Factors influencing choice of products made by small scale furniture workshops in Kampala

Abstract

The production of inferior quality products by most of the small-scale furniture workshops around Kampala has given them a less competitive advantage in the furniture industry as imported products are preferred. In this study, the most used timber species used to make wood products, factors influencing choice of products made and production challenges faced by small-scale furniture workshops were assessed. Data were collected from the four divisions of Kampala that is Rubaga, Nakawa, Makindye and Kawempe using questionnaires. Kampala district was chosen because it has a high concentration of small scale furniture workshops. Descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequencies were used to analyze the data. From the study, 29 species were found to be used by small scale furniture workshops with Pinus sp as the most used with a usage percentage of (33%) followed by Eucalyptus spp (30%) and Tectona grandis (28%). Demand, durability and timber species are the most influential factors affecting the choice of products made and high operation costs was the top production challenge. This study concludes that Pinus sp, Eucalyptus spp, Tectona grandis, Albizia coriaria, Cupressus lusitanica and chrysophyllum albidum are the most used species respectively. The study strongly recommends that training of carpenters in furniture design and finishing should be a top priority to the local authorities so as to enable the local furniture industry to develop.