On Friday, the 16th of December, the "Cluster Arredo e Sistema Casa" officially inaugurated its new office in Brugnera which will become the reference point for all the companies of the furniture sector. During the event were also presented the data of the Furniture and Home System of the economy of Friuli Venezia Giulia region.

With over 3 billion euros of turnover, of which almost 1.5 of export, equal to 13.3% of the total of Italy, the Wood-Furniture sector represents the building block of the economy of Friuli Venezia Giulia region. This sector, in this geographic area, is experiencing improving economic results: + 7% of aggregate turnover in 2015, calculated over a wide sample of companies, + 90% of new hirings in the Furniture District and + 80% in the Chair District, in comparison to the new ones in 2014.

In a sample of 130 financial statements of limited companies with more than 20 employees, growth has been observed in most of the firms analysed, with an increase in the 2015 aggregate turnover of 7.2%, in comparison to that of 2014 and a redistribution of 990 million euros, considering workers' income and related productive activities. The profit of the analysed sample increased from 10.6 million euros in 2014 to 48.6 million in 2015. In the latest two years, the export of the region Friuli Venezia Giulia, in this sector, has increased by 8.3%, second only to the area of the city of Treviso. The most relevant foreign markets include the U.K., Germany, France, the U.S.A. and Russia.

The financial charges, as illustrated by the Director of Cluster Arredo, Mr. Carlo Piemonte, are equal to only 0.9% on total earnings, with 0.2% of public subsidies “showing that the sector is able to feed itself, alone. The growth has been registered in many of the companies analysed and the regional manufacturing industry is showing great energy. Indeed, entrepreneurs' trust and commitment have risen, therefore we have to be proud of our sector and strongly invest in its growth. The results can be observed now because in the Furniture market, after the 2008 crisis, companies started reinvesting 5 years ago, so the consequences can be seen only after 4-5 years, given that we refer to a complex market, influenced by global factors.”

“It is not correct to make comparisons with 2008”, remarked the President of the Cluster Arredo, Mr. Franco di Fonzo, “whereas it is proper to evaluate the continuous increase in the turnover of these last years, thanks to a new orientation of our entrepreneurs towards export.” Indeed, the topic of internationalization is the primary mission of the "Cluster Arredo e Sistema Casa". Among the various services offered, we can mention: products and processes certifications, digital management and management of business network.