Working with the U.S. home furnishings industry, the Commerce Department's North Carolina District Office has just begun a year-long intensive export promotion effort--"Export Furniture Now: American Home Furnishings Go Global." Industry and trade officials initiated the effort in response to a substantial increase--35 percent--in U.S. furniture exports in 1988 and a still lingering furniture trade deficit.
The initiative will include a series of export seminars, international trade missions, and promotional efforts to attract more international buyers to the October 1989 and April 1990 International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, N.C. The High Point market is the largest wholesale furniture market in the world."We are committed to donating and facilitating the transport of more than $25,000 worth of new windows and doors from our inventory, company-matched online donations and any other compact office or home furniture we receive to help rebuild Joplin's business and residential areas," said Custom Order Online co-founder Charles Cameron.To help attract more buyers to the International Home Furnishings Market, the International Home Furnishings Marketing Association has put together a five-language brochure advertising the market. It will be distributed to 100 key foreign markets--those representing the most potential for U.S. furniture imports--in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1681601CanadaThe U.S. furniture industry has been a strong proponent of the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Under the FTA, furniture tariffs in both countries will be removed over a 5-year period. In fact, furniture tariffs into Canada were already reduced by 20 percent on Jan. 1, 1989. As a result of the FTA implementation, sales of U.S. furniture are expected to climb substantially over the next few years. Total U.S. furniture exports to all countries last year were less than what Canada alone shipped southward. Removal of tariffs on U.S. products by 1993 means American furniture manufacturers will find Canada a very attractive market.WHERE: Custom Order Online headquarters - loading docks: 764 Prairie Street , Aurora, IL 60506 Phone: (630) 281-2856The Export Furniture Now program will concentrate primarily on four markets: Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, and Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, West Germany, and France.WHEN: Windows, doors, building materials can be dropped off any time until the final drop-off/loading date: Friday, Sept. 2, 2011About Custom Order Online, Inc.As part of the promotion effort, Commercial News USA, a Commerce Department publication, will feature home furnishings products in its February 1990 issue. Commercial News USA is an export promotion magazine that generates sales leads for U.S. manufacturers by showcasing their products and services. It reaches a screened audience of more than 100,000 overseas agents, distributors, purchasing officials, licensees, and end-users.Hong Kong is a free port. There are no customs duties or value added tax on furniture. There are no foreign exchange controls and capital can freely move in and out. Because of its openness, Hong Kong is one of the most competitive markets in Asia and is an ideal location to establish an agent, representative, or distributor arrangement to set up furniture distribution channels throughout Asia. It is often described as the "gateway to Asia."U.S. furniture exports to the United Kingdom, West Germany, and France increased from 1987-88--by 54 percent in the United Kingdom, 63 percent in West Germany, and 31 percent in France. According to Sam Troy, of Commerce's North Carolina District Office, "Now is the time for the U.S. home furnishings industry to aggressively position itself in the European market, not only to reap immediate export profits, but also to get a running start for 1992 and beyond."Trade traditionally has been a major component of U.S.-Hong Kong bilateral relations. Since 1980 two-way trade has nearly doubled and Hong Kong has consolidated its position as one of our top 15 trading partners worldwide. It is a free market in the truest sense of the word. There are virtually no tariff or non-tariff barriers to trade or investment, and little government interference. Market forces influence the course of investment and trade. Business decisions are based on purely commercial considerations.Europe 1992 represents the great European dream of a free single internal market. The 12-nation European Community has embarked on an ambitious program to create a unified EC market by 1992. The result will be a $4 trillion market representing 320 million consumers. Today's economic climate is ideal for U.S. home furnishings manufacturers to begin or expand their exports to Europe. The dollar is down against European currencies.Some U.S. exporters are currently having problems with documentation required to ship furniture across the border into Canada. To help alleviate this problem, as part of the Export Furniture Now initiative, a Canadian documentation conference will be held in Greensboro, N.C., on July 22, 1989.As a way of keying in on these areas, the American Furniture Manufacturers Association, assisted by the Department of Commerce, will sponsor a trade mission to Japan and Hong Kong in November of this year. Another trade mission is tentatively planned for the United Kingdom, France, and Germany around the first of the year. It will tie in with the International Furniture Fair in Cologne, West Germany.U.S. manufacturers on the mission will be able to study the Japanese market for future sales and discuss market potential for U.S. home furnishings products directly with high-level industry leaders and major importers through individual appointments arranged by the U.S. embassy in Tokyo. Participants will also receive a Market Brief prepared by the embassy. The Hong Kong leg of the trip will be primarily a "Rep-Find" stop for those companies seeking distributors in Asia.A Call to Action: Windows for Joplin Donation DriveCustom Order Online is committed to giving back and extending a helping hand to Joplin in the most impactful and meaningful way possible. It is in this spirit that we launch: Windows for Joplin | A relief campaign to aid the people of Joplin, Missouri.Japan is the 2nd largest export market for U.S. household furniture (accounting for 9 percent of total exports) and the third largest export market for (total) U.S. furniture. From 1987 to 1988, U.S. furniture exports increased by a hefty 85 percent compared to a 47 percent increase in 1987. Both increases are well ahead of the industry average of 35 percent. U.S. furniture exports in 1987 totaled $25.2 million, and jumped to $46.6 million in 1988, the second greatest increase that the industry experienced in any foreign market.A major mistake people make is not measuring up properly. Drawers and cupboards need space to open and close, and you need to be able to walk around your desk comfortably. Often people choose furniture for an office based on price and just try and �make do�. This just makes the whole room uncomfortable and unpleasant to spend time in. Measure up carefully and make a plan of what will go where. Together with your list of requirements you are now ready to begin purchasing your office furniture.Hong KongAs with all furniture in the home, home office furniture must be of high quality and look good too. Whether it's oak dining room furniture being chosen or a new office chair for the office, don't compromise on quality or style because you will regret it later. From pine furniture to more expensive oak, choose home office furniture that matches the rest of the home and your own taste perfectly for maximum comfort.
U.S. furniture exports to the United Kingdom, West Germany, and France increased from 1987-88--by 54 percent in the United Kingdom, 63 percent in West Germany, and 31 percent in France. According to Sam Troy, of Commerce's North Carolina District Office, "Now is the time for the U.S. home furnishings industry to aggressively position itself in the European market, not only to reap immediate export profits, but also to get a running start for 1992 and beyond."
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