(NewsUSA) - The delays and confusion caused when a 200,000-ton cargo ship got stuck in the Suez Canal sent ripples through the U.S. economy and led many people to explore alternatives to the global supply chain, which is also susceptible to other forces ranging from weather to cyberattacks.

Although global cargo traffic has become the norm for obtaining many products used in the United States, innovative companies such as Baru are examples of a trend towards supporting local manufacturers of American-made and locally-sourced products.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently described the United States' reliance on foreign supply chains as "a vulnerability," and emphasized the need to produce more goods domestically for economic and security reasons.

"Even when supply routes are relatively calm, the global supply chain is an overly complex and lengthy process. Product prototypes take valuable months to make, ship, test, plan, and re-make," according to Baru founder and CEO Tino Go.

Local manufacturing has many benefits, notably putting the customer in the driver's seat and creating a relationship with local communities.

"By combining automation, craftsmanship, and virtual customization, we're able to send manufacturing instructions to workshops local to the customer," Mr. Go explains.

When Baru creates made-to-order furniture, other environmental and economic benefits include reduction of global CO? emissions, prevention of unsold inventory landing in landfills, creation of local jobs, and support of industrial innovation by American artisans and craftspeople.

Baru also shows its commitment to the environment with an ongoing tree-planting initiative as part of its sustainable manufacturing model.

During the design process, Baru selects sustainably engineered wood panels that are both beautiful and durable. The wood goes to one of Baru's local manufacturing partners, which uses the latest technology of automated machinery for efficiency of scale and design, combined with the skills of local carpenters and woodworkers to create a unique and lasting item that is American-sourced and American-made. Baru's growing network of workshops ensures that the products are made as close to the final delivery destination as possible to reduce transportation costs and emissions. Finally, the model cycles back to trees -- Baru's pledge is to plant three trees for every furniture purchase made to achieve carbon neutrality. After three years, three trees replace the wood used in production and absorb more CO? than Baru's hometown process emitted.

Visit hellobaru.com for more information about how you can create furniture that is unique to you, with the bonuses of benefitting the American economy and the global environment.