'BIZNES meble.pl' international edition 2/2019

12 industry • news by 6.7% increased – according to the data of the Statistics Poland – revenues from total activity of Polish enterprises in 2018 (at the same time, costs increased by 7.5%) 17.2% is the share of the shadow economy in the Polish economy – assesses the Institute of Economic Analysis and Forecasts (IAPG) in the latest report ‘Shadow economy 2019’ (as a comparison it was 19.2% in 2015) biznes meble.pl | international edition 2/2019 Szynaka Group is building an upholstered furniture factory On July 18, in Lidzbark Warmiński the ceremonial groundbreaking for the construction of new factory of the Szynaka Furniture Group – the Classic Sofa factory specializing in the production of upholstered furniture. The investment implemented in the Warmia and Mazury Special Economic Zone is another important stage in the development of the Szynaka Furniture Group. A modern investment for over 20 million PLN is be- ing implemented on the area of over 5.5 ha. The first phase involves the construction of a full plant infra- structure, production hall and social part with an ar- ea of over 5,000 m 2 and an office space of 500 m 2 . Ulti- mately, the total area of the new factory will be over 20 thousand m 2 . The opening of the factory is scheduled for the end of this year. For over 60 years, we have been consistently im- plementing our business strategy which is largely based on the ability to adapt to changes and challenges that the market and global contractors set for us. Thanks to the bold undertaking and implementation of successive goals, the Szynaka Furniture Group is constantly devel- oping and this progress is not only a source of pride, but at the same time it determines us to carry out further projects. One of them is the construction of the Clas- sic Sofa upholstered furniture factory. Having a wide product range, now expanded to include upholstered furniture, we can offer our clients technologically inno- vative products of high quality while maintaining opti- mal costs. Our assumption is that Lidzbark becomes for us the main headquarters and main plant where the production of upholstered furniture will be carried out. Ambitions are big, we have interesting ideas and all the necessary competences to implement them. To- day, Warmia and Mazury have a high level of unemploy- ment, but all where Szynaka Group plants are located, unemployment reaches only 3-4%. It turns out that we are already starting to lack reliable employees. Anyone who has the desire and ambition to develop and wants to work in our factories will find stable and safe jobs. The same is and will be in Lidzbark because Classic So- fa already operates and produces upholstered furniture, currently in leased halls. We want to eliminate this un- employment rate in Lidzbark or at least bring it closer to those 3-4 percent that are in other cities. In perspective, we will employ between 400 and 500 employees, and the Classic Sofa plant will become one of the leading plants producing upholstered furniture in Poland and in the world. Our established position on the internation- al market and cooperation with global partners gives the newly opened company a guarantee of stability and continuous development – said Jan Szynaka, president of the Szynaka Furniture Group. q Alina and Jan Szynaka. The goal of WFC is to promote the exchange of ex- periences and the development of international co- operation in order to build a stable foundation for the universal development of the global furniture industry. The meeting began with an opening speech given by the President of CNFA, Mr. Xu Xiangnan, who point- ed out the most important challenges facing the fur- niture industry in the world. He mentioned, inter alia, complicated and unstable political situation in the world, the low rate of economic growth in the global economy, the need to modernize the furniture industry and increase its importance in the value added chain. He also emphasized that international cooperation contributes to widespread economic development. After introducing 45 institutions, organizations and companies present at the meeting, a discussion on the WFC statute took place. Given that at this stage the organization wants to focus on acquiring mem- bers representing significant economic potential and having real influence on industrial policy, membership is voluntary and free. All governmental and non-gov- ernmental organizations, associations, research in- stitutes and influential companies that are interest- ed can still submit WFC declarations. The gathered at the meeting elected Mr. Xu Xiang- nan as the WFC president for a 5-year term (2019- 2024). Mrs. Linda Tu – vice president and secretary general of CAFA (Council of Asia Furniture Associa- tions) and vice president of CNFA became the gen- eral secretary of WFC. Mr. Kok Chye Loo, CAFA advis- er and vice president of IAFP (International Alliance of Furnishing Publications) was elected as WFC adviser. The presence in China also included a visit at the 20 furniture fair in Chengdu, participation in the World Furniture Industry Summit and the Chengdu Design Week Opening Gala. The Polish Chamber of Com- merce of Furniture Manufacturers (OIGPM) and B+R STUDIO Furniture Market Analysis was represented by Tomasz Wiktorski. Activity within the WFC is an opportunity to ex- change information, experiences and seek for busi- ness opportunities for investment and trade. q The World Furniture Confederation has started operating On May 31 in Chengdu, a working meeting of the World Furniture Confederation (WFC) took place. The meeting was hosted by the China National Furniture Association (CNFA). From the left: Tomasz Wiktorski – B+R Studio, Xu Xiagnan – president of WFC and CNFA, Linda Tu – secretary general of WFC and CAFA.