1. 03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES vs SCENARIO
RELATED TO THE FURNITURE SECTOR

2. INTRODUCTION
The objective of the point O3-A1 is to analyze the characterization of companies of the furniture sector (for each country) to understand what they have to do to answer the future Scenario needs.
The information related to the companies charachteristics for each country has been collected through a Survey.
The survey allowed to compile a SWOT table.
This part of the project is a fundamental step to define the emerging Furniture New European Skills 2020.
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015

3. FROM 3 to 1 POSSIBLE SCENARIO for furniture sector
Retail Brand Scenario
Low Consumption Scenario
Smart solutions Scenario
FROM 3 to 1 POSSIBLE SCENARIO for furniture sector
FUNES FURNITURE INDUSTRY SCENARIO
A. Population and society
Ageing of the population;
Difficulties creating young households;
Stagnation in consumption of furniture;
Purchase of furniture based on lowest price.
B. Raw material and production
High inflation for the increased costs of raw materials;
High competitiveness of countries with low production costs.
C. Products, trends for living, environment and technologies
Generalization of alternative and renewable materials;
House with sustainable technology, furniture components;
Interactive technology;
Flexibility and advanced lifestyles;
Predominant environmental aspects of health and wellness
D. Consumer interaction behaviour
Innovative consumer that can act as leader and designer of his own furniture;
Purchase furniture through multiple channels. Stores aimed at the generation of experiences. Use of information and communication technologies
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015

4. FUNES FURNITURE INDUSTRY SCENARIO
SWOT ANALYSIS
The information related to the EU companies features has been collected into a SWOT table which leads to the identification, through the analysis, of the position in which the companies are located compared to the FUNES Furniture Scenario.
FUNES FURNITURE INDUSTRY SCENARIO
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015

5. STRENGTHS POSITIVE ASPECTS CONTROLLED BY COMPANIES
COSMOB
ENAIP
ITD
CFPIMM
AIDIMA
FEVAMA
Relevance
COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH DIFFERENTIATION
 >>>>>>>> ✔ 5
COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH COSTS
STRONG TRADITION IN WOOD AND FURNITURE INDUSTRY 6
WORKERS WITH LARGE EXPERIENCE – LEARNING BY DOING
TECHNOLOGICAL MODERNIZATION (CAD, CNC)
QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT
LUXURY FURNITURE (NICHE MARKET)
FURNITURE “FOR LIFE” (BUYING FURNITURE TO LAST AS MUCH YEARS AS POSSIBLE)
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015

6. Other STRENGTHS POSITIVE ASPECTS CONTROLLED BY COMPANIES
Research and development as the growth factor (leading EU investment in R&D).
Eco-issues already part of the entrepreneurial culture (sustainability certifications).
High level of customization.
Habit to deal with new markets (Russia, Arabia, China).
Research and development.
Ecology (in general) of products (furniture) and technological processes.
Increase in the on-line sales importance.
Established, high position on international markets.
Incorporation of add value.
Product design.
Quality managements systems.
COSMOB
ENAIP
ITD
AIDIMA/FEVAMA
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015

7. WEAKNESSES NEGATIVE ASPECTS CONTROLLED BY COMPANIES
COSMOB
ENAIP
ITD
CFPIMM
AIDIMA
FEVAMA
Relevance
FEEBLE STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
>>>>>  ✔ 4
LACK OF INTERNAL SKILLS FOR A SUSTAINABLE DECISION PROCESS (SUBCONTRACTING, INVESTMENT ON EQUIPMENT, …)
DESIGN OF NEW AND INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS
MANAGEMENT TRAINING NEEDS 5
HUMAN RESOURCE STRATEGY (PLANNING, RECRUITMENT, TRAINING…)
JOB DESIGN (SPECIALIZATION, POLYVALENCE, ERGONOMICS, INCENTIVE SYSTEMS…)
LOW EDUCATION OF WORKERS
 >>>>>
WORKERS FROM PRODUCTION NEAR RETIREMENT AGE
LACK OF COMPETENCES TO WORK WITH NEW AND DIFFERENT MATERIALS (POLYMERS, GLASSES, STONES, COMPOSITE, …)
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015

8. WEAKNESSES NEGATIVE ASPECTS CONTROLLED BY COMPANIES
COSMOB
ENAIP
ITD
CFPIMM
AIDIMA
FEVAMA
Relevance
RATIONALIZATION OF PRODUCTIVE COSTS
 >>>>>> ✔ 4
FULFILMENT OF DELIVERY DEADLINES
COSTS OF TRANSPORTATION (VOLUME AND WEIGHT)
MARKETING PLAN INEXISTENT OR FEEBLE
>>>>>> 
DELIVERY AND ASSEMBLY SERVICE
DEPENDENCY ON THE DISTRIBUITION CHANELS
INEXISTENCE OF COOPERATION NETWORKS FOR DISTRIBUTION
AFTER SALES SERVICE INEXISTENT OR FEEBLE
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015

9. Other WEAKNESSES NEGATIVE ASPECTS CONTROLLED BY COMPANIES
Impossibility to reduce costs.
Unpredictability connected to the generational turnover within the entrepreneur family.
Worsening age structure of employees (ageing of employees).
Weak cooperation between the producers and the R&D sphere.
“No name products”.
Lack of brand and image.
Lack of cooperation between companies (Closed-innovation).
Lack of technical salesmen.
Small size of firms.
Fear of export and internationalization.
Lack of marketing.
Null management of design.
Mass production.
Lack of flexibility in the production (of products).
Lack of qualification of the workers.
Lack of Brand image.
Lack of business cooperation.
Company size.
Export difficulties.
ENAIP
ITD
AIDIMA
FEVAMA
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015

10. OPPORTUNITIES POSITIVE ASPECTS NOT CONTROLLED BY COMPANIES
COSMOB
ENAIP
ITD
CFPIMM
AIDIMA
FEVAMA
Relevance
EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL PRODUCTIVE SYSTEM (many small companies in the region, complementing each other, namely through subcontracting)
 >>>>>>>> ✔ 5
IMPROVING BUSINESS COOPERATION (DISTRIBUTION, MARKETING, …)
  >>>>>>>> 4
SUSTAINABLE INTERNATIONALIZATION 6
AVAILABILITY OF PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT TOOLS
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
RAISING OF ECO-EFFICIENCY
USE OF NEW RAW-MATERIALS
MEDIUM NATIONAL SALARY OF QUALIFIED WORKERS (comparing portugal with other european countries)
TAILORED VOCATIONAL TRAINING (in terms of contents and number of hours)
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015

11. OPPORTUNITIES POSITIVE ASPECTS NOT CONTROLLED BY COMPANIES
COSMOB
ENAIP
ITD
CFPIMM
AIDIMA
FEVAMA
Relevance
MORE DEMANDING CLIENTS (ECO-CONSUMPTION, CUSTOMIZATION)
  >>>>>>>> ✔ 6
INCREASING OF ONLINE SALES
CONTROLLING OF DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS
BEING ALERT FOR WHAT IS NEW IN DESIGN AND PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES (MAKING COSTS/BENEFITS ANALYSES)
FLEXIBLE AND INTELLIGENT HOMES, HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND OTHER “LIVING SPACES” 5
FLEXIBLE LIFESTYLES (PEOPLE LIVING ALONE, SECOND FAMILIES) 4
GERIATRIC FURNITURE
EQUIPMENT FOR PUBLIC SPACES (GARDENS, SQUARES, MARKETS, …)
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015

12. OTHER OPPORTUNITIES POSITIVE ASPECTS NOT CONTROLLED BY COMPANIES
Digital prototyping for a fastest industrialization at a low cost (fablabs).
Domotics (home automation) technoligical furniture.
There is not a big pressure from the low costs markets, because the target of the sector is different.
Italy industry is developing a more aware and widespread perception of the opportunity to sell.
Italy itself as a brand and as a lifestyle (especially in certain sectors such as food, fashion and furniture).
New trends in design and production technologies – new tools of the cost/benefits analyses.
Economic prosperity in the country, Europe and in the world, as well as a favourable exchange rate of PLN/€.
Development of the industries supplying materials and components for the furniture industry (sawmilling industry and wood-base panel industry).
Development of construction as the main creator of the demand for furniture.
Popularisation of the networking concept (clusters, technology platforms etc.)
Increased mobility of prospect employees.
Medium national salary of qualified workers (comparing Poland with other European countries).
Eco-design.
Design for All (people elderly, disabled...).
Design management.
Smart cities.
Diversification.
Improve flexibility.
Customization.
Design for all (adapted furniture)
Improve flexibility, diversification
Design management (ecodesign, ...)
COSMOB
ENAIP
ITD
AIDIMA
FEVAMA
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015

13. THREATS NEGATIVE ASPECTS NOT CONTROLLED BY COMPANIES
COSMOB
ENAIP
ITD
CFPIMM
AIDIMA
FEVAMA
Relevance
COUNTRIES WITH LOW COSTS PRODUCTION (asian and eastern european countries)
  >>>>>>>> ✔ 5
COMPANIES LOCATED OUT OF INDUSTRIAL PARKS
INCREASING COSTS OF RAW MATERIALS
INCREASING OF THE PRODUCTION COSTS (energy, equipment, …) 6
DIFFICULTIES IN APPLYING LEGISLATION (environmental, commercial, …)
LOW PURCHASING POWER OF FAMILIES
MOBILITY DIFFICULTIES OF WORKERS (they all want to be near their homes)
 >>>>>>>>  ✔ 4
INCREASING OF EMIGRATION OF YOUNG QUALIFIED WORKERS
FURNITURE INDUSTRY IS NOT ATTRACTIVE FOR QUALIFIED WORKERS
(namely young people)
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015

14. OTHER THREATS NEGATIVE ASPECTS NOT CONTROLLED BY COMPANIES
Stagnation in consumption.
Reduction of the number of people who can afford high quality furniture.
Difficulties in the integration of immigrant in the production network.
High cost of salaries compared to other areas in which lower-quality companies can produce their furniture.
Decreased demand from the main trade partners (in particular Germany).
Spanish furniture industry is not attractive for qualified workers, namely young people.
Lack of skilled workers in the area of manufacturing.
There are no studies for the sector.
Lack of funding by the poor image of the sector, pigeonholed and related to the construction/building sector.
ENAIP
ITD
AIDIMA/FEVAMA
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015

15. SWOT TABLE 16/09/2015 03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
STRONG TRADITION IN WOOD AND FURNITURE INDUSTRY
FEEBLE STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
WORKERS WITH LARGE EXPERIENCE
MANAGEMENT TRAINING NEEDS
TECHNOLOGICAL MODERNIZATION
HUMAN RESOURCE STRATEGY
QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT
LOW EDUCATION OF WORKERS
COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH DIFFERENTIATION
LACK OF COMPETENCES TO WORK WITH NEW MATERIALS
LUXURY FURNITURE
RATIONALIZATION OF PRODUCTIVE COSTS
MARKETING PLAN INEXISTENT OR FEEBLE
EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL PRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
IMPROVING BUSINESS COOPERATION
DEPENDENCY ON THE DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS
SUSTAINABLE INTERNATIONALIZATION
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
AVAILABILITY OF PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT TOOLS
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
COUNTRIES WITH LOW COSTS PRODUCTION
RAISING OF ECO-EFFICIENCY
USE OF NEW RAW-MATERIALS
INCREASING COSTS OF RAW MATERIALS
MORE DEMANDING CLIENT
INCREASING OF THE PRODUCTION COSTS
INCREASING OF ONLINE SALES
MOBILITY DIFFICULTIES OF WORKERS
FLEXIBLE AND INTELLIGENT “LIVING SPACES”
FLEXIBLE LIFESTYLES
GERIATRIC FURNITURE
EQUIPMENT FOR PUBLIC SPACES
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015

16. SWOT ANALYSIS PER PARTNER
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015

17. CONCLUSIONS
The FUNES Scenario 2020 has been developed and linked to the companies features through a SWOT analysis.
The characterization analysis aimed to understand which features are related to companies of the EU furniture sector and which we must strengthen to better meet the Scenario needs.
KEYWORDS:
Tradition, quality and technology as Competitiveness through differentiation
Lack of education and training, rationalization of costs and R&D
New trends in consumer behaviour, flexible lifestyle and living spaces, internationalization and eco-efficiency.
Increasing costs and emerging countries with low costs production
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015

18. SUGGESTIONS Try to go further into details.
Now that the main features have been highlighted we could try to make them even more projected in the furniture industry in order to fully grasp the shades; as it was done for the opportunities that are much more specific and related to the wood and furniture industry.
To go deeply into details we could answer to the following questions:
How can we make the best use of strenghts to take opportunities?
How can we pay attention to the weaknesses to avoid the risks?
What risks are negligible considering the strenghts?
And which opportunities might escape if the weaknesses are not remedied?
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015

19. “AND IN TODAY, ALREADY WALKS TOMORROW” Samuel Taylor Coleridge
03-A1 ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES VS SCENARIO
16/09/2015