furniture times

With less than a month to go, the International Furniture Fair Singapore 2010/27th ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS 2010) slated for 9 to 12 March 2010 is running chock-a-block with a total of 40,000 nett square metres of exhibition space, a testament to the fair’s reputation on the global furniture trade scene. Featuring a strong line-up of debut exhibitors and loyal supporters from Singapore and beyond, IFFS/AFS 2010 will see design taking a stronger prominence with a wide collection of cutting-edge furniture creations on display.

IFFS/AFS, known for its distinctive focus on furniture design, has worked in tandem with the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) and has over the years successfully implemented international design elements like PLATFORM and the Furniture Design Award showcase. Believing design to be the way forward for industry growth, it will be pushed to the next level this year with the introduction of an overarching tag ‘D’Space’, known as Designer Space.

Under the D’Space umbrella is a new and expanded design exhibition area in Hall 3 where buying delegates can view innovative designs at PLATFORM and from Design & Objects, an association from Thailand made up of their local design talents. Participating for the first time, Design & Objects will showcase 13 member companies’ collections. The group, which has 97 member companies, has built a solid reputation for fresh designs and quality products in both the local and international markets since its inception in 1999. Joining them to a showdown of creative pieces is a collective of international designers including the renowned John Kelly Furniture, USA and Sable Island, UK, all launching their debut collections in D’Space for the first time.

IFFS/AFS 2010 has registered an increase in participation from ten countries, with companies from Australia, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Thailand, the Philippines and the US, all signing up for more exhibition space. Of the total number of exhibitors, 20 per cent are making their debut at IFFS/AFS 2010, promising visitors new and exciting products to look out for.

IFFS/AFS 2010 has even attracted participation from SIA OŠUKALNS, a first-time exhibitor specialising in soft furnishings hailing all the way from Latvia, as well as new entrant CL Home from Greece, whose forte is in wooden furniture. The addition of these two companies further enhances the country representation at IFFS/AFS 2010, making it the fair in Asia with the highest number of participating countries!

Amongst the 80 per cent who are making a return to IFFS/AFS 2010 are the industry’s big players and stalwart supporters, Kenas Pacific Pte Ltd and Halo. Both from Hong Kong, they are the fair’s two biggest exhibitors with booths measuring 900 nett square metres and 700 nett square metres respectively. Also looking to wow buyers with their wealth of product ideas and magnificent showcases are Koda Ltd from Singapore with a 670 nett square metre space, and Zhejiang KUKA Technics Sofa Manufacture Co Ltd from China and Violino Limited from Hong Kong with 600 nett square metres each.

For more information on IFFS/AFS 2010, please visit www.iffs.com.sg