Brooks Gronlund has been named president and COO of Wood-Mode Inc.

Wood manufacturing firms share in positive employment picture.

HOLLAND, MI -- The Stow Company has introduced Fronterra, a new engineered lightweight panel for creating organization, storage and furniture products.

ZEELAND, MI -- Office furnituer manufacturer Herman Miller has launched a direct-to-consumer eCommerce store through tits website: HermanMiller.com/store.

HIGH POINT, NC -- Smith Leonard LLC reported that furniture orders for August 2010 increased 1% compared to August 2009, but off 12 percent from August 2008.

CHICAGO -- Former Cubs' slugger Sammy Sosa's infamous corked maple bat sold at auction for $14,407.

MORRISTOWN, TN -- Barcalounger, a popular brand of furniture recliners that suddenly closed its domestic plant last spring and filed for Chapter 11, plans to reemerge as an importer of products made in China.

ARLINGTON, VA -- Construction employment declined in 236 out of 337 metropolitan areas between September 2009 and September 2010, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America.

ST. LOUIS, MO -- Furniture Brands International announced it intends to close its Thomasville ready-to-assemble furniture and contract furniture plant in Appomattox, VA, early next year.

DUBLIN, IRELAND -- Research and Markets has announced the availability of the "2011 U.S. Furniture Wholesale Industry Report."