ACN – Association of Czech Furniture Manufacturers

(Asociace Ceskych Nabytkaru)

The Association of Czech Furniture Manufacturers was established in 1995 and takes up the tradition of joiner's societies. Today, it is the most important branch association in the Czech Republic.

We are a registered non-profit making organization with the aim of supporting and representing common interests of Czech natural and legal entities engaged in furniture development. production and business at the national and internationallevel and supporting the whole cabinet making branch in the Czech Republic.

No special membership conditions exist that would exceed the general conditions of similar organizations. Most of our members are production companies in the field of furniture or furniture components, Special schools form a significant membership base. The number of all members, either regular or extraordinary, exceeds one hundred thirty and covers over 35% of overall furniture production in the Czech Republic.

The supreme body of the ACN is the general meeting, which elects the president, board and revision commission. The secretary is appointed and dismissed by the board. The president of the AČN is Mr. Martin Cudka and the Executive Director is Mr. Tomas Lukes; the board consists of representatives from production companies and a university representative. The board meets several times a year and the general meeting is summoned usually once a year.

Our main activities include industrial lobbying (protection of common interests of entities engaged in the field of furniture production, sale and design) and the provision of services leading to furniture production sector support. We also present Czech furniture, publish statistical data, organize workshops, engage in collective bargaining, organize various support events for furniture produced in the Czech Republic. We participate in projects focused on furniture production.

The ACN is a member of UEA (Union Europeénne L'Ameublement) seated in Brussels and unifying the national associa­tions of European countries. This provides us with the opportunity to gain information on the European and world situation in the furniture production area. At the same time, we are able to effectively promote the interests of the Czech furniture industry at the European level.