by Web Editor | Aug 7, 2015 | News
The 2015 Spring NBMDA Quarterly Sales Trends Report, a robust benchmarking and forecasting tool, surveyed both distributor and manufacturer members of the North American Building Materials Distribution Association (NBMDA) to deliver invaluable data and insights. The report provides NBMDA members with information on near term and regional demand trends, sales forecasts and business management.
Overall, NBMDA distributor and manufacturer respondents are off to strong start in 2015. March was the strongest month of 1Q for respondents, and the strong trends continued through April. In addition, more than 70 percent of both distributors and manufacturers plan to add headcount in 2015.
Distributors saw demand improve through Q1 with March up 10 percent compares to four percent growth in January and February. The report indicated that distributors are forecasting six percent plus growth across flooring, board & panels, hardware & storage, and specialty building materials in 2015.
Manufacturer-specific insights from the report showed that manufacturer respondents also saw momentum improve through Q1, continuing into early Q2. Hardware & Storage is projected to be the strongest category in 2015.
“This robust benchmarking data has been an exceptional tool for our members,” said NBMDA Executive Vice President Kevin Gammonley. “The report allows NBMDA to support members by providing insights on trends their peers are experiencing.”
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/wood/pricing-supply/building-materials-group-forecasts-6-growth-flooring-panels?ss=news,news,woodworking_industry_news,news,almanac_market_data,news
by Web Editor | Aug 3, 2015 | News
Submit your nominations for wood industry Market Leaders. Established by Woodworking Network magazine, this exclusive program recognizes individuals who have made an impact, not only at their own woodworking firm, but also within their market segments.
These individuals are:
• Forward thinkers/visionaries
• Creative marketers (i.e., product sales, development and positioning)
• Actively involved in promoting product quality, productivity, worker safety and education within their companies and the market as a whole
• Have themselves, or with their companies, demonstrated a commitment to the community.
Nominations should be sent to: Karen Koenig, editor-in-chief, at [email protected]. Please include a short summary of the nominee’s qualifications as a Market Leader, the nominee’s contact information, along with your name and contact information.
Those selected as Market Leaders will be featured in the November issue of Woodworking Network magazine and online at WoodworkingNetwork.com. Market Leaders represent all segments of the woodworking industry, including: cabinetry, residential furniture, contract furniture, architectural woodwork, store fixtures, and closets/home storage.
by Web Editor | Jul 31, 2015 | News
Developer Hines has broken ground in Minneapolis’ North Loop on its all-timber office building, the first commercial property in the U.S. to use an engineered wood material for its interior and structure.
The Houston-based real estate company announced Monday the start of construction on the 220,000-square-foot, seven-story office building (being called T3 for its emphasis on timber, transit and technology) that has garnered national attention.
Hines hired Vancouver-based Michael Green Architecture, in conjunction with DLR Group, to design the building. Michael Green is among the world’s foremost experts in heavy timber construction and an advocate for timber as a sustainable building material. While old-growth timber — the kind needed to support the weight of a tall building — is unavailable for construction today, an engineering process that presses smaller pieces of wood together can re-create the load capacity of heavy timber.
Following the initial announcement in November, the Wall Street Journal showcased the project, saying it will be the tallest modern all-timber structure in the U.S. once completed. Hines said Monday that it expects the building to open in early fall 2016.
From the Star Tribune: https://www.startribune.com/developer-breaks-ground-on-modern-all-timber-office-building-in-north-loop-minneapolis/318684551/?utm_source=WIT073115&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=WeekInTrees
by Web Editor | Jul 29, 2015 | News
Eight woodworking machinery and supply manufacturers received Visionary Awards this morning at the 2015 AWFS Fair. The Visionary Award recognizes creativity and innovation, as well as leadership in green/environmental product development.
The eight winning products were selected from a group of 25 products, by 22 companies. “We had a great selection of products this year, more so than we’ve had in the past,” said Angelo Gangone, executive vice president, AWFS Fair.
The winners are:
Product Innovation in Components: Schenk Ltd for the Kitsilano- Smoked Larch textured real wood panel.
Product Innovation & Productivity in Sanding: SurfPrep Sanding by Dixon Enterprises for the SurfPrep 3” x 4” Sanding System Kit.
Product Innovation in Software: RSA Solutions for the Wood CAD/CAM 3D/2D AutoCAD and SQL software.
Innovation & Productivity in Hardware: Striplox for its Striplox Rapid Assembly Connectors fastening solution for cabinetry.
Product Innovation in Cutting Tools: Vortex Tools Co., Inc. for its Tool Selection APP which simplifies tool selection based on cutting needs.
Product Innovation in Power Tools: SawStop, LLC for the SawStop Jobsite Saw which detects contact with skin on the blade and stops the blade in less than five milliseconds.
Product Innovation in Machinery Under $50,000: Next Wave Automation for the Piranha FX CNC routing system that can also 3D Print and Laser Engrave.
Product Innovation in Machinery Over $50,000: Holz-Her US for the Evolution Vertical Machining Center which features a vacuum-based clamping system (patent pending), and fully automatic suction cup positioning with hole recognition, allowing workpieces to be machined on all four sides without re-clamping.
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/awfs-names-8-visionary-award-winners-woodworking-fair?ss=news,news,woodworking_industry_news,news,almanac_market_data,news
by Web Editor | Jul 27, 2015 | News
Uniboard is proud to announce an investment of over $7 million at its 91-employee Mont-Laurier MDF plant. Uniboard says the investment will increase the productivity of the plant through what it says is the use of a revolutionary new wood fiber mat-preheating technology.
This process innovation is a first for North America and will allow Uniboard to better service our customer base in Canada and the United States. The Mont-Laurier MDF/HDF plant produces Excel+, Excel, and NU Green/PMDI-NAF and HDF panel products. Uniboard’s overall network of particleboard, MDF and thermally fused laminate facilities are at locations in Sayabec, Val-d’Or, Laval and Mont-Laurier, Quebec.
Overall Uniboard has an installed capacity of over 640 million square feet of raw particleboard, high-density and medium-density fiberboard, of which over 50% is converted into value-added thermally fused laminate and laminate flooring products. Uniboard’s mills in Val-d’Or, Sayabec, Mont-Laurier and Laval employ over 800 people. Its products are sold to retailers, distributors and finished goods manufacturers, which cater to the kitchen cabinet, furniture, office, home renovation and construction industries, as well as to the floor covering industry.
Since its original start-up as Panfibre in 1987, Mont-Laurier’s capacity has been expanded in multiple steps. In 2012, Uniboard was acquired by the owners of Kaycan Ltd., a leading manufacturer of building products in North America, with its head office located in Montreal, Quebec. Kaycan Ltd. and its group of companies offers a full range of products for both the exterior and interior of the home, including vinyl, aluminum and engineered wood siding products, PVC windows & patio doors, particleboard, MDF, thermally fused laminate and laminate flooring.
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/wood/panel-supply/uniboard-invests-7-million-innovative-mdf-production?ss=news,news,woodworking_industry_news,news,almanac_market_data,news
