New report from Trä- och Möbelföretagen: 10 facts about Sweden as a furniture manufacturing country

”The furniture industry - a Swedish export success”

According to a new European study, Sweden is at the forefront in terms of innovation investments. The Swedish furniture industry invests over 40 per cent more than the EU average per capita in research and development. And the industry is still growing. During 2000-2014 Swedish furniture production increased approximately 18 per cent – unlike other EU countries, where production shrank or grew to a lesser extent. These are the findings of a new report conducted by the Centre for Industrial Studies by direction of Trä- och Möbelföretagen (TMF).

Sweden is the fifth largest furniture exporter in the EU and the tenth largest in the world, and one of the few European countries to have increased production during the past ten years.

“The furniture industry is a Swedish export success, and we are at the forefront when it comes to innovation, the environment and sustainability – but this has not been fully capitalized on. Sweden can benefit more from our position of strength, including through improved regulations for public procurement,” said Cecilia Ask Engström, Director of Industrial Development at TMF.

Despite the industry’s positive development, Mrs Ask Engström sees three major challenges:

1. Most Swedish furniture companies are small, which makes it difficult to make investments. Access to capital in the start-up phase and flexible employment regulations are key to enabling more companies to grow in size. Conditions to keep production in Sweden are required.

2. Competition from Asia is increasing and causing a downward pressure on prices. Swedish companies need to continue making investments in R&D without lowering quality and sustainability standards.

3. Greener procurements can drive demand for sustainably produced furniture. Public procurement regulations should be improved to enable continued growth within the industry.

“Sweden’s furniture industry is a leader when it comes to quality and sustainability, and actively drives development in this area,” said Mrs Ask Engström. “Unlike other European countries, most Swedish furniture is manufactured domestically – which helps us work efficiently with product development, innovation and sustainability.”

The report, 10 facts about Sweden as a Furniture Manufacturing Country, is based on a larger study conducted by the Centre for Industrial Studies and on data from Eurostat, SCB and Novus.

Read the report at www.tmf.se/mobelrapport2015
For additional information, please contact:
Cecilia Ask Engström, Director of Industrial Development, TMF, +46 (0)70 381 72 06, cecilia.ask.engstrom@tmf.se
David Johnsson, CEO, TMF, +46 (0)8 762 72 67, david.johnsson@tmf.se
Anne Rådestad, Head of Communications, TMF, +46 (0)70 562 72 04, anne.radestad@tmf.se