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Julius Berger Nigeria Plc’s furniture-making subsidiary, Abuja Furniture Production (AFP), has received commendation for promoting young designers and showcasing locally made furniture at the ongoing Design Week Lagos exhibition.
The founder of Design Week Lagos, Mrs Titi Ogufere, gave the commendation during a visit to the AFP pavilion, praising the company for integrating young designers into its production processes and consistently supporting the annual exhibition.
Ogufere said AFP had participated in the Made by Design show for more than eight years, missing only one or two editions, a commitment she described as important to the growth of Nigeria’s furniture industry.
She said the exhibition was designed to showcase outstanding Nigerian brands and promote young designers and creative thinkers.
“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,” she said.
She expressed hope that AFP would continue to partner with the organisers in promoting locally made products and strengthening the Made-in-Nigeria brand.
Responding, AFP’s General Manager, Oliver Cohnen, thanked Ogufere for the recognition and commended her for creating a platform to showcase Nigerian furniture brands capable of competing with international products.
“At AFP, we are doing what we know best and with the right hands we have engaged, we will do better,” Cohnen said.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the exhibition, Cohnen also advised aspiring manufacturers to understand their markets and customers’ needs before investing heavily in machinery.
Drawing on his 20 years of experience in the furniture industry, he said successful manufacturing depended on having the right production capacity, an efficient factory layout, reliable suppliers and effective quality control.
He stressed that workers must receive adequate training before businesses expand their operations.
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“For me, it is the people who make the difference, not the machines,” he said.
Another panelist, Jonathan Agwunobi, co-founder of TRT Arredo Limited, highlighted the importance of standardising production processes to improve efficiency and maintain product quality as businesses grow.
He said manufacturers should build expertise in selected areas rather than pursue every available commercial opportunity, adding that customer feedback and lessons from other manufacturers could help businesses improve their operations.
Visitors to the AFP pavilion also praised the quality of its products and the contribution of local furniture manufacturing to job creation, skills development and reduced dependence on imported finished goods.
An architect, Ina, who has worked with AFP on several projects, said he had experienced no problems with the company’s furniture, cabinetry and doors.
He praised their finishing, attention to detail and durability, noting that much of the manufacturing and assembly work was carried out in Nigeria.
Although some components, including hinges, locking systems and certain upholstery fabrics, are imported, he said AFP’s local woodworking and timber-processing operations added value to the Nigerian economy.
Similarly, Mena Glory, a content creator and media professional who owns Silver Pinnacle Heritage, described the furniture on display as impressive, saying customers would be willing to pay for products that offer good quality.
AFP used the exhibition to showcase some of its products, including the Vienna centre table, made from solid timber and veneered medium-density fibreboard (MDF), and the Valerie Walsh shelf, produced with lacquered MDF panels.
The company’s participation also provided an opportunity to engage designers, customers and other industry professionals on the future of furniture design and manufacturing in Nigeria.
