On Thursday, December 2, UAFM visited the city of Ivano-Frankivsk with LEAN visits.

UAFM’s Board, the association members and representatives of friendly to UAFM companies visited three UAFM’s members in one day, got acquainted with local furniture makers and learned LEAN from Olga Peretyatko.

First, the UAFM delegation went to visit the FRANKOF showroom, which presented the most modern upholstered furniture of the factory, which is not inferior in quality and design to the leading manufacturers in Europe. The participants of the tour learned how the product is made and sold by the company’s management, who gladly answered their numerous questions. Stylish desserts with logos and the mascot of the company – the hippopotamus Franyk gave a better understanding of the importance of the emotional component and unity of style for positioning the brand. 

Next, we visited the production company FROP, which provides comprehensive interior solutions for hotels, restaurants, business centres and private facilities. Vasyl Fetsenets, the owner of the company, conducted a tour of the production and spoke openly about the mechanisms of its work. Then he invited guests to the conference hall, where he continued to share the secrets of implementation and implementation of projects, collaborate with designers and answer all questions from guests. Networking continued with a friendly buffet, which was decorated with a cake with the logos of UAFM and FROP.

Then the UAFM delegation headed its route to the city of Kalush to visit the logistics RIO-TRANS company, one of the largest forwarding companies in Western Ukraine. Ruslan Shmakov, co-founder of the company, together with his wife Olga and colleagues prepared a truly festive reception. And although there was still a month until the New Year, the festive atmosphere, created with special generosity, immediately captivated the guests. Baked turkey, Christmas decorations and decor contributed to a friendly conversation, during which we learned many interesting features of smart logistics. Subsequently, the words were clearly supported, Mr Ruslan conducted a tour of the company. But not powerful MAN tractors, not modernly equipped boiler room and not even spacious office premises impressed the guests the most, but the employees of the company, who performed their work with visible pride and pleasure.

Mr Ruslan kindly provided us with a conference hall where training with lean expert Olga Peretyatko took place.

Ms Olga is a consultant for Lean 6 Sigma, Lean Coach at Lean Six, and helps companies optimize and streamline production and management processes.

During the training, participants learned how to use LEAN tools to increase productivity. Particularly interesting was the practical case of WOODWERK, which recently underwent LEAN – a transformation under the expert guidance of Ms Olga and achieved impressive results. 

We are grateful to all the companies that hosted us and shared their experiences; tour participants who honestly adopted this experience. Together we will make the Ukrainian furniture business strong and profitable. Be active, join the UAFM events.