Longevity in the furniture industry is rarely accidental. It is shaped by persistence, shared values and the ability to grow without losing direction. As MEBEL STIL celebrates its 30-year anniversary, the Bulgarian upholstered furniture manufacturer reflects a journey rooted in craftsmanship, ambition and a strong sense of togetherness.
Chavdar Targohov, Export Manager of MEBEL STIL, shares how the company began, how it evolved and why its people remain at the heart of everything it does.
A story that started at home
MEBEL STIL's origins are modest, yet deeply symbolic of the entrepreneurial spirit that still defines the company today. 'Looking back to the very roots of the company, it was founded 30 years ago by Mr Ilko Iliev and his brother Pavlin in the town of Targovishte, Bulgaria,' Chavdar says. 'They started with only two workers, and the living room of their apartment was the first cutting and sewing unit.'
Product development followed a natural progression driven by necessity and learning. 'The first products were mattresses, followed by upholstered kitchen corners, then some more sofas,' he explains. 'There was no complex strategy, just work, consistency and belief. And the rest is history.'
© MEBEL STIL Team behind MEBEL STIL during its 30th Anniversary
Company shaped by milestones
Over three decades, MEBEL STIL's growth has been marked by a series of important steps. 'There are lots of important milestones in such a long journey,' Chavdar notes. 'The company opened several furniture shops and changed production facilities a few times as it grew.'
Industrial development, however, marked a decisive shift. 'I would probably highlight the opening of the first modern factory in May 2008, the second one in October 2015 and the third in October 2017,' he says. 'The last one was specially honoured by the presence of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, which was a very emotional moment for all of us.'
International expansion soon followed. '2011 marked the company's first participation in an international trade fair, and 2014 our first participation at IMM Cologne,' Chavdar adds. 'Those steps opened the door to the markets we work in today.'
© MEBEL STIL Personal message from Ilko Iliev, CEO and Head Manager of MEBEL STIL, to his employees
Growth built on trust and ambition
Chavdar joined MEBEL STIL in August 2011, when the company employed just 120 people. 'Through my own experience, I have witnessed how the company grew, climbed over walls, jumped over obstacles and established itself as a loyal and reliable partner,' he says.
Today, the scale is significantly different. 'We are more than 600 people, operating in 25 markets across five continents and producing around 350 sofas daily,' Chavdar explains. 'We specialise in upholstered furniture, primarily corner sofas, with more than 80 percent of models featuring both sleeping and storage options.'
Despite this growth, ambition remains unchanged. 'We always look for new challenges and new opportunities,' he says. 'We are not afraid to find the wings to fly into the unknown.'
© MEBEL STIL
Chavdar Targohov, Export Manager, with the first MEBEL STIL factory in Bulgaria
A culture that holds people together
For Chavdar, the 30-year anniversary is deeply personal. 'We received a metal plaque that read, "30 years we walked together. We fell, we rose, we flew, we burned, we cried… but we stayed together",' he shares.
He believes this spirit is built intentionally. 'This atmosphere can hardly be achieved by chance,' Chavdar concludes. 'It is the result of day-by-day efforts, not only to create "Furniture with emotions", but to build a place where people genuinely want to come to work every day. There are not many companies where you can honestly think, "I want to retire here", but this is one.'
More information:
MEBEL STIL Ltd
Industrial zone 7700,
Targovishte
[email protected]
www.mebelstil.eu
+359 887 580 722
Bulgaria
