Furniture Supply for Government: Office and School Specifications

Furnishing the state ranges from executive mahogany desks for Mayors to thousands of school desks for learners. Like textiles, this is a protected industry.

1. Designated Sector: Office Furniture

Office furniture has a Local Content threshold (usually 85% to 100% depending on the item).

• Melamine Office Desks: 70% Local Content.
• Office Chairs: 65-100% Local Content (base, fabric, foam).
• Steel Cabinets: 100% Local Content.

2. School Furniture

• Durability: School furniture must be "vandal-proof." Steel frames, solid wood or Saligna tops.
• SABS Spec: SANS 1528 (School Furniture). Compliance is rigorous because broken chairs injure children.
• Assembly: Often supplied flat-pack to remote areas. Your tender price must include assembly on site.

3. Sample Approvals

Before mass production, you will likely need to produce a "Gold Sample."

• The department inspects this sample.
• Once signed off, all 10,000 units must match this sample exactly.

4. Guarantees

• Workmanship: usually 2-5 year guarantee required.
• Spares: Availability of spare parts (castors, gas lifts) for 5 years.

Conclusion

Verify the local content of every component (the screws, the glue, the fabric). If you are assembling imported kits, you will fail the local content audit. Support local manufacturers.