Cabinetmakers, Remodelers In Demand for Massive Rebuild
Cabinetmakers, Remodelers In Demand for Massive Rebuild

Cabinetmakers, Remodelers In Demand for Massive RebuildFor cabinetmakers, furniture repair and home remodelers, Hurricane Sandy is the biggest story of the week, and possibly the year, as it drives thousands of homeowners to restore, remodel and rebuild their home - with communities in New Jersey hardest hit. 

Contractors driving through storm-ravaged areas say they are being in New York and new Jersey say they are being stopped by homeowners asking for help on projects.

Analyst EQECAT doubled its post-landfall Hurricane Sandy damage estimates to $30 - $50 Billion, with less than half, $10 - $20 billion of it, covered by insurance.

Businesses (Saks Fifth Ave., New York at left) and homeowners deployed plywood defenses against the storm, and the reconstruction process has driven up Home Depot's stock price. Preparing for the devastating storm, Home Depot, Lowe's and other big box stores staged truckloads of building products and other needed supplies within quick driving distance of the areas likely tp be hit by storms. Home Depot and Lowe's each closed just two stores in the affected areas.

Logistics firms shipping logs, lumber and finished furniture and cabinets are still, like the airlines, recovering and recalculating how to get shipments moving.

Another acquisition by Patrick Industries - this time the purchase of Middlebury Hardwoods, a wood door and component manufacturer for the recreational vehicle industry, also was among wood industry stories most viewed this week, along with these reports:

New Breed Furniture Contract line

Unique Joinery Wins Deal for New Breed Furniture
By Bill Esler | Updated: 10/25/2012 11:51:00 AM
New Breed Furniture Network says it has won its largest contract furniture sale: outfitting new offices for a digital giant in Chicago. The wood production firm will scale up operations to handle the work. Read more

Pallet Maker Again Cited for Amputation Hazard Violations
By Rich Christianson | Updated: 10/29/2012 9:54:00 AM
Northeastern Wisconsin Wood Products could face $184,800 in  penalties from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for 16 alleged violations, including several related to amputation hazards. Read more

Masco DeNova

Masco Cabinetry Sales for Q3; Cabinet Sales Drop
By Karen Koenig | Updated: 10/31/2012 12:32:00 PM
Masco cabinetry sales fell 5%, hurt by Europe's woes and big box store sales. Overall Masco sales were flat at $2 billion for the third quarter. North American sales rose 4%; international sales fell 12%. Read more

Custom Furniture Maker Plant Auctioned
By Bill sler | Updated: 10/23/2012 12:02:00 PM
The Custom Shoppe, a high-profile custom furniture manufacturer, will have assets of its Watertown, WI plant auctioned by November 7. Read more

 Hardwood Plywood

Wood Groups Take Sides on Hardwood Plywood Dumping Debate
By Karen Koenig | Updated: 10/24/2012 4:26:00 PM
Wood industry associations are taking sides over the hardwood plywood antidumping petition against China.
Read more

Home Depot

Home Depot Finalizes $94M US Home Systems Buyout
By Karen Koenig | Updated: 10/29/2012 10:07:00 AM
The Home Depot announced Oct. 29 it had finalized the $924.9 million acquisition of U.S. Home Systems Inc. (USHS), a provider of kitchen and bath cabinet refacing products as well as closet and garage organizational systems. Read more

Pergo laminate flooring

Mohawk to Acquire Pergo Laminate Flooring for $150M
By Rich Christianson | Updated: 10/29/2012 7:54:00 PM
Mohawk Industries has agreed to buy Pergo laminate flooring for approximately $150 million from Pfleiderer AG of Dusseldorf, Germany. Read more

Home Remodeling Index Jumps to 2005 Levels
By Bill Esler | Updated: 10/25/2012 3:19:00 PM
A home remodeling index climbed 5 points in the third quarter, indicating a rise in homeowner plans to remodel, reaching its highest point since 2005. Read more

 Martian Embassy

Wood Warms Martian Embassy
By Rich Christianson | Updated: 10/27/2012 1:41:00 PM
Wood is vital to the sustainability of the Martian Embassy in Australia. Read more

Middlebury Hardwood Sold to Patrick Ind. Using Credit Facility
By Bill Esler | Updated: 10/30/2012 8:16:00 AM
Middlebury Hardwoods, a $33 million RV wood components firm, was acquired by wood products giant Patrick Industries, the latest in a series of strategic deals. Patrick income jumped 45%, and it added an $80 million credit facility. Read more

Read most viewed wood industry stories for October 2012>>

Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.