Manufacturing for Design Superiority
Businesses occupied in the dual role of designer-manufacturer of lifestyle products assume a third level of influence: Trendsetters in the aesthetic landscape. In this realm, the fusion of craftsmanship and innovation defines success. One such business is Hardwood Inc., a pioneering provider of premium building materials ranging from hardwoods to acrylics and architectural panels. At the heart […]
Wall Street Analyst Sees More Positives than Negatives in Housing Market
It may not be back to the good times during low interest rates but Telsey Advisory Group’s Housing Scorecard shows more positives than negatives. If you’re looking for good news about the housing market – especially when there doesn’t seem to be too much as the most recent data suggests the sector remains weak and […]
High Point Furniture Market Report: Better News This Month
It wasn’t the best of times, but it wasn’t the worst either as the furniture industry gathered for its market this month. Spoiler alert: Until the housing market starts to come back – really back – furniture makers and retailers are just not going to return to the good times they experienced before COVID…much less […]
Kitchen Cabinet Group Backs Commerce Dept. Plan on Asian Imports
A new Commerce Department certification process that aims to restrict imports of Asian cabinets and components is getting backing from the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association. The U.S. Department of Commerce is now proposing a new set of procedures that are aimed at preventing the importation of Chinese-made cabinets and cabinet components used to complete products […]
New York State’s New Builder-Friendly Laws Could Be Model for Other States
They are not yet law, but a series of new legislations in New York State is designed to spur residential construction by builders. New York State is not always considered the most typical in the country, especially when it comes to what some view as archaic rules and regulations, particularly in building and development. But […]
Kitchen and Bath Group Projects Q3 and Q4 Rebound
Another optimistic outlook for the back half of this year for the building trade has been released by the National Kitchen and Bath Association. The rebound in the building and construction field has been predicted for some time, even if its start date keeps getting pushed back. The National Kitchen and Bath Association is now […]
Baltimore Bridge Collapse Could Impact Plywood and Veneer Shipments
While many consumer and industrial products are being affected by the tragedy, key wood products could be impacted the most. The late-March collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore harbor after it was struck by a giant container ship is only the latest in a series of supply chain issues including Panama Canal […]
Home Depot Doubles Down on Pro Business
The giant home improvement retailer’s latest acquisition makes a big statement on its focus on contractors and professional builders. Only a month after announcing four new distribution centers specifically focused on its pro customers, Home Depot made a huge purchase that strengthened its attention to the roofing, landscaping, and pool sectors of the professional building […]
Over Half of Homeowners Plan to Renovate in Next Five Years
The housing market may still be struggling but existing homeowners have big plans in store for renovations. A new, just-released study reports that 58 percent of homeowners say they plan to make renovations on their homes within the next five years, providing positive news for the building trade which remains stymied by the slump in […]
The Canadian Forest Wildfires of 2023 Could Be Coming Back
They had a devastating impact on both air quality and lumber supplies last year and now they seem poised to return this summer. Depending on where you live in North America, out-of-control wildfires in a number of Canadian forests created serious air quality issues last year but for the lumber industry, it was the devastation […]