How One Furniture Maker Battled Offshoring, Stayed Local, and Helped Save An American Town

In the early 2000s, the American furniture industry was in crisis. Offshoring had decimated the industry, and many American furniture makers were forced to close their doors.

Factory Man: How One Furniture Maker Battled Offshoring, Stayed Local - and Helped Save an American Town

by Beth Macy

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4045 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	451 pages

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But one furniture maker in North Carolina decided to fight back. Thomasville Furniture Industries refused to offshore its production, and instead invested in its local workforce and community.

Thomasville's decision was a risky one. But it paid off. The company is now one of the largest furniture makers in the United States, and it has helped to revitalize the town of Thomasville.

Thomasville's story is a reminder that it is possible to compete with offshoring. By investing in its local workforce and community, Thomasville Furniture Industries has shown that American manufacturing can still be a success.

The Challenge of Offshoring

Offshoring is the practice of moving production to a foreign country where labor costs are lower. In the early 2000s, offshoring was a major threat to the American furniture industry.

Many American furniture makers were forced to offshore their production in order to compete with cheaper imports from China and other countries. This led to a loss of jobs and a decline in the American furniture industry.

Thomasville's Decision

Thomasville Furniture Industries was one of the few American furniture makers that refused to offshore its production. The company's CEO, Mike Wagner, believed that it was important to keep jobs in the United States.

Wagner also believed that Thomasville could compete with offshoring by investing in its local workforce and community. The company invested in new equipment and training for its employees. It also worked with local suppliers and schools to create a strong local supply chain.

The Results

Thomasville's decision to stay local paid off. The company is now one of the largest furniture makers in the United States, and it has helped to revitalize the town of Thomasville.

Thomasville Furniture Industries has created jobs and boosted the local economy. The company has also invested in the community, supporting schools and other local organizations.

Thomasville's story is a reminder that it is possible to compete with offshoring. By investing in its local workforce and community, Thomasville Furniture Industries has shown that American manufacturing can still be a success.

Thomasville Furniture Industries is a shining example of how American companies can compete with offshoring. By investing in its local workforce and community, the company has shown that it is possible to create jobs and boost the economy while still making a profit.

Thomasville's story is a reminder that we should not give up on American manufacturing. By supporting companies that invest in their local communities, we can help to create a more prosperous future for all Americans.

Factory Man: How One Furniture Maker Battled Offshoring, Stayed Local - and Helped Save an American Town

by Beth Macy

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4045 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	451 pages

FREE