The Norwegian Furniture Industry

The Norwegian Furniture Industry

Norwegian furniture - and interior industry consists roughly of 450 companies, that produce for about 13 bill KR (2007). The furniture industry gives work to about 8.200 man-years. 29% of the production was exported (about 3.3 bill KR in 2008). A little over 1/3 of the industry is situated in the Møre-region, and the rest is spread throughout the southern parts of Norway. On the whole the Norwegian furniture companies are small- and mediumsize, but a few large companies do also exist. The Nordic regions largest furniture company is Norwegian - Ekornes.

The furniture industry is devided in two main groups: home furniture and office furniture. The devision is a consequence of the markets handeling of the two very different channels. Furniture to private households have traditionally been delt through specialized shops, whereas trade to the professionell market has been delt through other channels. The other channels are a combination of spesialized dealers and trade through interior architects, architects and other professional actors responsible for the construction- and interior projects.

Home furniture

Norwegian furniture manufacturers deliver furniture in all genres: couches, chairs, tables, bookshelves, wardrobes, diningroom furniture, bedrom furniture as mattresses, beds and so on. Together with kitchen furniture and complete kitchen solutions.

Office furniture

Furniture for offices, shops and public areas consists of a even more compound group: office chairs, desks, cantine interior, conference furniture, cupboards and bookshelves. Together with sitting arrangements, couches and tailor-made products as counters, interiors and so on. This part of the industry consists of both standard production and tailor-made. But, most deliveries to public buildings will have elements of adjustments after the customers preferences; colours, logo and size.

Sub-suppliors

Very few furntiure companies produce furniture from A-Z. Furniture production is by far a cooperation project between furniture companies and their sub-suppliors. To finish a product, the furniture manufacturer produces just a share of the current product. Mountings and steel components come from one sub-supplior. Textile from another, perhaps the hull from a third and the foam from a fourth and so on.  Based on this situation the compound product is dependent on a string of manufacturing companies. In Norway you will find sub-suppliors in most areas, but some components are imported. This is how large specialized manufacturers are incorporated in the furniture industry.

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