New firm to import high-end Italian furniture
CHADAMAS CHINMANEEVONG
The trading company Yip In Tsoi has teamed up with the high-end home furnishings importer Arkitektura in a new joint venture to bring Italy’s B&B furniture to the local market.
”Owners of homes and condominiums worth 10 million baht and more don’t want inexpensive furniture. They are looking for furniture that reflects their home. We believe the high-end market has significant potential for growth,” said Somchai Akkarawittayapoom, the managing director of BP&M.
The new company, formed by Yip In Tsoi and Arkitektura, is targeting wealthy expatriates and Thais who might be familiar with the luxury B&B brand.
”While the current customer base is quite small, we will be launching a brand awareness campaign among high-end customers this year,” Mr Somchai said.
BP&M is also joining with several luxury property developers to promote its new products, including The Park Chidlom, the Infinity, the Athe{aac}ne{aac}e Residence, the Royal Residence, Sukhothai Residences and the Cape Yamu resort villas.
The company will open a new 10- million-baht, 750-square-metre showroom on Soi Thong Lo later month. The showroom would present B&B furniture and other high-end furniture and accessory brands such as Poggenpohl, Flos, Antares and Durvit.
Mr Somchai said he was confident that the company could succeed, even with the uncertain economic prospects for the year. ”One facet of the high end of the market is that spending isn’t really affected during economic slowdowns. The rich can always spend,” he said.
Mr Somchai said part of the marketing campaigns would be through the customer base of Arkitektura.
Arkitektura, which posted revenues last year of 150 million baht, expected its income to rise to 250 million this year thanks to the new BP&M joint venture. BP&M holds a three-year sole distributorship licence for B&B products.
”We choose B&B products because we like the designer, Antonio Citterio. Besides, this brand is unique and popular elsewhere,” said Mr Somchai.
He said the high-end furniture market was unique, with each brand commanding its own niche thanks to its style. In contrast, the lower and middle-market segments have seen competition jump due to the influx of Chinese products.