Currently, the most challenging issues for the Lviv-based company “Furniture Corporation” are the same as those faced by all domestic furniture manufacturers, particularly the high staff turnover, which leads to the problem often referred to as a “labor shortage.”

– Because of this, you probably struggle to maintain the competitive edge you declare on your website—short lead times for order fulfillment?

– we asked Sofiia Kiz, the co-owner of this family company.

– Not at all. We are perhaps the only furniture company in our region that, despite all the challenges, manages to meet the declared delivery timelines. Everyone promises to deliver on time, but not everyone succeeds.

In our team, there are employees legally exempt from mobilization. They have become mentors, quickly and efficiently training new hires to perform woodworking tasks, replacing those who have left. This has protected the company from major staffing gaps. Additionally, my husband, Mykola, a professional carpenter, can step in for any furniture manufacturing operation. Incidentally, this was one of the main reasons we started our woodworking business in the first place.

– It’s not surprising, then, that “Furniture Corporation” has expanded beyond furniture manufacturing, offering woodworking services such as stairs and furniture components for other furniture manufacturers.

– That’s correct. Current circumstances forced us to start working with solid wood—not only in woodworking but also in furniture production. Naturally, we had to purchase additional equipment for this purpose. For now, it’s basic woodworking machinery—planing, milling, and jointing machines, among others (a total of six)—which has enabled us to take on woodworking projects responsibly and close the entire production cycle with solid wood. As a result, we no longer need to rely on subcontractors. Over time, if financial resources become available, we plan to upgrade our equipment to more advanced, technologically sophisticated machinery.

Let me specifically mention stairs. Due to the labor shortage, nearly all carpentry workshops in the city that specialized in this type of work have ceased production. We, however, managed to find and retain experienced carpenters, and we are now leaders in this segment of the local market.

– What other changes are characteristic of the current times?

– We have actively started collaborating with interior designers. While our clients used to be primarily end customers, now half of our clients are designers. This is a modern market trend, and our company has successfully adapted to it. We handle both private and corporate orders equally well.

The level of competition has also shifted. Before the war, it was relatively high in our region. In the early months of the war, it was very low, but now there is a clear trend of growth. This is due to furniture manufacturers relocating from other regions to the western part of the country, settling in, and beginning to compete with local manufacturers.

– Speaking of specific types of furniture, kitchens are your priority. They are complex projects that require significant design input. Do you have in-house designers, or can you manage without staff designers now that you’re handling many pre-designed projects?

– We have our own designer. How can a company that still handles private orders do without a designer? We offer design services to all our clients, but we have no objections if a client comes with a ready-made design project.

– The challenging situation on the domestic market, particularly in the first year of the war, forced our furniture manufacturers to urgently look for opportunities to enter foreign markets. Did your company face this necessity?

– We are no exception, but we’re not ready for exports just yet. Purchasing such a large amount of woodworking equipment drained our financial reserves, and without them, entering foreign markets is unrealistic. However, we do have the intention. Perhaps we will start working on it in the spring.

– Don’t forget that our Association provides all kinds of support for companies striving to export—not only with useful advice and training programs but also in practical terms, such as organizing joint booths at prestigious international exhibitions.

– Yes, we are familiar with UAFM’s exhibition opportunities.

– The fact that your company has expanded beyond furniture production and upgraded its machinery is undeniable proof of its development. What steps will you take in this direction this year?

– First of all, we need to establish exports and enter the European market.

– We wish this step to be a successful one for your company!