CustomMade.com online market for custom woodworkers and other custom craft professionals, says Google Ventures and Schooner provided $4 million round of financing.

Chinese domestic demand fueled growth in hardwood lumber sales to the region, though price competition remained tough. Vietnamese and Malaysian manufacturers meanwhile continued to benefit from a shift in manufacturing away from China into lower-cost regions.

The Composite Panel Assn. has voted to amend its Eco-Certified Composite (ECC) Sustainability Standard CPA 4-11 to include value-added products.

Kimball International Inc. recorded a 7% gain in net sales of its furniture products for fiscal 2012 Q3, despite a 10% overall net sales decline in the quarter for the corporation, compared to 2011.

Homeowners are personalizing their space during a remodel as the tough housing market forces more people to stay, rather than move; 26 percent will stay 16-20 years longer because home values dropped.

An estimated 600 exhibitors from 40 countries are expected at ORGATEC 2012, the International Trade Fair for Office and Facility.

Wood machinery trade groups WMIA and WMMA, part owners of the International Woodworking Fair, jointly bought out partner American Home Furnishings Alliance's one-third interest in the IWF trade show. WMMA and WMIA will now own and operate the show independently.

Video shows Selected Furniture's current Chicago operation, which will be combined in an Indiana plant with a wood manufacturing operation relocating there from China. Fires, explosions and OSHA actions topped wood news this week.