The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has announced the recipients of its 2012 Leadership Awards, recognizing outstanding individuals who embody the vision, leadership and commitment to the evolution of green buildings and communities as a vehicle to enhance our quality of life.

The GRASS subsidiary covering Australia and New Zealand, which was only established in April of this year, is now all set to provide optimum advice and support for its customers following the recent opening of a 200-square-metre showroom in Richmond, a suburb of Melbourne.

One of the nation's largest flat panel fabrication firms has grown larger. Panel Processing Inc. announced Nov. 12 it has purchased the assets of Modular Wood Systems Inc. in Claudville, VA.

A battery operated LED wafer puck lighting system for closets and drawers without power; two router tables; a new dowel insertion machine; drawer slides;wood moisture meter; and consulting services are among recent product introductions.

Mereen-Johnson LLC, a manufacturer of industrial woodworking equipment, has been acquired by North Central Equity LLC (NCE), a private holding company also based in Minneapolis.

North Central Equity LLC, a Minneapolis based holding company, announced that its subsidiary, Mereen-Johnson LLC, has acquired the business assets of Mereen-Johnson Machine Company, a leading provider of woodworking machinery.

ANSI/BIFMA e3-2012 Furniture Sustainability Standard, modeled after LEED, adds a point for furniture that meets a new, lower formaldehyde emissions limit.

Italy's woodworking manufacturers say the Italian domestic market for equipment is "sleepy," and foreign markets are more dynamic, with exports dominating Italy's wood industry technology sector.

Rail America says forest products shipments rose 12% in the Northeast and Northwest U.S., driven by lumber and construction products shipments. The regional freight train network was acquired in July by Genosee Wyoming.

Resolute Forest Products (NYSE: RFP) (TSX: RFP) will see C$11 million in upgrades at its Comtois sawmill in Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Quebec, and its Senneterre, Quebec, sawmill, preserving Quebec jobs.