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QFMA, OFMA launch 'era of cooperation'

By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, October 13, 2002

Montreal — The Quebec and Ontario furniture factory associations have signed a long-term agreement to work together on a variety of programs, services and issues.

"This marks the start of an era of cooperation that will benefit the two associations and their members while contributing to the strategic development of the Canadian industry as a whole," said Jean François Michaud, president and chief executive officer of the Quebec Furniture Manufacturers Assn.

"We're going to be working together on virtually everything," said Ontario Furniture Manufacturers Assn. President Hugh Owen. "If we can make this work, and I'm confident we can, there will be a lot of benefits to the industry. This agreement means we will have a better package of programs and services to offer manufacturers in Ontario."

Earlier this year, the two groups created a common national credit service. "This initiative has been very successful and well received by manufacturers from across the country," Michaud said.

Effective immediately, the QFMA's general insurance program will be available to manufacturers in Ontario and nationwide. Bedroom producer Durham Furniture is the first factory outside Quebec to sign up for the program.

In recent years, OFMA has seen considerable erosion in its membership, and Owen hopes many factories will return to the fold once they see the benefits the new agreement provides.

The agreement also is expected to mean a revival of the Canadian Council of Furniture Manufacturers, a national umbrella group that includes Furniture West, the factory association for western Canada.

Since the CCFM secretariat in Ottawa closed almost a decade ago, the council's major responsibility has been to administer Canada's upholstered furniture fire-safety, or UFAC, program. That has been done from Furniture West's office in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Owen said CCFM has a considerable reserve fund built up from UFAC revenues, money that now can be used for a variety of projects to benefit the industry.

Both Michaud and Owen, also president of bedding maker Kingsdown Canada/Owen & Co., noted the federal government has programs, resources and services to support national industry initiatives. But because the furniture industry hasn't had a strong national voice for 10 years, it has missed out on many opportunities.

Now, the first industry mission to China is in the planning stages for November. Manufacturers will travel to that country for plant tours and other activities. "We want to learn about how they are doing things over there so we can compete with them effectively," Michaud said.

Owen said there's a great need for skilled labor in the industry. He hopes the agreement will pave the way for the associations to get federal government help in developing industry-related job training programs.

Michaud pointed out the associations have been working together on several projects in recent years. He has been a member of the Canadian Home Furnishings Award program steering committee. The QFMA will organize the awards dinner, set for Jan. 12, 2003 during the Canadian Home Furnishings Market in Toronto.

The agreement will provide OFMA will new sources of revenue. While details weren't disclosed, OFMA will receive a commission for each of its members who participate in the Toronto January market, which is run by the QFMA.

Many factories, particularly upholstery producers, would like to see a Toronto summer market. Owen said the associations will continue to discuss that issue. "We're hoping the QFMA will want to proceed, but it will depend on whether the members get behind it or not," he said.

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