Abra Furniture: A Hobby turned into Business
Posted on July 28th, 2009
Cordillera Mountain ranges are considered the largest mountain range in the country. Located around and on it we can find Abra, a province which belongs to a landlocked region. Majority of Abra’s land is forestland which provides sources for different native product including woods that they use for making furniture.
General Manager of Gayao’s Furniture, Henrietta Gayao, explained that aside from the fact that local residents are making use of the abundant resources that the vast forest area offers; residents engage in woodworking industry because they do not have any other choice of employment. She said that manually produced furniture only requires a very little investment. According to Gayao, you can engage into the woodworking business as long as you have the necessary tools such as hammer, block planner, handsaw and chisel.
The Beginning of an Enduring Profitable Hobby
Arturo Gayao started the business of Gayao Furniture in 1993. Fresh from retirement, he saw the potential profitability of his hobby with the abundant raw materials available in the province of Abra where he is a native. The now 16- year old business started from an initial outlay of 80,000 and the hands of Mr. Gayao with the assistance of a five new and untrained workers.
The Gayaos do not simply have the ability at entrepreneurship but they make it appoint that their products are of quality. Quality control of their product starts from the choosing of good raw materials, to calibration of machine and up to application of latest techniques in finishing. With the advocacy to quality product and the commitment to excellence, in the National Trade Fair held last year, the company was the best seller for the category of furniture and furnishing prototype.
The National Trade Fair highlights the best and finest products from different regions in the Philippines. It is considered to be the most comprehensive trade fair and an authoritative platform for small and medium enterprises which wanted to export their product.
Adjustment to changes
In order to prevent the scarcity in natural resources, the government of the Philippines implemented stern regulations on logging. But this doesn’t stop the Gayao Furniture to continue their business. Instead they have thought of ways on how they can go on with the woodworking industry yet be able to protect and safeguard the resources.
To address the issue, the General Manager explained that the company began planting trees that grow fast like mahogany and gmelina on their personal properties. She added that Gayao Furniture has plans of expanding to 3, 000 tress every year in a cycle of seven year to supplement the needed materials in the years to come.
Peculiarity of furniture made in the Philippines
Furniture made by Filipinos have caught the attention of furniture and trade buyers here and abroad. The innovation and excellent product design of the woodworking industry in the Philippines has maintained recognition internationally. Its designs instill creativity with the rich culture and different influences of its people. Filipino designer have produced crafts that are unique and appealing to the global market with the use of their gift in art and diversity and the abundance of materials.
Mrs. Gayao explained that what differentiate them from other furniture makers in the country is their figure sculptures and furniture which has natural shape of a tree or log.
