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How Canadian producers rate associations, markets

By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 6, 2002

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"The inequitable distribution of various forms of federal government support through different provincial governments necessitates the continued existence of regional associations."
Western Canada
"Make one association and standardize services at modest membership fees."
Ontario
"We need to revive all associations if we cannot get one national association."
Quebec
"The associations need to stop fighting amongst themselves and work together. When they do that, we can probably set up two national markets, in Toronto and Calgary, and possibly build our own facilities."
Western Canada
"The three organizations must put aside their petty differences and do what is best for the entire Canadian furniture industry. There should be only two Canadian shows, January and a summer show, both in Toronto. The need for regional shows is a crock!
They claim they exist for the smaller retailer who chooses not to travel to Toronto. The reality is that they exist simply to generate revenue for regional furniture organizations."
Ontario
"The QFMA holds all the cards but must compromise to do what is best for the entire industry. If not, you will see many Canadian manufacturers leave Canadian shows all together and subsidize retailers to attend High Point. This would be a crying shame! Keep the revenue in Canada and let's once and for all put the petty bickering aside and create one functional organization which works for ALL."
Ontario
"One coordinated Canadian show in January. No June show."
Quebec
"One Canadian national show per year is sufficient."
Quebec
"Toronto in January? Terrible timing! Spring/fall would be much better."
Western Canada
"Make the Calgary show fun. Take a page from Tupelo. They know how to run a show."
Western Canada
"January is a fixture and is well supported. Do away with all the regional shows and have a strong summer show in Toronto…. Early August seems to work for the medium to small retailers, so the goods arrive during fall selling session."
Ontario
"We will be in Las Vegas if it goes ahead."
Western Canada

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Behind the numbers

For this exclusive study, Furniture/Today surveyed manufacturers across Canada about their membership in and experience with furniture industry associations. They also were asked about industry trade shows, where they showed in 2001 and plan to show in 2002.

The findings are based on the responses of 81 producers offering the following furniture product categories:

Case goods 44%
Stationary upholstery 28%
Occasional/accent furniture 25%
Bedding 17%
Motion upholstery 16%
Dining/dinettes 7%
Lamps/decorative accessories 6%
Other (including RTA, home office, metal and contract furniture) 12%

By region, participating manufacturers are located in:

Quebec 38%
Ontario 33%
Western Canada 29%

Most participating manufacturers belong to at least one association , and some to more than one:

Quebec Furniture Manufacturers Assn. 41%
Furniture West 28%
Ontario Furniture Manufacturers Assn. 27%
Canadian Business & Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Assn. 2%

Only 10% of the manufacturers that answered the survey said they do not belong to at least one furniture industry association. Seven percent said they belonged to other associations such as the International Sleep Products Assn. and the American Furniture Manufacturers Assn.

About half (48%) of the responding producers indicated an annual sales volume of under C$10 million. Nearly a third have sales between C$10 million and C$49.9 million, with 16% between C$10 million and C$24.9 million and 15% between C$25 million and C$49.9 million. Nine percent generated sales between C$50 million and C$100 million, and 12% had sales in excess of C$100 million.

Research Specialist Judi Fulbright was lead researcher for the survey conducted by Furniture/Today's market research department.

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