Ceha is known worldwide for producing metal furniture that perfectly blends form and function. Founded in 1998, Ceha quickly established itself as a premier manufacturer of metal furniture and storage solutions recognized for their quality and durability. The company’s factory in Turkey continues to expand to meet its growing client base, with over 1.2 million square feet currently available.
The company recently opened its newest branch, Ceha Canada. At its 5,000-square-foot showroom in Markham, you can explore its products and even design your own solutions.
Edward Longstaff, Senior Sales Development Manager at Ceha Canada, says the Turkey-based company chose Markham because of its proximity to major markets in the GTA.
“Strategically, the spot for our showroom was picked for a few reasons. Markham puts us close to downtown Toronto without the added expense of being downtown. As a result, our customers are able to visit us leading to better project collaboration. Additionally, we are close to customers in our trade and of course we’re close to the headquarters of customers like Canadian Tire and Home Depot,” Longstaff says.
The showroom allows Ceha’s team to demonstrate the quality and features of Ceha’s furniture offerings.
“People want to touch and feel what they’re buying. Online is great, but at the same time, if there is a location that's close, they’ll go. We're trying to create a destination for our B2B partners to come to experience our products in person and then work with them to build a solution that meets their needs,” he says.
The Ceha brand is known across Europe, Japan, and the Middle East for its metal storage furniture, including an expansive selection of lockers for athletic, medical, hospitality, law enforcement, and military applications. The North American market is relatively new for the company, and Longstaff says Markham is the perfect beachhead for its expansion efforts.
“We hired our team with people who are subject matter experts in their channels and bring a wealth of experience to continue building relationships and expanding our business,” he says.
Ceha Canada sells through the dealer network and directly to B2B customers. Longstaff says his focus is on OEM and omnichannel customers. While Ceha Canada does not currently manufacture furniture in Canada, the company has already signed OEM agreements with partners in Vaughn and Mississauga.
“I spend my time working with retail partners that we sell with, or I’m working with larger businesses to build products specific to their customer needs,” Longstaff says.
Ceha Canada’s recent projects include storage locker installations at a large arena, a train station, and a bottling plant. One of Longstaff’s recent projects was a custom-designed wardrobe system for a Mississauga-based hospitality company.
“These units are going to be used in hostels, but they could be used for military barracks, student residences, shelter, transitional housing or refugee camps. It might not seem super fancy because, at the end of the day, we’re making metal boxes. But it's how we make these metal boxes better with unique features and benefits that set us apart,” he says. “We bring a fresh approach when we work with our customers. We want to build a product that fits what they need perfectly, as opposed to another company with a 30-year-old design.”
Visit cehacanada.com to learn more about its range of metal furniture and custom design services
