Deublin Company says it acquired Barco Seals on December 1. Both businesses make fluid power components used in wood manufacturing machinery and for equipment and process industries.

Universal Forest Products, Inc. (UFPI) will acquire Custom Caseworks, Inc., a commercial woodworking manufacturer located in Sauk Rapids, MN.

Table saw safety; six mergers and acquisitions, two Chinese companies setting up shop on U.S. soil, Gibson Guitar's settlement of Lacey Act violations and a $70,000 bent wood bike are among Woodworking Network's Top 25 news items of the year.

Steelcase Inc. marked its 11th consecutive quarter of organic growth for its sales of office, contract and healthcare furniture in North, Central and South America during its third quarter ended Nov. 23.

The parent company of Armstrong Cabinet/ACProducts and Northwest Hardwoods has added another firm to its building products portfolio. American Industrial Partners has acquired the operating assets of Potomac Supply Corp., a softwood mill and wood treatment service supplier in Kinsale, VA.

C.H. Briggs has donated $100,000 of kitchen cabinetry hardware and sinks to the Habitat ReStores in Reading, PA, and Baltimore, MD.

U.S. confidence in new home construction hit a six-year high, rising to an index level of 47 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI).

Biesse America has hired Andy Edward as its northern West Coast area manager. Edward will represent the CNC machinery manufacturer's entire line of products for woodworking.

Registration, including free expo-only admission, is now open for the 2013 Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo, Feb. 27-March 1 in Edison, NJ.

SCM Group Canada relocated last week to a more modern facility.