Despite the slowdown in global trade, these firms remain optimistic about their business prospects and are hoping that the annual fair will help open doors to new markets in Europe.

'No matter what the state of the economy is, we always need to introduce new products and get into new markets, and this event is a stop we must make or else people will forget about you,' said furniture maker Home of Homes president Lim Cheok Sin.

Dr Lim, who has a PhD in forestry, is based in Shanghai where the firm's manufacturing plant is located. His son, Lim Chiao, who is the general manager of Home of Homes' operations in Singapore says being at imm cologne is a must for any good furniture company.

'It is a show of strength for the company and the industry at large, especially in these times when many other furniture firms are shutting down all over the world,' he said. 'This will show our customers in Europe that it is still business as usual for us.'

Some like Haleywood Industries are even setting big growth targets - of up to 30 per cent for this year - starting with the orders they hope to secure at imm cologne, the first major event of the furniture industry calendar.

For the full story, read Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.