Author Works | Woodworking Network

Compatico office furniture consolidates four plants into one to boost production

Compatico Inc., a manufacturer and assembler of office furniture, benching, panels, and other materials, consolidated its entire operation down from four buildings to one larger facility. Years of growth prompted the decision, along with a desire to boost collaboration among the company’s employees.

By Robert Dalheim, January 12, 2016 | 4:51 pm CST

News

First urban forest conference set for March 18

The full-day event is being organized by the Illinois Wood Utilization Team. It will include more than a dozen informative presentations, a live portable sawmill demonstration, tabletop displays and networking opportunities.

By Karl D. Forth, January 12, 2016 | 3:35 pm CST

Woodworking Industry News

Tall wood building committee will work on 2021 global building codes

American Wood Council says the International Code Council approved the formation of a Tall Wood Ad Hoc Committee. It will study tall wood construction and may develop code changes to be submitted for the 2021 International Building Code.

By Bill Esler, January 12, 2016 | 10:32 am CST

Show Us Your Shop

Wood and steel: Iron Age Office launches furniture production business

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By Bill Esler, January 11, 2016 | 9:31 pm CST

Almanac Market Data

2015 wood industry sales rose 7 percent to $46 billion for FDMC 300

Sales for the FDMC 300 group of companies grew 7 percent in 2015 to $46.404 billion over 2014, by our estimate. It was the fourth consecutive year of sales growth for the 300 largest cabinet, furniture, millwork, store fixture, office/contract and component producers in North America.

By Karl D. Forth, January 11, 2016 | 4:24 pm CST

Management

5 things every small business owner needs in 2016

There’s cause for business owners to be optimistic for the year ahead. But that optimism depends upon how agile, adaptable, creative and resourceful entrepreneurs can be in planning for, or reacting to, market conditions, revenue and brand-building opportunities and other key concerns, and how well they maintain a forward-thinking mindset.

By Brian Greenberg, January 11, 2016 | 2:53 pm CST

Closets

ERP software helps Chinese cabinets & closets maker speed production

In the past few years, the furniture industry — and the customized furniture industry in particular — has seen rapid, even explosive growth. Huge ads for major furniture brands can be seen in public venues everywhere, including airports, train stations, and along highways. The Oppein brand, a trendsetter in furniture customization, has undergone more than a decade of rapid development to become a benchmark enterprise in the customized furniture industry.

January 11, 2016 | 12:23 pm CST

Woodworking Industry News

Home improvement spending expected to hit 4.5% in 2016

Experts from Fitch Ratings expect home improvement spending to continue its steady rise to 4.5 % in 2016, although the market could face headwinds with rising interest rates and labor constraints in construction.

January 11, 2016 | 12:15 pm CST

Closets

5 top color palettes for home design in 2016

LOS ANGELES -- The start of a new year always brings a look at trending colors and paints that will be most popular. According to several companies, colors in the pink family will be trendy in 2016, but Sara McLean, color marketing manager for Dunn-Edwards Paints, takes a further look at what's expected to be the hottest color palettes of 2016, many of which are influenced by fashion, art, lifestyle and history.

By Michaelle Bradford, January 11, 2016 | 10:37 am CST

Cabinets

Jared Patchin: 10 years of home remodeling, bookcases, desks and closets

My wife and I just wrapped up a huge house remodel that has been ongoing since 2005. I wanted to blog about different aspects of the design and construction of the house remodel itself and about the dozens of little details that go along with a remodel that make a house uniquely yours but before I do here is a look back at what we've done over the last 10 years.

By Jared Patchin, January 11, 2016 | 9:11 am CST