Practice that shapes the future: how UNFU students explore the furniture industry from the inside
The Lviv Furniture Cluster continues to strengthen cooperation with educational institutions, enhancing the practical component of training for future industry professionals. One example of this collaboration was a hands-on study visit for UNFU students, allowing them to experience furniture manufacturing not in theory, but in real production environments.
The practical tour took place within the framework of the international project “DRWO4.0: Transformation Model of the Wood Industry in the Danube Region towards Industry 4.0.” An important role in organizing the learning process and implementing the project in Ukraine is played by the NGO FORZA, which supports the integration of European approaches into Ukraine’s woodworking sector, ensuring the practical impact of initiatives like DRWO 4.0.
Participants visited two companies with different positioning and production models:
WOWiN — a company combining Scandinavian aesthetics with mass production of designer upholstered furniture.
ROOMIO — a premium furniture manufacturer specializing in complex, customized interior solutions.
This contrast allowed students to better understand different business models, levels of production complexity, and approaches to process organization.
The goal of the visit was to demonstrate the synergy of modern business development approaches — Lean (efficient management), Digital (digitalization), and Green (environmental responsibility) — using leading Ukrainian furniture companies as examples.
The visit was not just an экскурсионний tour but a full-fledged practical exercise. At WOWiN, students acted as analysts: observing processes, identifying bottlenecks, critically evaluating approaches, and presenting their findings directly to the company’s CEO.
At ROOMIO, they went even further by conducting a rapid enterprise assessment based on the Smart Factory model within the DRWO 4.0 framework. Using the CULIS methodology, students evaluated the level of transformation across three dimensions: Lean, Digital, and Green.
The study visit was part of the international project
“DRWO4.0: Transformation Model of the Wood Industry in the Danube Region towards Industry 4.0.”
The project is implemented under the Interreg Danube Region Programme and co-funded by the European Union. Its main objective is to support wood industry enterprises in transitioning to Industry 4.0 by adopting modern technologies, digital solutions, and sustainable production approaches.
DRWO 4.0 offers a practical transformation model that includes:
This is the model students were able to test in practice during the visit.
The participation of more than 30 students and lecturers once again proves that effective workforce development is impossible without close cooperation with business.
Practical visits not only provide students with an understanding of processes but also develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and readiness to tackle real production challenges.
“The most valuable part is the opportunity to see how everything works in reality. Theory provides the foundation, but it’s only in production that you begin to understand the logic of processes, the complexity of decisions, and the responsibility for results. It’s highly motivating and helps clarify your future direction,” students shared.
Today’s students are tomorrow’s engineers, technologists, and managers who will implement Industry 4.0 principles in Ukrainian enterprises.
Initiatives like practical study visits within DRWO 4.0 help shape a new generation of professionals — those who think системно, work with data, and understand the importance of sustainable development.
The Lviv Furniture Cluster will continue to develop partnerships with educational institutions, as a strong industry begins with quality education and real-world experience.
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