Products labeled ‘Made in the USA’ may take us on a decades-deep walk down memory lane. How many of these labels do we really see any more? Surprisingly, there are still sources of pride to be found for domestically produced goods in the USA. Northland Furniture, founded in 1976 in Bend, Oregon, has been producing contract furniture made in the USA for 40 years.
If You Count on Imports for Contract Furniture, You May Think Twice
The end of August saw a break in the global supply chain, when Hanjin, a large Korean ocean carrier, came under financial collapse just in time for the seasonal uptick in holiday shopping. Ports turned away Hanjin vessels unless docking and loading fees had been prepaid. Goods intended for drop off at certain locations remained either undelivered onboard or were offloaded at distant ports.
In these cases, buyers may be imposed hefty additional transit fees for some goods while others may never arrive at their destinations. This breakdown in delivery has driven up costs for ocean freighting, a change that will persist until the balance between supply chain capacity and demand is recovered.
The Hidden Costs of Imported Goods
Many American consumers take advantage of low in-store and online prices from overseas suppliers. Not surprisingly, companies reap the same rewards, buying lower-priced products, such as contract furniture, in bulk. These offerings, however, are affixed with a hidden price tag: shorter life cycles—which when reached, require disposal and repurchase, perpetuating the buying cycle. The costs of low-cost production for short-term savings are seen in higher ecological and cost footprints.At some point, we’ve probably all wondered why products made overseas are so inexpensive. When production moves abroad, a system of cost externalization is established, where indirect costs are offloaded on third parties. This means anywhere from exploitation, where workers receive lower wages for longer hours in unregulated working conditions to ecological depletion and waste. The financial and environmental costs of transporting goods with shorter lifecycles from abroad only add to the price tag.
At some point, we’ve probably all wondered why products made overseas are so inexpensive. When production moves abroad, a system of cost externalization is established, where indirect costs are offloaded on third parties. This means anywhere from exploitation, where workers receive lower wages for longer hours in unregulated working conditions to ecological depletion and waste. The financial and environmental costs of transporting goods with shorter lifecycles from abroad only add to the price tag.
Bringing it Home
Northland Furniture prides itself on creating quality products manufactured in the US that provide value to the workforce and customer. From design and packaging to product use and life, Northland works to improve quality and reduce waste. With a roster of clients including brands like Marriott and Wyndham, Northland serves the contract furniture needs of hotels, timeshares, senior living communities and educational facilities across the United States.
Northland products use domestically sourced materials, often from its own backyard in the Pacific Northwest. By focusing on lean design and manufacturing, Northland products have no minimum order restrictions, provide flexibility of design, are built to suit and are shipped lean, with blanket wrapping on every shipment. All that, plus the agility of distribution from within the US, makes Northland a winning combination.
Contact Northland to see how we can support your contract furniture needs.
Sources:
http://www.furnituretoday.com/article/535383-hanjins-big-ripple
