A Romanian furniture manufacturer, once a major supplier to IKEA and other European retailers, is facing bankruptcy after halting all operations. On 29 May 2025, its judicial administrator formally requested bankruptcy proceedings at the Maramureş Court, citing the "complete cessation of operational activity", lack of income, and mass staff layoffs.
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The company, Taparo, entered insolvency in November 2024 and has since dismissed all 193 remaining employees, following 379 layoffs in 2023. At its peak, Taparo employed around 863 staff and exported over 80% of its production.
The company blamed liquidity blockages, the breakdown of client relationships, and rising personnel costs for its financial crisis. As Taparo exits the industry, Chinese manufacturers are expanding in Romania. Long Bamboo Group, an IKEA supplier, recently entered the market, joining UE Furniture, which already produces chairs in Orăștie. This shift highlights increasing Chinese investment in Romania's manufacturing sector. Taparo's collapse marks a significant change in the country's furniture industry, raising concerns about local resilience in the face of global supply shifts.
Source: www.romania-insider.com