HIGH POINT, NC – Accounting and consulting firm Smith Leonard’s latest survey of manufacturers and distributors of residential furniture manufacturers indicated orders for new residential furniture rose by 2% in October 2007, compared to October 2006.

October 2007 orders were up 3% from September 2007, however, year-to-date orders were still approximately 4% behind 2006. Shipments of completed orders were down by 1% in October 2007 from October 2006 levels. Year-to-date shipments were 5% less than the same period of 2006. The number of factory employees in October 2007 was8% less than October 2006, but the same as September 2007.8