Increasingly advanced computer-controlled and automated manufacturing has also benefited European producers, boosting their productivity, cutting overheads and reducing the relative labour cost advantages of competitors, such as those in Asia.  “The increasing migration of European furniture sales online additionally favours a local manufacturing base,” said a German designer/producer. “It is better placed to meet the short lead times demanded by today’s EU internet retailers and consumers.”  Whether it also benefits domestic EU producers that sell in-fashion timber furniture species in the EU market such as oak is more debatable. There ...