We will not let the Ukrainian furniture industry fall into disrepair
And in the rather harsh conditions of coronavirus quarantine, most domestic furniture industries remain effective, each in its own way, adapting to the present adverse circumstances.
Our stories will be about companies that do not let the Ukrainian furniture industry fall into disrepair.
One of them is Kolomyia ‘s Metabox company.
Head of the department Andrey Tkachyk told about her current affairs.
– The company has entered into quarantine restrictions, having several outstanding obligations to customers-customers. But the production has not finally stopped, although all the company furniture stores are closed, and the production units are engaged in half, – says Andrew.
Metabox is a multifaceted company in a production sense, universal. It manufactures cabinetry of various uses and complexity and is upholstered for both individual customers and the HoReCa sector, as well as aluminium sliding doors. Also, the company provides colleagues-furniture services in the processing of glass, mirrors, cutting and coating of plate materials, milling on equipment with CNC.
So, as the interlocutor notes, the work was gathering.
– It is not necessary to work in a warehouse. And they would not work, even if there were no orders, it would mean to multiply the expenses that are unknown or pay off after quarantine, – he adds.
It was gratifying to hear from Andrew that, despite the current difficult circumstances, life has not stopped and the company continues to receive orders. Of course, not in such volumes as in the pre-quarantine period.
– Does it make sense to attract more customers during this difficult period to get discounts on discounted promotional furniture?
– No. We do not introduce anything like this. The reason may seem unexpected. In order not to be criticized, they say, the country is quarantined, and you activate your actions, disturb people who do not need to think about furniture now. Such techniques will not be overlooked by the controlling authorities, local authorities. Therefore – no advertising, no action, not to attract attention.
Even our current fulfilment of previously received orders is to some extent risky. Therefore, it would be desirable for the government to more clearly identify which of the manufacturing companies and how they can operate so that the permits are not interpreted on the ground arbitrarily because of their inaccuracy and imprecision. That, when quality quarantine claims are brought to us, we can prove that we are doing lawfully.
– How is production organized?
– Those workers who got to work by public transport stayed at home. As well as those who voluntarily chose a quarantine to stay at home. From other employees formed such a versatile team that can perform all the necessary production tasks. Of course, taking tasks in such conditions takes more time, productivity is low, but given the need to avoid a significant concentration of people in one place, we accept what we currently have. As far as they could, they secured working masks, gloves, antiseptics. This is a direct responsibility of employers. And the more such funds go on sale, the more we will buy them.
It is unfortunate, of course, that those workers who are not involved in the production are left without pay, but otherwise, they do not work out. They were not on the ponds but were paid wages for the volume of the specifically produced.
Some office workers, including those who accept service contracts, can do their homework.
– So do your furniture clients throw you a job?
– Well, of course, not one of us has stopped making furniture. But we carry out such orders as contactless as possible. We communicate remotely. We also receive an order. The same goes for transport needs. The client brought the materials, unloaded, we brought the completed work, unloaded without human contact.
– Are the materials and components necessary for the work? Is there an opportunity to buy something in the current environment?
– We never loaded the warehouses to the maximum. They usually had a four-day supply of materials and components. But now that production has dropped significantly, there is a longer supply of inventory. Our trucks are constantly running to replenish our inventory. Some crisis in the supply of everything necessary for furniture production has not yet been observed. Even if it is problematic to buy what you need from the usual suppliers, you can buy from others.
There is an understanding of the complexity of the situation and the customers. If some slab decor cannot be offered right now, they are not particularly murmuring. The same applies to the violation of the order fulfilment deadline: if it is delayed somewhat, we do not receive any complaints about it.
