Architectural woodworkers should continue to see improved operating margins as business in the commercial and residential markets continues to strengthen.Business also looks good for custom woodworkers of cabinets and casegoods, and they too are seeing improved profit margins.

The new National Woods Manufacturing Training Center has a home in a building in Colorado Springs. School starts in August 2017, but industry will play a large role. There are many ways to help, including donations of equipment, supplies and cash. In November, hundreds attended an open house hosted by Peyton and Widefield school districts that featured presentations by the schools and industry, and drew hundreds of students, local officials, teachers and local woodworking companies. It is the education and industry partnership that has created this new training effort.

Sales volume of the $23.14 billion U.S. floor covering market totaled 20.52 billion square feet in 2015, says Catalina Research, with hardwood flooring accounting for 1.70 billion and laminate flooring 950 million square feet. Overall projections look good, as both residential and commercial new construction and remodeling markets continue to improve.

Proving people really learn and close deals in person, conferences and trade shows proliferate around the world.

Superior Cabinets has been named 2015 Saskatchewan Manufacturer of the Year by the Canadian Manufacturing & Exporters. The award recognizes outstanding manufacturers that have made invaluable contributions to innovation, leadership, export, and manufacturing practices.

Washington state-based Alaska Airlines made history flying the first commercial flight using the world’s first renewable, alternative jet fuel made from wood waste and forest residuals – limbs and branches left over after a harvest of a managed forest.

The U.S. office furniture industry continues trending upward, with pre-election projections for U.S. production reaching $10.8 billion in 2017, and consumption hitting $14.4 billion, according to earlier figures from IHS Global Insight/Business & Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Assn. Likewise, projections from research group Statista have the total revenue of office furniture manufacturers in Canada reaching $4.41 billion.

The North American Building Material Distribution Association said its members now receive a 50 percent discount to join the North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors. The floor covering group offers the same deal for its members who join the building materials group. f

Rosboro has sold approximately 95,000 acres of high quality timberland in Western Oregon to an entity managed by Campbell Global, a leader in sustainable timberland management and natural resource investments, headquartered in Portland, Oregon.

Inherently tied to the other industry segments, the wood components market also looks to grow next year. Also spurring growth is an increasing awareness by manufacturers of the benefits associated with outsourcing these diversified products.