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The office furniture industry performed satisfactorily throughout the 1990s as the domestic economy has shifted from being manufacturing driven to one where services play an increasingly important role. However, the new millennium has been less fortunate. Between 2000 and 2003, office furniture shipments in the United States fell by more than one-third. This was the largest decrease in shipments for over 20 years. In value terms -- the market stood at $8,505 million in 2003. The office furniture market in 2003 in current dollar terms was ahead by only 8.2% over its 1990 value, and in constant dollar terms it was down by 10.7%.

Office employment growth started to improve in 2004 and real shipments of office furniture increased by about 2%. The positive trend is expected to continue. For 2005 a growth rate of 5.0% is forecast and 6.1% for 2006. This will lift the market value to $ 9.2 billion and $ 9.8 billion respectively. Nevertheless, the 2006 value will remain 26.5% lower than the previous peak level of $13.3 billion reached in 2000.

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