Furniture Manufacturing Industry Profile

The US furniture manufacturing industry includes about 20,000 companies with about $60 billion in combined annual revenue. Major companies include Steelcase, HNI, Herman Miller, La-Z-Boy, Sealy, and Furniture Brands International. Some segments, such as mattress manufacturing and office furniture manufacturing, are highly concentrated, but the industry as a whole is fragmented: the largest 50 companies generate less than 40 percent of revenue.

The global furniture manufacturing industry generates about $400 billion annually, according to the World Furniture Confederation. Major companies include Natuzzi (Italy), IKEA (Sweden), Samson Holding (China), and Steinhoff International (South Africa). Many of the US furniture manufacturers have international manufacturing operations.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

The volume of home furniture sold depends heavily on the level of home sales, while office furniture sales depend on the health of the US economy. The profitability of individual companies is closely linked to volume, since many costs are fixed. Small companies can compete effectively if they produce specialty items or high-quality workmanship that can sell for a premium price.

Imports are a major source of competition. In addition, many US manufacturers have factories overseas, where labor and production costs are lower than in the US.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major product categories include household furniture (about 50 percent of industry revenue), office furniture (about 35 percent), and institutional furniture used in schools, hospitals, and churches (about 10 percent). Within the household segment, wood kitchen cabinets account for about ...