by Company’s solid wood line has developed a following, but it could face challenges because of higher costs
ONTARIO, Canada — For more than 20 years, Canadian wood furniture manufacturer West Bros Furniture has been selling its upper-end solid wood line of bedroom, dining and office furniture to the U.S. market, building a loyal following among retailers and consumers alike.
Using centuries-old joinery methods such as mortise and tenon and dovetail construction, the company builds a product that is meant to last and be passed down for generations, offering a marked contrast to much of the commodity product on the market today.
While not inexpensive — a canopy poster bed and a shelter bed seen at the October market retail at $4,200 and $3,900 respectively — the company’s quality of construction and finish are meant to be an investment, with the brand joining the canon of well-known industry manufacturers past and present.
But as a Canadian producer, the brand faces a major challenge should tariffs of 25% be imposed on our North American neighbors as president-elect Trump is threatening to do. While many interpret this as a bargaining ploy to help address issues such as fentanyl crossing from Canada into the U.S., the company is taking it seriously, as such an increase would price its line out of the market, even for many wealthier consumers.
The way the company sees it, the tariffs would impact a host of industries shipping goods to the U.S., including furniture. In addition to case goods, Canadian manufacturers supply upholstery to the U.S. market with an estimated overall wholesale value of $2.18 billion in 2023, up from $2.15 billion in 2022 and $1.8 billion in 2021.
“The proposed tariffs on Canadian goods, particularly those impacting trade between the U.S. and Canada, will have a significant effect on the furniture industry,” said Samantha Mund, a longtime customer service and marketing executive at the company. “Our sector relies heavily on global supply chains, and since much of our lumber is sourced from the U.S., these tariffs seem both unfair and short-sighted in addressing broader trade issues. Tariffs disrupt supply chains, leading to production delays, missed deadlines and rising costs.”
She and company President Paul West told Home News Now that Canadian furniture makers will face a competitive disadvantage “as tariffs make our products more expensive compared to those made in the U.S., creating an unbalanced market. This could harm the profitability of Canadian manufacturers, especially in the U.S. market, where many of our key customers are based. We are committed to continuing to produce the highest-quality products in the market, but the added pressure from tariffs is concerning, especially in the high-end furniture sector.”
That said, they noted that the company remains confident “that through thoughtful negotiation … a solution will be reached that benefits all parties involved.”
At this point, Mund said, there is too much at stake for both countries to not achieve a mutually beneficial solution.
“We’re taking a ‘wait and see’ approach at the moment, but we genuinely believe that calmer heads will prevail,” she said. “The relationship between the U.S. and Canada is so deeply intertwined in terms of trade, I just don’t see tariffs being a sustainable long-term solution. Ultimately, both sides will realize the importance of maintaining a strong, mutually beneficial partnership.”
