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24th of August 2011
Office furniture: Demand increases steadily
Manufacturers suffer under increasing costs
German office manufacturers are currently in great demand in Germany and abroad. In the first six months of 2011 the bso (Association of Office, Seating and Object Furniture) reports a sales increase of office furniture by 21.8 percent. Nevertheless the enjoyment of the manufacturers is narrowed by concerns regarding maintaining the margins, as the increased demand is accompanied by higher costs of production.
The sales of seating furniture increased in the first half of 2011 by 20.2 percent. Turnovers of desks, cabinets and partition elements increased by 23.8 percent. Inland (plus 21.6%) and export sales (plus 22.1%) nearly increased at the same level. Despite the difficult economic conditions, industry representatives expect a strong demand for office furniture within the next months, too. “Because of basic effects the growth rates will be lower than in the first half of the year” said Mr. Hendrik Hund, Chairman of the bso association.
Particularly pleasing for German office furniture manufacturers is the strengthened demand abroad. Many companies decided to redesign their workplaces. Also within Germany this process hasn’t come to an end yet. In a current survey among national companies from the bso regarding the status quo of office equipment stated 13.0 percent of the companies surveyed, that they will definitely adjust their workplaces to the newest requirements. Further 16.4 percent see adjustments as generally indicated even there are no definite plans so far. Not considered within these figures is the current replacement need.
The atmosphere among the office furniture manufacturers is almost continuously pleasant. However, it is a little bit narrowed by concerns about the economic conditions. In particular the shrinking margins, caused by higher costs for raw materials, energy and transport reduce the enjoyment. Since a while there has been news from the industry, that the margins, resulting from savings in material and energy, are exhausted. Even at the beginning of the year a majority of manufacturers had been forced to increase the selling prices. This could also be the case for the second half of the year, predicts the industry service “Euwid Möbel” based on its survey under office furniture manufacturers. The valuation of Euwid is “very likely”, says Hendrik Hund, who is a medium-sized manufacturer himself. However, every company will carefully review if price increases will be necessary.
Information for editorial offices: The bso association of office, seating and office facility furniture is constantly collecting sales trends and other business related figures from its members. The statistic figures represent around 80 to 85 percent of the produced office furniture in Germany.
Your contact:
Barbara Schwaibold
bso Verband Büro-, Sitz-
und Objektmöbel e. V.
(Association of Office,
Seating and Object
Furniture)
Bierstadter straße 39
65189 Wiesbaden
Germany
Fon: +49 611 1736-25
Fax: +49 611 1736-20
presse(at)bso-ev.de