A Profile of the Furniture Manufacturing Industry

CHAPTER 1

Introduction

The furniture industry in the United States draws on abundant North American forest resources and skilled workers for its basic supplies, flourishing since the landing of the Mayflower as commemorated by a company in Maine that traces its name from the first pilgrim to purportedly touch the New World land. This book discusses the evolution of furniture from a local to a regional and now globally sourced, supplied, and marketed industry with an extensive network that continues to shift among clustered locations.¹ Changes include how as well as where furniture is made, shipped, and sold. Subsequent chapters include a history of this important industry supplying basic as well as luxury commodities, and its shifting geography ...