US office furniture shipments down 31%

According to The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) Global Industry forecast model, U.S. office furniture shipments are expected to drop 31 percent this year, to $7.7 billion, when compared with 2008.
The decline in U.S. shipments is expected to slow to just 1 percent, at $7.6 billion, next year.
Until recently, Canada was the largest importer of office furniture into the U.S. decreasing from about 62 percent in 2000 to around 40 percent in 2009, while China has increased its share to about the same from less than 13 percent in 2000.
The overall Wood and Non-Wood product mix remains relatively constant at approximately 25 percent wood product and 75 percent non-wood product.

Sex, lies and office furniture

Apparently more than furniture making is on the mind of top brass at KI.
The former president of the Green Bay manufacturer has filed a lawsuit claiming his was wrongly fired in May 2008 after confronting his boss, Richard Resch, CEO and “philanthropist” about his repeated affairs with female staffers, according to an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Roderick Ganiard makes the claims in the lawsuit against Resch that at least five women have brought sexual harassment complaints against KI, and that Resch forced him out after he led the company to record sales. It also claims that Resch’s alleged relationships with female employees disrupted day-to-day operations. Ganiard seeks several hundred thousand dollars in lost wages and benefits he claims he was denied as well as unspecified punitive damages.
Attorneys for Resch deny the claims, according to court records.
The lawsuit’s timing also could affect a potential sale of KI. In the current economy, many office furniture manufacturers are laying off workers, cutting plants and scaling back product offerings. However, Resch and KI are no strangers to sexual harassment and wrongful termination lawsuits. This sounds like great fodder for a reality show or at least a Lifetime movie of the week.

Casegoods companies build on sustainable practices

La-Z-Boy casegoods companies American Drew and Lea Industries have achieved Sustainable by Design registration.
The American Home Furnishings Alliance’s Sustainable by Design program aims to create a culture of conservation and environmental stewardship with sustainable business practices, according to the association.
“… American Drew and Lea Industries have realized a 12 percent reduction in electrical energy used over the past two years,” said Stephanie St. Pierre, environmental and safety manager for the two companies.
The companies also are reducing water use, resulting in a savings of 3 percent, or 300,000 gallons, in the first year. Also, 140 tons of solid waste was diverted from landfills to a recycling center during the past year.
As part of the program’s audit, the companies established several goals, including:
*Supply chain management
*Energy conservation, water conservation, recycling and solid/hazardous waste minimization
*Use of low-VOC/low-HAP coatings, certified lumber, low-emitting UF resins
Kincaid Furniture, also part of the La-Z-Boy casegoods division, previously passed the sustainability audit and Hammary is slated to complete the program later this month.