Read More Articles by Karen Koenig

Karen
Koenig
Editor
Karen M. Koenig has more than 30 years of experience in the woodworking industry, including visits to wood products manufacturing facilities throughout North America, Europe and Asia. As editor of special publications under the Woodworking Network brand, including the Red Book Best Practices resource guide and website, Karen’s responsibilities include writing, editing and coordinating of editorial content. She is also a contributor to FDMC and other Woodworking Network online and print media owned by CCI Media. She can be reached at karen.koenig@woodworkingnetwork.com
As business resumes following the COVID-19 pandemic, manufacturers must work smarter, and faster than their competitors while providing customer service, quality, and added value to the wood products. What follows are some of the methods put in place by the 2021 WOOD 100.
Flexsteel launches first solid wood home furniture collection
Debuting at October's High Point Market, the solid pine Chevron collection includes bedroom, dining, occasional, and home office furniture.

By
Karen M. Koenig,
October 1, 2021 | 3:33 pm CDT
Despite drop in July, residential furniture orders still up year-to-date
This marks the first time since June 2020 that new orders were down from the same month in the previous year, according to Smith Leonard's latest Furniture Insights.

By
Karen M. Koenig,
October 1, 2021 | 1:33 pm CDT
Meet the Elite: Wood Industry Market Leaders
Since 2009, Woodworking Network has paid tribute to market leaders in the wood products industry that have made an impact — not only at their own companies, but also on the industry as a whole. Represented are persons from all segments of the secondary woodworking industry, including: residential furniture, contract/office furniture, cabinets, closets/home storage, store fixture, architectural woodwork, window and door, and wood components.

By
Karen M. Koenig,
October 1, 2021 | 8:30 am CDT
Woodworking made izy: Standardized interface initiative underway
Announced at LIGNA, the project was initiated by a team of seven major producers of woodworking technology: Biesse, Burkle, Homag, IMA Schelling, SCM, Weber and Weinig.

By
Karen M. Koenig,
September 30, 2021 | 3:45 pm CDT
Chromcraft debuts McKenzie modular seating, made in USA
Made in Mississippi, the new line includes fully upholstered, modular seating.

By
Karen M. Koenig,
September 24, 2021 | 3:01 pm CDT
Home products infographic: Shipments & employment figures
The U.S. Census Bureau has released an interactive visualization showing the value of shipments and employment for select manufacturing industries that produce housing-related products like paint, upholstered chairs, kitchen cabinets and other materials.

By
Karen M. Koenig,
September 24, 2021 | 2:14 pm CDT
Rieke Office wins Globee award for SafeSpace products
Rieke Office Interiors has won a Silver Globee Award in the category of Company Innovation of the Year for its SafeSpace product line developed during the pandemic.

By
Karen M. Koenig,
September 24, 2021 | 11:22 am CDT
Virtual LIGNA 21 expo & conference kicks off Sept. 27
LIGNA.Innovation Network runs Sept. 27-29.

By
Karen M. Koenig,
September 23, 2021 | 8:08 am CDT
Drax starts construction on second Arkansas biomass pellet plant
Drax Group has begun construction on the second of three satellite pellet plants in Arkansas. Located in Russellville, Pope County, the new facility is part of a $40 million project and is expected to be operational in 2022.

By
Karen M. Koenig,
September 22, 2021 | 1:20 pm CDT