St. Martin Cabinetry, a China kitchen cabinetry maker, opened a U.S. plant, generating some good will, while the U.S. advocacy group that attacked China's poison-laden drywall now targets its toxic furnishings makers. Meanwhile U.S. sellers of Asian casegoods copycats lost in court to Habersham.

MasterBrand Cabinets layed off 150 as it spins off from Fortune Brands, along with Simonton Windows, Tru-Temp Doors, Masterlock. MasterBrand's Kinton, SC factory staffed up to make Martha Stewart brand cabinetry (shown).

Master Woodcraft Cabinetry relocated factory operations after a fire; Red Oak sales falter; Jeld-Wen finalizes the Onex investment deal. These stories and more topped the week's wood news. 

	Chinese cabinetry firm opens first U.S. plant By Rich Christianson Updated: 10/01/2011 9:49:00 PM CRESSONA, PA -- St. Martin Cabinetry, a manufacturer of melamine plywood frameless cabinets with Chinese roots, held a grand opening last month. Read more
	Fortune Brands Home & Security business begins trading By Bill Esler Updated: 10/04/2011 8:38:00 AM DEERFIELD, IL - A $3.2 billion giant in cabinetry, door and window manufacturing launched today, as Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. (NYSE: FBHS), Deerfield, IL began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Read more
	MasterBrand to lay off 150 employees By Rich Christianson | Updated: 10/02/2011 8:10:00 PM JASPER, IN -- MasterBrand Cabinets will lay off approximately 150 workers as it shifts the production of its Aristokraft cabinets from Kinston, NC, to the company’s manufacturing facility in Ferdinand, IN. The company will be part of a spin-off from Fortune Brands Oct. 3. Read more
	Fire disrupts production at Master WoodCraft Cabinetry By Rich Christianson | Updated: 10/04/2011 9:08:00 AM MARSHALL, TX -- A fire that heavily damaged two buildings at Master WoodCraft Cabinetry, has prompted the company to secure a remote temporary building to begin manufacturing and assembly operations as soon as possible. Read more
	Group shifts focus to 'toxic' Chinese furniture Updated: 09/28/2011 10:22:00 AM WASHINGTON -- The Chinese Drywall Complaint Center (CDCC) has expanded the scope of its watchdog initiatives to include furniture and building products made in China. Read more
	Furniture importers must pay $1.3M for copying casegoods designs By Bill Esler | Updated: 10/05/2011 10:48:00 AM TOCCOA, GA - A jury found Art & Frame Direct Inc. and World of Decor Inc. liable for $1.3 M for importing and distributing unauthorized copies of of Habersham's bed, bookcase, table and other furniture designs. Read more

Also highly read this week: 

Red Oak sales falter, signaling slow recovery

Small world, tiny homes

Jeld-Wen bond offering with Onex completed

Against the Grain: Shops Cut New Grooves

Lumber Liquidators buys China firm, lowers forecast

Furniture maker Lexington acquires Sligh Furniture