25 Jun History of Yecla and its furniture industry
History of Yecla and its furniture industry is worth telling.
History of overcoming, evolution and growth.
A social and economic transformation forged on its inhabitants, its professionals and craftsmen’s unwavering character.
Today, we would like to take a look back at the past and bring it up to the present day. Remembering some of the key moments that our city and our industry have experienced over the last years.
Our history is, after all, what defines us and makes us who we are.
Come and join us on this journey.
From wine to furniture: History of Yecla and its roots
Yecla is a land closely bound to wine.
Since ancient times, the first Phoenician settlers already cultivated vines on our land.
In places such as Fuente del Pinar there are still remains of structures from the Roman period used for wine production.
In the 8th century, numerous vineyards were found by the Arabs when they arrived in our lands.
This wine industry is closely bound up with the furniture and wood industry.
Would you like to discover what links them? Read on.
A crisis boosting a new industry
In the second half of the 19th century, an insect from North America, phylloxera, caused a serious crisis throughout Europe.
It destroyed vineyards and severely affected wine production across the continent.
This marked a hard blow for Yecla, but also a great opportunity.
The increase in wine demand from countries such as France meant that large, wooded areas had to be cleared for new vineyards in Yecla.
This wood excess, which needed to be put to use, was the spark that ignited the emergence of a new industry: the furniture industry.
Wood professionals, masters and craftsmen went from being cart builders, local carpenters or coopers, to making chairs and tables.
New sawmills and workshops opened in the city and the woodworking trades began to specialise: carpenters, blacksmiths, cabinetmakers, upholsterers and all their related and auxiliary industries.
Joined together towards a common future
This is (never better said) the kind of wood our professionals are made of.
Possessing a spirit of self-improvement that was so well captured by the artist Lidó Rico in the official graphics of our 63rd edition.
Over the years, they have been able to overcome crisis after crisis.
Issues such as the 1940s to the 1950s economic crisis, which put in check the great pioneering furniture companies such as ‘Muebles Pedro Chinchilla’ or ‘Muebles Azorín’.
In this context, union and cooperation proved to be the best solution.
Initiatives arose, such as the Workers’ Furniture Cooperative Esteban Díaz (COMED), promoted by the pastor and archpriest (also a regional trade union delegate) José Esteban Díaz.
This in turn led to the creation of numerous furniture companies.
Thus forming a genuine specialised industrial fabric capable of overcoming difficulties and thriving.
An industry’s consolidation: The FMY
Back in 1961, ‘The First Local Furniture Fair’ was held in Yecla, bringing together a total of 18 exhibiting companies spread over 32 stands.
It was so well received that it was repeated the following year, this time officially recognised by the Trade Ministry.
Named ‘Furniture and Related Industries Provincial Fair’: FMY’s first edition.
63 editions later, Yecla Furniture Fair is today an internationally renowned event built on a consolidated industry.
A real springboard for projection and growth for the more than 90 exhibiting firms that, year after year, come together at our fair.
It is also a learning, specialised training and business opportunity for the thousands of professional attendees who do not miss each new edition.
An FMY that has woven a network of alliances and collaborations that strengthen us and broaden the horizons of our reality as an event.
Alliances where the Regional Government itself stands out along with the Murcia Regional Development Institute (INFO), Yecla City Council, the Furniture and Wood Business Association (AREMA), the Furniture and Wood Technology Centre (CETEM), the Spanish Furniture Manufacturers and Exporters National Association (ANIEME), the Commercial Agents Official Association (COAC) or the Murcia Regional Interior Designers / Decorators Official Association (CODID-RM).
As you can see, ours is history we should be proud of.
And we are, be sure of that.
A history that does not stop here and that every year, in May, adds up a new chapter.
We only wish to keep on living it with you.
FMY
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