Case Studies
Issue No. 36 - August/September 2007
Tradition keeps customers coming
by Pamela Brombal
Local furniture manufacturing company, Meznar Furniture has seen continued growth during its 22 years in business and equates its survival to market knowledge, customer service, delegation and training and retention of skilled staff.
Started by owners Peter and Carolyn Meznar 22 years ago, Peter specialised in traditional cabinet making quickly outgrowing his tin shed premises due to customer demand. Now employing 18 factory staff, including 4 apprentices and 6 retail staff, their current retail premises has recently undergone expansion after extensive renovations.
Although the general Australian furniture manufacturing industry has suffered in recent times with the growth of imported furniture, Peter says maintaining a niche market with a specific product has been essential to survival.
“One of our philosophies from the beginning was to manufacture a quality product using traditional techniques, 100% solid timber, finished to a high standard and sold at an affordable price.
“We haven't tried to compete with the imported furniture market, which many Australian manufacturers did in the early days. It would now be impossible to compete with them.”
A returned demand for locally made products with an emphasis on quality rather than low cost, self-assembled furniture has helped Meznar Furniture become one of South Australia's oldest furniture manufacturing companies.
Peter and his team recognised in the early years the challen...
