WELLINGBOROUGH, ENGLAND – The latest data from IMS Research shows the production of industrial machinery in Europe has experienced consistent growth since 2002, according to Manufacturingtalk. The total output is forecast to surpass $345 billion by 2010. Reportedly, the growth is mainly due to strong demand for machinery from emerging markets in India, China and South America, as well as economic expansion in Europe and the United States.

San Francisco -- Andrea Traber has been elected to a one-year term as president of the board of the Northern California Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, according to Alternative Energy Retailer. Traber has been an active member of the Northern California Chapter since 2001.

NEW YORK – Representatives of the Rainforest Alliance have helped establish the Sustainable Furniture Council. The council brings together members of the home furnishings industry and organizations committed to responsible business practices and promoting furniture manufactured in an environmentally and socially responsible way. The council, which currently has more than 40 representatives, held its third meeting during the Las Vegas Market last month.

RESTON, VA – The Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Assn. announced the establishment of a voluntary program to certify domestically produced hardwood plywood to meet the emission requirement of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer Assn.’s new Environmental Stewardship Program.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI –According to Michigan Live, the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Assn. said industry-wide shipments of office furniture are forecast to grow 7.3% in 2007 to $11.6 billion, and another 7.1% in 2008 to $12.4 billion. Last year, the business and institutional furniture industry reported $10.82 billion in North American shipments, which was up 7.4% from 2005.

DENVER -- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officially opened a new regional office building in downtown Denver, designed to achieve the second-highest ranking from the

HIGH POINT, NC – The Furniture Insights report by accounting and consulting firm Smith Leonard shows that the residential furniture market continues to struggle. According to The Grand Rapids Press, Smith Leonard’s report says new orders for residential furniture fell 6% in December, following an 8% drop in November and a 2% drop in October. Reportedly, shipments also decreased 5% in December, 8% in November and 1% in October.

PULASKI, VA – Pulaski Furniture announced it will close its last U.S. manufacturing plant by late April in favor of importing all products from foreign sources. The plant closing will affect about 260 employees involved in the production of curio furniture.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Green Building Council announced its support of the new partnership between the National Association of Home Builders and the International Code Council to create an ANSI standard for green homes. USGBC is also seeking to participate in the creation of that standard.

MONSON, ME – Moosehead Manufacturing, one of the original petitioners in the antidumping action against Chinese wood bedroom manufacturers, announced plans to shut down its operations. The 60-year-old company, which collected more than $200,000 in antidumping duties, was unable to compete with lower-priced furniture imports.