Facts about Danish Furniture
The furniture sector in Denmark currently comprises approx. 450
companies, which, combined, produce furniture to the value of DKK 19,1 million (2002). The
Danish furniture sector employs approximately 22,000 people and the combination of
advanced technology and a high level of technical competence makes productivity in the
sector very high indeed.
In relation to the population of Denmark, Danish furniture
production and exports are global leaders. Nearly 83% of production
(= approximately DKK 15,800 million in 2002) is exported, making the Danish furniture
sector Denmark's fifth-largest export industry.
Danish furniture is sold through a wide variety of channels: sales
to purchasing chains and shop chains, sales to individual furniture dealers, sales via
agents, contract sales for furnishing projects, retail sales via franchise outlets, etc. -
in all cases keeping to precise delivery times.
Danish furniture manufacture is divided into three main segments:
- Furniture for the home accounts for the bulk of Denmark's furniture
manufacture. Special items include furniture for children's and teenagers' rooms,
bedrooms, dining rooms, home offices, etc. Furniture for self-assembly and panel furniture
are other areas of competency, and the solid-wood offerings of Danish manufacturers are
among the best in the world, including beech, ash, teak and pine.
- Commercial and contract furniture from Denmark is in demand from
professional architects, developers and operators all over the world for furnishing
workplaces, institutions and public spaces.
- In terms of Designer furniture, Denmark has been at the forefront of
the international furniture scene since the 1950s. Design classics by famous names in
architecture and a new generation of innovative furniture designers go hand in hand to
ensure that this prominent position is constantly maintained and renewed.
In addition, the Danish furniture industry incorporates a sizeable
production of kitchen elements, and subcontract manufacture of furniture components is a
significant facet of the industry.
Current key figures:
| The
Danish furniture market |
| DKK millions |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
| Danish production |
17,626 |
17,626 |
19,380 |
19,699 |
19,114 |
| - exports |
13,587 |
13,495 |
15,322 |
15,717 |
15,823 |
| Production for the domestic market |
4,036 |
4,131 |
4,058 |
3,982 |
3,291 |
| + imports |
4,744 |
5,151 |
5,590 |
5,854 |
5,739 |
| The Danish market |
8,780 |
9,282 |
9,648 |
9,836 |
9,030 |
| Danish
furniture production by product group |
| DKK millions |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
| Seating furniture |
2,648 |
2,573 |
2,805 |
2,822 |
2,808 |
| Office furniture |
1,762 |
1,826 |
2,044 |
2,165 |
1,571 |
| Kitchen furniture |
1,717 |
1,756 |
1,772 |
1,936 |
2,346 |
| Bedroom furniture |
2,184 |
2,311 |
2,674 |
2,824 |
2,738 |
| Wooden dining room and lounge furniture |
5,108 |
4,960 |
5,193 |
4,593 |
3,998 |
| Other furniture |
1,527 |
1,521 |
1,663 |
1,791 |
2,015 |
| Furniture components |
1,376 |
1,273 |
1,411 |
1,629 |
1,605 |
| Mattresses, quilts, etc. |
1,301 |
1,406 |
1,818 |
1,939 |
2,033 |
| Total |
17,623 |
17,626 |
19,380 |
19,699 |
19,114 |
| Danish
furniture production by product group, 2002 |
|
| Seating furniture |
14.7% |
| Office furniture |
8.2% |
| Kitchen furniture |
12.3% |
| Bedroom furniture |
14.3% |
| Wooden dining room and lounge
furniture |
20.9% |
| Other furniture |
10.6% |
| Furniture components |
8.4% |
| Mattresses, quilts, etc. |
10.6% |
| Total |
100.0% |
| Most
important export markets |
| DKK millions |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
% of total |
| Germany |
5,750 |
5,255 |
5,236 |
5,070 |
4,544 |
12.7% |
| UK |
1,001 |
1,345 |
1,754 |
2,263 |
2,561 |
16.2% |
| Sweden |
1,133 |
1,112 |
1,303 |
1,399 |
1,428 |
9.0% |
| Norway |
1,178 |
1,115 |
1,277 |
1,226 |
1,393 |
8.8% |
| USA |
1,011 |
1,176 |
1,628 |
1,274 |
1,136 |
7.2% |
| France |
660 |
539 |
661 |
811 |
878 |
5.5% |
| Netherlands |
569 |
550 |
592 |
668 |
663 |
4.2% |
| Japan |
214 |
219 |
352 |
310 |
397 |
2.5% |
| Switzerland |
315 |
394 |
373 |
316 |
312 |
2.0% |
| Austria |
298 |
284 |
295 |
276 |
274 |
1.7% |
| Spain |
111 |
125 |
150 |
170 |
267 |
1.7% |
| Belgium |
399 |
308 |
271 |
267 |
250 |
1.6% |
| Other countries |
948 |
1.073 |
1.430 |
1.667 |
1,179 |
10.9% |
| Total |
13,587 |
13,495 |
15,322 |
15,717 |
15,823 |
100.0% |
| Furniture
exports by group, 2002 |
| Seating furniture |
15.1% |
| Office furniture |
6.3% |
| Kitchen furniture |
6.6% |
| Bedroom furniture |
22.6% |
| Wooden dining room and lounge furniture |
22.7% |
| Other furniture |
12.4% |
| Furniture components |
5.8% |
| Mattresses, quilts, etc. |
8.5% |
| Total |
100.0% |
|
