MYANMAR -  Myanmar has freed 153 Chinese facing life sentences for illegal logging.  Their release was part of a larger presidential amnesty deal which freed close to 7,000 prisoners.Last week's sentencing strained the country's relation with neighboring China. News reports say a life sentence like that given to the 153 loggers, is typically equal to 20 years. An additional two Chinese loggers, both said to be minors, were given 10 years.

Wood-based biofuel will be used to fuel FedEx jets within two years under a seven year contract between Red Rock Biofuels and FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. Red Rock, which is also supply bio jet fuel to Southwest Airlines, will produce 3 million gallons of low-carbon, renewable jet fuel per year for the company. First delivery is in 2017.

CNC manufacturer Thermwood Corp. says it is developing a 3D additive manufacturing system, that is capable of making large carbon graphite reinforced composite thermoplastic components. It uses a “near net shape” approach with a large extruder, mounted to the machine, heats, melts and “prints” carbon graphite filled thermoplastic material to create a structure which is then five-axis machined to its final net shape.

Milwaukee Tool launches a jobsite power tool inventory and control management system that ttracks power tools in the cloud, and monitors and even remotely controls a tool's performance settings. The initial app is free.

Cabinet and building products giant Masco Corp. announced plans to relocate its corporate headquarters by the end of 2016 to a 75,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility in Livonia, Michigan. The news comes just days after the company released its second quarter findings of 3% overall net sales growth — 7% in North America — to $1.9 billion. Sales were spurred by a 6% jump in Cabinets and Related Products, driven by KraftMaid Cabinetry’s sales growth with home centers and dealers.

La-Z-Boy Inc. announced that Steven Kincaid, senior vice president of La-Z-Boy Inc. and president, La-Z-Boy Casegoods, Inc., will transition to an advisory role within the business. Otis Sawyer, senior vice president of La-Z-Boy Inc. and president, England, Inc., will assume the additional responsibility as president of the Casegoods organization. The La-Z-Boy Casegoods segment consists of three brands: American Drew; Hammary; and Kincaid.

Lowe's now carries professional grade Hitachi pneumatic nailers and fasteners exclusively. New Hitachi Power Tool displays are joining the existing lineup of Hitachi tools at Lowe's and are rolling out to stores this month.

Weaber Lumber says parent corporation Weaber, Inc. has been recapitalized by its CEO, the grandson of Weaber's founder, with funding from private equity firm Cyprium Partners. Employing 600, Weaber competes in the $27.2 billion wood products market.

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