Giant CNC Panel Processing Machine a Show Star
Standing 18 feet tall and weighing more than 40 tons, C.R. Onsrud’s machine was a standout on the IWF show floor. “All of our machines are beefy,” said Rich Guerin, director of operations and controls for C.R. Onsrud. “But the High Rail dominated the floor of the recent International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta. Visiting manufacturers […]
Yule Log: Happy Holidays and On to the New Year
This is our last issue for the year as we break for the holidays and get set for 2025. We’re wrapping up the 2024 IWF Network News schedule this week with our final issue for the calendar year. We want to thank all our readers for your continued viewership of our newsletters and sincerely hope […]
Remembering Bernie Marcus’s Invention of the Modern DIY Retailer
The passing of the legendary co-founder of Home Depot earlier this month reminded the industry of his role in creating the biggest retailer in home improvement. When Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank were fired from the long-since-forgotten Handy Dan home improvement chain, it started a process that led to the creation of a $150 billion […]
Lumber Prices Surge Over 17% Year-Over-Year
Like just about every other building component the price of lumber has skyrocketed this past year. Even with a brief period of stability this past summer, the price of lumber is on the rise again and according to a new analysis from the National Association of Home Builders, it has jumped 17.2 percent from this […]
Outlook for Home Improvement Products Increases for 2025
Even as the rest of this year looks soft, the Home Improvement Research Institute is more optimistic for what’s ahead. The market for home improvement products should rebound and grow by 3.9 percent in 2025 according to a new market forecast from the HIRI. This will follow what is projected to be a 0.1 percent […]
The Great American Hallway Disappearing Act
It’s no secret that new homes in America are getting smaller but you might be surprised where the loss in space is coming from. The average American new home built in the first quarter of this year was 2,351 square feet. That’s down from a peak of 2,736 square feet during the early part of […]
Pytha Debuts Its 3D CAD Systems at Show
One of the leading software providers in the industry, Pytha made their IWF debut as an exhibitor in the 2024 show. Pytha’s state-of-the-art 3D CAD system was on display at the show this year, showcasing one of the leading systems for wood working, furniture design, commercial joinery, cabinet makers, high-end kitchen, exhibition planning, event design, […]
Home Reno Will Drive Builder Market for 2025
Whatever happens with mortgage rates, it will be existing homeowners renovating their homes that will be the big surge next year. The builder market may still be waiting for an expected reduction in interest rates to drive the new housing market but in the meantime, a new report is suggesting the renovation and home improvement […]
Home Depot Defends Corporate Work-in-Store Mandate
When the giant home improvement chain told its corporate staff they need to work shifts in its stores, it set off a controversy. It wasn’t the first big company to do so but Home Depot’s renewed policy requiring all corporate employees to work an eight-hour shift in one of its stores every quarter has met […]
SonicAire Debuts New Dust Control Fan Line
The new fans are the “first and only to tackle combustible dust in CIID1 Environments” the company says. “Industries grappling with the ever-present danger of combustible dust now have a powerful ally,” SonicAire says in introducing the latest models to its Extreme Series of fans. These new fans mark a significant leap in safeguarding environments […]