| >danish furniture in china production | | | | Danish company a foothold in the world's largest |
| Copenhagen, Denmark China is making its | | | | market. |
| presence in world furniture production felt even in | | | | "The important thing is to go slowly and to find a |
| Scandinavia, where clean, modern designs were | | | | partner you can trust," he said. "There are many |
| considered protected from labor-oriented, | | | | who are not trustworthy." |
| lower-cost import sources. | | | | Falsig has been quiet about its Chinese |
| Only a handful of the 425 exhibitors at the | | | | connections, however. Falsig said when the |
| Scandinavian Furniture Fair here rely on Chinese | | | | company adds cherry and teak, probably later |
| production, but many speak of being burned by | | | | this year, it will "use the trumpets." |
| Asian-made knockoffs. More significant is the | | | | The company, which uses only Danish designs, |
| trend of Scandinavian designs getting elbowed off | | | | produces in beech and oak. |
| retail floors by Chinese-made furniture merely | | | | Upholstery specialist Innovation also has put all its |
| because of China's far lower prices, regardless of | | | | eggs in a Chinese basket, believing in the cost |
| the styles involved. | | | | advantages and rapidly advancing quality and |
| "Our manufacturers have lost U.S. clients because | | | | systems in China. |
| of movement to China," said Keld Korsager, | | | | "The future is in Asia," said Kjeld Jensen, |
| managing director of the Assn. of Danish Furniture | | | | president. "Anyone can see that. The quality is |
| Industries, the show's organizer and Denmark's | | | | good because all the expertise and knowledge |
| furniture trade association. "China becomes | | | | have been exported there." |
| stronger and stronger." | | | | Innovation, which sells to some 100 stores in the |
| One of the few Danish producers fully reliant on | | | | United States, including Dania, Plummers and ABC |
| Chinese production is Falsiy, which partnered with | | | | Carpet & Home, recently expanded its factory in |
| Shanghai-based, vertically integrated Fuzi Wood | | | | China in an effort to achieve just-in-time |
| Furniture four years ago. Labor costs equal to | | | | manufacturing cycles. |
| roughly 5% of those common in Denmark made | | | | The company has produced in China for three |
| it foolish not to make the switch, said Mogens | | | | years and has no regrets, Jensen said. Earlier this |
| Falsig, executive manager, who represents the | | | | month, Niels Jespersen said he was leaving as the |
| fifth generation of the family to run the company. | | | | top executive at Danish leader Jesper Office to |
| "There are only a few (Danish companies) in China | | | | launch a new company that will import |
| now, but that will change," he said. "The cost | | | | Scandinavian-style office furniture from China and |
| differentials are so great." | | | | sell it in the United States. Jesper Office, which |
| The joint venture had built-in advantages for | | | | also sells mostly into the United States, produces |
| Falsig. Fuzi ( has modern factory in China, all | | | | in Denmark. |
| specializing in Scandinavian. The network gives the | | | | |