Despite the fact that 2022 was the most difficult year for the country in its recent history, and in some places brought the domestic furniture industry to the limit of survival, it did not bring the country to its knees, nor Ukrainian furniture. We will demonstrate this using the example of the Yavorina furniture factory in the capital.

For it, the “summer-autumn” season seemed so rich in model novelties in the range of her products – especially upholstered furniture, which could not but be pleasantly surprised in the conditions of the wartime economy. It seemed that not a week passed without the company presenting new bright models of sofas or armchairs made of natural wood, equipped with a wide range of furniture textiles and high-quality paint and varnish materials on social networks. Moreover, the company was able to implement several projects for the capital’s restaurants and such a large-scale project as the complex furnishing of the capital’s “Ibis” hotel, producing furniture for the restaurant, bar, public areas, as well as for standard rooms according to the customer’s individual specifications. In addition, participate in the autumn international furniture exhibition “Warsaw Home Furniture Expo” in Poland.

And even six months ago, this was not even close to possible, as we learned from the story of the co-owner of the company, Olena Balinska. And because the factory in Vyshgorod was practically in the war zone, and there was no access to it. And because most of the workers ended up in the temporarily occupied territories of Kyiv region. But as soon as the hated enemy was chased away, Yavorina started her usual furniture business.

– But it was very difficult for us to achieve what we managed to achieve at the end of the year. In particular, it was difficult to deal with foreign customers who delayed advance payments, then doubting that we were able to work reliably in war conditions, and recently also due to emergency power outages, then fearing that we would not be able to safely deliver the manufactured goods to them within the stipulated time products, which in turn will prevent them from timely putting into operation the objects for which it was intended. I had to use video evidence to convince myself that the factory is fully functional and in working order. They also removed our supply of generators to prove the possibility of an autonomous energy supply. Nevertheless, it was not possible to maintain the volume of exports at the pre-war level – it decreased by half.

– How do you want to correct the situation?

– “Yavoryna” company is known in the industry and on the market for the fact that it implements projects to order, mainly in the HoReCa segment. The realities of wartime and market trends made adjustments to the company’s furniture production policy: it was decided to create serial furniture collections for retail sales with an orientation to foreign markets. These new models, which we started to present in social networks in the fall, were the first results of the adjustment of our business policy.

– Participation in the Polish exhibition probably also pursued the goal of increasing export volumes.

– Definitely. We are grateful to the Ukrainian Association of Furniture Manufacturers for organizing such an opportunity and inviting “Yavoryna” to form the “Furniture of Ukraine” national stand with colleagues. We had our own “island” on it, which numerous visitors did not overlook. But it became obvious that the interest they expressed in our products and the contacts they had made could turn into real deals under a number of circumstances that currently determine potential foreign clients. In particular, they want us to have our own representative office abroad, from where they could pick up finished products and only then pay for them, they are also not satisfied with the need to make advance payments, and we, accordingly, with their absence, since the execution of project works becomes everything more expensive for the company. Therefore, long and difficult negotiation procedures are ahead to agree on positions and find mutually acceptable compromises. Ukraine’s victory will undoubtedly speed up these processes.

– Is it easier with internal clients in this regard?

– I will say this: it is good that they are in such conditions at all. Last year, we furnished quite solid facilities, including a restaurant and even a large hotel. Since the number of employees was reduced by almost half, in particular, due to the mobilization needs of the army, it was necessary to work on Saturdays as well. But that did not cause dissatisfaction among people, because the main thing for them is that there is a job, and it provides an opportunity to support their families.