The production of the Bilotserk company “RK-Mebly as art” is located on the territory of the object, which had defensive significance. When enemy shelling of Kyiv Oblast began, Bila Tserkva was also affected. There was a possibility that the Russians could aim at the former military factory, so the furniture factory was idle for almost two months. In the first days of the war, the workers were given money for living in a hasty manner, because no one knew how the events would unfold. But it worked out. As Stanislav Rodzin, the head of the company’s production, said, practically all of its staff – with the exception of those mobilized for the army and a few who found other work during the downtime – began their usual work, as soon as it was decided to start production.

– However, the first thing they did was to send the finished furniture to the customers – both those that were already fully or partially packed at the beginning of the war, and those that were already painted and ready for packing.

The first to be reminded of themselves were customers whose orders were already with the necessary measurements – ready for execution and partially paid for. No client has terminated the contract due to the need for the company to revise the previously agreed price parameters of the projects in view of the new market realities. Even those with whom before the war there were relations at the level of preliminary calculations, began to actively conclude contracts, realizing that prices would rise even more in the future.

And the factory started working. But gradually it gained momentum: there is an order – a brigade is coming out for a change. The first months of the war were not without difficulties. Material. Due to the cessation of the import of Belarusian-made MDF, a shortage of slabs was created. Throughout the region, they searched for and bought slab remnants in order not to stop the production, which was started with such joy for both the management and the team after a break of several weeks. Fortunately, the market for materials needed for furniture production stabilized quite quickly. True, they have risen in price significantly, as all furniture makers know.

– Your factory is quite versatile in terms of the fact that it produces almost all types of furniture according to purpose. Were they all equally in demand last year?

– Oh no. For some reason, the priority was the furniture of the kitchen group: kitchen sets, dining tables and chairs. Nowadays, requests have noticeably diversified.

– At the end of last year, did you manage to approach pre-war production volumes?

– Unfortunately no. But they reached a quarter of the pre-war level. And that is good for the current state of the Ukrainian furniture market. The factory – although not loaded with orders – still has work, and therefore earnings for the workers. And this already means a lot for the present time.

Currently, the situation for the company is much better compared to last year, and this proves that we are starting to look for new employees to replenish the staff.

– The company has a rather ambitious production credo – “Furniture as art”, which is fixed even in its name. Again, given the realities of the wartime market, wouldn’t it make more sense to have simpler furniture? Following the example of some companies that have benefited from starting to work on a mass market.

– In our understanding, furniture art is not furniture at the level of works of art, in a high price segment, but the production of furniture, sound in all respects, and of any structural complexity. With this approach, budget category furniture can be produced at the level of furniture art.

And as for going down to a lower price category, which, perhaps, will contribute to increasing sales, we also see such a trend in the industry, because such companies work next to us, but we are not tempted by it. We decided to remain as the market has known and valued us for many years.

– The company sells its products exclusively on the domestic market. Don’t have export plans, which are usually realized with the participation of furniture makers in international exhibitions?

– There are intentions. There are no financial opportunities yet. However, this year they still took part in the furniture exhibition. In Ukrainian. And although, considering the current situation in the country, it was not as large-scale as it could have been in better times, but for us it turned out to be effective: we contacted a number of potential dealers. It is very important for the company. To a greater extent, the factory exists thanks to individual orders, participation in interior projects of Ukrainian designers, and now there is an opportunity to add to the production of serial furniture and wholesale sales, which is extremely necessary for us now.

– Practically not a single member of our association remained aloof from the army’s multifaceted assistance to forced migrants. Tell us how your company is helping the country during the current difficult trials.

– Since the very first month of the war, both the company and I personally have been involved in a patriotic, benevolent movement in this desperately needed country. The company transfers funds monthly for various volunteer needs. I managed to collect two 25-ton trucks of humanitarian aid (food, things) and send them to the residents of Liman after the liberation of the city from occupation. A car was sent to the soldiers holding the front in that region. I also collected funds on Starlink for them, and managed to purchase as many as two.

We also take care of the needs of the local shelter for homeless animals. We are currently helping technically in the processing of materials for its construction. I went with the workers of the shelter to the Kherson region to rescue animals after the enemy destroyed the dam of the Kakhov reservoir and transport them to Bila Tserkva. They worked as a veterinary post near the contact line, so they also came under fire.

The company will not stop its charitable activity, as well as its production, until the complete victory over the enemy, in which we all believe.