Business recovery moves unevenly through wood manufacturing business and finance, as evidenced by a sales rise at Norcraft Cabinets (coupled with widening losses), and a divestment by business furnishings firm Haworth, and layoffs during Chapter 11 at Lumber Products.
In fact, an even more recent report shows big earnings improvements for highly diversified Louisiana Pacific in its oriented strand board, lumber and panel operation, including a 20 percent leap in sales for South America; and a boost for cabinet refacing giant U.S. Home Systems.
Even the best run wood manufacturing operations are subject to unplanned hazards, a fact borne out by the most-viewed reports this week: a fire at a Jeld-Wen window and door plant, a high school wood shop arson, an investigation into a saw mill blast.
Among this week's most viewed stories are:
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Fire at Jeld-Wen Window and Door Plant
Posted by Michaelle Bradford | Updated: 05/10/2012 5:10:00 PM
A saw dust collection system caught fire Thursday morning at the plant of window and door manufacturer Jeld-Wen, according to KTVZ.COM. Separately, Jeld-Wen door facings plant under construction in Louisiana.
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Custom Cabinetmaker Cited for OSHA Violations
By Karen Koenig | Updated: 05/14/2012 9:46:00 AM
Concepts in Cabinetry (Zamco Inc.) has been cited with 14 safety and health violations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Proposed penalties total $45,000.
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Three Students Charged in High School Wood Shop Fire
By Rich Christianson | Updated: 05/13/2012 10:44:00 AM
The alleged arson of a wood shop at Woodburn High School Friday morning has resulted in the arrest of three 15-year-old students of the school.
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Lumber Products Lays Off 65
By Bill Esler | Updated: 05/14/2012 10:34:00 PM
Struggling through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Lumber Products announces 65 layoffs in Tualatin, OR.
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Norcraft Loss Widens As Sales Rise
By Bill Esler | Updated: 05/09/2012 5:32:00 PM
Kitchen cabinet manufacturer Norcraft Companies says net sales increased $3.7 million, or 5.7%, during the first quarter of 2012. "We grew sales more than expected," says
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Haworth Sells Furniture Groupe Lacasse
By Karen Koenig | Updated: 05/10/2012 11:48:00 AM
Contract furniture giant Haworth Inc. said it has sold its wholly-owned subsidiary Groupe Lacasse to an independent investment group headed by Sylvain Garneau, president of the Saint-Pie, QUE-based company since 2010. Read more
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Lacey Act Battle Heats Up on the Hill
By Karen Koenig | Updated: 05/09/2012 1:03:00 PM
A Congressional subcommittee heard arguments yesterday for and against changes to the Lacey Act by wood industry leaders, government agency officials and musicians. Read more
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Probe of Fatal Sawmill Blasts Focuses on Conveyor Areas
By Rich Christianson | Updated: 05/15/2012 2:01:00 PM
WorkSafeBC, investigating the deadly sawmill explosions at Babine Forest Products and Lakeland Mills, said ignition sources for each of the accidents appear to have been located at the conveyor level where electrical and/or mechanical equipment was in operation.
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Cabinetry Makers are National Geographic Fish Tank Kings
By Bill Esler | Updated: 05/10/2012 4:02:00 PM
Living Color Aquariums, tank and cabinet makers that built landmark aquariums at Miami Marlins Stadium and Rainforest Cafe, star in a new National GEO WILD Channel series: Fish Tank Kings. Video below.
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Armstrong’s Countdown to Cabinet Construction
By Karen Koenig | Updated: 05/03/2012 1:04:00 PM
Lean manufacturing, quality control and service drive Armstrong’s success as one of the nation’s leading cabinet manufacturers.
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