Trends in the development of online commerce in recent years are striking in their scale. If earlier small goods, clothes, cosmetics, etc. were sold via the Internet, then now you can also buy large-sized goods, such as furniture, online. Many furniture companies have not only trading platforms with exhibition halls, but also open their Internet sites as an additional advertising platform for implementation.
Such a store is the company "First Furniture Factory". The company has its own trade showrooms in Russian cities, as well as an official site.
A bit of history
The company belongs to enterprises with a rich history. The main location of the company is the city of St. Petersburg. The company has been operating in the market for about 70 years and specializes in selling custom-made furniture.
Initially, the company was engaged only in the production of kitchens. The First Furniture Factory and custom-made kitchens were in great demand and popularity. Since 2014, a reorganization has been carried out in terms of manufacturing technologies (the use of Swiss techniques), which is associated with the expansion of the product line.
Today, the company has powerful and modern production lines for the production of cabinet furniture, which justifies the high quality of products.
The historical stages of the company's foundation are presented in the table below.
1945 year | Company foundation year |
1999 year | This year, the famous IMM Cologne exhibition was held in Germany, at which the company first introduced itself loudly. As a result, the exposed samples were immediately sold out. |
2001-2010 years | During these years, the company has been building its furniture centers in St. Petersburg and Moscow |
year 2014 | A contract was signed between the company and ALNO AG (from Germany), which approved the creation of a joint venture at a production base in St. Petersburg. |
2015 year | A technological breakthrough was made in the field of creating furniture based on imported technologies |
2016 year | Many new products have been added to the company's product line |
2017 year | Access to the federal level. The reconstruction of the plant |
Branch network
The furniture company has branches throughout the country in the largest cities:
- St. Petersburg;
- Moscow;
- Barnaul;
- Irkutsk
- Krasnoyarsk;
- Kazan;
- Belgorod;
- Vladimir
- Bryansk;
- Kemerovo;
- Nizhny Novgorod;
- Novorossiysk;
- Penza
- Sevastopol
- Tula;
- Yaroslavl
According to customer reviews, "First Furniture Factory" in St. Petersburg has the most positive characteristics in terms of product range, warranty, and conditions for cooperation.
Separately, I would like to note the representative office in the city of Volzhsky, Volgograd region. According to customer reviews, the "First Furniture Factory" in Volzhsky is characterized by convenient location of salons, affordable prices and the ability to create individual orders to the tastes of consumers.
Activities
The main activity of the company is retail trade in furniture products of its own production. The organization conducts not only trade, but also production activities. All products of the company are sold under its own brand (brand). The production process is carried out in Russia: 90% - at their own sites, 10% - at manufacturing plants with partners.
Despite the low prices, the goods of the company are of high quality: this is due to the fact that in the manufacture of furniture the organization uses high-quality materials and raw materials, components, as well as innovative production technologies using proprietary equipment.
The First Furniture Factory, according to reviews, is a vivid example of a Russian company that is effectively implementing an import substitution program. In the context of the Government Decree prohibiting the purchase of furniture of foreign origin for state needs, this is especially important.
Competitive Advantages
According to reviews, "First Furniture Factory" has a competitive advantage over other companies in the market in the following ways:
- the presence of its own production site for the manufacture of furniture, which significantly reduces the cost of the cost of goods;
- the quality of the products is high, and the prices are quite low in the market;
- products are delivered to branches and to the final buyer by their own transport, which also reduces the costs and cost of goods;
- delivery of products to the client is carried out quickly due to the presence of 20 warehouses in the country;
- the appearance of the products is carefully designed by designers in accordance with market demand trends;
- The product range is great.
Product range
The company can offer customers solutions for designer and comfortable furniture of various styles: from classic to hi-tech. Furniture can be designed for any room and layout. For design, a special 3d-program is used, in which you can see the future interior project taking into account the volume and color.
In the traditions of the First Furniture Factory, according to reviews, there is a constant search for new things on the way to excellence.
The furniture catalog is presented on the organization’s website; in it you can see the following product groups:
- furniture for the home (dining room groups);
- office furniture;
- kitchens of various layouts for every taste.
According to customer reviews, the kitchens of the First Furniture Factory are the choice of the individual person of the house. Each client of the company has his own personal, individual preferences in the interior in which he feels comfortable. Some clients of the company prefer bright catchy colors, others prefer gentle calm shades. All this is reflected in the planning and design of custom-made kitchens from the company. This approach gives the customers of the First Furniture Factory the opportunity to choose and fly imagination. The client can fulfill his wildest expectations. Custom-made kitchen design from the First Furniture Factory, according to customer reviews, allows you to solve any spatial problems with a combination of harmony and beauty of the environment.
The product catalog includes all products with a full description, characteristics and photos that are presented on the official website of the company. Reviews about the kitchens of the First Furniture Factory in St. Petersburg are mostly positive, which makes it possible to expand the assortment positions for the product group, taking into account the preferences of consumers.
Within each assortment group, there are a number of different types and types of furniture. All products can be easily purchased at any store in the city on order.
Used materials and technologies
By production use only the best materials of domestic production. Chipboard, chipboard from the EGGER concern. Solid wood: beech, walnut, ash, oak.
All of them are used in the manufacture of furniture. This is a fibreboard or chipboard. These furniture materials are similar in their basic qualities, but also have many differences. The places and methods of their application differ. For example, natural wood was widely used to create conditions in children's rooms, schools and preschool institutions.
Almost all production is automated and tied into a single system. How it works? Immediately after the order is received from the store, it is processed and a design project is created. Further, the program generates tasks and sends it to different workshops and machines. At the same time, the enterprise has a local network, thanks to which designers, IT-specialists can control the machines without leaving their computer. Another interesting nuance: the factory does not write part programs, there are utilities that write them.
This machine collects sets of plates, which are then cut. The machine itself tells which pallets it needs to be brought in to compile the current set.
Warranties for customers
"First furniture factory", according to customer reviews, provides warranty service conditions, which are an essential element of working with customers. Today, the company provides its customers with an extended warranty service for 10 years, as the management is confident in the quality of its products. The company carries out all warranty obligations in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation. But the warranty does not cover mechanical damage during self-transportation and assembly. The site presents in an accessible form all the conditions of the product warranty.
Certification
According to Russian law, furniture products do not belong to the category of goods subject to certification. However, all materials used in the manufacture of products comply with the achievements of technology and existing environmental standards in Russia, the requirements of regulatory documents.
Company Achievements
In 2016, the organization was awarded the “Consumer Rights and Quality of Service” award, which is annually nominated and awarded to the most successful consumer service projects.
Pricing
The company in the pricing policy relies on the buyer with an average income, therefore, the prices set for products can be attributed to the cheap and medium segments, which provides a significant competitive advantage in the market.
Company Feature
The peculiarity of the enterprise is that the trading floors are not large, they usually have the most popular product samples, and the rest can be found in more detail using the official website, catalogs or with the help of a sales assistant. On average, in the trading floor you can get acquainted with 10-20 product positions.
Store management and staff
At the head of each outlet is a manager, whose functions include coordinating the activities of sales consultants, monitoring the activities of the entire store, solving problems with customers. As a rule, 2-3 sales consultants work in the exhibition hall. Their responsibilities include: informative customer support, assistance in choosing, placing orders, generating cash reports and documentation for goods.
Additional services to customers
Among the additional types of services, the company offers the service of purchasing goods on credit in accordance with the terms of partner banks.
Additional services of the organization include the ability to create your own apartment design directly on the company's website using a 3d model.
Promotions and offers
The company constantly holds promotions and updates various offers for its customers, which are marketing activities to attract customers. Such promotions are presented on the company's website, and every month they change. Promotions relate to various discounts and sales.
The main shares for today, presented in the salons of the company:
- lack of down payment upon purchase on credit;
- Delivery in 3 days;
- discounts. The conditions and sizes of discounts are described in detail on the website in the "Promotions" section.
The company accepts both cash and non-cash forms of payment for products.
The main customers of the company
The company works not only with individuals, but also with legal entities at the level of public services. Among the most significant customers are:
- Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation in St. Petersburg;
- State Duma of the Russian Federation;
- Office of the Federal Security Service of Russia for St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region;
- Russian Emergency Situations Ministry;
- Gazprombank;
- Petrocommerce Bank;
- Vneshtorgbank;
- Sberbank of Russia;
- Large motels and facilities of the 2014 Olympics.
Customer reviews
As can be seen from the review, the technologies and materials used in the company are advanced today, which ensures high quality products. This is precisely what positive reviews about the company's products on the Internet on well-known sites confirm.
"First furniture factory", according to customers, has many positive aspects:
- high-quality materials;
- good service;
- convenient site;
- work with claims;
- good publicity.
Among the shortcomings are sometimes indicated:
- delays in delivery times;
- minor flaws.
Employee Reviews
"First furniture factory", according to employees in St. Petersburg, bears social and corporate responsibility to its employees, providing them with a full package of social guarantees, paid holidays, sick leave, etc. The company currently has over 1,000 employees of various profiles.
"First furniture factory", according to employees, has a number of positive aspects of work:
- schedule;
- location of salons;
- timely payment of salaries;
- beautiful salons;
- employment from the first day of training.
Most reviews are positive.
Holding "First furniture factory", according to employees, develops and annually reviews the personnel policy in relation to personnel and its development.