The Capital Trading House ‘Berest’ is not only a well-known supplier on the domestic market (25 years in operation) of materials, fittings, and components for furniture production, as well as a successful exporter of board materials, but also a direct furniture manufacturer. It offers a warehouse program of furniture products for various purposes and fulfills custom furniture orders.

Regarding furniture components, the company sells products not only from other brands but also its own. This includes facades, which the company has been producing for a quarter of a century, so for ‘Berest’, there is nothing impossible in this area.

From numerous interactions with furniture business leaders, we know that the war, in one way or another, affects everyone. Some are significantly impacted, suffering production facility damage, challenges in relocating surviving equipment to safer regions, while the majority experience a decline in production and sales due to the weakened domestic market. Knowing all this, we also asked Serhiy Krachkovskyi, the owner and director of ‘Berest’, how the company is doing in the current conditions. His response, unlike many others in the furniture industry whom we asked the same question, was filled with optimism: everything is fine! Naturally, pleasantly surprised by such an answer, we asked him to elaborate on what has contributed to this positive outlook.

It seems ‘Berest’ has a fortunate fate. Just before the war, the company underwent a renewal, which allowed it to successfully resist the hardships brought by the war in the following year and the damage it inflicted on businesses and domestic private entrepreneurship. ‘Berest’ modernized by acquiring new, more advanced, high-performing, and multifunctional equipment to improve the quality of services provided to fellow furniture manufacturers. With the expectation that this step would increase the volume of its services, the company also expanded its production facilities by commissioning new workshops.

The owner did not miscalculate: even during the war, the volume of services provided to domestic furniture makers increased. Not only did the quality improve, but the situation in the domestic furniture industry during wartime led to a higher demand for the services in which Serhiy Krachkovskyi’s company specializes (this includes the processing of practically all types of board materials used in furniture making, as well as countertops and HPL plastic). Demand grew because some manufacturers had their workshops destroyed, some relocated without all necessary equipment, and others lost workers due to mobilization needs. As a result, many furniture producers found themselves turning to specialized companies like ‘Berest’ for these services.

‘Berest’ specialists not only expertly cut and edge the board materials but also assist clients in choosing the materials and the best processing methods to meet their needs.

– As for exports, were you able to expand by acquiring new foreign clients and broadening your sales geography?

– We have been exporting board materials to Romania and Moldova for a long time. Over the years, we have established strong and trusting business relationships with clients in these countries, which were not shaken by the hardships of the war. While we haven’t gained new clients, the reliability and stability of those we have allowed us to maintain export sales volumes.

– What about furniture production? How have you managed to avoid stress while continuing to furnish during these challenging times?

– We succeeded in creating a closed production cycle, meaning we can handle almost everything ourselves (except metal and glass processing), so we don’t need to rely on external contractors often, though we do act as contractors for our furniture-making colleagues. We also work comfortably with a few subcontractors who are located nearby, renting premises on the same property.

– Does this mean you’re also doing well in terms of staffing, in contrast to others?

– No, we face challenges in this regard like everyone else. It might even be harder for us because we can’t replace the men who have left with women, as the nature of the work doesn’t allow it. Working with board materials is quite labor-intensive.

– What can you say about your social and patriotic activities?

– To put it briefly, we don’t refuse anyone who asks for help. We’ve already produced a lot of furniture for the military, providing them with the materials they need both for equipping combat positions and for soldiers’ everyday needs. We also don’t turn down requests from volunteer organizations and hospitals.”