The 2014 edition of the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) reported more buyers and record orders at its 20th anniversary edition, which took place from 4-8th March.
The show recorded estimated sales of US$892m and a 6% jump in attendees to 19,472 visitors including 6171 international buyers from 141 countries and regions.
A total of 503 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions occupied the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) and Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC).
In 2013, the fair attracted total 18,397 visitors from 140 countries and regions with sales of US$854m.
Visitors to the event included a first-time delegation from the Belgium Furniture Manufacturers Association (Belgofurn), as well as trade groups from South Korea and Japan, among them was Chie Kikuchi, MD of Hikari Global Trading Co, one of Japan's biggest furniture importers – watch an interview with here here.
MIFF 2014 also hosted the fifth edition of the MIFF Furniture Design Competition (MIFF FDC), a platform designed exclusively by MIFF to engender more creative yet commercially attractive furniture concepts to sustain future generations of Malaysian manufacturers and the industry.
The top prize was awarded to young industrial designer Francis Lye Aik Theng with XSR, a stylish light bar stool constructed from stainless steel, a mountain bike spring absorber and a thermoplastic seat. See the competition highlights here.
Datuk Dr Tan Chin Huat, chairman of MIFF, comments: "Within the global furniture trade network, MIFF is commonly known for our type of 'home-style service and atmosphere meets serious furniture buyers.' The entire team is pleased that our 20th anniversary event continued to embody our philosophy of serving our customers and industry well and with style. Of course, we are equally delighted by the speedy rebooking of exhibition space for next year's show which takes place March 3rd to 7th."
