From offering a single container of decorative items from Indonesia, to becoming an international trend-setter, Ethnicraft has undergone a significant transformation, and shows no sign of slowing.
The humble origins of Ethnicraft are perhaps integral to the company’s enduring philosophy of sustainability, social responsibility, and perpetual innovation. Yet in 1995, when entrepreneur Philippe Delaisse returned to his home in Antwerp with a container of furniture and interior accessories from Indonesia, he did not, perhaps, expect the business to evolve quite so dramatically.
When Benoit Loos heard of Philippe’s project shortly after, he made the decision to collaborate with him, the pair opting to import a container every few months. After just one year however, containers were met at the docks in Antwerp by clients, tickets in hand, ready to purchase the pair’s unique items.
Very quickly, Philippe and Benoit realised a passion for designing and manufacturing furniture, and established their first manufacturing site in Indonesia from the ground up.
Today, Ethnicraft has built an extensive network of retailers, achieving a turnover of €400m for 2011. Its head office is now situated in Boom, Belgium, and is accompanied by offices near Marseille, in Singapore, Indonesia and Hong Kong.
Ethnicraft’s production facilities span three different sites in Indonesia, Vietnam and Serbia, with over 2000 people currently employed at the company. International aspirations are gradually being realised, with end consumers in Asia, America and Europe increasingly requesting the brand.
The company prides itself on producing simple, authentic furniture from teak and oak. Through its sleek, contemporary designs Ethnicraft ensures that its furniture endures fluctuating trends, while the international product development team works tirelessly to ensure products are treated to the most innovative of processing techniques.
Environmental concerns are of particular importance to Ethnicraft and, as such, the company uses only wood sourced from well-managed forests. Aiming to maximise the recycling of wood left over from its production process, Ethnicraft uses surplus wood as fuel to fire drying ovens, or to make dowels.
The challenges of working with wood, with its varying grains, patinas and lines, are embraced by Ethnicraft’s carpenters, all of whom have significant experience in seeking out the finest pieces of timber. Produced both through the use of machines and traditional methods of hand crafting, each piece reflects Ethnicraft’s passion for the medium of woodwork.
