HOLLAND, Mich. - Office and contract furniture manufacturers reported slightly higher shipments and business activity for July, according to Michael A. Dunlap & Associates in its quarterly MADI/OFI Trends Survey report.  The survey measures the current business activity of the commercial (office, education, healthcare, and hospitality) furniture industry and its suppliers.

The office furniture industry warms toward capital expenditures, says analyst Mike Dunlap, but remains challenged by healthcare, transportation and materials costs.