The year 2017 has started on the right foot for the Italian wood and furniture sector: a galaxy of more than 79,000 companies spread out across the whole country, providing work for 320,000 people. In 2016, the sector generated revenues of about €41 billion, up 2.2% compared to 2015, the first report from industry association FederlegnoArredo (FLA) showed, as it was presented yesterday in Milan.

Exports are a driving factor. The sector has resisted the years of the economic crisis only thanks to robust exports, which confirmed their strength also in the first quarter of this year.