Fimma Brasil and Movelsul Brasil, held jointly from August 28 to 31 at Parque de Eventos in Bento Gonçalves (RS), fulfilled their promise to boost the furniture industry. With 500 exhibiting brands on 58,000 square meters, the fairs welcomed 30,835 visitors from all Brazilian states and 46 countries, with an estimated R$ 2 billion in business. This figure takes into account both the transactions carried out during the event (at the exhibitors’ booths and at the national and international business meetings) and those that have been lined up to take place over the next 12 months.
The president of the Furniture Industry Association of Bento Gonçalves (Sindmóveis), Gisele Dalla Costa, comments that the presence of international buyers and the diversity of products were the highlights of Movelsul Brasil 2023 – Latin America’s main furniture fair for shopkeepers, wholesalers and importers. “Those who visited the fair were certainly surprised by the diversity of brands and products on display, from traditional furniture and lighting fixtures to furniture with technological solutions, mattresses and decor,” she says. “Another highlight of this edition was the presence of importers from target countries for the furniture industry, broadening the opportunities for companies from different segments,” adds the president of the organization that has held Movelsul Brasil since 1977.
Held since 1993 by the Furniture Industry Association of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Movergs), Fimma Brasil was founded with the goal of fostering innovation in the furniture industry. To this end, it has exhibitors who are suppliers to the sector – including machinery, raw materials, accessories, tools, and technology. “Fimma is the result of a collaborative effort for the benefit of the national furniture sector. It is extremely gratifying to reach the end of yet another edition with the confidence of Brazilian and foreign exhibitors and the satisfaction of visitors. This credibility places the fair on a par with international events, bringing together the best in high-tech furniture production,” says the president of the organization, Euclides Longhi.
The integration between the fairs became even more evident in this second edition of their joint events. Fimma highlighted innovation as a competitive advantage for the furniture and woodworking industries. To this end, it brought together nine startups and technology companies in the Innovation Ecosystem – an area dedicated to solutions and content on the subject. Movelsul emphasized the importance of design as a source of inspiration and learning not only for professionals and students but also for companies. Throughout the four-day event, it was possible to visit the exhibition of the products included in the 25th edition of the Salão Design Award. The area also featured free talks on topics such as carpentry, design, architecture and creativity.
ACTIONS DESIGNED TO GENERATE BUSINESS
In addition to the presence of international buyers invited by the fair, Movelsul featured the Brazilian Furniture Buyer’s Project – an initiative of the Brazilian Furniture Industry Association (Abimóvel) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), which brought 19 importers to negotiate directly with more than 60 companies. Similarly, the Sebrae/RS business roundtables promoted 100 meetings between 10 national retailers and 16 micro and small companies that were looking for new partnerships.
At Fimma, the International Business Meetings were held by Orchestra Brasil – a Sindmóveis project supported by ApexBrasil, which promotes the internationalization of suppliers in the furniture industry. Nineteen importers from eight countries negotiated with 53 Brazilian companies.
TESTIMONIALS FROM THOSE WHO HAVE ATTENDED THE FAIRS
“It’s the second time I’ve been to Fimma and there’s always a lot of innovation, a lot of machinery, and we’re always amazed by all of it. It’s far away, but we make the effort to attend. It’s a tremendous pleasure to take part in it and this time I brought my wife, who had never been to the fair, and also my colleagues. At Fimma I can buy new machinery and have physical contact with manufacturers. And this is where I can plan and transform our factory. It was after we first came to Fimma, in 2019, that we made changes to our factory: it all started with a visit here at Fimma.”
Vilson Glória, from Vithall Móveis, in Tocantins (Fimma visitor)
“The business meetings were very interesting, quite well organized and we met suppliers who complement our product portfolio in Peru. We really appreciate all the attention we’ve received here and it’s good to continue doing business with Brazil.”
Karim Quiñones, from Sawa Soluciones in Peru, took part in Orchestra Brasil International Business Meetings at Fimma
“Representatives from our store have been to Movelsul several times, but this is my first time. We met several people who are already our customers and representatives. It’s good to strengthen relationships and find exclusive innovations at the fair. We came with the intention of finding new partners and I think we did very well in this regard since we found some great opportunities.”
Ronaldo Kunzler, marketing analyst at Viana Móveis e Eletro – a store in Catanduvas (SC)
ABOUT FIMMA BRASIL
One of the largest trade fairs in the woodworking industry worldwide, the International Fair for the Woodworking Industry Suppliers (Fimma Brasil) has been held since 1993 by the Furniture Industry Association of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Movergs), totaling 16 editions aimed at supporting the development of the sector. To this end, it anticipates trends and exhibits the most advanced technology and innovation. It brings together exhibitors of cutting-edge technologies, inputs, raw materials, machinery, services and equipment.
ABOUT MOVELSUL BRASIL
The leading furniture fair in Latin America in terms of exhibition area, number of exhibitors and professional visitors, Movelsul Brasil focuses on large furniture retailers – bringing together furniture companies (especially mass-produced and modular furniture), decoration items, mattresses, upholstered furniture, custom-designed furniture and corporate furniture. With 23 editions held by Sindmóveis since 1977, it is a benchmark for shopkeepers, retail chains, corporate buyers, investors, architects, designers and importers.
ABOUT MOVERGS
The Furniture Industry Association of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Movergs) is the organization that represents the furniture sector companies in Rio Grande do Sul. It has been working for 35 years to strengthen and create opportunities for the production chain. Committed to advocating for the interests of its members, the organization works to increase its representativeness in the national political and economic context.
ABOUT SINDMÓVEIS
The Furniture Industry Association of Bento Gonçalves was set up in 1977 to represent the furniture cluster in the municipalities of Bento, Monte Belo do Sul, Pinto Bandeira and Santa Tereza. The organization strives to connect the ends of the chain so that the entire sector can develop consistently and offer added value. This work is not limited to Serra, as projects such as the Movelsul Brasil fair, the Salão Design Award and Orchestra Brasil (an export promotion project for furniture chain suppliers, supported by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency – ApexBrasil) make Sindmóveis relevant nationally and internationally.
ABOUT THE SALÃO DESIGN AWARD
The Salão Design Award is Brazil’s leading and most prestigious furniture design award. The initiative was created by Sindmóveis in 1988 as a catalyst for innovation and a competitive tool for the furniture industry. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain visibility, recognition in the market and opportunities for partnerships.
More than just a showcase for trends and talent, the award plays a role in shaping the identity of Brazilian and Latin American design. In its 35-year history, it has received more than 16,000 entries from participants in 37 countries. In 2023, the award is sponsored by Berneck and Interprint, in addition to Akeo, Blum, Dalmóbile and Zen.
ABOUT ORCHESTRA BRASIL
Organized by the Furniture Industry Association of Bento Gonçalves (Sindmóveis) with the support of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), Orchestra Brasil carries out market research, trade and prospective missions and Buyer’s Projects. It also provides opportunities for participation in the main world trade fairs in the sector, according to the profile and interests of the member companies.
Currently, more than 60 Brazilian companies that supply inputs, components, accessories, chemicals, machinery, tools and software to the furniture industry take part in Orchestra Brasil. In 2022, they traded around 120 types of products with almost 80 countries.
ABOUT APEXBRASIL
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve its objectives, ApexBrasil carries out a variety of trade promotion initiatives aimed at boosting exports and enhancing the value of Brazilian products and services abroad. These actions include prospective and trade missions, business meetings, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international trade fairs, visits by foreign buyers and opinion formers to get to know the Brazilian production structure, among other business platforms aimed at strengthening the Brazil brand.
ABOUT ABIMÓVEL
An initiative of Abimóvel and ApexBrasil, the Brazilian Furniture project aims to boost the participation of the Brazilian furniture industry in the global market through strategic actions geared towards exports. These initiatives include the Buyer’s Project, which holds business meetings to connect Brazilian manufacturers with international buyers. In 2023, Movelsul’s International Business Meetings were held by the Brazilian Furniture project, allowing participating companies to have contact with importers from the sector’s target countries in pre-scheduled meetings.
ABOUT SEBRAE
The Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE) is a private entity that promotes the competitiveness and sustainable development of micro and small enterprises – those with annual gross sales of up to R$4.8 million.
For over 40 years, Sebrae has focused on strengthening entrepreneurship and accelerating the formalization process of the economy through partnerships with the public and private sectors. It also offers training programs, access to credit and innovation, incentives for associations, trade fairs and business meetings.
SPONSORS
Fimma Brasil: Banrisul and Prefeitura Municipal de Bento Gonçalves
Fimma Brasil 2023 Innovation Ecosystem: Badesul and Prefeitura Municipal de Bento Gonçalves
Movelsul Brasil: Banrisul, BRDE, Sayerlack, Sebrae and Prefeitura Municipal de Bento Gonçalves
Salão Design Award 2023: Akeo, Berneck, Blum, Dalmóbile, Interprint and Zen
