Hong Kong furniture producers are engaged in producing a wide range of products such as: home furniture, office furniture, kitchen furniture, mattresses, bedding and parts of furniture. Wood furniture represents an important piece of Hong Kong imports and it is increasing from year to year.
Most of the exports are destined to the US market (around 70%).
The main raw materials source is the Asian countries. For instance, hardwood is imported from countries as Malaysia and Thailand, plywood and veneer is imported from Taiwan and the rattan from Indonesia.
To become internationally competitive, Hong Kong producers are trying to find a method to decrease the costs, to initiate control quality methods, to improve the design concepts and to increase the marketing and sales efficiency. More companies have even obtained ISO 9000 / 9002 certification.
For the sales, the furniture producers are relying on the market chains, hypermarkets, commerce companies, buying companies or sales agents for abroad.
They have started to create their own brands. A notable example is that of the mattresses producers that have begun to advertise their products on the home and external markets.
China is an important outlet with a huge potential. The increasing consumption power of the Chinese people and the promising tourism industry make China an important outlet for residential and office furniture. Some companies are looking for partners in China in order to open production facilities here. Hong Kong may act like a platform for these companies given its experience in working with the Chinese and its reputation for quality, integrity, delivery in due time and a good management.
Products
Green furniture
Given the rules imposed by the environment protection, furniture producers are very carefully choosing their materials. For instance they have begun to use lately alternative materials such as tough carton and metal and strong cardboard.
Multi-functionality
There is a trend to use multi-functional products such as: beds which are raised beds with stocking place underneath and folding chairs that can be hung on the wall.
Simplity and neutral colors
The main trends in furniture design are simple lines and clarity. The colors used are earth tones, beige, cream, black and white, orange and red.
Chinese and retro furniture is very popular in Japan and France
Hong Kong furniture producers can offer alternatives like the above mentioned ones at advantageous prices in comparison with those offered by other markets (for example, Japan market)