In our interview with Konfor Furniture Sales and Marketing Deputy General Manager Akın Can, we discussed the rise of the Turkish furniture industry in recent years and the reasons behind this success. Akın Can shared the trade figures of the sector and touched upon the reasons why Turkish furniture is preferred in the world market. Can explains how Turkish furniture, which stands out with its functionality, aesthetics, and quality workmanship, has gained competitive power in the global market. He underlined that the reasons why Turkish furniture is preferred in the global market are design, price, and quality.

Konfor Furniture Sales and Marketing Deputy General Manager Akın Can, with whom we examined the increasing influence of the Turkish furniture industry in the global market and the dynamics behind its success, detailed the growth figures in the sector and the reasons why Turkish furniture is preferred in the world, and emphasized the role of functionality, aesthetics and quality workmanship in this success. Can also gave information about the future goals and strategies of the industry and shared the innovative approaches of Turkish furniture designs and their contributions to world trends.

  • Could you share with us the numerical data about the current situation of the Turkish furniture industry?

According to official data, more than 45 thousand businesses operate only on the manufacturing side of the furniture industry with around 250 thousand employees, while our sector continues to grow steadily. Furniture accounts for 9.7 percent of all manufacturing industry enterprises. In 2023, the number of manufacturing companies in the sector increased by 4.2 percent compared to the previous year, reaching 1849. 5 percent of those working in the manufacturing industry are employed by the furniture industry. The production volume of the furniture industry by the end of 2023 is 12 billion dollars and its exports are over 5 billion dollars. This figure is the highest production level the Turkish furniture industry has ever reached.

“We aim to strengthen our presence in the distant countries market”
  • Which are the most important export markets of the Turkish furniture industry? Can you give information about Türkiye’s performance in these markets?

As the Turkish furniture industry, our biggest market is the European and Middle Eastern countries, but we have also been rapidly strengthening our presence in the US market in recent years. We are also working to increase our connections with the countries within the scope of the Ministry of Commerce’s Remote Countries Strategy. We aim to strengthen our presence in the distant countries market this year and in 2025. On the US side, we have a bright future, but we still have a long way to go.

“Unless there is an unexpected global development, 2025 will be a much better year for exports”
  • What kind of work does Türkiye undertake to maintain its competitive advantage in markets where it is strong?

As in every sector, the main determinant of furniture exports is foreign demand. Global demand growth will not be much different in 2024 from the previous year. However, it seems likely that demand in European countries will recover slowly in the second half of the year. 2025 will be a much better year for exports, unless there is an unexpected global development. We participate in events and fairs and make regular visits in order to strengthen our ties with the countries in which we want to gain power as a sector.

“Our geographical location provides us with a very important logistics advantage”
  • With which design and style features do you think the Turkish furniture industry stands out in the international arena?

We can describe the reasons why Turkish furniture is preferred abroad as a triangle that includes design, price, and quality. At the same time, our geographical location provides us with a very important logistics advantage. Because moving furniture is a difficult and costly product.

  • How do you adapt your design and production processes to accommodate changes in consumer demands?

We integrate technology into our production and design processes much faster. We implemented the integration of robotic technology and artificial intelligence on the production side. Recently, we have moved our entire manufacturing operations to Konfor Park Manufacturing and Life Campus; from environmentally friendly smart buildings to robotic technology, from R&D Center to logistics system, every little detail, has strengthened our hand in growing faster in Türkiye and globally and meeting consumer expectations.

Export giants of the furniture industry
  • Which countries are the most important competitors of the Turkish furniture industry?

Global furniture industry leading exporters in 2023 are:

  • China
  • Germany
  • USA
  • Canada
  • Czech Republic
“It is important that furniture offers user-friendly solutions”
  • What are the latest trends you observe in international furniture markets?

Demographic factors are one of the main dynamics that shape the market in the global furniture industry. These demographic factors are increasing disposable income at the global level, increasing population and population densities, and changing lifestyles. As remote and hybrid working systems have increased, especially after the pandemic, homes have now become offices. For this reason, multifunctionality as well as style has gained importance in furniture. In addition, in the digital age we live in, it is also important that the furniture used in interiors integrates with this digital technology and offers user-friendly solutions.