Discover how cutting-edge technology is revolutionizing furniture production in a Central Asian country! Automated machines are crafting high-quality, eco-friendly school furniture at lig...

Similarly, automatic devices are responsible for the preparation of parts: one cuts metal pipes to specified sizes, while another bends them at the required angles. Additionally, six robots thread metal components quickly and efficiently. There are also two machines for producing plastic parts: one for making edges and another for seats and backs for chairs.

Omar Baktykerey explains that the company’s management initially aimed to establish a modern furniture manufacturing facility in Kazakhstan utilizing the latest technologies and global advancements.

By that time, some experience had already been gained, as the company had specialized in case and medical furniture in Shymkent since 2016. The desire to grow and expand coincided with the initiative of the Turkestan region's leadership to create an industrial park. All necessary engineering communications were established, and production hangars were built, inviting entrepreneurs interested in developing businesses in the regional center.

LLP "Aqniet Holding" was among the first to respond to this call back in 2023. Their furniture production project received approval. A team of like-minded individuals began acquiring technologies and equipment and sought partners, initially focusing on China, the global leader in the furniture industry. They found partners there willing to sell the technology.

The company sent its best specialists to Turkestan to train local personnel directly in the workshops. Chinese business representatives indicated that training would take half a year, as the robots "spoke" only Chinese, presenting an additional challenge.

The group of Turkestani technologists proved to be very receptive to learning, mastering the necessary knowledge and skills within a month, surprising the Chinese. Currently, only Kazakh specialists work at the factory, occasionally going for internships in China or Turkey to enhance their knowledge base needed for production improvement.

LLP "Aqniet Holding" has become a supplier of furniture for schools built and under construction as part of the national "Comfortable School" project. A large order has provided a great opportunity to equip new educational institutions with high-quality domestic furniture, distinguished from the usual by its manufacturing technology, design, comfort, and even fittings.

– We comply with European safety standards, – the CEO showcases the desks and chairs that every Kazakh schoolchild dreams of. – They have no sharp corners and feature a comfortable design. The height is adjustable and can be modified based on the child's growth. Eco-friendly materials are used in the furniture; by the way, we exclusively use domestically produced particleboard and MDF boards. We source 96% of our raw materials from Kazakhstan, including plastic parts made from polypropylene granules purchased in Atyrau.

The first deliveries of stylish and comfortable furniture to comfortable schools began last summer. Several types of desks are currently produced, including those for private schools. Customer requests are taken into account during model development.

– We are the only company capable of designing a new model and immediately launching it into production within two to three hours, – says Omar Baktykerey. – We have about a dozen molds on the equipment. Although they are quite expensive, they allow us to construct any furniture, thereby expanding our product range.

Particular attention is paid to the design and color of the furniture. Four colors are used for comfortable schools: yellow, green, red, and blue. Typically, each school receives furniture in one color, but some contractors prefer to "brighten up" their orders by requesting it in two or even three colors. For the smallest school, designed for 300 students, 400 sets are supplied, each consisting of a table and two chairs.

There is also case furniture and furnishings for all types of classrooms: chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, informatics, STEM laboratories, and robotics. The product range also includes furniture for homes, medical institutions, offices, and hotels.

Work is underway on a new project. A production facility for medical chairs will be established over an area of 10,000 square meters. A partnership agreement has already been signed with Chinese colleagues. Next year, Turkestan furniture manufacturers plan to enter the CIS market. Initial orders have already come from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, and negotiations are ongoing with several other countries. Recently, a large order of 10,000 sets of school furniture was shipped to Uzbek customers.

The market for sales is vast. Kazakhstan alone imports furniture worth 151 billion tenge from China each year instead of producing it locally. The CEO of LLP "Aqniet Holding" shared his plans on how to reduce this import flow by increasing local production volumes with the President of the country, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, during his visit to the factory at the end of September this year.

The head of state supported the Turkestan furniture makers' ambitions to set and achieve their goals.

– A visit to the factory by the President of the country has motivated us to move forward, – says Omar Baktykerey. – We feel strong support at the local level and are very grateful for the assistance we have received from the government. Two production hangars with all necessary infrastructure were built using budget funds. This accelerated the project's implementation, as no additional financial expenses were needed, saving time and allowing us to fully focus on production.