The idea of producing such a specific commodity, and even more so of sending his products abroad, did not come to him immediately. And he started doing it first out of curiosity.
The first impetus came from a friend who had just returned from Italy. After talking to him, Vasile began to study the market situation more closely. He visited several factories in Italy to see how they work and what equipment they use. It did not seem easy to him. On the contrary, this industry seemed very developed, but… it was not impossible in Moldova.
In December 2016, he bought the premises and immediately started preparations. He brought equipment from Italy, mostly used, from a closed factory. Most important were the dryers. He knew that without well-dried wood, there is no quality. And without quality, his business had no future.
In the beginning, there was the wood
And yet he didn’t start with coffins.
He started with wood. He cut it, processed it, turned it into semi-finished products and exported it to Croatia. It was a period when he was learning, understanding the market, the requirements and standards, and in the meantime customers started to appear. He didn’t look for them, they found him on their own. They also suggested that he take the next step: not just producing semi-finished products, but the final product – the coffin.
At first, Vasile Negru refused because, according to him, he didn’t feel ready.
Then came the pandemic
“COVID-19 changed many things, including the future of this business, because the demand for coffins suddenly increased. Not because of market development, but because of the high number of deaths. It wasn’t the business opportunity I would have liked to have, but it was a reality that made you think. What to do next, is it worth the risk or not? And then I took the step I had been putting off – I started producing coffins,” Vasile told spotmedia.ro.
At first, he worked only on orders. Slowly, carefully, without rushing to do quality work.
Today, his workshop employs eight people – carpenters and wood sanders.
The drying chamber and the wood drying process
Although the coffins eventually end up in the ground, drying the wood remains an important step. Wet wood cannot be properly treated, sanded and painted, and varnish does not last long.
The drying chamber is very hot. The wood is placed in special chambers where it is dried at temperatures regulated according to the type of material. The process takes place in a closed system with constantly circulating fans and hot air.
The temperature in the dryers rises gradually. At first it is about 30-35 degrees, and as the process progresses it can reach 70-75 degrees. About 350 cubic meters of wood for coffins alone passes through the shop every year.
Grinding machine hall
After drying, the wood enters the adjacent hall, where several lathes and sanding machines operate simultaneously.
Hundreds of coffins are stacked on top of each other, lids leaning against the walls. Some have already passed through the hands of the sanders, others are waiting for their turn.
Although many in the industry have switched to automated machines, much of the work in the Budesti workshop is still done by hand.
Each piece is carefully crafted by several sanders who go over every millimeter of wood with an abrasive brush.
“It takes more time and resources, but in return it improves the quality. The handwork is done very, very well, and for me that is more important than quantity,” says Vasile Negru.
The final stage: painting and packaging
The next room is completely silent, but the air is heavy with the smell of paint. This is where the final stage – painting and decorating the coffins – takes place.
A real “alley” of two rows of coffins placed on stands waiting to be painted. These are eco-friendly coffins, Vasile Negru explains. Most of them are exported.
Two employees are just drying a long row of primer-treated wooden handles. They carefully string them onto the rope, one by one. Then they move on to the next step.
“Packing” the coffin
The white cloth is carefully fastened inside. A cushion is put underneath, the material is laid, then the lid is installed. After that, the coffin is wrapped in film, so that it does not scratch and does not get dusty. It is lifted and placed on top of the others already prepared for transportation.
Then two men continue the process – they bring the next coffin, place it on the improvised table and repeat the same actions: cloth, pillow, lid, packing. Each movement is memorized by heart and repeated for each coffin.
“The competition comes mainly from China, where production is cheaper and faster. I don’t want to use cheaper materials and I don’t lower standards, even if I could sell cheaper,” says Vasile Negru.
Moldova exports coffins
Coffins produced in Budesti are exported to Germany, Romania and Italy.
“The demand exists and does not depend on fashion or season. It is a business that is not affected by crises. Be it rain, snow, war or peace, people die,” says the Moldovan entrepreneur.
In successful years, he produced about 2,600 coffins, of which 700 for the local market and the rest for export.
“One truck fits exactly 184 coffins. For the customers there, it’s not just the product that matters, it’s the seriousness. If I say I will deliver by a certain date, I must not be a day late. No delays, no explanations. I take up an order only if I am sure that I can fulfill it,” says Vasile.
At the same time, the entrepreneur has not yet labeled his products with his own trademark – he relies on personal fame and word of mouth.
