Strong industry requires everybody's involvement
Michael J. Knell, Canadian correspondent -- Furniture Today, March 31, 2003
There's an old expression that says a rising tide lifts all boats. It's a truism we ignore far too often.
Take, for example, this year's Canadian Home Furnishings Awards program. The steering committee worked diligently to address the legitimate criticisms many people expressed about the old Trillium Awards program. (In the interests of full disclosure, I should tell you that I've been privileged to serve on the CHFA steering committee and have always supported the program.)
Those of you who saw the CHFA brochure, which was published last week as a part of this newspaper, have seen some of the results of the committee's work. As a vehicle for promoting and recognizing excellence among Canadian furniture manufacturers, the awards program has achieved a great many of its goals.
Except one. Not enough companies entered.
The factories that did enter are to be commended. I hope they will continue to participate because it's only by supporting the program that it can be made better.
The CHFA program is one of the most important endeavors of the Ontario Furniture Manufacturer Assn. Every member company should have entered, but after looking at this year's results, I strongly suspect a majority of them chose not to. With the judging now held immediately before the Canadian Home Furnishings Market, held in January in Toronto, every eligible factory exhibiting at the market should have had at least one entry.
We need more industrywide initiatives like the CHFA. If we look at what's happened in the United States recently, we can find more than enough reasons to work for the common good. The U.S. furniture industry essentially has exported much of its production capacity to China and other countries in the Pacific Rim over the past several years. Meanwhile, manufacturing remains strong here in Canada. But to remain strong, we need to do more for the common good.
Admittedly, the Canadian industry's challenges are different from those faced by our American friends and colleagues. Free trade some years ago did to Canadian companies many of the things imports now are doing to U.S. factories. While we found strategies that allowed us to adapt and thrive, the forces of change haven't slowed.
Getting involved in industry initiatives is one of the most self-interested and helpful things any furniture company can do. It's not just about the awards program. It's about everything associations do.
I can hear people saying: "That's all well and good, but the associations haven't done me any good." "There's so much wrong with them." "What's in it for me?"
The answer is simple. Getting involved creates change. And getting involved will ensure there will be a strong Canadian industry for years to come.
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Awards to honor Canada's best at January show
Dec 14, 2003 -
Ekornes' no-stress home
Aug 13, 2006 -
CHFA jury appointed
Oct 31, 2004 -
OFMA to honor Shermag's Racine
Jan 5, 2003
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