The Commercial Furniture Manufacturer That Outsmarted Supply Chain and Tariff Uncertainties

Photo credit:  iStock.com/MikeMareen

As U.S. negotiations over new tariff agreements heat up, anxiety is mounting among American manufacturers. Fears of a renewed global trade war are triggering concerns about rising prices, inventory shortages, and an unsettling loss of control over once-stable business models.

But one company isn’t flinching. New Jersey-based Modern Line Furniture saw the writing on the wall more than a decade ago, and rewrote the rules. By sidestepping the traditional commercial furniture playbook, the company has built a resilient, self-reliant supply chain that’s not just weathering the storm; it’s thriving in it.

From commodities to craftsmanship

Each year, the U.S. imports billions of dollars in furniture and fixtures, many of which are for commercial uses such as restaurants, hotels and business lounges. “There was a time when relying on foreign suppliers made financial sense. Labor was cheap and margins were good,” recalls Modern Line Furniture owner Vlad Spivak.

“But that model slowly diminished the market for American craftsmanship. In its place, we are now flooded with disposable, poorly made products.”

As overseas manufacturers grew wealthier, American businesses such as Spivak’s were left with little control and dwindling margins. His original business model was to import containers of modern, contemporary furniture from Europe and Asia, and sell them to U.S. customers.

“When we first opened our business, we were importing the same generic products as everyone else and fighting to make a profit. When our suppliers raised prices, it became clear we had to move our manufacturing to the U.S.”

But change came with a challenge: higher American wages. But Spivak leaned in. “I figured, if we’re going to charge more, we have to offer more. That meant better quality and higher production standards. So we invested in people, bought machinery and started manufacturing in-house.”

The result? A business model built on customization, quality control, speed and craftsmanship. Today, the company manufacturers all of its own furniture exclusively in the U.S. using only American-made materials.“By making our furniture here in the U.S., we are growing. We are giving customers custom designs, a greater range of colors and significantly faster turnaround times.”

Powering an American-made comeback

Spivak doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of American manufacturing. “Sure, today’s factories aren’t what they were in the ’60s or ’70s,” he admits. “I know there’s a skilled labor shortage, and the upfront costs can be brutal.”

But he’s also seen just how quickly things can change when local businesses lift each other up.

“During Covid, we reached out to nearby suppliers, people in our own backyard. One guy, just a few blocks away, was struggling. Now, we’re sending him steady business. He’s hiring, expanding, buying new machines and even launching new product lines,”says Yana Katliarova CFO and managing partner.

For Spivak and Katlirova, it’s not just smart business, it’s a mission. “When you connect with local partners and grow together, everybody wins. We’re have more control. That’s how you build something sustainable.”

What tariff concerns?

As tariff concerns shake up global supply chains, Modern Line Furniture is riding a wave of new momentum. “More buyers are actively seeking out American-made products,” says Spivak. “They value the craftsmanship, the quality and the variety. And they trust that our furniture meets all commercial furniture standards.”

The demand is driven by practicality. With a streamlined U.S.-based operation, Modern Line Furniture delivers faster, more customizable solutions than smaller competitors can match. And when it comes to combining volume, speed and quality, no one else in the commercial furniture space comes close.

“This shift is opening doors for everyone in our ecosystem: our business, our distributors and our suppliers,” Katliarova adds. “And at the end of the day, we’re happy to be reinvesting in the American economy.”

Explore Modern Line Furniture’s full range of commercial products at www.ModernLineFurniture.com. Modern Line Furniture provided funding for this content to
help educate readers on manufacturing supply chain options. All opinions remain those of Modern Line Furniture.