How does a family-owned company not only survive but thrive for more than five decades in the competitive world of furniture? For ARC, the answer is a mix of heritage, craftsmanship, and bold ambition. Founded in Portugal in 1971, the brand has grown from a local workshop into an international player, now present across Europe and eyeing new markets like the USA and the Middle East. Under the leadership of COO Rui Rocha, ARC is proving that the future of furniture belongs to those who can innovate without losing their roots.
© ARC From left to right: Rui Rocha (COO), Armando Rocha (CEO), Inês Rocha (Purchasing Manager)
Family Heritage
Rui Rocha, now 33 years old, has been with ARC for over ten years. The company was founded by his grandfather in 1971 and will celebrate its 55th anniversary next January. "It has always been a family business," Rui explained. "Today, my father serves as CEO and overseas production, my sister supports both fairs and production, and I focus on clients, sales, and international markets." As COO, Rui manages ARC's connections with customers, ensuring the company remains close to the markets it serves.
When asked to introduce ARC, Rui emphasised both its roots and its international reach. Although its main markets have traditionally been Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France, ARC has expanded across nearly all of Europe, including Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Croatia, Hungary, and the UK. "The only European country where we don't currently work is Italy, which already has a very strong domestic furniture industry," Rui noted. Beyond Europe, ARC has its sights set on the Middle East and the USA, where it exhibited for the first time at the High Point Market in April.
© ARC
Craftsmanship and innovation
In a crowded furniture industry, Rui believes ARC stands out through its craftsmanship and innovation. "Our speciality is in lacquer products and the know-how to create irregular, non-traditional shapes," he said. Unlike many competitors that rely on melamine, ARC is known for its high-quality lacquers and its ability to design ranges with 3D forms, round elements, and angled doors. "These are not easy to produce, but they give our collections a unique identity."
© ARC
M.O.W. Fair
ARC will once again be present at the M.O.W. Fair in Germany, an event it has attended several times since 2009. "We chose this fair because it attracts the type of clients we want to work with, mainly central buying groups," Rui explained. "While some fairs are more about making contacts, M.O.W. is one of the few where real business happens. Visitors come with the intention of buying."
At this year's exhibition, ARC will showcase four collections across a 140 m² booth. These include Aura, a completely new range being shown for the first time in Germany and Europe, which covers dining, living, TV, and bedroom sets. The EEVE collection, partly introduced last year, has now been expanded with dining and living room models. The Diamond collection, already known for its angled doors, will also be on display, alongside the Emotion range, which has sold in other markets but has never been shown live in Germany. "Visitors can expect designs with distinctive shapes, detailed finishes, and the quality ARC is known for," Rui summarised.
Looking ahead at what ARC hopes to achieve from M.O.W., Rui was clear: "Our goal is to secure more retail space in German stores and strengthen our position in the German-speaking markets. That's where this fair has the most impact."
© ARC
Challenges and adaptation
Of course, economic changes in recent years have not left the company untouched. "COVID and the war in Ukraine disrupted our main markets," Rui explained. "Consumers became more cautious, and interest rates didn't help either. Furniture is not a first-need product, so people have delayed purchases." ARC has responded by diversifying into tailor-made and project-based furniture, particularly for hotels and interior designers. "Around 70% of our business is still standard collections, but 30% is now bespoke furniture. It's medium-high in terms of price point, not ultra-luxury, but above the mid-range. This balance helps us adapt to changing consumer behaviour."
© ARC
Looking ahead
Finally, Rui reflected on ARC's ambitions for the next five years. "Our focus is on consolidating business in Europe while growing in new markets, especially the USA and the Middle East. North America is our best bet for the future. At the same time, we want to strengthen our tailor-made work with architects and interior designers, particularly in markets like the UK, Spain, and Portugal where bespoke design is more developed." For Rui, the vision is clear: to balance international expansion with a strong bespoke offering, ensuring ARC is resilient no matter how markets shift.
More information:
ARC
M.O.W. 2025
Hall 4, Stand 10
September 21-25, 2025, Messezentrum Bad Salzuflen
[email protected]
www.arc.pt
