A shortage of foam has forced production and hour cutbacks for several furniture manufacturers. 

 

The two chemicals used in foam production are primarily produced at plants in Texas and Louisiana. Many of these facilities were forced offline by the deep freeze that slammed the region late February.

 

Furniture makers are feeling the effect. 

 

North Carolina-based Craftmaster Furniture says it was forced to cut production to three days a week. Century Furniture has cut production hours down a half day or full day each week.

 

Mississippi's Affordable Furniture, which employs 300 at its plant, told the Mississippi Daily Journal it's working just four days a week. Commercial furniture maker Kellex Seating says it's facing a "severe supply chain shortage."

 

Several furniture makers, including High Point Furniture Industries and Lorts Manufacturing, have decided to raise prices.

 

The shortage comes at a time when business is good. Residential furniture orders saw a 27 percent rise in December 2020 from the same month in 2019, and a 15 percent increase for entire year of 2020 over 2019.