Read More Articles by Karen Koenig

Profile picture for user karenkoenig
Karen Koenig
Editor

Karen M. Koenig has more than 35 years of experience in the woodworking industry, including visits to wood products manufacturing facilities throughout North America, Europe and Asia. As senior editor, her responsibilities include writing and editing for Woodworking Network publications FDMC Magazine and Closets & Organized Storage Magazine, as well as the website. She also oversees many of Woodworking Network's special projects and programs, including Red Book: Resource Guide for Best Practice, FDMC 300, 40 Under 40, and the Wood Industry Market Leaders. She can be reached at [email protected].

Woodworking Industry News

Residential furniture orders up 8% in May

HIGH POINT, N.C. - Residential furniture orders rose 8% in May compared to the year prior, and 7% higher than April orders, according to the latest Furniture Insights survey of residential furniture manufacturers and distributors from Smith Leonard. New orders were up for 58% of the surveyed participants. Year-to-date increased 7% over last year, with shipments up 4% for the year-over-year.

Woodworking Industry News

Carter Lumber to open $10 million manufacturing facility

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.  - Carter Lumber will open a $10 million Kight Home Center manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky, creating 50 jobs in the area. Founded in 1932, in Akron, Ohio, the family-owned Carter Lumber is reportedly the fifth largest lumberyard in the United States, operating 150 locations across 12 states under four branded divisions: Carter Lumber, Holmes Lumber Co., Kight Home Center and Kempsville Building Materials.

Canadian News

West Fraser expands in U.S., acquires Gilman lumber for $430 million

VANCOUVER, B.C. – West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. continues its expansion into the U.S. lumber market with the $430 million acquisition of the Gilman Companies. The acquisition includes six sawmills and a fingerjoint mill in Florida and Georgia, as well as an administrative office in St. Marys, Georgia. Vancouver, B.C.-based West Fraser's agreement with the Howard Gilman Foundation and other shareholders was announced July 26. The deal, which is subject to U.S. regulatory approvals and customary conditions, is anticipated to close in the third quarter of 2017.

AWFS News

Update: 12 woodworking companies earn AWFS Visionary Awards

ANAHEIM − Twelve woodworking companies have earned Visionary Awards for new product innovation and leadership. The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS) reissued its announcement after it realized a technical issue left two companies off the initial list of winners. The Visionary Awards were presented during the AWFS Fair. The biennial woodworking fair was held July 19-22 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

AWFS News

SCM donates $20,000 to Got Your 6 veterans group

LAS VEGAS - SCM is donating $20,000 to Got Your 6, a social movement that empowers and supports veterans and their families. The company announced the donation in a special ceremony at its booth during the AWFS Fair. The biennial woodworking fair was held July 19-22 in Las Vegas.

AWFS News

Biesse donates $12,000 to Make-A-Wish

LAS VEGAS - Biesse America presented a check for $12,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation during a special VIP/Make-A-Wish reception held during the recent AWFS Fair. The biennial woodworking show took place July 19-22 in Las Vegas.   Biesse hosted more than 700 people at the July 20 event, which the company said was an increase of more than 200 attendees than at its reception at IWF 2016 in Atlanta.

Woodworking Industry News

Lumber Baron movie begins production

EAU CLAIRE, WIS. - Filming has begun on a new movie detailing the lumber industry in western Wisconsin. "The Lumber Baron," a fictional account of a family lumber business set in 1910 Chippewa Valley, is currently being filmed in various locations around Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.