An Indonesian furniture company has located its United States headquarters in Forsyth County.
Artagia, the sales and marketing division of several leading Indonesian furniture manufacturers, recently opened a 10,000-square-foot showroom and warehouse on McFarland Parkway.
Ferdinal Winarta leads the local office. Having lived in Forsyth County for the past 10 years, he said he convinced company leaders to come here.
“They were trying to decide between California and Georgia,” Winarta said. “But they came here and loved Georgia. We decided on Forsyth County because the potential here is incredible.”
Randall Toussaint, vice president of economic development with the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, said Artagia made about a $300,000 capital investment. The south Forsyth location has the potential to eventually bring at least 10 new jobs.
“This is one of the top furniture manufacturers in Indonesia and this is the only place in the United States you’ll be able to buy their products,” Toussaint said.
Winarta said the business will focus on assembly of the products, rather than manufacturing, as well as selling to retailers and wholesalers.
“Everything is produced in Indonesia and shipped here, but we will do some assembly and shipping out to other parts of the U.S.,” he said.
With the opening of Artagia, Toussiant said, Forsyth’s international count has grown to more than 50 companies.
“We’re seeing a large influx of potential clients from the Asian market,” he said.
Artagia specializes in high-end, exotic furniture produced in Indonesia, including the Accupunto line and Aida Rattan products.
Accupunto chairs, day beds and lounges use a patented system of plastic pieces and elastic bands that form to the contours of the user. The concept is based on the ancient practice of acupuncture.
Aida Rattan furniture uses natural materials from the Indonesian rainforests, similar to what many Americans think of as wicker furniture. But the materials are harvested in an environmentally-friendly manner.
“Many people think of rattan furniture as very old or outdated looking,” Winarta said. “But Aida Rattan has very modern, contemporary looks and designs.”
The showroom and warehouse also offer other rare and unique pieces. Among them: Dining tables and chairs crafted from single pieces of wood; coffee tables topped in petrified wood; and hand-carved couches made from driftwood.
Winarta said Artagia’s target market will focus mostly on contractors working on large-scale projects such as hospitals and office complexes, though it will also sell to individual customers who visit the showroom.
“We also hope to work with furniture retailers in the area to get our pieces on their showroom floors,” he said.
“We have a very good product and good credibility, we just need more exposure.”
Furniture firm boosts county's global profile

