MIFF 2019 breaks billion dollar sales at 25th anniversary edition

buyers-night-2

Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF), the industry’s largest marketplace in Southeast Asia, has smashed through the billiondollar sales mark for the first time in its 25-year history.

Exhibitors at MIFF 2019 raked in US$1.01 billion in sales over four days from March
8-11, up 3% increase from the previous high of US$984 million in 2018.

The record performance was achieved a year after the trade show was expanded to
100,000 sqm across the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC)
and Putra World Trade (PWTC) with design as its cornerstone.

Show organiser, UBM Malaysia, reported MIFF 2019 attracted 20,478 visitors
including 6,112 global buyers from 130 countries and regions, an increase of 4%
from last year. Traffic was significantly higher from North America and the Far East
while numbers remained stable from Southeast Asia South Asia, Australasia, Europe,
Africa and South America.

A total of 600 exhibitors from14 countries – 346 Malaysian and 254 foreign
companies  showcased new products and collections under the theme ‘Design
Connects People.’dsc_9119
In the limelight was the promotion of Muar which had been officially recognised as
the Furniture City of Malaysia. MIFF has strong ties with companies from the southern
manufacturing hub which was further strengthened by a strategic partnership
between MIFF and Muar Furniture Association in 2013.

Staking their turf with their own ready-to-market products were young designers from
the MIFF-driven Millennials@Design programme and from the Malaysian Timber
Industry Board’s Tanggam Design Centre and Professional Designers Programme
(PDP), a collaboration with Muar featuring the works of designers from Malaysia, Italy
and Belgium.

“Celebrating our 25th anniversary with a milestone like this is certainly something
that we are proud of. It is the best endorsement of MIFF by the markets but what
makes us most proud is that we continue to place our customers and their business
priorities first even as we are on a strong growth path,” said Ms Karen Goi, General
Manager of MIFF.5yau9766
Burnishing its reputation as a global procurement hub in the region, MIFF boasts the
biggest export platform for Malaysian wood furniture and office furniture in
Southeast Asia.

The next edition of the annual trade show is from 6-9 March 2020 at the same two
venues. It has already drawn strong rebookings from exhibitors satisfied by the
continuing diversity of attendance and high-quality buyers this year.

Albert Hsueh, sales manager of long-time exhibitor, Malaysia’s RTA Corporation
Sdn Bhd, saw more customers especially from the United States. “This year we are
showcasing Malaysian-made mattresses for the first time and targeting U.S. buyers.
Due to the tax imposed on China-made mattresses, people in the U.S. are looking for
other options. It’s really great that we are able to meet so many potential buyers at
MIFF. We will definitely be back next year.”

American importer James Holt, who was at the show for the third year, noted the
number of exhibitors had grown tremendously along with a wide range of products
to choose from. “The designs stay fresh and up to date. So far, we have struck several
deals, and we are looking forward to more of them. This is a great hub for us to buy
products, especially for importers like us.”

Huge praise came from new exhibitor Andre Solares, Vice President of Sales Europe
of Colmol, Portugal. “The exhibition is excellent. Initially our main objective was to
find partners in Southeast Asia. But we were pleasantly surprised that we can find
partners from the whole world at MIFF! From New Zealand to Sweden and even islands
like Fiji and Mauritius are here. It’s incredible.”

Emily Sow, Executive Director of Malaysia’s Shantawood Sdn Bhd, said MIFF
remained a must for the company which produces dining table sets. “We have been
exhibiting at MIFF for more than 10 years, MIFF reinforces our position in the
furniture industry and brings us customers with buying power. Compared to other
fairs, there are more visitors to our booth at MIFF. We obtained many new buyers
from various countries here as well.”dsc_8222
Ikuzo Abeno of Tokyo Furniture Research, is a regular face at MIFF and remains
impressed by its progress every year. “First of all, there are always high-qualified
exhibitors, and secondly, every service during the show exudes hospitality. Finally,
we can’t forget the kind and friendly support by the MIFF team. MIFF isn’t just an
exhibition for purchasing but also a place to exchange information and search new
trends.”

Spanish businessman Alejandro Montoya said Malaysian wood products and
designs were a big attraction for foreign buyers. “Many of our customers back in
Spain like minimalistic wooden products, and I see there are various choices here at
MIFF. Malaysian wood is known for its quality and that is what we are here for.”

From Africa, Benitah Nyonjo of Uganda said her company, Nina Interiors, had
sourced wood-based home and office furniture from MIFF for 20 years and found new
suppliers this round; Tariq Hassan of Libya found MIFF a good centre for business
for those in the industry like him because “in Libya our locals still rely on imports, we
don’t have many choices and our economy is growing.”

For more information, visit www.miff.com.my