made us reconsider the importance of outdoor space. Even those people that do not have access to a garden, but just to a tiny balcony, now enjoy more than ever to spend some time outside and they certainly want to get the most out of what they have. For this reason, many opt for a vertical garden (even indoor!), in order to create a nice green corner with the (little) space available. This type of solution makes the balcony look bigger, adding a pleasant natural touch to it.

Recycled materials

Recently, the topic of sustainability has been becoming increasingly important in any industry. This also applies to garden furniture. Last year in particular, the demand for sustainable garden furniture rose sharply. Surely, this trend will continue in 2022.

Both designers and consumers are now seriously paying attention to sustainable materials and environmentally friendly design outdoors.

More and more, garden furniture is made from recycled materials. Certainty, this trend already started years ago: for example, the tropical wood such as teak or acacia, which is extracted from old boats and houses, has been recycled in the garden furniture sector for several years.

But recently, this process has involved also the making of plastic furniture. In fact, we can see now that seat shells or even complete lounge furniture are made from plastic collected and processed from land and sea. So if you want to focus more on sustainability when designing your terrace, you will find furniture made from recycled raw materials more often in the coming season. This way you not only decorate your garden with the latest outdoor trends, but also have a positive impact on the environment.

Furniture made of Rope

We also anticipate a broad use of rope in our gardens for the next season. In fact, to many people’s surprise, the practice of using woven rope to create furniture is a tradition that dates back to ancient times in Egypt. This material is versatile combining strength, flexibility and comfort!

Certainly, garden furniture made of rope gives your garden a particularly chic and modern look. An added advantage is that rope is very weather resistant come rain or shine. For this reason, furniture made from woven rope can be an especially good choice for people looking for items they can leave outside all year round.

Natural Colours & Materials

Now more than ever, the outside space is designed to be efficient and comfortable at the same time. Therefore, in order to be able to relax and unwind in the garden, natural fabrics and colours are becoming increasingly common. Muted tones such as sage green, cream, cashmere or beige will be particularly popular. Be ready to also see a lot of subtle green, brown and gray natural tones, but also khaki, olive green, ivory and foggy gray.

If you are not sure about how to develop your “garden palette”, simply choose one of these colors or combine several tones. This creates soft areas of different colours that immediately enhance any outdoor space.

Bohemian Touch

While natural tones will decorate most of the outdoor space, accessories, in particular, will create a nice contrast that will add a twist to your balconies, patios, and gardens.
The bohemian style will play a key role in this, especially on cushions, pillows, and accessories. Textiles will come up trumps with exotic, folkloric ethnic patterns and the furniture itself will show its ornate side in natural materials.

Whether rattan furniture, teak furniture decorated with carvings or ‘chilled’ hanging chairs – the furniture trends in 2022 will exude the artistic bohemian charm. Furthermore, colorful carpets and pillows with pompons and tassels will provide your minimalist/natural furniture with a lively boho-chic flair.

Urban industrial jungle

Recently, we have seen how the outdoor space has been designed as an extension of the internal living space. Specifically, we have seen it replicating some designs or even imitating the living room furniture.
However, for next season there will be a progression of this trend with the boundary between ‘interior’ and ‘exterior’ largely disappearing or becoming barely visible.

In fact, the outdoor space will include more elements from outside such as the ‘street’ style and even the wild jungle, without excluding some notes of industrial design.

In 2022 you will discover the simplicity and simple visual, which is inspired by the look of old warehouses, factories and other industrial buildings, also on the terrace.

However, these elements will be harmoniously combined together. For example, they will reach a perfect balance with furniture pieces that combine sturdy aluminum and natural teak. Certainly, the aluminum – that is rust-free and gives your garden a modern look – will be perfectly complemented by the naturally warm appearance of teak.

A good choice of exotic flowers and plants will add some jungle touch, complemented by some trendy Savanna-style cushions and decorations.

However, the mix of the different styles will be perfectly balanced in a general minimalist décor. So do not expect to find these elements all mixed together randomly or in excessive quantities. Garden furniture with a minimalist design will play a key role to give an elegant and relaxing look to the outside space. On the other hand, the accessories will create a nice contrast.

Sourcing Furniture and Outdoor, we can help!

We have developed our own range of Garden products out of China, Vietnam, India and Turkey. Taking the best of each market, we have pulled together some great products that are perfect for outdoors, whether it is outdoor furniture, coco-liners, hanging baskets or lighting. Moreover, we have attained certification to ensure that our suppliers ethically source their wood raw material. For all your needs, please contact us at contact@et2cint.com.

Bamboo Furniture will make your patios, gardens and outdoor spaces stand out next Spring-Summer.

As the climate emergency becomes evident to an increasingly wider audience, business leaders in every industry and sector are committing to finding new solutions to preserve and protect the environment.
Without a doubt, consumers have become more conscious of a product’s environmental footprint whether that is the raw material, manufacturing process or even the end-use of the product.

The younger generations, in particular, take greater ownership for the future of the planet and this is evident in their product choices at the point of sale. The environmental impact of raw material usage is becoming as important for them as the look, feel, and functionality of the products themselves. As a result, lots of retailers and brands are focusing their product design and innovation capabilities on sustainable options to both meet their customers’ needs and also have a positive impact on the world. The benefits will cover a range of benefits such as supporting water conservation, reducing waste or carbon emissions, for example.

Building a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of different materials – their strength, flexibility, weight, and usage life – is an invaluable skill to develop when designing. But, now that designers and product engineers have this new responsibility, these are not the only elements to consider. Consumers are asking product design functions to also make sustainable choices that will lead to an effective, positive environmental change. For this reason, sustainability has become one of the (essential) parameters to value raw materials.

From drawings and design to construction and architecture, sustainability is now more than a trend. It is a “revolution” of consumerism and is revolutionizing markets, production, and consumer behaviors.

Bamboo as an Excellent Natural Material for a Positive Change.

A sustainable and environmentally-friendly use of materials is an important goal of many interior designers, architecture, and construction companies. Among the sustainable building materials that researchers have focused on, bamboo is the most distinctive material in its role within architectural and interior design. The use of this material is fast evolving, which has led many to consider it the “wood of the 21st century”. But it is at a product level that this is more evident.

Bamboo has positive features like mechanical strength, easy processability and an abundance of supply in many tropical and subtropical areas which point to it being a more renewable alternative to wood. Also, bamboos are some of the fastest-growing plants in the world and certain species can grow almost a metre in a 24-hour period (that’s equivalent to 1mm every 90 seconds!). Such characteristics has seen many companies turn to bamboos for sustainable building material and furniture design.

Bamboo Furniture: Natural and Innovative

Furniture designers are using bamboo in innovative designs, either in all-bamboo or composite materials. Bamboo furniture can withstand everyday use and it now comes in more varieties of styles and finishes than before.

Furniture made of bamboo possesses an earthy, light feel that is suitable for open areas like patios, balconies and porches. When properly built, it can possess similar structural integrity as many hardwoods but it is significantly lighter and more versatile. Also, it is far more resistant to damage than traditional hardwoods, which is particularly important for outdoor weathering. These resistant qualities make bamboo an excellent choice to renovate outdoor spaces but it is not out of place indoors either for storage items such as cabinets and bookshelves.

Why Bamboo Furniture is a Great Option

There are many reasons why Bamboo is now being used in greater quantities in furniture, flooring and other products. It is a raw material for this sustainable generation and an outstanding choice for patios, gardens and outside spaces. Aside from its widespread abundance and mechanical strength, some of its key benefits at a product level are:

1. Durability

Bamboo furniture is incredibly durable and perfect for resisting the wear and tear of everyday use. It deals with ‘bumps’ and ‘scrapes’ with much less fuss than other more traditional woods that can be heavily marked and damaged over time.

2. Biodegradable

Bamboo fiber is a natural cellulose fibre and it can totally biodegrade in soil by microorganisms and sunshine. The decomposition process does not pollute the environment.

3. Resistance to Swelling and Shrinking

Unlike other woods, Bamboo does not swell or shrink as a result of atmospheric difference and changes in temperature. Those that have used other woods in furniture design will know all too well that as wood shrinks and swells the integrity of a design/structure can be compromised leading to quality issues. This is not the case with Bamboo and leads to long-lasting products particularly where they are exposed to changing weather conditions.

4. Appearance

Bamboo has a find grain and is therefore to cope with a wide variety of finishes. This means that design does not need to compromise when designing furniture pieces.

Bamboo furniture: a Vietnamese excellence

Certainly, bamboo (and the Panda fast behind) is synonymous with China. But in Vietnam, the bamboo tree is also a significant symbol of their culture and daily life. The solid, straight and high bamboo trees represent resilience, indomitability and bravery for the Vietnamese people. Bamboo trees often grow in clusters with strong vitality. They symbolize the solidarity, diligence and loyalty of the Vietnamese people and their homeland.

Bamboo grows almost everywhere in the country and is used widely in everyday life. For all these reasons, Vietnamese expertise in working this material is used in the Vietnamese manufacturing sector for furniture production.

Summary

Vietnam has an established furniture industry that is already using local woods such as Bamboo. As companies look more to sustainable materials, Bamboo will become increasingly important for the furniture industry.
At ET2C, we can help you with all your sourcing needs across Vietnam, but also using sustainable materials like Bamboo. For more information, please contact us at vietnam@et2cint.com.

Sourcing Furniture & Outdoor Trends in the ‘New Normal

A year ago, our lives were about to change abruptly. The spread of the Covid-19 virus, which has culminated in a global pandemic, has turned everything as we knew it upside-down. The subsequent constraints due to social distancing have impacted our perception of space (both indoor and outdoor).
People have generally been kept in their homes for months and we sought outdoor spaces to feel somehow relieved.

The lucky ones who had access to balconies, patios or gardens found the outdoors as their personal saviour. Certainly, with the adoption of new habits, our use of spaces in the home has changed with them. Private outdoor spaces are a precious commodity more now than ever before. They represent new kinds of freedom, allowing us to accept social isolation without feeling trapped, and also to enjoy fresh air without worrying about breathing in the virus.

New needs in this New Reality Sourcing Furniture & Outdoor Trends

People are now designing their living space in line with the adoption of these new habits and ultimately a greater reliance on time spent in their homes. Without a doubt, ‘Staying in’ is the new ‘going out’. The 2021 trends will push the outdoor spaces to create the experiences that we crave in a stylish, thoughtfully designed atmosphere.

So what are the new trends expected for Spring/Summer 21?

1. Indoor ↔ Outdoor

New trends will reflect the reimagined importance of the outdoors as a place where one’s private life can open up to our well-being such as fresh air, natural light and social interaction. The garden, always considered an “outside space”, is now a part of the home, dedicated to specific activities, such as working, exercising, meditating and yoga.

The feeling of intimacy outside is a big part of this outdoor trend. To create a flow from your inside space to the outside area your backyard, porch or patio should support everyday life not just supplement it. As an extension of your internal living space, furniture and accessories such as rugs, lights, mirrors, plaids and will become more commonplace outdoors reflecting this shift in how we interact with this type of space.

Obviously, where design can imitate the living room furniture, the function needs to also factor in external influences such as the weather. Now that you have bridged the divide between them, both your interior and exterior design will work in harmony.

2. Tiny Balconies: Urban Gardens and Permaculture

For sure, the combination of comfort and functionality gives new value to the outside space.
Even those that do not have access to a garden, but just to a tiny balcony, want to get the most out of what they have. For this reason, for Spring-Summer 21, also small spaces outside will be designed like gardens. The style and design will be all about making space look bigger. Such solutions will include using vertical space, laying borders, having clear pathways, and creating specific zones or outdoor ‘rooms’.

What furniture should you choose? Think round to save space. Curves soften and open up space rather than harsh lines and enclosing angles. Choose round tables and stools, for example.

More than a Balcony: An Urban Garden Sourcing Furniture & Outdoor Trends

Not only will the balcony be designed like an additional room of an apartment, but it will be designed like a smart urban garden. In 2021, planting small raised beds and smart vertical gardens on the balcony will be a clear trend. The holistic principles of permaculture will influence these tiny gardens to show they can be both productive as well as ornamental.

3. Eye-catching Outdoor Lighting Sourcing Furniture & Outdoor Trends

A good lighting system is paramount to the enjoyment of outdoor spaces in the evenings. It is important to add the right kind of light to make the outside space visible and safe. While before the white lights were the most common choice, colored filters are now an option to add extra warmth or create cool tones.

Lanterns are a classic that will stay but will be also revisited with new designs and materials.
Spring/Summer 21 will see also small lights, hidden in plantings and walkways, become more popular. Their strategic use will complement plants, accentuate lawn décor and stylize particular areas.

Environmentally Friendly Lighting Sourcing Furniture & Outdoor Trends

Even when it comes to outdoor lights, sustainability matters. Bright LED lights will continue to give a sustainable twist to the outside space. Supporting eco-friendly living styles, these lights are energy-efficient and have incredibly long lives (up to 100,000 hours!). In addition, solar-powered lights are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners who wish to take advantage of natural resources as well as saving on electricity bills.

4. Bright Colours Sourcing Furniture & Outdoor Trends

In terms of colour options, the next season will see the juxtaposition of warm comforting hues and bright color pops. Soft neutral shades of white and grey will be the natural base for the outside décor while bright colored details will complete the space balance with striking accents.

So besides the classic white, grey and the new entry “Shabby Chic”, keep an eye on the recent Pantone Fashion Color Trend Report for Spring/Summer 2021. Marigold, Rust, Illuminating, and French blue will definitely stand out in your gardens, patios, and balconies.Sourcing Furniture & Outdoor Trends

5. Natural materials Sourcing Furniture & Outdoor Trends

For the next Spring-Summer season, expect to see a boost of natural materials. Eco-friendly garden furniture is always in fashion thanks to the aesthetic appearance and the ambience of comfort.Sourcing Furniture & Outdoor Trends
Wicker furniture made of twigs makes it possible to achieve convenient streamlined shapes that add an element of style. Also, rattan Items are robust and generally resist rain or sunlight and are great for outdoor use.Sourcing Furniture & Outdoor Trends

Wooden furniture can also be safely operated in outdoor conditions if its surfaces are treated with a water-repellent coating and Sourcing Furniture & Outdoor Trends varnished. Certainly, woven materials add texture, and you can easily dress them up with bright decorative pillows to create a contrast. Natural options will distinguish not only furniture but also décor elements. You will see more sustainable solutions in gardens. The plastic pots will be increasingly replaced with natural alternatives such as coco-liners.Sourcing Furniture & Outdoor Trends

Sourcing Furniture and Outdoor, we can help!

We have developed our own range of Garden products out of China, Vietnam and India. Taking the best of each market, we have pulled together some great products that are perfect for outdoors, whether it is furniture, coco-liners, hanging baskets or lighting. Moreover, we have attained FSC certification to ensure that our suppliers ethically source their wood raw material. For all your needs, please contact us at contact@et2cint.com

Garden Products: Key Sectors and Strengths

ET2C’s Vietnam Sourcing Team has already identified opportunities within the Vietnam Garden Products and Outdoor sector due to raw material availability and strong manufacturing capabilities. Combined with political, social, and economic factors, Vietnam presents a powerful opportunity on the global stage.

Vietnam Garden Products continue to attract U.S. buyers, especially with tariffs on Chinese goods pushing costs up by as much as 25% if no agreement is reached. In response, many Vietnamese suppliers are investing in R&D to stay competitive with innovative designs that match global market needs.

As your Asian sourcing expert, we have highlighted key sectors within Vietnam Garden Products — including pottery, netting, garden tools, garden gloves, plant supports, arches and obelisks, hanging baskets, coco-liners, and furniture. Building on our ‘We Are Garden’ initiative, we engaged directly with suppliers to gain deeper insights into the industry and the opportunities available.

One such example is a leading furniture and decking manufacturer serving the U.S. and EU markets. Their production is part of the wider Vietnam Garden Products ecosystem, which showcases not only raw material strength but also innovation, sustainability, and competitive pricing.

Garden Products : Furniture Supplier

Forty-five minutes outside of Ho Chi Minh city, we turned off the main road into a vast industrial park. Unlike most industrial parks, we found ourselves pulling up beside a wooden house set within a lush garden, where we were greeted by the company Chairman (“Mr T”). This was of course a showroom and an oasis set aside the impressively well-managed manufacturing facility. Mr T has over 20 years’ experience in dealing with wooden furniture exports from Vietnam. During the years, he has seen the evolution of manufacturing capability first-hand. His factory is both FSC™ and BSCI certified and is set up to deliver against international expectations from an Asian sourcing perspective.

Garden Products : Interview

1. Which countries within the Asian Region do you see as your main competitors?

I see Indonesia and Malaysia as my main threats given the type of products that they manufacture, service level, and quality they can produce.

2. What does ‘Sustainability’ mean to your business?

Sustainability and eco-friendly was important for our brand from the very beginning. As a result, we have a strict process when it comes to selecting the source of raw material. Whether our wood comes from the US, EU, Malaysia, Paraguay, Brasil or even locally, it all must be FSC™ certified. We also comply with the protocol of using only non-formaldehyde compounds to ensure our products are as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible.

3. How do you continue to develop your export market and client base?

We have experience in dealing with large international clients. Therefore, we understand that executing against specifications, delivery dates and price are key-components in developing and retaining our client base. For instance, we put an emphasis on developing ‘partnerships’ that help us innovate and align with the client. In this way, we are always able to find the best possible options for our clients.

4. What are your biggest challenges as a business?

From an external perspective, with a number of companies recently moving out of China, Vietnam Garden Products are becoming more competitive on the global stage. Pricing remains a challenge, as many buyers still compare to historical supplier costs. Of course, price is important, but we want to work with clients who recognize the broader value that Vietnam Garden Products bring — quality, innovation, and sustainability.

Internally, one of the biggest challenges is wage inflation and staff retention, with costs rising 3–5% per year. Our employees are central to long-term success. Therefore, we created a development program to help our staff grow and develop alongside our business, ensuring Vietnam Garden Products maintain consistent quality and reliability for international clients.

5. What is the future for the Vietnam manufacturing base in your product category? 

The furniture industry in Vietnam continues to develop and evolve with increased competition across Asia. There needs to be a shift to a greater use of technology and machinery to enhance efficiencies and maintain prices rather than solely rely on manual labour.
There is Government investment in infrastructure and manufacturing. Combine this with the experience of making furniture over many years in Vietnam, we are well-positioned to continue to grow this category of exports in the future. As a business, we are looking to reach new markets with different requirements who focus on quality, design, and sustainability.

6. Garden Products Competitive Position in Asia – Vietnam stays strong as a sourcing hub by combining lower costs with adaptability to changing market demands.

Competitive Position in Asia Despite increased competition from other Asian countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and India, Vietnam maintains a strong sourcing position because of two main advantages:

• Cost Advantages – Vietnam offers lower production and labour costs compared to many regional competitors. Even with gradual wage inflation, manufacturing in Vietnam is still more cost-effective than in China or other higher-cost markets. This makes Vietnam attractive for global buyers looking to balance quality with affordability.

• Adaptability – Vietnamese manufacturers have shown flexibility by quickly adjusting to changing market demands, tariffs, and buyer requirements. For example, many factories shifted from outdoor to indoor furniture or invested in R&D to develop new designs. This adaptability allows Vietnam to stay competitive even when global trade dynamics shift.

Summary

There are approximately 1,500 furniture exporters in Vietnam with 30% of these being a result of foreign direct investment (FDI). Certainly, one key advantage of this category is the flexibility that has been demonstrated with a pivot from the more traditional outdoor furniture lines to an increasing industry for indoor furniture (as with Mr T’s factory).
As a Vietnam Sourcing Company, on the ground for over 10 years, we have identified the Garden Product and Outdoor sector as a growth manufacturing sector in Vietnam. Where necessary, we have developed manufacturing capability at factory level to produce high-quality products at competitive prices. There is now a unique opportunity to source a breadth of products all out of Vietnam.

For more information, please contact us at vietnam@et2cint.com. We will help your business positively bloom!