West coast exports of logs and lumber in the first half of 2015 are lower than they were during the first half of 2014. “Port strikes during the first quarter of 2015 reduced overall log and lumber exports from the west coast, which makes the increases we saw in the second quarter significant,” said Xiaoping Zhou, a research economist with the station who conducted the analysis and compiled the data.

Veteran luxury furniture executive Eric Graham has been named president of Fine Furniture Design, which manufactures furniture in a 1 million square foot plant in Shanghai. Graham was senior director of Century Wood Products and Century Leisure at Century

The Roseburg Forest Products softwood plywood mill in Coquille, OR is a massive facility with lots of moving parts. A new system of wireless alerting transmitters is enhancing safety and improving response times for electricians and millwrights, and improving efficiency.

Manufacturer Fusion Furniture Inc. is expanding operations at its facility in Ecru, Mississippi, hiring 100 and investing $1.6 million in a 100,000 square foot addition. Total employment at the factory will rise to 430, according to the Mississippi Development Authority, which is helping fund the project.

Kimball International has appointed Kourtney Smith to the position of President for Kimball Hospitality. Smith will assume responsibility for the entire Kimball Hospitality organization, including strategic direction, goals, growth and driving share-owner value.

Mohawk flooring CEO Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum says flooring sales in North America segment increased 40 percent last quarter, with sales of hard surface products are growing faster than carpet due to their increasing use in new home construction and residential remodeling.

Starting September 1, IKEA USA will only sell LED lighting in its retail stores, following up on a sustainability commitment announced in 2012.

The Inside View House, now under construction with the USDA Forest Products Laboratory and the APA Engineered Wood Association by Beechen & Dill Homes, shows how OSB can be part of design plans to replace some joists and studs, among other wall and floor framing methods that save energy, speed installation, and reduce waste.

SierraPine said it will divest its two remaining composite panel mills to Roseburg Forest Products and Timber Products Co. The news was announced Aug. 11.