Maanoj Tomar, Founder of AFC Furniture Solutions, unpacks the forces reshaping India’s ergonomic furniture market. In this conversation with Asma Rafat, he explains how post-pandemic office reopening, hybrid work models, and rising health awareness turned ergonomics from a nice-to-have into a workplace essential. Tomar offers a clear view of why task chairs and adjustable desks dominate demand, how commercial projects continue to drive growth, and why IT, GCCs, and BFSI firms are leading adoption. He also reflects on sustainability, smart furniture, supply chains, and India’s long-term growth potential.
What were the key drivers that helped the ergonomic furniture market achieve double-digit growth in 2025, especially in India?
Maanoj Tomar: The growth was driven by three structural shifts: sustained office re-openings, deeper awareness of musculoskeletal health, and India’s expanding global capability centres. Ergonomics moved from being a discretionary upgrade to a baseline workplace requirement, especially in IT-led sectors.
Did the shift to hybrid work models continue to influence demand for ergonomic products last year? If so, how strongly?
Maanoj Tomar: Yes, very strongly. Hybrid work didn’t reduce demand; it refined it. Companies invested in fewer workstations but significantly higher-quality, adjustable ergonomic solutions to support longer focused work hours and shared seating environments.
Which product categories (chairs, desks, accessories) saw the highest growth in 2025 and why?
Maanoj Tomar: Ergonomic task chairs led growth by a wide margin, followed by height-adjustable desks. Accessories grew steadily but remain complementary. Seating continues to be the primary entry point for ergonomics adoption. In parallel, demand for collaborative and agile furniture increased as offices redesigned spaces for team interaction, flexibility, and activity-based working rather than fixed seating alone.
How important have smart and tech-enabled ergonomic solutions been in your sales mix, and are you seeing 30–40% growth in those segments?
Maanoj Tomar: Smart ergonomic solutions are still a smaller share of volumes, but growth rates are significantly higher than the overall market. In premium offices and global enterprises, we are seeing 30–40% growth in tech-enabled segments driven by data-led wellness and usage optimisation.
Can you break down how much of the 2025 growth came from commercial versus residential customers?
Maanoj Tomar: Approximately 70–75% of 2025 growth came from commercial projects. Residential demand is growing, but remains selective and premium-focused, largely driven by senior professionals and long-term home office users.
Which industries or customer segments are investing the most in ergonomic furniture now?
Maanoj Tomar: IT, GCCs, BFSI, consulting firms, and managed office operators are the most active investors. These sectors have high desk-time exposure and global workplace benchmarks, making ergonomics a strategic priority.
How has customer awareness of health and wellness impacted buying behaviour in your markets?
Maanoj Tomar: Buying behaviour has clearly shifted. Customers now ask about adjustability ranges, certifications, and long-term comfort instead of just price. Ergonomic furniture is increasingly viewed as preventive healthcare infrastructure.
What role does sustainability play in product choice and how does that affect growth projections?
Maanoj Tomar: Sustainability is now a qualifier, not a differentiator. Large organizations actively prefer recyclable, low-emission products, and this directly influences vendor shortlisting and long-term growth projections.
Have pricing or supply chain challenges in 2025 affected growth, and how is AFC Furniture Solutions responding?
Maanoj Tomar: While raw material volatility existed in 2025, demand remained resilient. Manufacturers with strong in-house capabilities and supply control, like AFC, were better positioned to maintain delivery timelines and cost stability.
India is often cited as a high-growth region; do you see similar rapid growth projections (30–40%) locally, and what’s driving those numbers?
Maanoj Tomar: India continues to outpace global averages due to low ergonomic penetration, rapid office expansion, and a young, desk-intensive workforce. Growth here is structural and long-term, not cyclical.
Looking ahead, what are the biggest opportunities for ergonomic furniture growth in 2026–2028?
Maanoj Tomar: The biggest opportunities lie in smart ergonomics, sustainable design, customised workplace solutions, and Tier-2 city expansion. India also has strong potential as a global manufacturing hub for ergonomic furniture.
How is AFC positioning itself to capture innovation-led segments that are outpacing the overall market?
Maanoj Tomar: We are focusing on design-to-manufacture integration, rigorous ergonomic testing, and scalable customisation. Our strategy is to lead innovation-driven segments while delivering consistency and reliability at scale.
