Read More Articles by Karen Koenig
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].
Cabinet sales continue to trend upward, growing 5.7 percent in May 2015 compared to year ago figures, according to the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association monthly Trend of Business Survey. This keeps alive a streak spanning 41 months of consecutive growth.
Kindel Furniture Expands Line with Councill Furniture Acquisition
Kindel Furniture Co. is expanding its luxury brand of residential and contract furniture offerings with the acquisition of Councill Co. LLC. Included in the purchase are all of Councill's case goods and the majority of upholstery products. Financial terms of the deal, announced July 9, were not disclosed.
By
Karen M. Koenig,
July 13, 2015 | 10:54 am CDT
Particleboard Plant Revamps for Pellet Production
SMITHERS, BC - A Northern Engineered Wood Products (NEWPRO) particleboard facility is filing a permit amendment to become a wood pellet manufacturing plant. Particleboard production has been halted at the Smithers, BC, plant since January 2014.
By
Karen M. Koenig,
July 10, 2015 | 1:28 pm CDT
Hooker Furniture Promotes Prillaman to Case Goods VP
MARTINSVILLE, VA - Residential furniture producer Hooker Furniture has promoted Scott Prillaman to an expanded role of vice president of case goods operations.Prillaman has overseen the Hooker Furniture’s (NASDAQ: HOFT) U.S. case goods operations for the past two years. He has been with the company in various roles for 25 years.
By
Karen M. Koenig,
July 10, 2015 | 11:37 am CDT
Suwannee Lumber Names Langdale New CEO
CROSS CITY, FL - Softwood lumber producer Suwannee Lumber Co. LLC has named James H. Langdale its new CEO. Langdale succeeds Frank “Bump” Faircloth, who will become chairman of Suwannee’s Board of Directors.Langdale has more than 23 years of experience in the forest products industry, most recently at Pannon Enterprises LLC, a consulting firm he headed. Faircloth, who served as CEO of Suwannee since 1992, oversaw the company's growth from $5 million in revenue in 1992 to over $100 million in revenue in 2014.
By
Karen M. Koenig,
July 9, 2015 | 1:17 pm CDT
Furniture Factory Moves Manufacturing to Arkansas
Furniture Factory Outlet (FFO Home) said it will relocate its corporate headquarters and manufacturing operations to Fort Smith, AR, creating 64 new jobs in the area. The residential furniture supplier and retailer's main facilities have been located in Muldrow, OK.
By
Karen M. Koenig,
July 8, 2015 | 12:16 pm CDT
The Top 10 States for Woodworking
The votes are in, and the overall top states for doing business are not necessarily the ones where woodworkers tend to congregate. "America's Top States for Business 2015," compiled by CNBC, ranks the best work states, with the top 10 in order of: Minnesota, Texas, Utah, Colorado, Georgia, North Dakota, Nebraska, Washington, North Carolina and Iowa. But according to recent BLS employment figures, that's not where you'll find the majority of woodworkers, nor the best paying jobs in the field.
By
Karen M. Koenig,
July 7, 2015 | 9:50 am CDT
What Would You Do to Win a Free Woodworking Machine?
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Stiles Machinery challenged woodshop students across the country to show what their teacher was willing to do to win a new woodworking machine. What Saugus, CA-based Saugus High School teacher Leonard Friedman would do was allow students to shave his 30-year-old beard.
By
Karen M. Koenig,
July 7, 2015 | 9:33 am CDT
Hardwood Checkoff Opponents Win Delay for More Comments
Following a request by Hardwood Checkoff opponents, the woodworking industry now has until Sept. 7 to submit comments on the proposed program, which sets a tax on lumber producers to help promote wood sales, similar to the "Got Milk?" and "Pork: The Other White Meat" ad programs. Some timber and lumber producers do not want to see the program launched.
By
Karen M. Koenig,
July 2, 2015 | 5:07 pm CDT
Wood Finishing System Pumps Up the Power
Kremlin's award-winning finishing system offers fast, efficient color changes. Here's how it works.
By
Karen M. Koenig,
July 2, 2015 | 12:20 pm CDT