NJ-based Bella Systems, designers of custom closets and storage solution opened its third franchise, Bella Systems South Carolina, in Landrum, SC.

Thirteen composite panel facilities and one corporation were recognized for their safety achievements during the Composite Panel Association's annual spring meeting held last week in Bonita Springs, FL. Aurauco received the Safety Innovation Award.

Architectural millwork firm D&L Wood Products plans to break ground on a 30,000-square-foot expansion in the next 60 days. The new plant is being designed around the addition of the IntelliStore automated panel storage system.

Wood industry vacuum lift automation firm Schmalz Inc. will invest $7 million in expanding its plant in Raleigh, NC. Groundbreaking for the six acre site, adjacent to a 20,000 square foot facility opened in 2009, was held June 9.

On Manufacturing Day, Oct. 2, 2015, the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) will introduce a jobs program for the furniture industry.

A recent report from Houzz, a leading platform for home remodeling and design, says that Millennials are active renovators and are just as likely as any other age group to engage in projects like remodeling their kitchens.

Accompanying the move to Batch One production - each chair, cabinet or table custom built in an automated setting - are initiatives to launch scaled down configurators that allows furniture and cabinetry to be infinitely scaled in height, width, and depth. The enabling application is parametric modeling, allowing a catalog of furniture designs to be greatly scalable.

The USDA is once again seeking public comments on the proposed Hardwood Checkoff program following seven editorial amendments made to the proposal. Similar to program such as "Got Milk," "Beef, It's What's for Dinner" and "Pork, the Other White Meat," the hardwood checkoff program would be a collective marketing effort funded by the lumber producers and run by an industry-governed board; coordinated through the USDA.

From the creators of "Designing Spaces" comes a new TV show, "Office Spaces," which will appear this fall and chronicle the step-by-step renovation process of commercial and business spaces from design concept to installation of furniture.

QUEBEC, Canada - Wood industry machinery manunfacturer Doucet Inc. named Alain Boulanger  territory sales manager for Canada and Northern USA. Alain was hired to succeed  Paul Goulet, who will retire in a few months.Boulanger has over 30 years of experience in the industrial woodworking industry,  more than two decades in the development of markets, sales and sales networks around the world in different industry segments.