Upcoming Activities
2025 SME Accelerator applications open
The SME Accelerator supports small to medium-sized businesses in eThekwini’s furniture manufacturing industry by ensuring their offering aligns with big customers’ needs. The Accelerator helps SMEs to refine their value propositions, identifies key growth areas, and provides tools and training for strategic improvements while offering exposure to potential large customers.
31 March 2025
Presentation of the Furniture Industry Masterplan Update with Tsholofelo Motaung of the dtic
An exclusive online webinar, where Ms. Tsholofelo Motaung from the Department of Trade, Industry & Competition’s (the dtic) Industrial Development Division will present a comprehensive update on the Furniture Industry Masterplan, offering key insights and industry developments.
15 April 2025
Critical Design and Innovation Principles and Tools Skills Development Training
2-day workshop, ideal for team leaders and supervisors who are ready to advance their expertise in furniture design and innovation.
13-14 May 2025
SME Accelerator Capacity Building workshop
All-day capacity building workshop for shortlisted SME Accelerator applicants to align their value proposition with customer needs and develop compelling business pitches, in anticipation of presenting to leading retailers in the Dragons’ Den.
1 July 2025
SME Accelerator Dragons’ Den
A high-profile event, where shortlisted, high potential SMEs will have the opportunity to pitch their offering to leading retailers and manufacturers in the furniture sector to unlock commercial opportunities.
23 July 2025
Lean, 6S and Problem-Solving Skills Development Training
1-day workshop covering the basic principles of Lean Manufacturing and 6S principles. This workshop is ideal for team leaders and supervisors from furniture firms who are ready to take their skills to the next level.
12 August 2025
EFC Annual General Meeting
Yearly gathering of cluster members, Executive Committee, furniture and other industrial sector stakeholders to discuss the cluster’s activities and performance, future plans, address stakeholder concerns and provide a networking platform.
10 September 2025
Technical Skills Development Training
More details to be confirmed.