Ancona Group is a modern furniture factory located in the eastern part of Croatia, in the town of Đakovo. It has its factory, on 10.000 sqm of the internal workspace of offices, production, and installation, 5.000 sqm of warehouse and external space of 15.000 sqm. Ancona Grupa consists of three brands: Ancona, Modul and Nunc, and each one of these brands produces and operates in a different market segment. Ancona targets the Hospitality market and manufactures custom-made furniture.
On the other hand, Modul has focused on the serial production of upholstered furniture, while Nunc line of products is created by talented furniture designers, so we can say it is a brand with a signature. Their technology is very sophisticated and carefully selected to manufacture a high-quality range of products, from simple furniture items to complex and, by quality and design, very demanding ones. Most of the 220 employees are young people with enthusiasm, knowledge, and persistence, making the products and company different from competitors; always willing and ready to hear, feel and respect customers’ demands and desires.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
ANCONA GROUP: We do business in three different market niches. First is custom-made furniture to customers’ desires for hotels, student dorms, care lines, offices, restaurants and more, or by a designed project. Next, we have a serial production of upholstered furniture, and the last niche is designer pieces.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
ANCONA GROUP: Ancona Group is developing two new lines of products, internal doors and kitchens. Modul created its new collection last year, and you can see it on our website or by visiting our showroom. Nunc has a few new products that will be present at the following furniture trade shows in Milano, Stockholm, Cologne, Zagreb, Belgrade and many more.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
ANCONA GROUP: The range of products differs from brand to brand. It goes from a single piece for a hotel, then we have kitchens, doors, upholstered beds, sofas, chairs, tables, wardrobes, bedside tables, and last, is our designer furniture where each piece is unique.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
ANCONA GROUP: The global furniture market records a constant growth rate, and predictions are that it will continue to grow at similar levels. Increasing urbanization and growing residential development projects worldwide will continue to drive industry growth. The furniture manufacturing market is divided in four categories material, application, distribution channel and geographic area. The furniture production market is composed according to key factors. Right now, the conclusion is that the market is saturated. And as for the luxury furniture market, it grows each year, and now it reaches around 30 billion US dollars. A saturated market with many competitors makes you step up your game, so you have to be much more innovative and have a well-organized team to play the game.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
ANCONA GROUP: Cozy, peaceful, from natural materials, and with simple lines, these were the trends in 2022., and are sure to continue in 2023. More and more customers are looking to find elegance and simplicity with a note of prestige in sustainable materials because sustainability is a societal goal. Therefore, everything natural and in cohesion with nature is IN.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
ANCONA GROUP: Nunc products, such as the Ala table, where the top board of the table is fully adjustable, you can move it and create additional space you need to, let’s say, separate it into two tables or add room for table decorations or something else of your choosing. Or Sfumato, a modern yet elegant modular system with several functions. It can be used as a regular bookshelf with the addition of a storage room or as a room divider.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
ANCONA GROUP: We plan to expand on other markets, have an increase in our income, develop new and improved products, expose at big trade shows and complete the construction of our two new production facilities.