The German furniture industry is urging the government to introduce stronger measures to revive housing construction. Although the number of housing permits has been increasing since the beginning of the year, the number of completed buildings continues to decline, said Leo Lübke, President of the Association of the German Furniture Industry (VDM), at a joint general meeting of VDM and the Associations of the German Upholstered and Home Furniture Industry in Frankfurt, according to the Verband der Deutschen Möbelindustrie (VDM). Current forecasts indicate that the downward trend in housing completions will not reverse until 2027.
Lübke stated that faster and simpler approval procedures alone are insufficient to increase housing output. He called for more attractive and consolidated subsidy programs, along with temporary reductions in real estate transfer tax, additional special depreciation options for new construction, and subordinated loans for private homeowners. The decline in housing construction, combined with weak consumer demand and U.S. customs policy, remains one of the main challenges for the German furniture sector, Lübke said.
EU institutions reached an agreement to revise and postpone the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) until the end of 2026. The proof-of-origin requirements for raw materials such as wood will apply only to the first placer on the market, and reference number transfers will stop after the first downstream processor. The European Parliament is scheduled to confirm the result on 16 December 2025. According to Managing Director Jan Kurth, the amendments align with the demands of the entire wood and furniture supply chain and will reduce bureaucracy for all subsequent processors.
The members also discussed initiatives to promote exports. In 2026, a German joint stand will appear for the fifth consecutive time at the U.S. kitchen trade fair KBIS in Orlando from 17 to 19 February. A third joint presence is scheduled for the Clerkenwell Design Week in London from 19 to 21 May 2026. Preparations are underway for collective stands at the Index/Hotel Show in Dubai from 2 to 4 June 2026 and the China Kitchen Fair CBD in Guangzhou from 8 to 11 July 2026, as well as a first business delegation trip to Chicago and New York.
Guest speaker Philipp Trompeter from Dr. Wieselhuber & Partner explained possible uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in the furniture industry. AI applications include realistic product visualization, trend analysis, optimization of receivables management and workforce planning, and identification of material cost-saving opportunities. Trompeter emphasized that high data quality is essential for successful AI projects.
Holger Siebert, Vice Chairman of the Caravaning Industry Association, reported on joint marketing activities of member companies. He said that various campaigns, including television advertising, have significantly improved the public image of the sector in recent years.
