Who is Who

Structure

The General Council of the UEA defines the priorities for the sector.

Current priorities are the internationalization of the sector and the use of the information and communication technologies within the European furniture sector.

The President, assisted by the Directors’ Board decides on the execution of the UEA policy.

The UEA is using a project-based approach to its activities with the creation of the necessary ad-hoc structure to address the issues.

This allows to keep a limited structure centred around the basic tasks and main priorities as defined by the Council.

Biography of the President : Martin Čudka

Martin Čudka was born in Czechoslovakia on December 14 1970.
After graduation at Technical University in Furniture Manufacturing Branch I started work at Austrian company Wiesner-Hager. In the frame of Wiesner-Hager company expansion has build a new furniture manufacturing plant in the Czech Republic the Wiesner-Hager Bohemia. In this company I launched as Production Manager and consequently I become CEO responsible for CEE countries market development. In the same time is my hobby to work in furniture sector and I like to dedicate enough time in it. Playing golf helps me relax and gain a new energy. My motto is „Perceive the World as a matter of change and do not afraid of changes“ !

Biography of the Secretary General : Bart De Turck

Bart De Turck is secretary general of the UEA, the European Furniture Manufacturers Federation since 1987. The UEA represents one of the largest industrial sectors in Europe with an employment of 1.3 million persons and a turnover of around 100 billion €.
At the moment, 27 national associations of the European furniture industry are members of the U.E.A. Over the past years the UEA has become a project-oriented organization active around strategic priorities defined by its council. Current strategic priorities are, apart from traditional legislative lobbying activities, the competitiveness and the internationalization of the sector.
Bart De Turck is also the secretary general of the World Furniture Confederation, the recently created international organization representing the furniture industry at world level. The World Furniture Confederation organizes a yearly World Furniture Congress.
Since 1990 Bart De Turck is also managing director of UEA Communications asbl, a sectorial non-profit research organization. In 1994 he also became managing director of EUFAC, an aisbl active in the promotion of fire safety in the upholstered furniture. Since 1998, he is also member of the managing committee of EIAS SA, a service company for European industry associations.
From 1983 to 1987 he was a partner in Rubelco, a consultant on export and relocation for the wood and furniture sector.
From 1979 to 1983 he was vice president for WIMI Lumber Corporation in Elkins, USA, a furniture parts company. He was responsible for the corporate planning, set-up and financing, and start-up of the company on behalf of Belgian principals
He has published many articles on various sector related subjects such as fire safety, environment, furniture standardization and industrial co-operation. He is a regular speaker in international conferences on these subjects.
He is founding member of FELPA -SEAP, the society of European Affairs professionals ; he is a member of ESAE (European Society of Association Executives) and of the CEN and ISO standardization committees for furniture. He is also a member of the Mouvement Européen Belgique asbl, the organisaiton that defends and promotes the European idea in Belgium. He is a Rotarian.
His interests include SF, design and traveling.
Bart De Turck is a EU citizen born in 1955. He is married with two children and lives in downtown Brussels.