The furniture production of the MIRT company, which is based in Novohrad-Volynskyi, in the Zhytomyr Region, could not be stopped even for a day by the war. Although with anxiety and pain in their hearts, the workers got up and get up to their workplaces every day and, as always, conscientiously perform their furniture work. What has noticeably changed is that their number has decreased by about a quarter since the beginning of the war. The reason is the same as for all companies and enterprises: men took up arms, and women left their homes in fear for their families. Again, as with almost all manufacturers in the conditions of martial law, and because of this, the market froze at the beginning of the war, the production volume and sales of products were reduced by more than half, so the reduction in staff did not significantly affect the factory’s efficiency – even taking into account the fact that among those who left the company for various reasons are high-level specialists whose departure cannot be taken lightly. It is clear that, as the market recovers its pre-war potential, which was already planned at the end of last year, and therefore the production increase, the company will recruit new employees, returning to the former staffing parameters.

– What plans for the development of the company did the war prevent from being implemented?

– By a lucky coincidence, just before the war, at the end of January, we practically finished an important stage of the company’s development, having carried out the restructuring and renovation of production. As for the restructuring of production, it included the improvement of technological processes on the basis of lean production, and a more efficient redesign of workshops with optimal placement of sites, machines, and additional equipment. It remained to complete the commissioning of the newly built additional equipment shop. It was precisely through this work that the war froze for an indefinite period of time. It is possible that production needs may change over time, and its purpose may change.

– Since the beginning of the year, the company has engaged in exhibition activities with enviable activity. We have already briefly talked about participation in the “Budma” exhibition, where “MIRT” mainly focused on its door and window products, although it also demonstrated furniture. Another Polish international furniture exhibition has ended. The company did not bypass it.

– This time our participation was in the format of the collective national stand “Furniture of Ukraine”, formed by the Ukrainian Association of Furniture Manufacturers. The content of our exposition was actually the same as at the construction exhibition: furniture and doors, but already serial models, most of which are new. Currently, we are reorienting ourselves to new markets, which have their own stylistic trends and trends that need to be met. Most of the new developments are made in a modern style, but, as always, we also pay tribute to the classics. The mentioned exhibitions will not be the only ones this year. We plan to demonstrate our products to others as well.

– Thank God, the war, even in its most threatening period, did not directly burn down the company, nevertheless, you were preparing for a probably worse situation, probably, and you too?

– Yes, it is. And this is convincingly evidenced by the fact that they have formed a volunteer battalion from among their employees, which periodically performs the necessary tasks, as well as undergoes training and training.

And, of course, the company did not stay away from other necessary assistance to our army: we regularly buy and send off-road vehicles, trucks, spare parts for equipment, drones, military ammunition and products to the front.