BUSINESS Dovetailing on the uptick in the housing and remodeling markets, consumer spending for U.S. manufactured residential furniture reached in $17.8 billion 2012. This figures looks to trend upward as reshoring efforts by domestic manufacturers continues to slow the tide of imports.

Year-to-date (July 2014, seasonally adjusted) figures by the U.S. Census Bureau show exports of furniture and household goods at $2.9 billion, up 4.7% compared to 2013. Imports grew at a slightly higher rate, up 9.5% to $16.8 billion year-to-date. It is hoped that the imbalance will slow as U.S. manufacturers continue ramp up their production and become more price competitive.

In addition to competition from low-cost imports, furniture flammability, formaldehyde emissions and sustainability/Lacey Act are still among the issues impacting the estimated 4,000 residential furniture manufacturing firms in the United States.

QUICK STATS $17.8 billion: 2012 sales of household furniture made in the USA. U.S. employment is estimated at 99,700 jobs. Estimated 4,000 household furniture firms in U.S. (2012)

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Major Players ASHLEY FURNITURE HERITAGE HOME GROUP* LA-Z-BOY ETHAN ALLEN FLEXSTEEL