In response to inquiries from several members, FWPA is funding new research to determine the proportion of Australian kitchen joinery that is imported “flat-pack” vs tailor-made by cabinet-makers.
At first glance, the task of working out how much flat-pack joinery is imported to Australia seems like looking for a needle in a haystack.
There is no import code specific to flat-pack furniture, or joinery. It can be imported under at least seven different codes, under which 16,000 import entries occur a year – however many other, different items also fall under the same codes.
For this reason, research being funded by FWPA to determine the proportion of Australian kitchen joinery that is imported “flat-pack” vs tailor-made by cabinet-makers involves more than a simple scan of import data.
Manually assessing each of the 16,000 items and excluding items unlikely to be flat-pack joinery – by factors including price, volume and country of supply among others – is the first step in the research process.
By determining the total amount of joinery required by the construction industry vs tailor-made joinery (as assessed by the use of substrate) the researchers will be able to identify the “gap” filled by imported flat-pack furniture.
The researchers, IndustryEdge, can then compare the two figures, and qualitative feedback from panel producers, wholesalers, importers, cabinetmakers, builders and retailers to reach a conclusion.
The information gathered will be published, enabling industry to make more informed decisions.
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