Furniture industry is one of the important industrial sectors of Spain, which has been able to move in the path of growth and development in the past few decades and, while meeting the domestic needs, it also accounts for a part of the country’s exports, in such a way that export of furniture in this country has almost doubled in the last two decades. Also, estimates show that production value of Spain’s furniture industry in the period from 2008 to 2022 is an average of $7.3 billion annually. The maximum performance of this industry in the last two decades belongs to 2008 and the lowest production rate is related to 2015.
Culture based
Furniture industry is one of the most influential parts of the lifestyle of societies and the economic conditions of countries. This industry has a rich history and its starting point goes back to making functional and decorative items for homes using basic materials available to mankind. The formation and development of the furniture industry and the continued production of diverse and widely used products, using new and technological methods in the production of the products of this industry, has helped to change the lifestyle of societies in the direction of modernization. In fact, this industry is a downstream sector that consumes wood, metals, chemicals and plastics.
Meanwhile, the role of Spain in the furniture industry is also important. Throughout the history of the furniture industries of this country, by following a unique path, they have reflected all Spanish customs, traditions, beliefs and arts in various products, ranging from simple chairs in churches to modern designs in today’s furniture products. Today, important brands in this industry belong to Spain, which supply various products with special designs to the beauty of home and office decoration and provide an important part of the needs of Spain and world markets. This country is the 13th exporter of furniture in the world and accounts for about 1.5% of the export of this product.
An old industry
The starting point of Spain’s furniture industry can be seen as production of the first chair in the 17th century. This chair was made of wood with a support and a seat covered with leather and filled with horse hair which was designed and made for comfort while sitting, and by adjusting the iron hooks under this chair, it allowed the user to fold it. At that time, this wooden chair, while having the comfort of a sofa, was used as a suitable seat for traveling. In fact, production of the first chair in this century is a golden starting point for development of Spain’s furniture industry, and it was the first step in the growth of this industry.
Chart 1. Production value of furniture industry products in Spain
Over time, the use of furniture industry products became more popular among Spanish people. The customs and traditions in different eras of Spain had left their impact on the furniture industries of this country and caused the production of products with designs specific to each era. The growth of demand of the people of this country for the products of furniture industry was the basis for development of this industry. However, Spain’s economic conditions and its impact from civil wars in the middle of the 20th century caused Spain’s furniture industry to not be able to develop, progress and grow production like other industries in this country.
In the years after the civil wars, Spanish government put serious policies on the agenda to achieve a stable economy and boost industrial production. In addition, at the same time, Spain’s furniture industries faced an increase in demand due to factors such as population growth, increasing urbanization and changes in people’s lifestyles and homes
In the years after the civil wars, Spanish government put serious policies on the agenda to achieve a stable economy and boost industrial production. In addition, at the same time, Spain’s furniture industries faced an increase in demand due to factors such as population growth, increasing urbanization and changes in people’s lifestyles and homes. During the 21st century, Spain’s furniture industry has attracted the attention of not only Spanish people but aslo consumers abroad by using new technologies and modern designs in the production of products. This issue created a suitable basis for development of Spain’s economy by promoting exports. Today, the products of Spain’s furniture industry with their special designs have given a wonderful effect and beauty to the decoration in different environments of offices and homes.
The maximum production performance of this industry is related to 2008, when its production value reached more than $11.3 billion
Chart one shows the production value of Spain’s furniture industry. As can be seen, the maximum production performance of this industry is related to 2008, when its production value reached more than $11.3 billion. However, in 2015, this amount reached its lowest level in the period under review, i.e. $5.3 billion, and finally increased to $8.4 billion in 2022. It is forecasted that production value of Spain’s furniture industry will increase to $8.8 billion in 2027.
Consumption of metals
As a downstream industry that produces end products with high added value, furniture industry creates important opportunities for economic growth. Design of furniture industry products is usually a combination of art and culture of a land. In order to maintain this industry, manufacturers generally try to take into account consumer standards and tastes in addition to continuous improvement of quality and durability by using modern methods and techniques. In the beginning, stone and wood were the most important raw materials for the production of furniture in the world, but today most of the products of this industry are made of metals such as coated or plated steel and aluminum. This actually increases the durability, longevity and beauty of the products of this industry.
Chart 2. Changes in the consumption value of furniture industry metals in Spain
chart 2 shows the value of metals used in furniture industry in Spain. As can be seen, value of steel consumed in this industry decreased from $611.7 million in 2008 to $205.2 million in 2015 and finally reached $505.6 million in 2022. Also, consumption of this metal is expected to reach $576.2 million in 2027. In addition, estimates show that between 2008 and 2022, an average of $28 million of aluminum was consumed annually in Spain’s furniture industry, and this number is expected to reach $45.9 million in 2027.
