The office furniture industry relies on economic conditions both domestically and abroad. Demand is driven by corporate spending on office equipment and commercial real estate vacancy rates. Profitability is directly tied to volume, as companies with large production capacity benefit from economies of scale. Small companies may compete effectively if they produce specialty products or offer services that are difficult for larger competitors to replicate.

Major North American producers include Herman Miller, HNI Corporation, Steelcase and Knoll International. These and other manufacturers regularly associate with one another through the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association.

As with most industries, there is a strong correlation between the quality of products and the level of customer service offered. Contract furniture firms are no exception. A number of firms feature online product configurators that allow shoppers to tailor a 3D model of the products they wish to purchase. For example, a 3D office partition designer offered by Haworth allows shoppers to create a custom solution that matches their company’s aesthetic and accommodates their unique work requirements.

Aside from designing and manufacturing seating solutions, desks, tables, and storage options, Haworth also specializes in offering desk dividers. In a bid to better serve its customers, Haworth provides a free 3D design tool for all of its products. Aside from this, Haworth’s site features a plethora of information for buyers, including images of the various products and links to other relevant pages.