A GLIMPSE INTO THE ORIGIN OF MUAR FURNITURE

From Nowhere to Everywhere

The yore of Muar Furniture industry was very much family orientated with many scattered around the rural area of Parit Bakar. Links with each other were rarely made and each of them ran their businesses in their own way and approach. Hence the market was then only restricted to the Muar region without much scope for expansion an advancement. In catching up with times and traditional image and upgraded itself into a major industry that utilized machinery on a large-scale basic. Since then, quality has been greatly elevated matching that of international standards.

A change in better environment and rapid industrialization resulted in the local market unable to sustain the fast pace of local production. The venture in new markets was then common objective of every manufacturer. The banner year of 1981 witnessed Mr. Tan Chuan Choon amassed those in the furniture trade toestablish the Muar Furniture Association for the mutual benefits of all in particular the opening up of new markets internationally. Due to the unceasing efforts of Mr. Eng Say Teng, Mr. Koh Kim Toon and Mr. Eddy Tee Lian Choon, a fund of RM 100,000.00 was successfully raised within a few months whereby the Association's premises at Jalan Abdul Rahman was subsequently purchased. Ultimately, the Association became a member of the State United Associated and the Malaysian Furniture Industry Council. Through the Association, the furniture industry of Muar went global with members attending National conferences, overseas market studies and international furniture expositions. Not only that it has moved in the international arena but also state-of-the art technology and machinery were brought back to the country. Since then, the Association has become the driving force behind the amazing growth and development of the Muar furniture industry.

Today Development and Success

Again swift development outpaced current facilities and amenities. Under the new leadership of President Elvin Ng Lai Teck, the Association acquired a three-storey building located at Bakri Road. The new premises, equipped with a conference room, a hall and an information centre, will be able ro strengthen ties among members as well as to provide them with greater information at faster pace.

For greater opportunities and further penetration into global markets, the Muar Furniture Association changed its name to Muar Furniture Chamber of Commerce. The move towards commercialization of the Association resulted in a move active organization forming greater ties with other local furniture associations and also furniture traders overseas. Together all pairs work hand on hand for greater opportunities and better prospects. Other services that have benefited its members include lower avertising rates through the press and other media and lower transport charges.

Full Speed Ahead The International Market

The Muar Furniture Chamber of Commerce will further lead its members towards better opportunities in the international arena-breaking market berries, building comprehensive networks, improving product quality, fuelling creativity and innovation, and strengthening competitiveness of member. With joint efforts, the Chamber is poised to build a good name into the Malaysia into one of the most outstanding and admired furniture manufacturing nations in the world.

In an effort to place Muar furniture manufacturers into international arena, the Muar Furniture Chamber of Commerce has organized numerous expositions which include the "1990 Furniture Exposition", "Johor Furniture Exposition 1992", and "Muar Furniture Overseas Exposition 1994". The expositions may be at state level, but they have no doubt widen business scope and elevated the growth of the furniture industry in Muar whereby many manufacturers responded in a shift in operation from their original locations to industrial estates such as the Pagoh Industrial Estate, Bukit Pasir Industrial Estate, Bakri Industrial Estate, Parit Jamil Industrial Estate and Tanjong Agas Industrial Estate. These manufacturers have also grabbed the opportunity of marketing their products directly, thus eliminating middle parties as well as bringing the Muar furniture industry to international level