Partners

    Asociatia Producatorilor de Mobila din Romania

   

      APMR is a Romanian legal entity, established in 1992 as an employers' organization working for the interest of the Romanian companies running in the furniture and wooden products business. APMR represents and promotes the interests of the Romanian furniture manufacturers in all their areas of interest (legal, economical, technological, VET, promotion, information etc). Its members are mainly furniture manufacturers, but also raw material producers, laminated-wooden products manufacturers, as well as other furniture-related companies (suppliers and traders), furniture dealers, R&D, education institutes in the furniture field. One of the 2 main social dialogue partners in the Romanian furniture industry and an active member of the European Social Dialogue – Furniture (ESDF); member of ESDF Working Group on VET. A representative employers' organization: 400 member companies, out of which 210 are furniture companies, more than 40 are VET schools and education organizations, more than 10 designer companies). Companies within APMR account for more than 40% of the employees in the national furniture industry. APMR participates with other organizations in training projects for managers and workers, and has organized design seminars for both students and professionals since 2000. Organizer of the most important furniture design competition in Romania: the National Design Furniture Contest since 2003 (first competition of this type in Romania), developed a large database of furniture designers and design schools from all over the country. It is part of the furniture design network.

 

    UNIVERSITATEA TRANSILVANIA DIN BRASOV

   

      UTBv is a state of higher education located in Brasov, Romania, and by its education offer, scientific research and number of students represents one of Romanian’s large universities. The University was awarded „High Degree of Confidence” by the Romanian Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ARACIS) and is internationally evaluated by the European University Association (EUAIEP).

      The University includes 18 faculties with a total of about 20000 students and 800 teaching staff. The university offers 100 FT, PT and distance learning bachleor’s study programmes and 66 advanced studies or scientific master’s programmes, also FT, PT and distance learning. At present doctoral studies are available in 17 fields.

      Research in the university has been structurated upon interdisciplinary priority fields, capable of ensuring the attainment of a top position at national level and full integration in the European Research Area. Upon an internal evaluation process, the University defined 22 research departments, self-managed and operating with their own staff and infrastructure, conducting research of excellence and targeting the development of innovative high-tech products.

 

    UNIVERZA NA PRIMORSKEM UNIVERSITA DEL LITORALE

   

      The University of Primorska was established in 2003 to carry out high quality study and research programmes, which promote natural and cultural heritage while integrating and developing them with the educational, intellectual and research potential of the rest of the world. UP provides an active, interdisciplinary research and study environment based on two fundamental pillars: mathematics, natural sciences and technology, and humanities and social sciences. Furthermore, UP actively seeks to work closely both with industry and the community to ensure its programs prepare students for the existing job market and for future challenges. Researchers participating in this project are members of the Andrej Marušič Institute’s Department of Technology and work closely with industry on research projects to enhance their productivity, to promote the health and safety of their employees, to suport innovation, and transfer scientific knowledge to businesses to help the regional economy grow. Their areas of focus include ergonomics, kinesiology, wood science and sustainable building. University researchers frequently work with local businesses and cooperate with city, regional and national initiatives to bolster learning and the economy. Major industrial partners include Luka Koper – Slovenia’s major seaport – where on going research is focused on improving worker health through ergonomic solutions for heavy machine operators and many other employees (in addition to many other projects). Another recent initiatives that involved industry was a bilateral project between Italy and Slovenia called EnergyViLLab. The university’s contribution including bringing together SMEs to form a living lab for innovation in sustainable housing design including architects, construction companies, window manufacturers, material producers and other stakeholders from across Slovenia to jointly innovate new solutions.

 

    ASOCIACION EMPRESARIAL DE INVESTIGACION CENTRO TECNOLOGICO

    DEL MUEBLEY LA MADERA DE LA REGION DE MURCIA

   

      CETEM is a non-profit scientific research and training organization located in the south east of Spain. CETEM was created due to aninitiative of the private companies from the furniture and woodworking sectors of the Region of Murcia, and established in 1995 with the initial support of the regional government, the Spanish Ministry of Industry and the European Union. CETEM is formed by 30 professionals with different backgrounds: engineering, technology transfer, business administration, chemistry, psychology, teaching, design, etc. Which scope is to contribute actively towards the socioeconomic development of companies, by providing support and promoting processes of technology innovation and development, such as strategies of competitiveness in the business environment and training programmes. In spite of having witnessed difficult conditions in 2008, the Spanish furniture market currently supposes 4.6M€ with restoring tendency, representing a 5% of share all around Europe.

 

    OIGPM - Ogólnopolska Izba Gospodarcza Producentów Mebli

   

      The Polish Chamber of Commerce of Furniture Manufacturers, OIGPM, protects the interests of its members and of the entire furniture sector. The Chamber represents more than 100 enterprises from the furniture and related sector in discussions with government and non-government organizations. The main activities of the chamber are focused on promotion and representing Polish furniture sector on national and international level. Because of this, the main goals of the chamber are achieved by:

  • The promotion of Polish entities of the furniture trade being the members of OIGPM as well as their products at national and international level with the help of Trademark "POLISH FURNITURE - PROVEN QUALITY ” as well as integration of the members of the Chamber round Trademark.

  • The organizational-law service, consulting and informational in the frame of both the economic activity and management.

  • Promotion and Dissemination activities (specially in OIGPM Bulletin and in Rzeczpospolita).

  • Advertising activities (for example during International furniture fairs in Poznań Meble.Polska).

  • Activities connected with the organization of the fair trades and exhibitions.

  • Research and Innovation services related to the furniture market and the public opinion.

  • Delivering on the resolution of the authorities or the other entities opinions and information about existing trade habits, prices, the origin of goods and the other opinions and information concerning the economic trade and companies.

  • Representing the furniture sector in front of the national authorities in the aim of protecting their economic and business interests

  • Creating, with using of the existing regulations, courts of conciliation to settle the disputes based on the economic background.

  • Technical, economic and law services, what includes analysis and consultancy services.