Obtaining and retaining good employees is a key component in any successful business strategy. Also key are strategies for controlling material and labor costs, growing market share and product diversity.

More than machinery, it takes a dedicated and skilled staff to drive productivity at the required levels needed by woodworking facilities of all sizes. Today’s workers must be familiar with green and lean manufacturing and also have a mindset for quality control and project management.

Investments in technology are helping today’s woodworkers to be leaner, greener and expand their production capabilities, thereby spurring growth in their businesses. New opportunities await those companies that have the organization in place to accomplish this.

CWB and CLOSETS will be joining forces to produce the all-new Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo, Feb. 27-March 1, 2013 at the New Jersey Exposition & Convention Center in Edison, NJ.

Quest Engineering, a designer and manufacturer of casework, closets and home organization solutions as well as modular office furniture, expands to larger location.

ITW announced plans to sell a majority of its Decorative Surfaces segment to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. ITW will receive approximately $1.05 billion in cash, derived from a $395 million CD&R equity investment and borrowing by the new company.

Woodworking Network announces the Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo (CCCE) will debut Feb. 27-March 1, 2013 at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center.

Home remodeling activity is expected to accelerate by 2013, with spending projected to reach double-digit growth, according to LIRA.

Cabinet refacer U.S. Home Systems says 2011 revenue rose 18 percent to $146.9 million, while net income more than doubled to $4.7 million, up 123 percent from 2010. It is testing a kitchen replacement line with Home Depot.