GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Steelcase Inc. announced first quarter revenue of $808.5 million and net income of $33.6 million. Reported revenue increased 11.2% compared to $727.3 million in the prior year quarter, which was ahead of company estimates. Internationally, revenue grew 17.0%, while sales in North America increased 11.2% over the prior year.

FALL RIVER, MA –Quaker Fabric Corp., which supplies upholstered fabrics to furniture markets in the United States and abroad, has determined that it has not met the requirements for committed borrowings under its existing lending agreements. Because of this, any advances to the company by its revolving lenders will only occur on a discretionary basis.

DURHAM, NC -- CKS Kitchens & Design, a custom cabinet design studio and manufacturer, recently hired Gill Feltis as its new commercial division director, according to Carolina Newswire. As director, Feltis will be overseeing commercial sales, estimating and project management.

ZEELAND, MI – Herman Miller Inc. released its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 2. Sales in the fourth quarter increased 9.3% from the same period of the prior year, which resulted in a 10.5% fiscal year increase. Orders for the quarter increased 7.9% over the prior-year period, driving a 20.9% year-over-year growth in ending backlog. Net earnings for the quarter were $31.7 million.

NEUMARKT, GERMANY - Pfleiderer AG announced plans to construct a plant for making medium-density and high-density fiberboard at its manufacturing site in Podberesje, Russia. The new plant will have an annual capacity of more than 400,000 cubic meters and is scheduled to start production in the third quarter of 2009. Read more.

WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- Amarr Garage Doors recently became one of the first garage door manufacturers to receive accreditation for a company-owned testing facility, according to Professional Door Dealer. The accreditation was given by the American Association of Laboratory Accreditation and took nearly a year to gain approval.

Dennis Mathewson

WHITE CITY, OR -- Woodgrain Millwork Inc., an international millwork and moulding company, plans to close its White City, OR, plant on Sept. 7, and shift production to its Prineville, OR, operation, according to the Mail Tribune. The company blames the closure on declining housing starts, a shaky market and increasing global competition.

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT – Gerber Technology has appointed Hal Osthus to executive director of industrial markets and business development. In this role, Osthus will be responsible for leading Gerber’s industrial market segments, including transportation, interiors, composites, industrial fabrics and furniture.  

BEIJING, CHINA —Merbau trees, once common in countries from East Africa to Tahiti, face extinction, according to the environmental group, Greenpeace. The group reports that these trees, which now exist in large numbers on the island of New Guinea, are being felled illegally and smuggled into China. There, the trees are manufactured into hardwood flooring and furniture products for export to Europe, North America and Australia.