Bassett Furniture Industries says it is facing higher transport and material costs as supply chain pressures linked to the Iran conflict continue to ripple through global markets.
Company executives said freight expenses have risen partly because of its dedicated transport relationship with J.B. Hunt Transport Services.
According to management, weekly fuel surcharges have fluctuated in line with volatile diesel prices.
Bassett also reported increased costs for petroleum-derived materials such as foam, an important input for furniture production.
The company described the increases as significant and said it plans to pass some of the added costs on to customers through price rises.
Executives noted that the direct impact of the conflict on imports has so far been limited.
Bassett imports some products from India that pass through or near the Strait of Hormuz, but management said it has not yet experienced major accessibility problems or a sharp spike in container prices.
Weak demand across furniture and consumer goods markets may have helped contain freight rates so far.
Bassett previously used price increases to offset tariff-related costs and now appears ready to use a similar strategy to manage transport inflation.
The case illustrates how geopolitical events can raise supply chain costs even for businesses far removed from the conflict zone.
