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Welcome to Panel Talk, an information hub to help you learn the important steps in buying and using hardwood plywood and decorative wood panels. Discover trending wood species, how to purchase the right panel products, innovative projects from your peers, and more. You’ll find educational videos, blogs, and podcasts to help your business succeed. Sponsored by Timber Products Company, a U.S. manufacturer of hardwood plywood and decorative panels. 800-547-9520.

Marathon Hardware begins offering full Blum product line

QXO completes acquisition of TopBuild

Inside Day One of the 2026 Closets Conference & Expo

Day One: Wood Pro Expo kicks off with a home run

Video: Tokyo architecture firm preserves wood for new digs

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Canadian News

Marathon Hardware begins offering full Blum product line

Marathon Hardware has entered into a partnership with Blum to carry the Austrian-based manufacturer’s full range of products across its distribution network throughout Canada.

By Rich Christianson, July 1, 2026 | 10:18 am CDT

Woodworking Industry News

QXO completes acquisition of TopBuild

The transaction significantly expands QXO’s scale and capabilities across the building products value chain. QXO now holds leadership positions in key building product categories in North America.

By Dakota Smith, July 1, 2026 | 9:15 am CDT

Event Coverage

Inside Day One of the 2026 Closets Conference & Expo

The opening day of the 2026 Closets Conference & Expo delivered a look at the closet industry, from high-tech manufacturing and emerging design trends to the core strategic business practices required to scale successfully.

By Michaelle Bradford, July 1, 2026 | 4:02 am CDT

Event Coverage

Day One: Wood Pro Expo kicks off with a home run

Wood Pro Expo Florida convention and conference kicked off the morning of June 30 with a baseball legend and later tackled some of the most pragmatic and practical issues facing woodworkers, cabinet makers, closet manufacturers and more.

By Larry Adams, June 30, 2026 | 8:40 pm CDT

Design

Video: Tokyo architecture firm preserves wood for new digs

The design of Symboplus' new office preserves the original timber structure as much as possible. Rather than pursuing visual impact, the project focuses on continuity―between architecture, material, and time.

By Rich Christianson, June 30, 2026 | 12:57 pm CDT

Woodworking Industry News

Formica Group launches bio-based FENIX NTX

The FENIX collection is designed for commercial and residential interior use across a wide range of applications.

By Rich Christianson, June 30, 2026 | 11:31 am CDT

Woodworking Industry News

U.S. wildfire across Utah, Colorado border kills three firefighters, injures two

The fire originally formed when multiple smaller blazes, including the Knowles and Gore fires, merged across Mesa and Grand counties. As an active complex incident, it has burned more than 28,000 acres of remote terrain and canyons just south of the Colorado River. The 28,000-acre fire along the Colorado-Utah border is now being managed under Snyder Fire.

By Dakota Smith, June 30, 2026 | 9:45 am CDT

Woodworking Industry News

Woodcarver Justin Howland creates historic tribute from Civil War-era tree

In 2024, the society announced 40 saplings from the muster tree have been made, thanks to the city of Delavan’s arborist, Deb Meeker. In the coming years, the young trees will be planted around the city of Delavan, and some will be used for fundraising.

By Dakota Smith, June 30, 2026 | 9:35 am CDT

Woodworking Industry News

Homebuilding AI company raises $95M Series C funding

Higharc generates homes as spatial databases — capturing code requirements, construction standards and geometry — and creates the structured data foundation required for production-grade AI.

By Dakota Smith, June 30, 2026 | 8:55 am CDT

Woodworking Industry News

USDA and Habitat for Humanity break ground on veteran housing project

The Homes for Hometown Vets pilot program is designed to expand affordable housing options for veterans by developing small, energy‑efficient homes (approximately 700–800 sq. ft.) located near critical resources that support a high quality of life.

By Dakota Smith, June 30, 2026 | 8:43 am CDT