Poland's furniture industry is facing a deepening crisis, with factory closures, rising debt and tens of thousands of job losses signalling mounting pressure across the sector.
The latest blow comes from Steinpol, which will shut its upholstered furniture plant in Wołów by the end of April, cutting 110 jobs. The closure adds to a broader downturn that has already seen around 20,000 jobs disappear over the past two years, while roughly 1,000 companies have exited the market.
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Industry leaders warn that weak consumer demand, particularly across Europe, is at the heart of the slowdown, as households delay non-essential purchases such as furniture. At the same time, manufacturers are grappling with rising labour, energy and raw material costs, alongside intensifying competition from lower-cost producers in Asia and Eastern Europe.
Financial strain is also growing, with sector debt climbing sharply and profitability falling to around 4.5%. With production volumes at five-year lows and uncertainty heightened by geopolitical tensions, industry experts warn that further layoffs and bankruptcies are likely unless conditions improve.
Source: www.money.pl
