The ChemQuest Group, a global consulting firm for the specialty materials industry, announced that Cynthia Fallon, Ph.D., and Wayne Devonport, Ph.D., have joined the firm and will serve as vice presidents. Both will support global clients in projects that span the firm’s service offerings.

The construction industry added 19,000 jobs on net in September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has grown by 38,000 jobs, an increase of 0.5%.

Marissa Soave, 26, is one example of this trend, with her Shorewood, Illinois-based company, Complete Closet Design, experiencing rapid scaling, up 68% in sales over the past two years.

Valen USA has launched a new line of Thermally Fused Laminate (TFL) door and drawer fronts that the company says is designed to "deliver modern aesthetics, durable performance, and consistency that enables consumers to keep jobs on schedule and customers satisfied."

Millwork Distributors Inc., an employee-owned company headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, broke ground on an expansion that includes a 23,000-square-foot warehouse addition.

Shopsmith in Dayton, Ohio, manufacturers and distributors of multi-purpose woodworking tools and equipment, such as multi-function machines MARK 5 and MARK 7, suspended operations in late September 2025 and is currently seeking a new owner.

NEWARK, N.J. — Fabuwood, a semi-custom cabinetry manufacturer, has launched a new frameless cabinet line that blends elevated design with engineered durability. The Ovela collection builds on the success of Fabuwood’s 2022 Illume series of frameless cabinets. The new line introduces a "next-generation standard" for modern cabinetry that the company reflects growing demand among U.S. designers and homeowners for all-plywood construction.

Republic Elite, a manufacturer of multifamily cabinets and countertops, has acquired a state-of-the-art cabinet manufacturing facility located in Mendota, Illinois.

A thoughtful custom design from Bethesda Custom Closets turns a pop-up space into a luxurious shopping experience.

One of the most prominent trends shaping the materials sector today is functional performance — products that do more than look good. Architects and builders are seeking solutions that combine durability, safety, and sustainability without compromise. As a result, the market for treated and modified wood products is expanding, with growing emphasis on fire safety, moisture protection, and extended lifespan.