Furniture Company Analysis

Brief Introduction

XXX Ltd. started in 1970’s as a small business producing giftware and basic furniture items for kitchen and garden.

Although small and limited as quantity the items made by the company were of very good standards. Nearly 100% of the materials used were various types of solid wood, many being of exotic origin.

The structure of the company was very simple: the owner, as manager and his two employees.

The production wasn’t impressive from the quantitative point of view, but they tried to attract customers and distributors through quality and high standards of packaging. Among those that bought giftware were prestigious retailers like John Lewis and Harrods.

In early 1980’s the company started to make the first items of furniture for home and office. Staff increased at around ten and started to be organised in two departments: woodworking shop and polishing shop.

Late 1980’s to early 1990’s brought a new addition in the company’s structure: the upholstery workshop, with about four employees.

In the meantime due to increased and more diverse production company’s needs evolved and hiring suitable office staff became essential. There were two office assistants employed full time plus a few other people doing occasional work.

Also, during the same period of time was created a team of 3 to 4 people covering the needs for packaging, delivering and occasionally fitting the furniture.

After another two decades, now the company employs around fifty people; the organisational structure is simple and consists in five main departments:

- woodworking shop;

- polishing / finishing shop;

- upholstery shop;

- packaging / delivering & fitting team;

- office.

The first four departments have got a supervisor each, whilst the office is being lead by the managing director – the owner himself.

After a decade of searching its best place on the market the company decided to concentrate on bespoke office furniture for the high-end users,...