Page 22 - Designing Ways 288

TRADE WINDS

Stienie Greyling from Designing Ways magazine interviewed

Conrad Burger, CEO, XFURNITURE

Q: Tell me about yourself, your putting yourself in their shoes you can instead of being all things to all people we
qualifications and what you did before understand how to solve their problem made sure to target a group we believed
you decided to launch your own better, rather than trying to sell your would benefit from our targeted service,
company. Conrad Burger Managing product. and for the first two years we specifically
Director: targeted these designers.
A: I studied architecture and have Q: How different does your business
been involved in multiple businesses, look now versus when you just started Q: How would you describe the
from selling golf clothing, owning a it? company’s culture?
promotional printing company and A: I was a one man band and now have A: We believe in getting work done,
working for an office furniture company an incredible team of 11 around me to and not having excuses. We have a LED
prior to starting X Furniture help fulfil our customers' needs. We have sign in our office that states “Get Sh#t
just opened our new 650sqm showroom done!” We believe in this motto as this is
Q: What motivated you to choose to in Kramerville, with various settings for what is important to our clients.
start a company in this industry? clients to view their potential solutions,
A: I have a big passion for design and and the first scale 1:1 room in Africa Q:What are the company’s core values?
execution of the client and designers' where you can walk through your space A: Honesty, and trying to put our
design intent, and seeing their vision virtually prior to purchasing anything. customers first so they are happy to come
come to life. More importantly, it is back and use us again.
finding the correct solution to the clients Q: How do you set your business apart
way of working. We sell office furniture, from others in your industry? Q: Where do you see your company in
but to find the correct application and A: We assist clients with their holistic five or ten years?
items to facilitate the end users' way solution, and we have the ability to A: We want to be one of Africa leading
of working, while fitting in with their manufacture and source bespoke items, office furniture suppliers.
budget and the designers' design intent, and build a quote to sign-off model,
is truly fulfilling. where the client doesn’t have to stress Q: What have been some of your biggest
about the logistics and finer details. From learning experiences in running a
Q: How or when did you decide to get quote to sign-off we take care of it all. business?
involved into the furniture industry? A: Cash flow is the key to any
A: I worked for an office furniture Q: Can you tell Designing Ways readers successful business, and ensuring your
company from 2011 and in 2018 decided a bit more about your products, what clients are happy and paying is key.
to start X Furniture, seeing an opportunity makes them exceptional and more.
to specifically target designers and assist A: We offer a wide solution of products Q: What is the company’s goal?
them with their required solutions. from the one desk on the more cost A: Become one of Africa’s biggest
We have since expanded this to locally effective side of the scale, to 50mm nine- office furniture suppliers .
manufactured and imported solutions layer veneered height adjustable desks
to meet timelines, budget and end user with built in wireless charging, finger Q: Do you have any idea what the future
requirements. print drawer locks. Regardless of the trends in the furniture industry would
client's requirements or budget, we have be in the near future?
Q: What advice would you give to a solution for any office requirement. A: Currently a big trend is focus spaces
someone that is considering or just for both meetings and individual work,
starting their business? Q: How did you market your business as most staff members are sitting in plan
A: Understand your customer base when it was brand new? areas, so having functional and often
and their perceived problems. By A: Focus was critically important, so mobile focus spaces such as meetings

22 Issue 288 • dw