We’ve created this resource at a time when more American furniture manufacturers and dealers are reconsidering their supply chains and the pros and cons of bringing production back to domestic soil. But this “reshoring” trend isn’t just a passing phase – it represents a fundamental shift in how forward-thinking companies are approaching their manufacturing partnerships.
Throughout this guide, we’ll share practical insights about why reshoring might make sense for your business, what specific benefits you’ll gain from working with domestic-based manufacturers, and how you can make a smooth transition to domestic sourcing that will strengthen your supply chain and give you a competitive edge.
Preview:
- The Reshoring Revolution: Why Companies Are Coming Home
- Economic Benefits of American-Made Components
- Why Michigan Manufacturing Sets the Standard
- Service and Logistics Advantages
- How to Evaluate and Select a Domestic Manufacturing Partner
The Reshoring Revolution: Why Companies Are Coming Home
If you haven’t noticed an increase in companies bringing their manufacturing operations back to American soil in recent years, you will soon. This reshoring trend represents a major reversal from decades of offshoring and directly impacts your ability to serve your customers reliably and profitably. We’re seeing furniture manufacturers of all sizes reconsider their supply chain strategies based on practical realities rather than just chasing the lowest unit price.
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities You Can’t Afford
Remember when a delayed shipment meant waiting an extra week? Those days are gone. Recent global events (pandemic, new political administrations) have exposed just how fragile international supply chains really are.
When your parts are made overseas, they face countless potential delays – from port congestion and customs holdups to international shipping disruptions. But when you source domestically, these risks virtually disappear. Your components won’t get stuck on a boat or held up in customs, giving you the reliability your customers demand.
The Shrinking Cost Gap
It wasn’t long ago when offshore manufacturing seemed like it might make sense financially, but that math has changed dramatically. What used to be significant cost savings has steadily eroded as labor costs continue to rise in previously low-cost regions.
And when you factor in increasing shipping expenses and unpredictable tariffs, the total cost difference between domestic and overseas manufacturing has narrowed considerably. Many of our customers have discovered that when they calculate all costs involved—not just the unit price—domestic options are surprisingly competitive compared to what they would expect.
Navigating Tariff Uncertainty
Trade tensions are creating major headaches for modern business planning. Companies facing tariff surcharges from their overseas suppliers are seeing unpredictable cost increases that need to be passed along to their customers. This uncertainty makes budgeting and pricing a nightmare. By switching to American-made table bases and components, you reduce these tariff concerns, giving you pricing that is more stable and predictable – and that helps you plan with greater confidence.
Winning with “Made in USA” Marketing
Your customers increasingly care about where their products come from. Today’s consumers—both residential and commercial—place real value on locally sourced products, associating them with higher quality, better labor practices, and environmental responsibility. This explains why, according to a May 2025 report from Gartner, Inc., 47% of consumers expect to buy more American-made products this year.
When you partner with domestic manufacturers and can advertise “Made in USA,” you gain a powerful marketing advantage that resonates with this growing consumer preference.
Economic Benefits of American-Made Table Bases and Components
When you’re evaluating domestic versus overseas manufacturing options, looking only at the unit price gives an incomplete—and potentially misleading—picture. But smart furniture professionals understand the total economic impact of sourcing decisions. Even those who initially think sourcing domestically would be too expensive often find significant economic advantages once they look at the complete financial picture.
When “Cheaper” Imports Actually Cost More
While the sticker price of imported components might initially appear lower, that first impression rarely tells the whole story. Many importers specialize in bringing in specific high-volume products at rock-bottom prices, creating the appearance of savings.
But what happens when your customer needs a different color, height, or other custom option?
That’s where the overseas “savings” often disappear. Special orders from overseas suppliers often end up costing significantly more than what we charge for the same customizations. When you consider all costs involved in your component sourcing, domestic manufacturing frequently delivers superior overall value.
Slash Your Shipping Expenses and Lead Times
Your production schedules and customer commitments don’t allow for shipping uncertainties. Domestic manufacturing dramatically cuts your shipping expenses while simultaneously reducing lead times – a powerful combination that improves both your bottom line and customer satisfaction.
For example, Gibraltar can deliver your components almost anywhere in the continental US within 1-4 days’ transit time, with standard order lead times of just 2-3 weeks. Even more importantly, our on-time shipping performance exceeds 99%, giving you the reliability your production schedule demands.
Say Goodbye to Tariff Headaches
Every business owner knows the frustration of unexpected costs, especially as of late. When you choose domestically manufactured components, you eliminate the complex array of tariffs, duties, customs fees, and import taxes that can add significant unpredictable costs to overseas purchases. This tariff avoidance is becoming increasingly valuable as trade tensions continue, providing you with cost stability that overseas suppliers simply cannot match.
Inventory and Cash Flow Benefits You’ll Notice Immediately
Your cash flow is the lifeblood of your business. Domestic manufacturing allows for more flexible ordering patterns and dramatically reduced inventory holdings compared to overseas sourcing.
Consider these tangible benefits:
- Reduced inventory investment. Order what you need when you need it, rather than tying up your capital in large overseas shipments
- Lower warehousing costs. Minimize the space needed to store inventory
- Decreased obsolescence risk. Avoid getting stuck with unsold inventory when styles or needs change
- Improved cash flow timing. Align your component purchases more closely with your actual production needs
One possible option you may receive from a domestic supplier is reducing inventory by ordering components on an as-needed basis. This eliminates the risk of warehousing products that aren’t turning around fast enough, thereby freeing up valuable cash flow for other business needs.
Why Michigan Manufacturing Sets the Standard
When you’re selecting a U.S.-based manufacturing partner, location matters more than you might think. Michigan offers a unique combination of manufacturing infrastructure, workforce talent, and strategic location that directly translates to better products and service for your business.
Rich Industrial History and Expertise You Can Trust
Few regions can match Michigan’s manufacturing legacy in the furniture industry where we’ve been perfecting our craft for generations. This isn’t just about history – it’s about the practical benefits you receive when working with manufacturers who have deep institutional knowledge. When your components come from Michigan, you’re tapping into an ecosystem where manufacturing excellence is the standard, not the exception.
West Michigan’s Manufacturing Ecosystem Working for You
The West Michigan region represents one of the nation’s most concentrated furniture manufacturing hubs. This home to industry giants like Herman Miller, Steelcase, and Haworth offers incredible advantages in supply chain partnerships that can directly benefit your business. Having these larger players nearby means that nearly every component supplier and material vendor you can imagine is actively doing business and maintaining inventories in our area. This robust network means faster procurement, better quality control, and more reliable delivery for your components.
Service and Logistics Advantages
The service advantages of working with domestic manufacturers can be just as valuable as quality and cost benefits – sometimes even more so. When an overseas supplier takes days to respond to urgent questions or struggles to understand your specific needs, it impacts your entire business operation. But partnering with a Michigan manufacturer can transform your service experience in profoundly positive ways.
Responsive Communication When You Need It Most
Nothing derails your production schedule faster than communication delays. Domestic manufacturing eliminates the language barriers and time zone challenges that plague overseas sourcing relationships.
When you call us with an urgent question, you’ll speak directly with someone who understands both your needs and the technical aspects of your components – no waiting overnight for responses or struggling through confusing translations. This responsive communication translates directly into smoother operations for your business.
Just-in-Time Capabilities That Transform Your Operations
Your cash flow matters. Local manufacturing partners like us can better support just-in-time inventory approaches that dramatically reduce your carrying costs and improve your financial position.
Unlike overseas suppliers who typically require large minimum orders based on long-term projections, we can accommodate smaller, more frequent orders aligned with your actual production needs. This flexibility creates a more cash-flow-friendly approach when you order what you need when you need it (rather than tying up valuable capital in excessive inventory).
Custom Development That Brings Your Ideas to Life
Your unique product ideas shouldn’t be limited by your supplier’s capabilities. The proximity and shared cultural context of domestic manufacturing can make collaborative design and custom product development significantly easier and more successful.
When you come to us with special requests or customization needs, we approach each one with an open mind and a focus on finding solutions. While not every request may be feasible, we always believe it’s worth exploring the possibilities together. This approach has helped many of our customers create meaningful differentiation in their marketplace.
Problem Resolution Measured in Hours, Not Weeks
Despite everyone’s best efforts, issues occasionally arise in manufacturing. The real difference lies in how quickly these problems get resolved. With domestic partners, problem resolution happens at remarkable speed:
- Direct access to decision-makers. Speak directly with people who can authorize solutions
- No international shipping delays. Replacement parts arrive in days, not weeks or months
- Shared understanding. Clear communication ensures problems are understood and properly addressed the first time
Whether it’s changes to an existing order or addressing warranty claims, these issues can be handled much more quickly and accurately with a domestic partner like Gibraltar. This responsiveness minimizes disruption to your production and helps maintain your customer satisfaction even when challenges arise.
More Than 25 Years of Pure Michigan Manufacturing Excellence
At Gibraltar, we’ve been crafting high-quality table bases and legs in Zeeland, Michigan for over 25 years. In all of this time, we’ve consistently witnessed firsthand how being at the heart of America’s furniture manufacturing region gives our customers unique advantages. Our West Michigan headquarters puts us in the middle of a vibrant manufacturing ecosystem that enables Gibraltar to serve you better than overseas alternatives ever possibly could.
Contact Information
To learn more about Gibraltar’s Michigan-made table bases and legs, or to discuss your specific manufacturing needs:
- Phone: 616-748-4857
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: gibraltarinc.com
- Request a Quote