European Furniture Industry

Europe's furniture industry is more on assembly. It employs numerous materials like wood, metal, plastic, textile, leather, and glass to manufacture products. Finished products include chairs, sofas, tables, wardrobes, beds, and kitchens for home, school, and office use. The continent boasts of its high level of production quality in terms of aesthetic, design, fashion, and technical factors. Thus, European furniture is highly regarded around the world. Based on a report by the European Commission, the furniture sector in Europe consists of 150,000 firms, generates more than 100 billion Euros, and employs around 1.4 million workers in 2006. Italy and Germany are the two main producers, followed closely by the United Kingdom, France, and Spain. Micro enterprises dominate the sector such that 86 percent of the firms have fewer than 10 workers. These smaller companies often serve as subcontractors for larger companies. These firms largely produce wooden furniture for sleeping, dining, and sitting quarters. European furniture companies are currently restructuring and modernising manufacturing process as a response to pressures from international competition.