Turkey ranked third in the world exports of seats convertible into beds.
Furniture production in Turkey dates back to the 19th century and was carried out in small workshops as artisan production. However, due to rapid globalization and other factors, the present furniture industry is becoming a fashion sector with more intense information and capital. And today, furniture is produced both in workshops and industrial-scale manufacturing units. In Turkey, the furniture industry is clustered in certain regions where the market is concentrated and/or where forest products are abundant. These are Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa (İnegöl), Kayseri, Izmir and Adana. Furniture production can be classified in accordance with the materials used as wooden furniture (massive and veneered), metal furniture and others. Wooden furniture has the major share in total furniture production. The method of marketing (retailing, wholesaling, contracting, etc.) is another important classification for the furniture industry. Contracting is an important way of supplying the services connected with the construction and furnishing of residential and non-residential structures. Today, many Turkish companies carry out designing projects, production and mounting of every fixed and non-fixed element of home, office, hotel, restaurant, hospital, airport etc. in both the domestic and foreign market.
Contract furniture is greatly depen – dent on the activities of the building, commercial and tourism sectors. These sectors have an important share in the Turkish economy and their recent entrance into a phase of growth has also clearly boosted the furniture industry, and accordingly, contract furniture. Today, contract furniture is very much in demand and there is increas – ing interest from architects, construc – tion firms and international buyers who are involved in the furnishing of hotels, airports, residential and non-residential units, shopping cen – ters, malls, supermarkets, restaurants, cultural and leisure facilities, etc.As with many other consumer products, furniture production is sensitive to changes in fashion. Since furniture design is an important aspect of marketing, Turkish furniture manufacturers, designers and contractors are constantly following consumer preferences in foreign markets, individual or institutional demands, and introduce new designs and make model variations and improvements. With the strong textile industry, the furniture industry also has the advantage of being able to use and monitor a wide range of colorful new fabric collections as upholstery.
EXPORTS
Turkey’s furniture exports have had an upward trend in recent years. In the last ten years, exports of Turkish furniture increased from US$ 192,1 million in 2001 to roughly US$ 1,607.3 million in 2011. This is mainly due to improvements in capacity, quality and design. The export figure for 2011 was US$ 1,607 million, representing an increase of 18% with respect to the previous year. Main export products were wooden furniture (excl. for offices, kitchens and bedrooms, and seats), wooden furniture for bedrooms (excl. seats) and seats for motor vehicles. In 2011, Turkey ranked third in the world exports of seats convertible into beds. In 2011, Turkey exported furniture to 172 countries throughout the world. The main markets for furniture exports were Iraq, Germany, Azerbaijan and France. In recent years, Turkish furniture companies have been establishing showrooms and depots in increasing numbers in most of these countries. There is close connection between exports of Turkish furniture and exports in the contract sector.For years, Turkish contractor companies, who have received commissions from abroad, have completed many housing complexes, tourism projects, hospitals, airports and health center projects, most of which were decorated by Turkish contractors and furniture, which in turn increased exports in the furniture industry. Turkish furniture is designed and made from the highest quality materials to ensure comfort, performance and attractive appearance over a very long life. Different styles are produced such as classical, traditional and contemporary. Thanks to its designers and architects combined with its flexible production capacity, the Turkish furniture industry is able to satisfy the requirements of all individual and institutional consumers throughout the world. Today, with all these aspects of the furniture industry, Turkey is among the most promising furniture suppliers in the world.
