Office Furniture Market in the USA - Key Insights

IndexBox has just published a new report, the U.S. Office Furniture (Except Wood) Market. Analysis And Forecast to 2025. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

The revenue of the office furniture market in the U.S. amounted to $8.5B in 2018, surging by 4.7% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2013 to 2018; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015, when it surged by 6.4% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the office furniture market reached its peak figure level in 2018, and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Office Furniture Production in the USA

In value terms, office furniture production amounted to $7.8B in 2018. Over the last decade, office furniture production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015, when it surged by 5.8% year-to-year. Office furniture production peaked in 2018, and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports from the USA

In 2018, approx. 5.7K tonnes of office furniture (except wood) were exported from the U.S.; rising by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, office furniture exports, however, continue to indicate a deep setback.

In value terms, office furniture exports totaled $42M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. Over the period under review, office furniture exports, however, continue to indicate a drastic drop. Exports peaked at $52M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The UK (361 tonnes), Saudi Arabia (346 tonnes) and China (331 tonnes) were the main destinations of office furniture exports from the U.S., together comprising 18% of total exports. These countries were followed by Germany, Ethiopia, Kuwait, Brazil, the Netherlands, Panama, Costa Rica, Japan and Saint Maarten (Dutch part), which together accounted for a further 39%.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Ethiopia (+311.3% per year), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for office furniture exported from the U.S. were Germany ($3.3M), Saudi Arabia ($2.5M) and Kuwait ($2.3M), with a combined 19% share of total exports. The UK, Costa Rica, Japan, China, Panama, the Netherlands, Saint Maarten (Dutch part), Brazil and Ethiopia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

Export Prices by Country

The average office furniture export price stood at $7.4 per kg in 2018, going down by -4.3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2018, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%.

There were significant differences in the average export prices for the major foreign markets. In 2018, the country with the highest export price was Germany ($10,012 per tonne), while the average price for exports to Ethiopia ($1,771 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of export prices was recorded for supplies to Costa Rica, while the export prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports into the USA

In 2018, imports of office furniture (except wood) into the U.S. stood at 95K tonnes, surging by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2013 to 2018: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +14.5% over the last five years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, the office furniture imports increased by +96.6% against 2013 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017, with an increase of 20% y-o-y. Over the period under review, office furniture imports reached their maximum in 2018, and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, office furniture imports amounted to $302M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. Over the period under review, the total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2013 to 2018: its value increased at an average annual rate of +14.5% over the last five year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, the office furniture imports increased by +100.8% against 2013 indices. Over the period under review, office furniture imports reached their peak figure in 2018, and are expected to retain its growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2018, China (73K tonnes) constituted the largest supplier of office furniture to the U.S., with a 77% share of total imports. Moreover, office furniture imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second largest supplier, Taiwan, Chinese (14K tonnes), fivefold.

From 2013 to 2018, the average annual growth rate of volume from China amounted to +16.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Taiwan, Chinese (+7.7% per year) and the UK (+20.5% per year).

In value terms, China ($202M) constituted the largest supplier of office furniture to the U.S., comprising 67% of total office furniture imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Taiwan, Chinese ($43M), with a 14% share of total imports.

Import Prices by Country

In 2018, the average office furniture import price amounted to $3.2 per kg, falling by -3.7% against the previous year. Over the last decade, the office furniture import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern.

There were significant differences in the average import prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2018, the country with the highest import price was the UK ($8,463 per tonne), while the price for China ($2,757 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of import prices was attained by the UK, while the import prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Companies Mentioned in the Report

Steelcase Inc., Haworth, Fellowes, Hni Corporation, Allsteel, Affordable Interior Systems, Ergogenesis Workplace Solutions, Crenlo Cab Products, Global Industries, Exemplis, The Marvel Group, American Seating Company, Trendway Corporation, Michigan Tube Swagers and Fabricators, Safco Products Co., Hirsh Industries, T.C. Millwork, Davies Office Refurbishing, Groupe Lacasse, Z-Line Designs, Chromcraft Corporation, Mayline Investments, Maxon Furniture, Haworth International, Fki Security Group, Ais Holdings Corp., Valcor, Ais Group Holdings, Ais Intermediate Holdings, Kimball Office, Freestone Ergonomic Seating Partners

Source: IndexBox AI Platform