US Hardwood: Expressions in Furniture Design and Architecture

By 'China Furniture'
Aug 2006

On 22 June, the 11th American Hardwood Export Council Southeast & Greater China Convention was held at Shangri-La Hotel, Shenzhen. The event was supported by the Hong Kong Furniture Association, Shenzhen Furniture Association, Guangzhou Furniture Association, Dongguan Famous Furniture Club and the Taiwan Furniture Industry Council. Over 600 people attended including architects, interior designers, manufacturers, producers, retailers, government officials and the press from Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The theme for this convention was how to understand the application of hardwood in furniture manufacturing and design, and how to benefit from it. There were four topics - 'outstanding design'; 'utilizing hardwood to add colour to interior design'; 'wood art in architecture'; and 'the globalization of current American design trends in Asian furniture making'. Speakers were invited from the USA, England, Southeast Asia, and mainland China.

'We pay close attention to the development of the China market', said Mr. Ted Rossi, Chairman of the American Hardwood Export Council, 'This is our seventh convention held in China, which reflects our long term commitment to the local market. The hardwood from the US features special grain, quality, colour, species and grades, and has a sound reputation in China's interior design and furniture manufacturing'.

As for the practical utilization of American hardwood in China, the administration director of AHEC, Mr. Michael Snow said: 'Along with the rapid development of China's economy, people's purchasing power has increased enormously and they are eager to purchase high quality products. More customers are willing to use American hardwood to decorate their rooms or offices. In recent years, we have also witnessed rapid growth in this area'.

According to statistics, in the past 10 years, the total export volume of American hardwood to China has increased from US$7 million (1995) to US$500 million (2005). Most of these imported woods are used for furniture manufacturing to support the demand for local consumption and furniture exports. Mr. Chen Xi Zhen, the representative of AHEC's Asia & Greater China office said, 'We at AHEC will strive in our efforts to strengthen our promotion and expand our activities in the main cities and new booming cities with around 10 technical and designing seminars per year.