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  1. Identifying future competitive business strategies for the U.S. furniture industry: Benchmarking and paradigm shifts

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    Author(s): Albert Schuler; Urs Buehlmann
    Date: 2003
    Source: Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 15 p.
    Publication Series: General Technical Report (GTR)
    Station: Northeastern Research Station
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.2737/NE-GTR-304
    PDF: View PDF  (255.31 KB)

    Description

    This paper describes benchmarking activities undertaken to provide a basis for comparing the U.S. wood furniture industry with other nations that have a globally competitive furniture manufacturing industry. The second part of this paper outlines and discusses strategies that have the potential to help the U.S. furniture industry survive and thrive in a global business environment. A case is made for a paradigm shift in the business of designing, manufacturing, marketing, and distributing wooden furniture, as it is perhaps the most promising vehicle for our industry to sustain a prosperous U.S. manufacturing base into the future. Furthermore, a change in business models ? a paradigm shift ? is proposed to avoid cost-based competition with low-cost producers such as those located in Asia and South America.

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    Citation

    Schuler, Albert; Buehlmann, Urs. 2003. Identifying future competitive business strategies for the U.S. furniture industry: Benchmarking and paradigm shifts. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 15 p.

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    Keywords

    benchmarking, paradigm shift, furniture industry, market share, competitive position, demographics, flexible manufacturing

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