Furniture Manufacturing in Asia: Alternatives to China

August 07, 2023
Table of Contents

Looking for alternatives to your current furniture manufacturers in Mainland China? In this article, help you decide whether you should source furniture suppliers in India, Vietnam or Thailand. In addition, I also explain what you should look for when selecting suppliers - and why quality inspections are critical regardless of the country of origin.

Country Overview

  • Vietnam
  • India
  • Thailand

Supplier selection criteria

Before we get started with comparing Vietnam, India, and Thailand, I’ll share the selection criteria we use when sourcing furniture manufacturers in Aisa. Note that we apply the same criteria across all countries.

This is covered:

  • Main products
  • Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
  • ISO 9001 Certification
  • ISO 14001 Certification
  • Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification
  • Test Reports
  • BSCI and Sedex Certification

Main products

As you probably know, all furniture manufacturers are specialized to a certain level. It’s therefore essential to carefully select suppliers that are specialized in making the same type of furniture and the right materials.

When sourcing furniture suppliers across Asia, it’s also important to consider which materials the suppliers in that country have easy access to. Sure, you can import materials, but it’ll add costs and lead time.

Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)

Some furniture factories require that you order an entire 40’’ container per furniture SKU. Meanwhile, some suppliers offer custom made furniture pieces starting from a single unit. Further, the MOQ requirement also tends to differ between countries.

For example, Vietnamese furniture manufacturers are known to have higher MOQs, while those in India and Thailand have MOQs similar to Chinese furniture producers.

ISO 9001 Certification

ISO 9001 is a quality management certificate. If properly implemented, ISO 9001 can help a supplier minimize the number of defective units during production. That’s a good thing for you as a buyer, which is why ISO 9001 is highly relevant when selecting suppliers.

That said, ISO 9001 is not a replacement or substitute for a third-party quality inspection, but more on that later.

ISO 14001 Certification

ISO 14001 is an environmental management system, helping suppliers to minimize their environmental impact. Both consumers and governments will only care more about this in the years to come, and so should you.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification

Furniture suppliers holding FSC transfer certificates procure their wooden materials from forest plantations which meet certain sustainability criteria. Note that an FSC transfer certificate is only valid for certain materials, and not all products made by a certain factory.

Test Reports

Furniture are regulated by both substance regulations, covering heavy metals and chemicals in paints and coatings, and flammability standards. Some suppliers are unable to ensure that their products are compliant with US and European standards. It’s therefore essential to request existing test reports as this can help filter suppliers with previous experience manufacturing products in compliance with REACH, TB 117 or other relevant regulations.

BSCI and Sedex Certification

BSCI and Sedex audited suppliers tend to offer better workplace conditions than other suppliers. It’s also relevant to mention that such suppliers also tend to maintain higher standards overall, including management efficiency and product quality. This is likely a positive side effect from working primarily with big buyers in developed countries, who in turn prefer suppliers that meet higher workplace standards.

Vietnam

Vietnam is not new to furniture manufacturing. It’s been an important furniture production hub for big companies, including IKEA, for close to two decades now. Here are some examples of furniture you can import from Vietnamese manufacturers:

  • Wooden Furniture
  • Home Furniture
  • Office Furniture
  • Outdoor Furniture
  • Bathroom Furniture
  • Rattan Furniture
  • Wicker Furniture
  • Eucalyptus furniture

Most furniture factories are based in the northeast, close to the capital of Hanoi, and in the south - more specifically in and around Ho Chi Minh City.

However, the minimum order quantity (MOQ) requirements tend to be higher than in China, India or Thailand. One furniture manufacturing consultant in Ho Chi Minh City told me a few months ago that the standard MOQ is one 20’’ container per SKU. That’s also what I’ve heard when talking directly to factories.

In addition, the trade war has also resulted in many orders being shifted to Vietnam, which in turn increases the lead times. It’s not uncommon to get told by suppliers that they’ll need 4 months before they are ready to ship.

India

India is the 2nd largest furniture exporter in Asia. While its export volume is not even close to that of China, it’s still the furniture manufacturing hub of choice for many international buyers.

Here are some examples of furniture you can buy from Indian manufacturers:

  • Hardwood furniture
  • Handicraft furniture
  • Vintage furniture
  • Dining tables
  • Leather furniture
  • Office Furniture

Indian suppliers also tend to be a bit more flexible when it comes to the MOQ.

Thailand

Thailand is often overlooked as an alternative to China. However, the country’s manufacturing sector is arguably more developed than that of both India and Vietnam. Furniture is also a major export commodity.

Thailand-based furniture manufacturers are also known for their product quality and high-quality wood species

Here are some types of furniture you can source in Thailand:

  • Bamboo furniture
  • Teak furniture
  • Nara wood furniture
  • Burmese ironwood furniture
  • Takien furniture

Furniture quality inspections

Regardless of whether you choose to import furniture from China, Vietnam, India or Thailand - quality inspections are always a critical part of the process. Via platforms like Bureau Veritas InSpec, you can book quality inspections taking place during mass production - and prior to the shipment.

Here are some common checkpoints you should include in the checklist:

  • Visual inspection
  • Dimensions
  • Component check
  • Color comparison
  • Packaging check
Got questions about InSpec?
Talk with our specialist.
I hereby certify that I have read and I agree with the Personal Data provision of the Conditions of Service and the Cookies Policy

I hereby consent to the collection and use of the personal data I provide, with the understanding that the personal data could be used by Bureau Veritas Hong Kong Limited, its affiliates, and, where applicable, its subcontractors, for the purpose of performing the services I request.

Personal Data

1. Client’s personal data are collected by Bureau Veritas Hong Kong Limited, having its registered office at 1/F, Pacific Trade Centre, 2 Kai Hing Road, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, (“BV HK”) and are subject to computer processing in order to enable Company to provide the Services. When requesting the Services, Client has been asked and has given express consent to the collection and reasonable use of Client’s personal data for purposes relevant to the Services.

2 Client’s personal data are intended for BV HK, its affiliated companies and, where applicable, subcontractors engaged in performing the Services. They will be retained for a period of time as required by the relevant local tax authorities where the Services are performed.

3 If Client’s personal data are collected in the European Union, they may be transferred outside the European Union, on the basis of standard contractual clauses established by the European Commission, and the standard contractual clauses are available on request, by clicking on this link: Contact Us .

4 In accordance with the French Data Protection Act of 6 January 1978 as amended and the General Data Protection Regulation of 27 April 2016, Client has the right to access, rectify and erase any personal data concerning Client, as well as the right to limit the processing, the right to oppose to the processing or the right to portability of your personal data. In addition, since Client has given consent to the collection and use of your personal data, Client has the right to withdraw its consent at any time. In that event, the performance of the Services may be suspended or terminated if the absence of consent renders the performance of the Services impossible or impracticable. Client also has the right to set out general and specific guidelines that define how it intends these rights to be exercised after death. Client can contact us to exercise its rights in this paragraph by clicking on this link: Contact Us Finally, Client has a right to lodge a complaint to the Commission Nationale Informatique et Liberts (CNIL).
Would you like to receive marketing communication from Bureau Veritas
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
Get new captcha!