Trend/theme of the year: ‘Working smarter’ will be a theme for 2025 and one that will manifest itself in many ways. Across the home, we expect the demand for connected homes and technologies to continue to rise as more and more consumers understand IOT’s (the Internet of Things) opportunities (and risks).
For furniture and joinery manufacturing, this will see greater integration of smart lighting, such as Hafele’s Loox Lighting range and appliances into designs. But working smarter also means working more efficiently. With a shortage of skills in the industry, we’re expecting more manufacturers to use the services available from manufacturers, such as design services and customisation support, to streamline their operations and increase their efficiency.
Challenge/opportunity of the year: Bouncing back from challenging economic circumstances will be both a challenge and an opportunity in 2025. The past 12 months have seen a downturn in work for many manufacturers, and businesses have had to cut their cloth accordingly. However, the tide will turn in 2025, so manufacturers must be ready for when the opportunity strikes. Choosing suppliers with a strong inventory and logistics network will be key for manufacturers to respond quickly and quickly.
