Bet you were wondering when I would take on the challenge of writing about furniture. And frankly, furniture in its many guises, is the life-blood of the retail business in Bali, particularly, in terms of ‘filling up a container’ for export.
There are hundreds of factories, warehouses, stores, all crying out for customers, everywhere one turns, your eyes alight on yet another synthetic rattan chair, sofa, or a mound of teak.
So, a good start would be to cover what was then, a small artisan company that commenced business back in 2002, and which is now, a sizable furniture manufacturer that retails & exports, to many parts of the world. In just eight years they have made the transition, what is their secret that has set them apart from other furniture operators?
FASTCO INTERIORS, Owned & managed by a dynamic young couple!
Ciptari and Ronny head up this impressive enterprise located on the By Pass Ngurah Rai, Sanur. This is their original site of showroom & office established in 2002, in only two years, they opened their second space across the road. By 2006 the couple had opened their Bali factory in Kerobokan, with 40 staff, they have been working at the speed of lightening, and enjoy it!
Both Ciptari and Ronny have done exceedingly well, not only do they own the land of their three properties in Bali, but own a factory/ warehouse and land in East Java too, which is where the delightful couple hail from.
With a background in civil engineering, work got in the way, and both have yet to complete their degree, but they will in time, as they realize how important knowledge is in the fast moving world of building, along with commercial interiors.
At this time, their challenge is in growing the business, they are completely focused on their work – in fact, they themselves admit that they are both workaholics! Ciptari looks after the administration of the business (she taught herself to use a computer, she designs/sketches like a graphic designer, and a whizz at math)while her husband Ronny, runs the production & operational side, ensuring that quality control is of the highest order.
They are most transparent about their success, saying they opened their business in a small way and it just grew, it evolved but they obviously did ‘something right’? Very simply, customers like them, they are solid and hard working, honest and trustworthy, they listen to their customers and what they want, they create, they are innovative and their motto is to work smart, offering unlimited & continuous creativity in what they do and how they do it. And most of all, they enjoy working their own business along with their loyal staff. They have defined their success - they have, spirit and offer a positive energy.
So, what is the product that they offer to their customer? They started out initially in teak and other wood products, banana and water hyacinth however, there were issues in getting some of this product into certain countries re quarantine issues. Over past years, they have phased out much of the latter and apart from teak, have introduced synthetic rattan. Now I know there is rattan on every corner, and there is rattan and rattan, and much is not of good quality, but this clever duo have signed up in purchasing a synthetic rattan from Java which is licensed from Germany, a rattan that is environmentally friendly all-weather wicker ‘that loves the great outdoors’ and comes in many desirable shades, and styles, & that can be made to your order.
I believe this is one of their secrets, an innate ability, in picking up styles of the latest furniture lines from around the world, they can create, all you need to do is bring them your idea or a picture to your meeting and in any number of days, viola! your own exclusive product.
Not only furniture but they have continued on the development side of handmade lamps and interior decoration. Their work can be viewed around Bali from, private villas, villa complexes to grand hotels with seemingly continuous repeat business, which of course is the best advertisement. And export to countries as diverse as Japan, Germany, Turkey and Australia.
After some discussion revolving around their furniture business, I asked if they were involved in other areas, it took no guessing to find that yes, they were, with thousands of Ara devoted to sugar, rice and tree plantations in east Java, of course with the unfailing support of both families.
Ciptari and Ronny are devoted parents to three lively children and would have to congratulate them on their success, a truly entrepreneurial couple who have earned their reputation & with a work ethic that would be hard to match anywhere in the West!
FASTCO INTERIORS – Jl Ngurah Rai By Pass No 538, Sanur T: (0361) 281 046 or 7921777 Ciptari – Hp: 0812 466 9899 E: fastcointerior.com
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