Brisk sales at furniture shop

Anjana Samarasinghe

MORATUWA: The furniture shop selling goods with a 20 percent reduction set-up by the Moratuwa Carpentry Workshop Owners' Association has got a good response.

Moratuwa Carpentry Workshop Owners' Association President W.S. Fernando told the Daily News that they have a good response from consumers since their products are 20 per cent less than the normal market price.

"There are no middlemen involved in this process and carpenters could directly produce their goods at this showroom. We can sell the furniture 20 per cent lesser than normal prices because there is no middlemen involvement," he said.

The association has nearly 500 carpenters and at present nearly 22 carpenters showcase their goods at the showroom. Each carpenter provides Rs. 150,000 worth goods.

The association hopes to increase the number of suppliers and give more opportunities to its members, Fernando said.

He said this is a profitable venture for carpenters because they can get their money, as soon as the furniture is sold.

"A carpenter needs to pay only three per cent to the association. When the transaction is done through middlemen, carpenters have to wait for some times to get their money," Fernando said. The association hopes to establish more similar shops in other parts of the country.

Fernando said though steel furniture is available in the market, there is a big demand for wooden furniture due to durability.

"However, wood prices has increased by 60 per cent this year. One cubic foot of teak has been increased from Rs. 350 to Rs. 700," he said.

He said the association was willing to provide technology and guidelines to industrial parks proposed to be established in Moneragala and Bibile targeting wood-based industries.

Meanwhile, Industrial Development Minister Kumara Welgama said they have taken steps to start two new industrial estates in Moneragala and Bibile specially for wood and wood-based products.

He said the ministry will take steps to solve wood industrialists problems after receiving the Ministry's Advisory Committee reports.