Factories in southern China and in all the major furniture-producing areas are expanding, and new plants are being built at a rapid rate. Along with their furniture designs and manufacturing specifications, European and American manufacturers are bringing in their own factory systems and equipment. Particular attention now is focused on upgrading those systems and buying new equipment. In their wake, finishing chemical suppliers have also been setting up their operations in Asia, alive to the opportunities they see coming their way. Much of their equipment originates from Europe.
Materials come from all over.
China, for example, does not have large wood resources to draw from, while other Asian countries do. So wood finds its way into China from other parts of Asia, as well as from North America. Oak and birch, Universal's Dondero notes, are available locally from within China. The growing industrial bases in China and emerging Asian economies are also able to supply materials like metals and plastics for use in home and business furniture. In short, the Asian trade is gaining lustre all the time.