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Read More Articles by Karen Koenig

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 [email protected]

Canadian News

Western Forest Products buys U.S. lumber mill for $9 million

VANCOUVER, B.C. - Western Forest Products Inc. announced it will acquire Hampton Lumber Mills-Washington Inc.'s lumber processing and distribution center in Arlington, Washington for approximately $9 million. The sale is expected to close in January 2018. This will be the Canadian lumber producer's first U.S. operation. The acquisition will also help "to mitigate" the softwood duties assessed on company products sold into the United States, said Western President and CEO Don Demens.

By Karen M. Koenig, December 8, 2017 | 2:46 pm CST

Woodworking Industry News

Former lumber CFO guilty of embezzling over $800,000

A former lumber executive is facing up to 20 years in federal prison for embezzling more than $800,000 from a Beckley, West Virginia-based company. Federal prosecutors say James Matthew Miller, 42, pleaded guilty on Dec. 7 to two counts of wire fraud. He faces fines up to $250,000 on each of the counts

By Karen M. Koenig, December 8, 2017 | 12:12 pm CST

Almanac Market Data

Wood components market drivers foretell industry growth

The wood components market is inherently tied to the other wood secondary products industries and as such, it also looks to be on a generally upward growth trend. This market encompasses a variety of products, including those used in the cabinetry, furniture, home storage, architectural and millwork industries.

By Karen M. Koenig, December 6, 2017 | 4:46 pm CST

Almanac Market Data

Wood and laminate flooring forecasts & analysis

Overall, the wood and laminate flooring markets continue to increase their share of the floor coverings market as residential and commercial buyers’ preference for these durable and design-oriented products continues to grow. According to Catalina Research, the hardwood flooring market rose 5.9% in 2016, reaching $3.64 billion. Laminate flooring, which faces greater competition from low-cost imports, showed minimal gain last year, less than 1%, to reach $956 million.

By Karen M. Koenig, December 6, 2017 | 4:05 pm CST

Almanac Market Data

Growth forecast for window & door industry

Overall, window and door sales are projected to rise 4.8% annually through 2021, driven in part by the strength in new housing activity and commercial building construction, according to the Windows and Doors Market Forecast by The Freedonia Group.

By Karen M. Koenig, December 6, 2017 | 3:32 pm CST

Almanac Market Data

Growth opportunities in closets & home storage industry

The U.S. closets and home storage organization market is projected to grow 3.5% annually to $10.5 billion in 2019, according to research by The Freedonia Group. Closets and bedrooms continue to bel the most important areas for home organization products, with demand for closet storage outpacing that of other bedroom storage due to greater investment in modular units. Other storage products purchased for the bedroom (not including closets) includes shelves and bins, baskets, and totes.

By Karen M. Koenig, December 6, 2017 | 3:13 pm CST

Almanac Market Data

Positive outlook for retail fixtures industry as physical stores grow presence

Just ask Amazon and Google, both of whom have ramped up their retail presence with physical stores. The fact is, brick and mortar stores are here to stay. Stay, but not be stagnant. In order to compete with their online counterparts, physical stores are evolving in the services and technology offered, as well as in the style, accessibility and feel/texture of the visual merchandising displays and fixtures used.

By Karen M. Koenig, December 6, 2017 | 2:05 pm CST

Almanac Market Data

Residential furniture industry: Trends & analysis

Despite a slow start in 2017, the residential furniture industry continues to demonstrate steady signs of improvement, both in solid wood and panel-based products, with the latest year-to-date figures from Smith Leonard’s Furniture Insights showing a 6% gain in new orders over the first eight months of 2016, with shipments up 5%.

By Karen M. Koenig, December 6, 2017 | 1:15 pm CST

Almanac Market Data

Forecasting the contract furniture industry

North America continues to control the largest piece of the pie when it comes to the global contract furniture market, with consumption of office, education and healthcare furniture estimated at $18.41 billion in 2016, the most recent figures published by BIFMA/IHS Markit.

By Karen M. Koenig, December 5, 2017 | 5:21 pm CST

Almanac Market Data

What's driving the cabinet & countertop industries? Trends & statistics

Kitchen cabinet demand in the United States is projected to grow 5.9% per year to $17.1 billion in 2021, according to the 10th edition of the Cabinets Market in the U.S. study by The Freedonia Group. The fastest growing style, tall kitchen cabinets are projected to reach a value of $3.2 billion in 2021 on annual advances of 7.7%. Tall cabinets are rising in popularity due to their additional storage and they can make smaller kitchens appear larger.

By Karen M. Koenig, December 5, 2017 | 4:14 pm CST