One could have chosen not to delve into the story of the Kremenchuk furniture company “Resolut“, which may disappear from the UAFM membership list, ceasing to exist by the decision of its owners. Such a decision was made due to various reasons, stemming from the difficulties the war has imposed on the furniture industry.

Given this, one might have avoided discussing the “Resolut” company, but we decided to do so. Not so much about “Resolut“, which remains an active participant in our industry and a current member of our Association, but more about what will happen after it. One of the co-owners, Serhiy Nepyypivo, shared his plans. He is determined to stay in the furniture industry by establishing his own company, which will succeed the current one. At least in terms of taking its place in the Ukrainian Association of Furniture Manufacturers, as assured by Mr. Serhiy.

– I am a working co-owner in the ‘Resolut‘ company, responsible for creating interior projects that our furniture company implemented at the production level. The company I intend to create independently will also be involved in the implementation of interior projects, and one or more partner furniture companies will manufacture furniture under my design on a subcontracting basis.

One of the reasons for the current state of “Resolut” is its specialization in premium-class furniture. The war has significantly affected this segment of the furniture market, with a notable decrease in orders of this level. This is partly because many affluent Ukrainian families, who are potential clients, are still outside Ukraine. To ensure the company’s continued existence, a change in strategy was necessary, but it proved challenging, including for subjective reasons.

– And what type of furniture will your future company focus on?

– Understanding the current market situation and the fact that its main trends will remain unchanged for years to come, I want to develop universal lines of furniture for mass production. The retail sales of these lines will lay the foundation for the strengthening and development of the future company. Of course, since the future company will have a project-design orientation, it will continue to produce custom-made furniture for individual projects. This is what it will inherit from ‘Resolut‘.

I don’t hide the fact that the future company will be created with the aim of passing the furniture business on to my children (the eldest son already has a keen interest in furniture making).

– Commendable foresight.

– That’s the way it should be. It’s no secret that a designer’s creative potential diminishes after fifty years; creative energy naturally can’t reach the level it had at, say, thirty. So, I want to use the time nature has allotted me for creative flights as efficiently and productively as possible. That is, to create furniture lines that will enable me to establish the future company and allow my son to further develop it.

– In the current truly challenging conditions, especially for industrial business in a war-torn country, it’s not easy to handle for experienced companies (as evidenced by ‘Resolut’), let alone starting a new business from scratch. Are you not afraid of difficulties, including personnel issues, which continue to intensify in Ukraine for known reasons?

– I am aware of the difficulties, but they won’t stop me. Difficulties are even useful for a determined and persistent person—they mobilize better, forcing the generation of more creativity to overcome them. There are calculations for the opportunities that the state currently offers to encourage new businesses, as well as international funds for supporting Ukrainian entrepreneurs.

As for potential personnel problems, the future company, as I mentioned, will be more project-oriented, and its production needs will be provided by reliable subcontractor furniture makers.

The war affects the ‘well-being’ of our Association members differently, although their stories are generally similar. This one is quite special. Sad but not despairing because there is, as they say, light at the end of the tunnel. ‘Resolut’ may not remain, but another company will emerge, initiating a new furniture story”.