Even while the COVID-19 pandemic decimated an unprecedented number of businesses around the world, “The Table Company”, took the opportunity to work with Thaweephan Furniture Company to expand its production and further develop the potential of their 60 skilled craftsmen. Under the leadership of Thitinut Phillips (Khun NuLek), a high-energy entrepreneur, Thaweephan began an internal rebuilding process to transfer knowledge and skill from one generation to the next.
From Past to Present
Since 1955, Thaweephan Furniture has been well-known in Chiang Mai, and throughout Thailand, as a specialist in fine woodworking. Their craftsmen are skillful and experienced, many have worked at Thaweephan for nearly 20 years.
It was during the pandemic that Khun NuLek came up with an idea of transferring knowledge from one generation to the next. She started a work plan by dividing the factory into several smaller groups, not more than five in each, and encouraged everyone to work closely with one another. The older generation of craftsmen mentored the younger ones, so it was easy to spot individual strengths and weaknesses. The older craftsmen became teachers and mentors, and they were open to questions. Khun NuLek and her management team supported the entire process, which has now been in effect for nearly 2 years. In addition to providing Leadership, part of her job is also to provide the workers with the gift of knowledge, a secure and growing income, and support for their families. “We see our workers as members of our family, and always ask the question “Is your life better with us in it?”
“We’re Back and We’re Better”
The Table Company and Thaweephan Furniture focus on products that are designed and built to the highest quality international standards, the company currently sells most of its tables in the United States. Their US customer is older and is experienced with fine furniture, and they expect the best. Craftsmanship must be meticulous, no use of fillers, solid hardwood without veneer, no MDF, only solid Thai Teak and US Oak - as well as Cham-Cha (Acacia) and Rosewood. They harvest the highest quality Golden Teak from the best parts of Thailand, import glue and finishing products from the US and Japan, and work to ensure that each finished piece is a fine product with a long service life.
“Every piece of work from our factory, whether it is a table, bed, or cabinet, is a genuine handmade article. We are using traditional woodworking techniques, our machinery is all hand operated, not computer machinery.”
Most of The Table Company’s customers have been overseas, they use an e-Commerce website to find their US customers. Nearly 50% of their work are special orders, not from their catalogue, and they keep their customers notified about the product status at every step with photos and texts. “We are structured to meet all the needs of our customers, from design to wood selection, from table legs to stain and finish. Custom furniture customers and their designers can be very demanding, and detail orientated.” It can be said that every piece they build is with an individual customer in their thoughts.
Starting with hand sketch and moving to AutoCAD and Shop Drawings, all graphic work is developed internally, and delivered to their customers. This allows the client to know what they are getting, they feel confident and happy, then share their experience with others. Word of mouth and social media are their primary marketing tools.
As Thailand begins to recover from the pandemic, The Table Company and Thaweephan have begun working on more domestic orders. Their client base includes four and five-star resorts, custom furniture for private homes and villas, and condominiums in the larger Thai cities and resort areas. The companies specialize in working with high quality and demanding designers and architects.
Quality is the Best
“Quality is the most important thing, not only for our work, but also for the lives of the people we are taking care of, which surely affects our society, in general”. NuLek’s determination and dream are not only to create a successful business, but to develop a management system that is sustainable, and that empowers her workers so everything can continue smoothly, even when the unexpected occurs.
The Table Company BY ThaweepHan Furniture
For on-site factory visit, please contact:
Tel: +66 53 863 072
Mobile: 669 5682 4981
Facebook: facebook.com/TTCTWP
www.thetablecompany.co.th
December 2022.
