The founder of Design Week Lagos, DWL Expo, Mrs Titi Ogufere has hailed Julius Berger’s furniture production subsidiary, AFP for leading in the integration of young furniture designers into its processes, describing it as a sustainable effort that not only empowers the youth, but prepares them for greater challenges in the future.
Speaking during a visit to the AFP pavilion at the ongoing Design Week Lagos, DWL Expo yesterday, the founder noted that AFP has been a consistent exhibitor at all but two DWL exhibitions for over eight years, even as she commended the company for believing I the ideals that informrd the annual event.
I would like to say AFP has been with us in the Made by Design show for eight years now. Since we started they’ve been consistent. They’ve missed only, I think only one or two, she said.
Ogufere continued, and what we do with Design Week, the Made by Design show, is we curate the very best brands in Nigeria, and you can see from the craftsmanship of AFP that these are one of the foremost companies. I really like the fact that they have integrated young designers into what they are doing because at Design Week Lagos we are really for promoting young designers and young thinkers, even as she expressed the hope that AFP will continue to journey with DWL as they strive to build the Made in Nigeria brand.
In his response, the General Manager of the furniture company, Oliver Cohnen thanked Ogufere for the kind words she said on AFP and praised for the foresight in creating the annual event to showcase Nigeria’s truly home-made furniture brands that compare with the best the world can offer.
At AFP, we are doing what we know best and with the right hands we have engaged, we will do better, Cohnen added amidst applause.
Later at a panel session, Cohnen who joined four other panelists, shared his experience in furniture production, offering advice to those looking to establish a manufacturing business. Drawing from his 20 years in the industry, he said understanding the market and knowing what customers need should come before investing in expensive machinery.
He explained that a good production line requires the right capacity, an efficient factory layout, reliable suppliers and proper quality control. He also stressed the need to train workers adequately before expanding operations. “For me, it is the people who make the difference, not the machines”, Cohnen said, emphasising the importance of having a skilled workforce in achieving quality and efficiency in production.
Also speaking during the panel session, Jonathan Agwunobi, co-founder of TRT Arredo Ltd, highlighted the importance of standardising production processes to achieve consistency and improve efficiency in furniture manufacturing.
Agwunobi explained that his company had focused on developing clear processes, including establishing a design department, while narrowing its operations to areas where it could build expertise and deliver better results. He said the decision to focus on selected projects rather than take on every commercial opportunity helped the company improve its work and learn from customer feedback.
According to him, the company also drew lessons from a visit to a manufacturing firm in Italy, adapting aspects of its approach to suit its own operations. Agwunobi noted that standardisation was particularly important in manufacturing, where having consistent processes could help businesses maintain quality as production expanded.
Visitors to the AFP pavilion also shared their impressions of the company’s products, with some highlighting the role of local furniture manufacturing in supporting businesses, creating jobs and reducing reliance on imported goods.
An Architect, Ina, who has worked with AFP for some time, spoke positively about his experience with the company’s furniture, cabinetry and doors. He explained that he had collaborated with AFP on different projects, sometimes submitting his own designs for production and, at other times, adapting his plans to the company’s existing product range. “I’ve had no complaints”, he said, praising the quality of the products, their neat finishing, attention to detail and durability.
Speaking on the contribution of local furniture production to the economy, Ina noted that much of AFP’s manufacturing process takes place in Nigeria. Although some components, including hinges, locking systems and certain upholstery fabrics, still have to be imported, he said the bulk of the assembly and woodworking is done locally. He also pointed to the company’s timber processing operations, including the seasoning of wood before it is used for production, as an example of the value being added within the country.
According to him, this level of local involvement supports domestic production and reduces the need to import finished furniture, even as he acknowledged that certain components are not yet readily available from Nigerian manufacturers.
A content creator and media professional, Mena Glory, who owns Silver Pinnacle Heritage, also expressed admiration for the furniture on display, describing the products as impressive and of good quality. “The furniture, they are quality. And paying for quality will not be a problem”, he said.
The feedback from the visitors highlighted the growing value of local furniture production, not only in providing quality products but also in supporting employment, developing local skills and keeping more manufacturing activities within Nigeria.
For AFP, its presence at Design Week Lagos provides an opportunity to showcase its products, with its new products such as the Vienna centre table made out of solid timber and veneered MDF board. Valerie walsh shelf made out of lacquered MDF panels as well as engage with designers and other industry professionals, and contribute to conversations around the future of Nigerian furniture design and manufacturing.
