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Recent import figures compiled by Furniture/Today show some amazing growth by Vietnam. In 2007, the country shipped $1.17 billion worth of furniture to the United States, up 36% from the previous year to place it solidly in the number three spot on the list of top countries shipping furniture to America.  (See our report: Effects of Globalization on the U.S. Furniture Industry)

The increase should come as no surprise. In the past several years, Vietnam has emerged as an alternate source to China, largely thanks to its lack of antidumping duties on wood bedroom furniture. Wood bedroom continued to be a growth area for Vietnam in 2006, but so did other wood categories including dining tables and chairs and accent and occasional furniture.

Vietnamese officials are ...Read More

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The U.S. furniture business has been good to Indonesia in recent years. Between 2004 and 2006, furniture shipments from Indonesia to the United States rose from $528 million to $614 million, giving the country a solid number four spot on Furniture/Today’s list of major furniture exporters. Only Malaysia, Vietnam and China exported more to the U.S. in 2006.

This comes as no surprise, especially when you talk to the number of companies that are turning to countries like Indonesia and Vietnam as a resource for finished goods. Indonesia’s assets include a skilled work force and plenty of experienced factories. It’s also a good option to fall back on when you consider some of the pricing issues challenging China, such as rising labor costs and the ongoing antidumping duties on wood bedroom furniture.

But like other exporters, Indonesia is pay...Read More

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By Thomas Russell

In November, when the lead-based paint scare associated with Chinese-made toys was still making headlines, I published a column addressing this issue as it relates to the furniture industry. As some readers may recall, the column requested feedback on what individual companies were doing to help ensure painted furniture finishes, particularly on youth and infant furniture, were lead free. In that respect it was a chance to tout ways in which the industry was taking a proactive stance to protect both retailers and consumers alike. 

Surprisingly, the column only generated one response and that was from a reader who reiterated the need for manufacturers to understand and adhere to product safety standards.

Why talk about the safety issue? Because if you don’t your competitors will.

...Read More

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You’ve probably heard about the proposed overhaul at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The issue has surfaced after several months of news reports over the safety of products from China ranging from pet food and toys to pharmaceuticals and baby cribs.

In a sense, the proposed changes are reactionary. With all the problems with products coming to light, Congress wants to increase funding and staffing levels. With so many more imported goods coming into this country in recent years, perhaps these changes should have been made long before now.

But the fact that officials are talking about taking action is a good thing. The debate in Congress and the White House shows that officials in Washington take the matter seriously enough to hopefully make some positive changes.

Intere...Read More