Importer hits the big time

2 December 2009

Furniture and artefacts specialist LS Comms Sourcing is to showcase new ranges at the forthcoming Decoration + Design trade fair, amid a period of dramatic growth, as LS Comms partner Alan McNeish confirmed.

"We have, since the start of this year, gone from importing three containers a month to between 15 and 18 a month, and experienced triple digit percentage growth. Our hotel fit-out work in Dubai has slowed, but we are now importing directly into Phuket from Indonesia, supplying the project building market, and are rebranding a local operator to our retail brand Open House. A three storey retail outlet in Jakarta is under renovation and due to open [within weeks] also under our Open House brand, in association with local partners."

The company - which also operates an outdoor synthetic and aluminium furniture factory in Indonesia - hoped to open a warehouse in Melbourne within 12 months, adding to its facilities on the Sunshine Coast.

LS Comms presence at D+D, co-located with the Australian International Furniture Fair (AIFF) at the Sydney Exhibition Centre from 3-5 February 2010, was part of its mid-term growth strategy.

"We anticipate the Sydney fair will continue our phenomenal growth, and within two years we hope to be dominating the Australian wholesale industry, supplying small retailers."

Appeal for donations
In a separate development, McNeish is appealing for donations to assist with the care of a baby boy abandoned next to the company's showroom in Jogjakarta, Indonesia, late last month.

In a circular letter forwarded to Furniture Fair Online, McNeish said there was no social support system in Indonesia, adding it was possible the infant - four days old at the time he was found - had been abandoned due to its family's financial troubles.

"Jogjakarta has a lower minimum wage than other areas in Indonesia. Food and new clothes and doctors' bills could cost over two million Rupea (A$230) per month, and if a nanny is needed then that's another one million per month (A$115). The average wage here in Jogjakarta for a furniture worker is 800,000 Rupea per month (A$90) and many are on less than that."

"We already provide a house for four children, including live-in nannies, schooling, food and so on. However it's a small house and there's not enough room for another baby and nanny. The little boy is in a good hospital now getting checked out and we are taking another small two bedroom house and employing a nanny full time, as well as paying for medical and everything else of course."

"We estimate the [new] house and nanny etc will cost about $400 per month. Anything you can give is greatly appreciated, no matter how small you may think the amount. Collectively, it will make a big difference to the baby's future."

For more information about donating, contact LS Comms admin manager Rhys on accounts@lscommssourcing.com.au

 

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