LAVAL, QU – 20-20 Technologies Inc. announced the results for the second quarter for fiscal 2007, which ended April 30. Revenues increased 8.6% to $17.5 million, operating income increased 31.5% to $2.5 million and European revenue increased 20.1%.

ATLANTA – Italian home furniture maker Natuzzi SpA said it would cut work time at its plants in Italy due to challenging business conditions in major markets, according to Retuters. Natuzzi said it would reduce working time to five hours per shift from eight for 13 weeks. In 2006, approximately 37% of the company’s total sales of $881.8 million came from the Americas, while Europe accounted for about 56%.

CHARLOTTE, NC – Biesse America hosted more than 70 customers from more than 50 companies at it One2One event held June 6-7 at Taurus Craco Woodworking Machinery Inc. in Brampton, ON.

CHARLOTTE, NC – Biesse America announced a pair of appointments. Dan Rackoff was promoted to edgebander product area manager. He will be responsible for sales and support in a territory that covers New York, New Jersey, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Arkansas and Mississippi.

ST. PAUL, MN — 3M recently announced it has acquired Diamond Productions Inc., a manufacturer of super abrasive diamond and CBN (cubic boron nitride) wheels and tools for dimensioning and finishing hard-to-grind materials in metalworking, woodworking and stone fabrication markets.

RALEIGH, NC – Kevin Singleton has been hired as a regional sales manager for Schelling America Inc. and IMA America Corp., which recently announced a new American alliance partnership. Singleton has 16 years of experience in the woodworking industry.

CHARLOTTE, NC— Biesse America has announced it is extending its hours of live technical phone support to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST), effective Aug. 1. Direct access to live technicians has been increased to 12 hours per day, especially benefiting those customers on the West Coast of the United States..    

DEERFIELD, IL – Mark Thompons, a member of Friedman Corp.’s leadership team since 1995, has been promoted to president from vice president of operations. He will take on the additional responsibilities for helping to lead the management and strategic director of the firm.

MONTEREY PARK CA – Eurosoft Ltd. of Cary, NC, and TRAKware Systems of Edmonton, AB, announced that they have successfully integrated Trakware and ARDIS software at Architectural Woodworking Co. The integration allows data sharing between TRAKware estimating, scheduling and production software and ARDIS optimization software.

ST. LOUIS – The Furniture Brands Int’l. Board of Directors announced the appointment of Ralph Scozzafava to the Board of Directors as vice chairman and Chief Executive Officer Designate. The board also announced the plans of Chairman and CEO W.G. (Mickey) Holliman to retire as CEO on January 1, 2008. Holliman will remain chairman until May 1, 2008, and John T. Foy will continue to serve as president and COO. Mr.