STRUCTURE & WORK CONTEXT OF THE INDUSTRY

Economic Importance

Australia's Furnishing Industry contributes wealth of the Australian economy as follows: Employing over 90,000 people Supporting many thousands more in supply

and distribution sectors. Furnishing's core manufacturing sector

contributes around $10 billion annually. Around $3 billion in value added is

generated in the economy.

Industry Structure

The three main sectors of the Furnishing Industry are the: Residential Sector Commercial Sector Hospitality Sector.

The Residential Sector

The residential sector is the largest sector of the Furnishing Industry Accounts for approximately two thirds of

total production. The residential sector of the Furnishing

Industry includes: Domestic furniture Soft furnishings (eg; curtains, cushions and

carpets)

The Commercial Sector

Mainly produces office furniture Fittings and other furnishings for the

corporate sector.

Produces furniture and other furnishings for hotels, motels, resorts and restaurants.

The Hospitality Sector

Business & Employment Breakdown

In the Furnishing Industry, approximately 15,000 firms employ over 90,000 people.

More than 60,000 workers are engaged in core manufacturing

30,000 in other areas. Wooden furniture and upholstered

furniture is the largest sector of core manufacturing employing over 27,000 workers.

Skill Areas

The furnishing industry covers a broad range of skill areas and employment opportunities.

The main skill areas are listed below.

Cabinetmaking A cabinetmaker's main tasks in a modern

furniture factory are as follows:

Gluing and assembling pre-machined components into furniture

Cleaning up joints and surface preparation ready for polishing or finishing.

Skill Areas (Cont’d)

In some factories, particularly in smaller workshops that specialise in individual design and restoration and/or construction of traditional furniture, there still exists a need for cabinet makers who have the hand skills and knowledge necessary to produce pieces at the top end of the market.

Some of these skills include: Furniture design Estimation of quantities and costs Planning production and assembly procedures Knowledge of materials and hardware Skill in using hand, power and machine tools Sketching, drawing and setting out.

Furniture Polishing

Some of the tasks performed by a furniture polisher include:

final surface preparation applying stoppings, stains, sealers and

grain fillers applying finishing materials using

methods such as brushing, rolling, spraying and rubbing.

Upholstery

Typical tasks performed by an upholsterer could include: Measuring, marking, cutting and fixing foam and

other padding materials Measuring, cutting, sewing and securing fabrics

and leather Making and filling Making and inserting buttons Making and filling cushions Repairing frames and upholstery Restoring upholstery on antique furniture Calculating material quantities and costs Advising in the selection of fabrics.

Wood Machining

A wood machinist prepares the individual components of furniture pieces to the stage where they are ready for assembly.

This process could involve any of the following: Working from a cutting list to select and dress timber Reading and interpreting working drawings Cutting panels to size Accurately set up machines to perform the required operations Safely operate machines Cooperating with other trades people such as cabinet makers to

ensure that machined components are accurate and meet all specifications.

In modern furniture factories some tasks are performed by Computer Numerically Controlled machines which accurately reproduce the procedures that are programmed into their controllers.

Chair and Couch Making

Chair and couch making has become a specialised skill area in the furnishing industry. Chairs can be subject to enormous mechanical

stresses when people lean back on the back legs. This puts strain on the joints and the timber itself.

Chair makers and designers require a great deal of technical skill as well as artistic and design ability.

The chair and couch maker requires fine woodworking and upholstery skills to produce a range of chairs, settees and couches in a variety of styles including antique reproduction.

Chair and Couch Making

Some of those skill requirements are as follows: Reading and interpreting working drawings Producing a cutting list Understanding and applying standard seating

dimensions Making patterns for shaped components Constructing suitable joints and assembling

components Using machinery safely and accurately Using hand and power tools safely and accurately Applying appropriate upholstery techniques Selecting timber for colour, grain, quality and

matching.

Glass & Glazing

Glass is used in the furnishing industryfor: Glass panel doors on display cabinets Full glass doors, shelves and table tops Mirror backs for display cabinets and

other features. Tasks performed by a glazier in the furnishing

industry include: Measuring opening sizes and cutting glass and

mirror to fit Installing glass and mirror in furniture items

Performing edgework such as a smooth arris or round and polish.

Picture Framing

Pictures are framed to:

Enhance the picture and make it even more pleasing to the eye

Protect the picture from dust and grime and the effects of exposure to the atmosphere

Support the artwork in the proper position for viewing.

Picture Framing

The picture frame holds the artwork, mat boards, backing and glass in position.

Some of the skills required by a picture framer include:

Aesthetic appreciation of colours Attention to detail and accuracy Measuring, marking, cutting and assembly skills (frames,

mats and glass) Understanding the function of protective papers and boards Knowledge of the range of available materials Skills in using a range of hand tools and picture framing

machines.