ST. LOUIS – Furniture Brands Int’l. Inc. said it is eliminating 330 jobs, including 80 executive and administrative positions. According to Earthtimes.org the company plans to cut down on costs in the wake of declining sales. Furniture Brands, which operates such brands as Broyhill, Drexel Heritage, Henredon, Lane, Maitland-Smith and Thomasville, said the plan will create an annual savings of approximately $13 million.

NBMDA President Roger Debnam

ROME, OH -- Premier Machinery Inc., an importer of woodworking machinery, as well as a provider of parts, service and tooling, is moving their corporate headquarters to South Carolina, effective May 1. The move will consolidate the parts and service department and sales department.

HUNTERSVILLE, NC – NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Jamie McMurray is joining forces with Irwin Industrial Tools to conduct a nationwide search for America’s top tradesman. The Irwin Ultimate Tradesman Challenge was launched April 11 in Texas and will follow the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series schedule into 14 U.S. racing markets, plus several non-racing markets around the country.

AUSTIN, TX – Temple-Inland Inc. reported first quarter 2007 net income of $38 million, a 52.6% decline from the $79 million in net income it posted for the same period in 2006. the company said lower lumber prices and lower prices and shipments of gypsum significantly impacted its first-quarter profits. Read more.

TORONTO – Norbord Inc. said the U.S. housing slump is responsible for a first-quarter loss of $16 million, a reversal from the $58 million profit it posted in the same period a year ago. Sales for the first three months fell from $368 million to $261 million. COO Barry Shineton said, ‘Our company is well-positioned to weather what is going to be a difficult time. He said Norbord plans to cut costs by $45 million this year.

GREEN BAY, WI – KI’s Prosper Panel System has received Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certification for low-emitting products from the Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI). Over the past year, more than 25 of KI’s products have received this certification. To achieve certification, the panel system passed a series of tests required by GEI, which will monitor the panel system each quarter to ensure it maintains low-emitting status.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL –The Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America honored Kenny Moffatt with the 2007 Ralph B. Baldwin Award of Excellence at its 16th Annual Woodworking Industry Conference. The annual award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the woodworking industry, the WMMA, their companies and their community.

FRANKFORT, NY – Hale Manufacturing Co. is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The company was founded in 1907 by F.E. Hale as a manufacturer of law office bookcases. Law office furniture remains the company’s major product line to this day. To celebrate its 100th year of continuous production, Hale is reintroducing its 300 Series Barrister Bookcases in their original architectural-grade hardwood choice, with a range of wood stains and other options.

MILWAUKEE, WI – Baird Capital Partners, the U.S.-based buyout fund of Baird Private Equity announced the acquisition of Mayline Group, a designer, manufacturer and distributor of office furniture.