When you think of the new manufacturing boom, think of office furniture. Thanks to patriotism, higher costs for producing furniture overseas, and a little bit of sentimental feeling, some companies are choosing to open (or even re-open) their factories right here in the good old U.S. of A.
One such company is Cochrane Furniture. The Cochrane family sold their company in 1996. The new owners quickly moved production overseas, closing down the last factory in 2008 and putting 1300 people out of work. In 2011, Bruce Cochran re-opened that factory, in Lincolnton, N.C., and started a new company: Lincolnton Furniture.
So far, Lincolnton has only 72 employees, but a lot of community goodwill. In addition to hiring back some of the workers who lost their jobs when the factory shut down, Cochrane has given his community hope that jobs that went to China can also return from there. He keeps his fan mail on a bulletin board in his office.
One example reads: “You’re building furniture in the USA, and I wanted to commend you for it. I believe the only way our country will survive is if manufacturing returns to our shores. I’ve been actively seeking made-in-America products.”
Stories like Cochran’s are inspiring for everyone who’s weathered the recession, but it’s also a bit of good news for folks who want to buy American-made products. The best news of all, of course, is that Cochran’s company isn’t the only one committed to making or refurbishing furniture in the U.S. These are just a few other companies that make office furniture right here at home:
Champion Seating Co.
Based in Texas, this office furniture company sells ergonomic chairs directly to consumers via the internet. Their slogan is: “We manufacture chairs that are built to withstand the American Workplace. Chairs designed to work as hard as you do!”
Workbench 2.0
Want to do something good for the planet as well as the country? Check out Workbench 2.0’s eco-friendly office furniture. Manufactured in Wisconsin, their furniture is made from sustainably managed forests.
Arnolds Office Furniture
And speaking of the planet, you can’t do much better for the earth than choosing to buy refurbished furniture instead of brand-new equipment. Arnolds Office Furniture (that’s us!) has been refurbishing office furniture in Pennsylvania since 1929. Stop by our 100,000 square foot show room in beautiful Bridgeport, PA or contact us for more info here.
