Coricraft boosts South Africa's furniture sector with local production expansion, says LSF

SOUTH Africa's furniture sector has received a significant boost as leading retailer Coricraft expands local production of upholstered seating at its Epping facility in Cape Town, reducing reliance on imports and supporting more than 500 jobs.

- SIPHELELE DLUDLA

LSF CEO Irshaad Kathrada said the project demonstrates the multiplier effect of localisation.

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Backed by the Localisation Support Fund (LSF), the initiative has shifted tens of millions of rand worth of furniture production into the local economy.

Coricraft has already achieved nearly 10% growth in productivity and a 38% improvement in efficiency by adopting lean manufacturing practices, real-time monitoring, and new planning tools that allow it to respond more quickly to market demand.

According to Shani Naidoo, group director responsible for Coricraft and The Foschini Group (TFG) Home business, the initiative represents more than just operational improvements.

“By producing more locally at Coricraft, we are securing jobs, strengthening suppliers, and proving that South African manufacturing can compete at scale,’ she said.

An important part of the localisation strategy is that much of the raw material for the seating — including timber, board and foam — is sourced locally. This strengthens upstream industries, creates multiplier effects across the value chain, and embeds more jobs in South Africa's manufacturing ecosystem.

Industrial engineers from Dizani Consulting worked with Coricraft to implement time-and-motion studies, performance dashboards, and daily accountability routines.