DETROIT – Researchers at Michigan State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are working on a process to turn sterilized cow manure into fiberboard for use in furniture, shelving, flooring and more. According to the Associated Press, the fiberboard is made by mixing sterilized manure with chemical resins and subjecting the mixture to heat and pressure.

NEW YORK-- Huttig Building Products Inc., a domestic distributor of millwork, building materials and wood produc

LAMAR, MO -- State economic development officials are looking into ways to help hundreds of workers who face unemployment after O'Sullivan Industries, a ready-to-assemble furniture manufacturer and the largest employer in Lamar, MO, announced it will shut down, according to

STANLEYTOWN, VA – Jeffrey R. Scheffer, CEO, chairman and president of Stanley Furniture Co. Inc. said at the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting that he believes the company’s strategy of mostly domestic manufacturing will survive the current downturn in the industry, according to the Martinsville Bulletin. “History shows business will eventually come back,” said Scheffer.

MUSCATINE, IA – HNI Corp. said it achieved first quarter sales of $609.2 million and income from continuing operations of $20.7 million for the quarter that ended March 31. Consolidated net sales for the first quarter decreased 5.6 percent compared to the same period last year, and gross margins were 1.6 percent lower than the prior year, primarily due to decreased volume.

MEMPHIS, TN –Genesis Development LLC, a commercial development consulting company, acquired office design firm Office Evolution, according to the Memphis Business Journal. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Office Evolution is the exclusive dealer of Knoll contract furniture and the local Office Furniture U.S.A. dealer.

MILWAUKEE, WI –According to PRWeb, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) awarded National Business Furniture LLC a contract to provide office furniture to U.S. Government agencies. The new contract includes a wide range of office furniture products, and provides specified discounts to the GSA, as well as fast shipment to federal customers.

ASCHAFFENBURG, GERMANY – Pollmeier is building its third sawmill. Once completed later this year, it will help the company increase its annual capacity of European beech lumber to 200 million board feet. The company’s office in Beaverton, OR, markets beech to cabinet, flooring, furniture and other wood product manufacturers throughout North America. For more information, visit www.pollmeier.com.

EAST GREENVILLE, PA –Furniture manufacturer Knoll Inc. announced results for the first quarter ended March 31. Net sales were $247.9 million for the quarter, which was an increase of 13.7% from the first quarter 2006. Operating income reached $30.8 million, or 12.4% of net sales, an increase of 40.6% from the same period last year. Net income was $14.8 million, which was up 45.1% from the first quarter of 2006.

TUSCALOOSA, AL – John Waite, president of John Waite Consultants Ltd., the Planit Reseller for Canada, announced that the ownership of the Canadian firm is changing. Peter Mate, Rob Pawluk, Jerome Maranda and TJ Seens have agreed to purchase shares in the company. Over the next two to three years, the ownership of the company will transfer to these key individuals.