With ocean shipping costs remaining high, US domestic furniture manufacturers are seeing increased opportunities, with the value of domestic furniture increasing with rising costs. Importers continue to face significant expenses, paying nearly $7,000 to transport a container from Asia to the West Coast and over $9,000 to the East Coast. Additionally, delays from port congestion and disruptions in the Red Sea have further complicated the logistics.
Photo: Dreamstime
As a result, domestic furniture producers are capitalising on this situation. The soaring shipping costs—reaching nearly $10,000 per container—make domestic products appear more attractive in comparison. The main advantages of domestic manufacturing at the moment include reliability, speed, and reduced risk for dealers. However, domestic manufacturers do face challenges, primarily higher labour costs. Despite a skilled labour pool, the ageing workforce and higher wages are ongoing concerns.
Source: www.furnituretoday.com