Research by the Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) has business continuing to show improvement for the third straight year. Following an estimated 10 percent growth in 2011, projections call for an additional 10 percent growth in 2012, although not all industry segments will achieve that same level, said Klein Merriman, executive director.

FormWood says its now has a bamboo panel product that meets domestic manufacture requirements under the Buy America Act.

Black Bros. Co. of Mendota, IL has agreed to purchase the 3-D Press Div. from Shaw-Almex Industries of Burlington, Ontario, Canada.

Featured in the digital edition of Wood & Wood Products' December issue are articles on the 2011 Wood Industry Market Leaders, architectural casework manufacturer Creative Laminates, plus diamond tooling and locks.

Profiles of movers and shakers at eight forward-thinking wood products companies highlights their impact on the wood manufacturing industry as a whole.

Jeff Pray, president & CEO of PIN, has been named a 2011 Wood Industry Market Leader, by Wood & Wood Products magazine.

The Association of Retail Environments will focus its 56th convention and industry summit on the issue of globalization and technology integration. The event will be held Nov. 2-4 at the Four Seasons Resort in Palm Beach, FL.

Diversified manufacturer Leggett & Platt reported second quarter earnings per diluted share of $.37, which includes a $.02 per share benefit from an unusual tax item. In the second quarter of 2010, earnings from Continuing Operations were $.34 per share. Excluding the tax item, per share earnings improved $.01 versus the prior year on essentially flat unit volume.

PHILADELPHIA – FixtureOne, a manufacturer of wood and metal fixtures and displays for retail, commercial, museum and other customers, was written up for 44 workplace violations by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited FixtureOne for 44 safety and health violations at its facility located at 7601 Edmund St. in Philadelphia.