Supply Chain Research

Furniture manufacturer Natuzzi has had to accelerate its cost cutting plan in response to U.S. tariffs on Chinese sofa exports, CEO Pasquale Natuzzi has noted. The firm relied on China for 85.6% of all its U.S. seaborne imports in the 12 months to Oct. 31. While there has been a longer-term decline in the firm’s imports there was a 6.8% rise in the three months to Oct. 31 suggesting tariffs so far a manageable. Most importers had accelerated shipments in response to the risk of higher duties than the 10% applied in September, evidenced by a 17.7% jump in total U.S. upholstered seating im...