Growth in consumption of office furniture is predicted by BIFMA International to level off at around 9 percent during 2012, but the consumption number reflects both U.S. imports and exports. The shipments number for U.S. production is flat, at best.

“The forecast is calling for flat to minus 2 percent shipment growth (in 2012), so that is a concern, if that does come to pass,” said Tom Reardon, executive director of BIFMA.

“No growth to slightly negative growth (will not be) welcomed by the industry,” he added.

He attributes the slowdown in the world office furniture market to continuing high unemployment and “everything that’s going on in Europe with their debt situation, and political uncertainty [in the U.S.] in an election year.”