#Sustainability Spotlight with Mike of MYSEAT.SG (GX Trading)

Leveraging Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chain Optimisation to Drive Holistic Sustainability

Mike Gao, Managing Director of GX Trading

To Mike and MYSEAT.SG, sustainability means much more than the materials they use and how they conserve resources. They focus on a holistic incorporation of sustainability into their business process.

Mike posits that the most unsustainable aspects of operating a business stem from the traditional business model of mass production. Currently, furniture is produced at a much higher amount than the quantity demanded in the market. The resources that went into making the surplus furniture could have been utilised more meaningfully elsewhere. As such, MYSEAT.SG insists on the made-to-order business process, whereby they only produce whatever is demanded by their customers.

As the concept of green living is becoming more and more popular, Mike observes that consumers are increasingly concerned about the sustainability of the things they purchase. The younger generation has been spearheading conversations about sustainability and demanding for more eco-friendly business practices, which are also catching on amongst the older generations that they engage. As such, businesses need to be aware that they can no longer simply create products – they have a responsibility to protect the environment as well.

Mike believes that the furniture industry needs change, because we cannot be sustainable without aligning with the environmental and social values we should have.

 

Furniture Set by MYSEAT.SG

Driving Business Development Through Sustainability

The global eco-friendly furniture market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.7% over the next five years and its value is expected to hit USD$40 billion by 2023, according to a recent report from Transparency Market Research (TMR). This growth can be largely attributed to new consumer trends, such as consumers becoming more mindful about their environmental footprint and increasing their desire for more sustainable products.

Mike is cognizant of how our growing awareness of environmental issues has shifted the way we think about our furniture. In his words, “As consumers, we want to purchase products that are not only functional but also environmentally friendly -- which is why some well-known brands have started incorporating sustainability features into their product lines.”

In alignment with these evolving consumer preferences, Mike is proud to share that MYSEAT.SG is committed to providing consumers in Singapore with furniture that not only looks great, but also supports eco-friendly manufacturing processes and sustainable harvesting practices for forest preservation -- all while being affordable enough so customers will feel good about their purchases.

In fact, taking care of consumers' health and safety as part of their sustainability strategy was a key factor in getting MYSEAT.SG the contract for a kindergarten project. MYSEAT.SG’s production processes do not involve the spraying of any hazardous chemicals on their products, ensuring minimal environmental impact while ensuring the safety of both their customers and employees.

All MYSEAT.SG furniture also come with a plant-based German Osmo® Wood Wax Finish that ensures that their furniture are toxic-free, child-friendly and more long-lasting, which sealed the deal for their client. The use of this safer and more environmentally friendly wood wax finish has also opened up more doors for MYSEAT.SG to work on projects -- for both children and adults alike.

Osmo® Wood Wax Finish

Saving Costs Whilst Doing Good by Minimising Waste and Supporting the Circular Economy

In terms of raw materials, MYSEAT.SG mainly uses rubber wood from spent trees in rubber plantations to reduce waste and support the circular economy. On the retail and logistics front, they manufacture miniature versions of their designs for their showroom to minimise their resource usage and pass on the cost savings to their consumers. The made-to-order model of the business further minimises resources consumption and prevents wastage from potential surplus furniture, in contrast with the typical mass production model. Additionally, MYSEAT.SG does not use packaging when transporting their furniture as they can manufacture and deliver them in their assembled forms to their customers in Singapore.

To reduce post-consumer waste while doing good for the community, customers can trade-in their old furniture for discounts on their new furniture purchases with MYSEAT.SG.

Traded-in furniture of good and useable condition will be donated to underprivileged families under MYSEAT.SG's 'Grab a Seat, Be at Ease!' programme, where they have been regularly donating furniture since September 2020. Furniture of less desirable conditions will be stripped down and recycled to make new furniture or to be used for other purposes. This reduces the need for trees to be felled for new products, which helps to maintain the world's collective carbon sink and hence reduce our net global carbon footprint.

Study chair and table set donated by GX Trading under the 'Grab a Seat, Be at Ease' programme

Leveraging Advanced Manufacturing Technology to Optimise Resource Consumption for Sustainability

MYSEAT.SG uses 3D modelling technology to design their products, enabling them to add their products to their catalogue without necessarily having to produce them in their physical form. As MYSEAT.SG leverages advanced manufacturing machines, the team has the capability to produce select pieces for their showrooms in miniature sizes, to give their customers a sense of what their furniture will look like in-person.

Additionally, MYSEAT.SG has their own in-house developed ERP system that provides a seamless integration of all stages of their supply chain, from order to manufacturing to delivery and customer service. This special software enables them to further optimise their resources and manufacture and deliver customised furniture to their customers in just around a week.

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Moving forward, Mike would like to see the local furniture industry develop into a more innovative one that leverages more advanced manufacturing technology. MYSEAT.SG would love to connect more with fellow furniture industry players, particularly in the design space, and develop more innovative products and services.

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MYSEAT.SG Showroom

 

Introduction to MYSEAT.SG (GX Trading):

MYSEAT.SG (MYSEAT.SG) is a thought leader in the local solid wood industry. Founded in 2016, we have evolved into a Singapore-based brand and local retail chain. Serving over 200,000 customers, MYSEAT.SG carries a wide variety of solid wood furniture collections featuring minimalist, Scandinavian designs that are fully customisable.

Traditional solid wood furniture in Singapore is often obsolete. At MYSEAT.SG, we understand the need to stand out from the norm, and that is why our in-house designers and carpenters offer custom-made furniture curated just for you and your living space. We take pride in creating thoughtfully-made furniture of premium quality and skilled craftsmanship while minimising their negative impacts on Mother Nature.

Sustainability and product longevity will always be the core values of MYSEAT.SG. We aim to fundamentally change the wood furniture industry to create a healthy living environment by providing our customers with toxic-free & sustainable furnishing through our constant innovation and experienced carpentry.

With our expertise, we hope to bring you furniture that is timeless, worth keeping and truly personal to you. Let our solid wood furniture be a part of the solid home you are building for yourself and your future generations.

 

Cluster: Contract Manufacturing, Manufacturing & Retail

 

Sustainability Themes:

  • Health & safety, more environmentally-friendly sourcing, product longevity, circular economy, waste reduction, community engagement

 

Environmental Initiatives:

  • Health & well-being:
    • All MYSEAT.SG furniture comes with a plant-based German Osmo® Wood Wax Finish that ensures that their furniture are all toxic free, child friendly and more long-lasting.
  • Circular economy / waste reduction:
    • In terms of raw materials, MYSEAT.SG uses rubber wood from spent trees in rubber plantations to reduce waste and support the circular economy.
    • On the retail and logistics front, they manufacture miniature versions of their designs for their showroom to minimise their resource usage and pass on the cost savings to their consumers.
    • They do not use packaging when transporting their furniture as they can manufacture and deliver them in their assembled forms to their customers in Singapore.
    • To reduce post-consumer waste while doing good for the community, customers can trade-in their old furniture for discounts on their new furniture purchases with MYSEAT.SG. Traded-in furniture of good and useable condition will be donated to underprivileged families under the 'Grab a Seat, Be at Ease'
    • Furniture of less desirable conditions will be stripped down and recycled to make new furniture or to be used for other purposes. This reduces the need for trees to be felled for new products, which helps to maintain our carbon sink and reduce our net carbon footprint.

 

Social Initiatives:

  • Under the 'Grab a Seat, Be at Ease' programme, MYSEAT.SG has been regularly donating furniture to underprivileged families since September 2020.

 

Upcoming Environmental Initiatives:

  • GX Trading has been looking into applying for the SG GreenLabel, GREENGUARD GOLD & FSC.

 

All photos are courtesy of MYSEAT.SG / GX Trading.

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