A COMPANY that manufactures all-weather furniture opened its factory showroom last Friday.
“The Cebu market is growing and we would like to penetrate the local market by providing them export quality all-weather type of furniture,” said Jim Cassels, marketing director of Lenbert Manufacturing Inc. (LMI).
LMI produces Rain or Shine, a Cebuano brand of all-weather furniture for export. Its top export markets are the United States and Europe.
LMI was among the first manufacturers in Cebu to venture into synthetic furniture in 1998.
Their products are produced from polyveen, which the company describes as an “environment-friendly material of the highest and finest grade” that can simulate the natural beauty of wood, wicker, wrought iron, stressed rusted material, rattan, bamboo and others.
The company said its furniture products are ideal for indoor and outdoor use for patios, pool sides and in hotels, bars and restaurants.
The Rain or Shine showroom located on H. Abellana St., Jagobiao, Mandaue City has three sections dedicated for export, local and overruns.
Despite the weak export industry due to the global financial slowdown and the stiff competition in the global market, Cassels reported that their sales have gradually been growing in the last three months.
“We have seen inquiries and orders coming back,” he said.
Edward Hayco, president and co-owner of LMI said they want to remain bullish in the business despite the conservative stance of the industry.
“We want to exude a positive attitude even if the industry is feeling down,” he said.
To celebrate the opening of its new showroom, LMI slashed the rate of its export overruns by 50 percent while prices of local showroom items on display dropped by 25 percent.