Flow of Manufacturing Jobs Between China and the West to Equalize; China Could Suffer, as it also Faces Pressure from Low-Cost Labor Countries

Two major furniture manufacturers topped this week's news with Linwood Furniture filing for bankruptcy and La-Z-Boy receiving $16MM in antidumping duties for its wooden bedroom furniture.

TigerStop CEO Spencer Dick was appointed to serve on the Industry Trade Advisory Committee (ITAC).

In his State of the Union address, not only did Obama say that manufacturing matters, he said revitalizing America’s ability to make things is a cornerstone of his plans for the nation’s economic recovery, jobs creation and future prosperity.

CNC Software, Inc., producer of Mastercam CAD/CAM software, announces the 2012 Mastercam Innovator of the Future (IOF) national competition.

Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc. announced fourth quarter earnings of $61 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, on revenues of $315 million. Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2010 were $59 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, on revenues of $356 million.

Robert Stevenson will be the keynote speaker for the 10th anniversary Executive Briefing Conference, March 4-6, 2012 in Charlotte, NC. The bestselling author will open the conference with the address, Manufacturing at the Speed of Change.

By almost a 2:1 margin, the Senate last week passed the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act of 2011, which should crack down on China’s artificial under-valuation of its currency and level the playing field for U.S. companies. The measure now goes before the House, where support is mixed.

Global Finishing Solutions LLC is pleased to announce a $10 million dollar investment in its facilities at the Osseo, WI corporate offices.

A new furniture manufacturer will open in Lincoln County, NC, this fall and is expected to hire approximately 130 people by the end of 2012.