Office Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment Manufacturing Industry Profile

Companies in this industry manufacture office furniture, and office and store fixtures. Major US companies include Herman Miller, HNI Corporation, Knoll, Krueger International, and Steelcase.

The US office furniture, fixtures, and equipment manufacturing industry includes about 3,600 companies with combined annual revenue of about $26 billion.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand for office and business furniture and fixtures is driven by corporate spending and commercial construction and vacancy rates. The profitability of individual companies is closely linked to volume, since many costs are fixed. Large companies enjoy economies of scale in manufacturing and distribution. Small companies can compete effectively if they produce specialty items or products with high-quality workmanship that can sell for a premium price. The US industry is concentrated: the top 50 companies account for about 55% of industry revenue.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major product categories include nonwood office furniture; showcases, partitions, shelving, and lockers; and custom architectural woodwork and millwork, which each contribute about 30% of industry revenue, as well as wooden office furniture. Specific office and business furniture products include wood and nonwood desks, chairs, tables, filing cabinets and other storage systems, and office panel systems and partitions (cubicles). Custom architectural woodwork and millwork includes custom designed display fixtures, wall paneling, shelving, and sales and reception counters.

Large companies operate distribution centers and warehouses, and some have their own retail outlets; some may also house their distribution centers in the same facility as manufacturing operations to ...