Furniture maker ramps up export strategy

Guangdong Super-Wood Group, a manufacturer of wooden furniture in Zhanjiang, expects its exports to expand from $134 million last year to more than $150 million this year.

Founded in 1987 as a furniture factory and incorporated as a group in 2008, the company has forged cooperative ties with US chain stores, including Costco, Sam's Club, Pier 1 Imports, Lifestyle, JCPenney and British furniture giant Halo Furniture.

With products sold in more than 40 countries and regions, it was the third largest exporter in Zhanjiang from 2006 to 2011 and one of the top 20 furniture exporters of the country.

With three factories and 2,500 employees, it registers an annual output of 1 billion yuan ($159.91 million).

In early 2010, the company began preparations to go public, and it plans to be listed in the first half of next year.

In order to consolidate the furniture industrial chain and build a transformation demonstration zone, the company planned in 2010 to invest 3.35 billion yuan in a 267-hectare industrial park in Lianjiang in Zhanjiang city.

Construction started in August on this furniture base, which is expected to generate an output of 8 billion yuan a year and create 18,000 jobs.

A key project of Guangdong province, the industrial park is designed to include facilities for research and development, manufacturing, supply chain management, marketing, logistics and living.

It will include related industries in the industrial chain, such as a furniture market and factories for manufacturing paint, hardware and packaging.

Contact the writer at guozhuo@chinadaily.com.cn.