50 | MANUFACTURING Otago Furniture Co Handcrafting beautiful furniture since 1868 Otago Furniture is now in the early stages of establishing its own retail presence beyond its online offering. T T Richard Loader Iconic Dunedin family owned and operated business Otago Furniture has been handcrafting beautiful furniture since 1868, when Francis Butterfield first opened his factory in George Street. Creating a legacy just as much as furniture, Francis would be proud that the business he founded 155 years ago continues to be in the caring hands of his descendants, with fifth generation family member Juliet Dow managing the furniture company and her daughter in an administrative role. Antiques of today and into the future, the pieces crafted by Otago Furniture adorn homes throughout New Zealand, as well as hotels, restaurants and rest homes, and are stocked by high-end furniture retailers. Commercial customers make up the core of who Otago Furniture sells to and for a number of years the company has been the leading supplier of furniture to Ryman Healthcare, one of New Zealand’s largest rest home operators. Guy Ramshaw is Otago Furniture’s Commercial and Sales Manager. Passionate about the business and the industry, he is in his 16th year working in the industry, having previously worked in the United Kingdom for other highend manufacturers. He says part of the company’s success can be attributed to the manufacturing team’s work ethic, craftsmanship and experience. “The family also looks after its workforce, recognising its craftsmanship. In return, the workforce looks after the business. I work closely with the craftsmen and they will not let a piece go out the door unless it is perfect. They look to get the work done, but above anything else it’s about quality. That has been the mindset over the company’s 155-year journey.” In total 22 staff are employed by Otago Furniture, most of whom are involved in the manufacturing process, and include skilled cabinet makers, upholsterers, some having recently passed their apprenticeship with the company. Qualified and skilled upholsterers are very rare and highly sought after. “One of our craftsmen furniture makers has been working for Otago Furniture for over fifty years, and one retired earlier this year who had also clocked up fifty years. We have close to 350 cumulative years of craftsmanship at Otago Furniture. Our craftsmen have been brought up with the trade, they know nothing but quality and we only use quality materials so that we can put a ten-year guarantee on our frames. That’s the high standard we adhere to. As much as our machine shop is very high-tech, when you get to cabinet making and upholstery it still takes a very traditional form using simple techniques of stretching, cutting, fitting, gluing and hammering to make it true.” From its Dunedin factory, the team at Otago Furniture design and manufacture both hard furnishings including tables; bookcases; hall units and other cabinets, and soft furnishings like dining chairs; sofas and ottomans. “We have a standard range of furniture that can be found on our website that can be purchased directly from us,” says Guy. “If a customer wants a bespoke design, or an existing design tailored to suit their needs we can do that. The beauty of working with us is that clients can choose the stain of the woodwork, the fabric that goes on the chair, we can adapt the frame and make the foam harder or softer.” Looking to the future, Otago Furniture is now in the early stages of establishing its own retail presence beyond its online offering. “We have space in our existing premises where people can look and touch the materials to see what works best for them, but we have future plans to expand the scope of that into a retail showroom, and broaden the customer experience.” 03 455 5206 South Canterbury | Otago | Central Otago | Southland Pleased to be supporting Otago Furniture Co Ltd Our Dunedin based company is large enough to provide all your packaging supplies, yet small enough to care. www.otagopackaging.co.nz | 301 Hillside Road, South Dunedin P 03 477 2182 E sales@metalon.co.nz W metalon.co.nz The trusted name in commercial furniture Please feel free to visit our showroom and browse our wide range of products at 97 Harrow Street, Dunedin. PROUD SUPPLIERS TO OTAGO FURNITURE CO LTD Chairs & Seating Storage & Accessories Desks & Tables Medical & Trolleys Mirotone NZ Ltd are pleased to be the preferred coatings supplier to Otago Furniture Co Ltd and support their excellent range of locally manufactured NZ furniture
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