Wood components study reveals market trends

Overall, the wood products industry is looking good, with demand in cabinetry, furniture, retail fixtures and architectural millwork all projected to rise over the next few years. This also bodes well for the components and dimension manufacturers who supply products to these industries.

A recent survey of these manufacturers found more than half of the respondents supply products to the residential market, particularly in the cabinetry and furniture segments, with sales to commercial markets also strong, albeit to a lesser degree.

The Wood Components Benchmark Study was conducted online in the spring by the Wood Component Manufacturers Association, Wood Products Manufacturers Association and Woodworking Network. The survey provides insight into market sales, product categories, and business performance projections and other relevant information.

The residential market continues to be bolstered by new household formations and an aging population, demographics and replacement and/or remodeling of older homes. With survey participants able to select multiple industries, an estimated 56% indicated they provide products for residential cabinetry, compared to 40% for commercial cabinetry, while 51% targeted residential furniture and 39% contract furniture.  Other top areas for wood components and dimension stock include: building products (34%), decorative/specialty items including musical instruments, caskets, toys, gifts and novelty items (38%), and industrial products, such as tool handles (8%).

Drilling deeper, when asked what percentage of overall sales were directly attributed to the individual segments, the average for those that selected residential cabinetry as well as residential furniture was 57% for both. Next highest was building products, with an average of 40%, followed by contract furniture (28%), commercial cabinetry (27%), decorative/specialty products (26%) and industrial products (24%).

In looking at the type of components provided, cabinetry, in general, is the number one selection. With respondents able to choose multiple categories, an estimated 41% indicated they produce cabinet parts, while 35% specified solid wood cabinet doors and another 30% said cabinet doors made from composite panels. In alphabetical order, other products by category include: architectural millwork (40%), chair seats and parts (22%), closet components (25%) cut-to-size blanks (18%), dowels/round (7%), drawer boxes (28%), edge-glued panels (19%), entry doors/windows (14%), flooring (10%), moulding and trim (37%), RV parts (4%), specialty/novelty items (20%), squares/laminated (7%), squares/solid (7%), staircase parts (10%), store fixture components (15%), table parts (17%), tool handles and parts (2%), turnings (15%), upholstered frame stock (4%) and wall paneling (13%).

For more information about the Wood Components Benchmark Study or the sponsoring associations, contact the Wood Component Manufacturers Association at [email protected]WCMA.com, and Wood Products Manufacturers Association at [email protected], WPMA.org.

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About the author
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 [email protected]