With more than 22 million trees in California killed by a bark beetle infestation, exacerbated by the state's 4-year drought, Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency to remove dead or dying trees in high-hazard areas.

Perhaps no sector has experienced this truth as much as woodworking manufacturers, where computers and software have often been inserted into the operational mix. But the human factor often still seems missing.

J. Marcus Scrudder, president and owner of Heartland Cabinetry and Furniture Inc., Dallas, was named to the board of DGSE Companies, a jewelry and precious metals wholesaler.

Stanley Furniture turned a small a profit third quarter as, largely a result of $4.9 million in CDSOA income, the antidumping duties collected from China and other foreign furniture producers deemed to have sold furniture below market prices. Disruptions in production slowed delivery of new adult residential furniture lines.

Residential furniture maker Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. said its profit for the first quarter ended Sept. 30 rose 11% compared to last year and said orders improved in October. "Beginning in fiscal 2017, we will be well positioned to begin an accelerated growth phase, towards sales of $1 billion," remarked CEO Farooq Kathwari. That would represent an increase of 25%.

Owners of Hobby Lobby, a national crafts and hobbyist supply store with a substantial high tech in-house retail display manufacturing plant, are reported to be under investigation for illegal imports of antiquities. Federal agents intercepted a cache of ancient Cuneiform clay documents as they were being shipped by FedEx to Hobby Lobby headquarters in Oklahoma City.

The nation's largest cabinet manufacturer continues to grow. MasterBrand Cabinets announced it is expanding its operations at the Auburn, AL, facility, adding a third shift and 150 employees. This will bring the total number of employees at the plant to 530.

A woodworking and makers collective, The Forge, in Greensboro, NC, has named Joe Rotondi as its first executive director. He cooperative work center provides tools and machinery for 3D printing, rapid prototyping, woodworking, electronics and other fabrication activities.

There will be no Hardwood Checkoff promotions program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has stopped the rulemaking process on the controversial "Hardwood Lumber and Hardwood Plywood Promotion, Research and Information Order." The termination is effective Oct. 29.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Leitz Tooling announced the appointment of Brian Meier as Director of Technical Sales for Leitz USA.Meier has been in the woodworking industry for nearly 23 years.  His background includes inside sales management as well as manufacturing and production engineering, focusing on tooling and applications in architectural millwork.