Valspar Wood Products has launched a national, fully-integrated distribution program to support sales of its wood coating products. Among Valspar's initiatives is an optimized product platform, re-labeling of the product line and a new website.

A recent survey by the American Society of Landscape Architects suggests homeowners want function, efficiency and fire pits in their outdoor space, with seating and dining areas ranking among the top requested features.

The Forest Stewardship Council U.S. has appointed Etienne McManus-White as chief marketing officer. She will lead all marketing efforts for the FSC, including the execution of U.S. consumer strategy and corresponding campaigns and will also serve as a principal liaison with all FSC business partners.

It was another tough week for the Southern yellow pine market. Volume continued to be abnormally flat considering the Spring buying season is upon us, says Bill Nocerino of Forest2Market.

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada announced the recall of approximately 400 wood Parents Busy Time Activity Center.

Office furniture giant HNI Corp. announced sales of $466.1 million and income from continuing operations of $12.6 million for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 1, 2011. For fiscal year 2010, the corporation reported sales of $1.7 billion and income from continuing operations of $29.7 million.

Store fixture firm idX Corp. will receive $360,000 from the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) for expansion of its recently acquired Lancaster Industries manufacturing facility in Cuero, TX.

After a year that included new management, restructuring, divestments and plant closures, Steelcase Inc. reported net income of $20.4 million on $2.44 billion of revenue for fiscal 2011, versus a $13.6 million loss on $2.29 billion in income for the year prior.

"Demand for U.S.-made flooring in Q2 will be limited by lackluster residential construction and pressure from imports, report Hardwood Publishing's analysts in this week's Lumber Report. "New tariffs on Chinese engineered flooring will shift some sourcing to other Asian producers. Long-term, tariffs would only enable U.S. firms to recover a small percentage of domestic market share—47% of which now belongs to Chinese products."

Yorktowne Cabinetry is closing the Red Lion, PA plant. OSHA moved this week to fine wood firms, charging Trautschold Millwork with amputation risks; heads rolled at Kid Brands' LaJobi unit over China wood furniture import duty payments; and Pepsi barked back with a plastic bottle using pine bark. Other top stories: Jonas Geiger Furniture by Dovetail; and NASA lauds a star-studded wood table.