AFP championing integration of younger designers – Design Week founder

The Founder of Design Week Lagos, DWL Expo, Mrs Titi Ogufere has hailed Julius Berger’s furnishings manufacturing subsidiary, AFP for main within the integration of younger furnishings designers into its processes, describing it as a sustainable effort that not solely empowers the youth, however prepares them for higher challenges sooner or later.

Speaking throughout a go to to the AFP pavilion on the ongoing Design Week Lagos, DWL Expo, the founder famous that AFP has been a constant exhibitor in any respect however two DWL exhibitions for over eight years, whilst she counseled the corporate for believing I the beliefs that informrd the annual occasion.

“I would like to say AFP has been with us in the Made by Design show for eight years now. Since we started they’ve been consistent. They’ve missed only, I think only one or two,” she stated.

Continuing, Ogufere stated, “What we do with Design Week, the Made by Design show, is we curate the very best brands in Nigeria, and you can see from the craftsmanship of AFP that these are one of the foremost companies. I really like the fact that they have integrated young designers into what they are doing because at Design Week Lagos we are really for promoting young designers and young thinkers, even as she expressed the hope that AFP will continue to journey with DWL as they strive to build the Made in Nigeria brand.”

In his response, the General Manager of the furnishings firm, Oliver Cohnen, thanked Ogufere for the sort phrases she stated on AFP and praised her for the foresight in creating the annual occasion to showcase Nigeria’s really home-made furnishings manufacturers that evaluate with one of the best the world can supply.

“At AFP, we are doing what we know best and with the right hands we have engaged, we will do better,” Cohnen added amidst applause

Later at a panel session, Cohnen who joined 4 different panelists, shared his expertise in furnishings manufacturing, providing recommendation to these trying to set up a producing enterprise.

Drawing from his 20 years within the trade, he stated understanding the market and understanding what prospects want ought to come earlier than investing in costly equipment.

He defined {that a} good manufacturing line requires the fitting capability, an environment friendly manufacturing unit format, dependable suppliers and correct high quality management.
He additionally careworn the necessity to practice staff adequately earlier than increasing operations, stating: “For me, it is the people who make the difference, not the machines,” Cohnen stated, emphasising the significance of getting a talented workforce in attaining high quality and effectivity in manufacturing.

Also talking in the course of the panel session, Co-founder of TRT Arredo Ltd, Jonathan Agwunobi,

highlighted the significance of standardising manufacturing processes to attain consistency and enhance effectivity in furnishings manufacturing.

Agwunobi defined that his firm had centered on creating clear processes, together with establishing a design division, whereas narrowing its operations to areas the place it may construct experience and ship higher outcomes. He stated the choice to concentrate on chosen tasks quite than tackle each industrial alternative helped the corporate enhance its work and study from buyer suggestions.

According to Agwunobi, the corporate additionally drew classes from a go to to a producing agency in Italy, adapting elements of its strategy to swimsuit its personal operations. He famous that standardisation was notably necessary in manufacturing, the place having constant processes may assist companies keep high quality as manufacturing expanded.

Visitors to the AFP pavilion additionally shared their impressions of the corporate’s merchandise, with some highlighting the function of native furnishings manufacturing in supporting companies, creating jobs and decreasing reliance on imported items.

An Architect, who has labored with AFP for a while, spoke positively about his expertise with the corporate’s furnishings, cabinetry and doorways. He defined that he had collaborated with AFP on totally different tasks, typically submitting his personal designs for manufacturing and, at different instances, adapting his plans to the corporate’s current product vary

“I’ve had no complaints”, he stated, praising the standard of the merchandise, their neat ending, consideration to element and sturdiness.

Speaking on the contribution of native furnishings manufacturing to the economic system, Ina famous that a lot of AFP’s manufacturing course of takes place in Nigeria. Although some elements, together with hinges, locking methods and sure upholstery materials, nonetheless should be imported, he stated the majority of the meeting and woodworking is finished regionally
He additionally pointed to the corporate’s timber processing operations, together with the seasoning of wooden earlier than it’s used for manufacturing, for instance of the worth being added throughout the nation.

According to him, this degree of native involvement helps home manufacturing and reduces the necessity to import completed furnishings, whilst he acknowledged that sure elements usually are not but available from Nigerian producers.

A content material creator and media skilled, Mena Glory, who owns Silver Pinnacle Heritage, additionally expressed admiration for the furnishings on show, describing the merchandise as spectacular and of excellent high quality. “The furniture, they are quality. And paying for quality will not be a problem”, he stated.

The suggestions from the guests highlighted the rising worth of native furnishings manufacturing, not solely in offering high quality merchandise but additionally in supporting employment, creating native abilities and preserving extra manufacturing actions inside Nigeria.

For AFP, its presence at Design Week Lagos supplies a chance to showcase its merchandise, with its new merchandise such because the Vienna centre desk made out of stable timber and veneered MDF board. Valerie walsh shelf made out of lacquered MDF panels in addition to interact with designers and different trade professionals, and contribute to conversations round the way forward for Nigerian furnishings design and manufacturing.