Furniture manufacturer

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A furniture manufacturer was traditionally an enterprise that produced and designed furniture. Since the year 2000 the decline of manufacturing in the west has made this designation, "manufacturer", outdated. Makers of furniture who once produced their own product now import furniture from the Far East. China, Indonesia, and Viet Nam are large producers of wood furniture. Generally wooden and mass produced upholstered furniture items are imported while custom made upholstered furniture is made in the company's domestic plant.

Many of the well known makers of furniture now import merchandise. Some of the names associated with their product imply that the merchandise has a long heritage of design and manufacture in America. Unfortunately consumers are misled by this practice. Brand names such as Pennsylvania House, American Drew, and Ethan Allen import much of their furniture from the east. Portions of the furniture line bearing the designation 'Stickley', which is associated with the famous American maker of mission oak furniture, are produced in Viet Nam. Thomasville, Kincaid, Drexel and Henredon furniture all import furniture.

The country of origin for furniture is usually marked on the box that contains the merchandise. In addition a small label is attached to the furniture item. Very often this label is on the back of the furniture piece, and is not easily accessible to consumers. They never discover that their purchase is imported as they never see the original packaging.

Some makers continue to manufacture their own furniure. Notable is a middle price maker of solid wood furniture, 'Mobile' and a high priced maker of American traditional furniture, 'Henkel Harris'. Both these companies design and produce their furniture in America.