Madison library furnishings and interiors firm DEMCO has acquired Highsmith, a supplier of furnishings to elementary schools and libraries, from WW Grainger. DEMCO (left), part of 700-employee, $200 million, Wall Family Enterprises.

McDonald's massive remodeling effort uses wood millwork, paneling and furniture as the key to get customers to linger and spend. The hamburger franchise last month won LEED certification for  a Pennsylvania warehouse with FSC certified wood.

Daniel Davila, an under-employed 23-year-old timber-flooring specialist tells the Wall St. Journal he left California for Australia where he now earns $50 an hour laying flooring, and will open his own timber-flooring business down under. Labor-starved Australia is booming from China-driven exports.

Trinity River Lumber Co., a Weaverville, CA sawmille, reopens after a $20 million rebuild from a devastating fire one year ago. It is running two shifts with 125 employees.

Online crafts store Etsy, which includes handmade furniture and over 40,000 wood craft items for sale, reports dramatic growth, with $400 million in annual revenue.