The furniture industry in Malta

Abstract

The Maltese furniture industry is composed of a very large number of firms, Most of these fines are very small and their output is limited. Only three or four firms are large and organised for production in bulk. This is not altogether surprising as the Maltese market alone cannot support many such firms. Two disadvantages predominate 1. Despite the Large number of Firms, there is comparatively little variety of design, 2. Unless exports are large, the large firms heave to produce at excess capacity. The lack of organisation, machinery and also the lack of use of modern materials tend to diminish advantages otherwise possible with modern production techniques. A lack of skilled Labour in the industry exists, both craftsmen end skilled machine operators and this tends to depress productivity, which by international standard is low.