The supply chain is still as unpredictable as it was last year. Our manufacturers are constantly in crisis mode with materials. Recently, there have been supply issues with spring-up twine, soft-close drawer glides, rubber webbing, outdoor mesh, recliner mechanisms, and even sewing bobbins. These supply issues have resulted in a constant search for new materials or a different source.

The labor market is extremely tight. Our manufacturers are not at full employment. Skilled labor is staying put and not moving around. Many vendors have come back to work with fewer employees than before the lockdowns and with bigger backlogs from not operating for several months.

With the global shortage of shipment containers and as shipments reroute to smaller ports not built for the level of traffic, delays in shipping are expected to continue for some time. While we primarily source products MADE IN AMERICA, some components do come from overseas. The lack of containers and lack of ability to dock and unload ships has further exasperated the production of furniture. The added and wildly inflated costs associated with shipping has more that doubled most convenient parts. Prices and wait times for shipments have reached unprecedented levels.

The "material of the moment' is hardwood plywood. Many of our manufacturers purchase a lot of plywood from Russia and the Baltics. Russian Birch has always been a premium product for making upholstery frames. The supply of Russian Birch has been cut off. In addition, domestic sources for plywood are constrained by labor. The plywood mills can't get enough logs because the logging crews do not have enough labor to produce logs to support the plant. The entire upholstery and construction industries are racing to find a new source for plywood.

Foam material availability is not an issue. However, the labor to process foam into seat and back cushions is an issue. While we are not under "allocations" from our vendors, we know that there is a limit to what they can produce in a timely manner.