Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Turkish Furniture Producers Sign High Point Showroom Lease
October 19,
2016 by Jane Chero in Business Strategy, High Point, Industry, Market, Special Events 
Following a successful “test drive” at the April High Point Market, a group of Turkish furniture manufacturers has signed a three-year lease on a permanent showroom that will be open for this week’s market.
The group of 11 manufacturers, working under the auspices of the government-backed Istanbul Exporters Assn., and MOSFED, the Federation of Furniture Associations, is hoping to boost exports to the United States and increase its business with U.S. furniture retailers.
Their showroom, space C-661 of the International Home Furnishings Center, will have about 17,000 square feet of casegoods and upholstery, according to a spokesman for the group.
The group is headed by Ahmet Gulec, who also is the chairman of both MOSFED and the Istanbul Exporters Assn.
The spokesman said the Turkish manufacturers already export their products throughout the world, but “recently have taken serious aim” at the U.S. market.
Most of the Turkish exhibitors have representatives who speak English, and the spokesman said they’re eager to quickly grow their business here.
The Turkish furniture manufacturers said they are committed to the U.S. market in the long term. They are planning to open a permanent office and warehouse in New York.
The group has hired a former furniture industry sales and marketing executive as a consultant to advise them on, among other things, factoring, safety regulations, warehousing, logistics and sales for the U.S. market.