DHA® eNews - U.S. Furniture Imports From China, Vietnam Rise Again
The total value of U.S. furniture imports increased 5% in August vs. last year. Imports from both China and Vietnam, the two largest suppliers, were up 6% vs. last year.
NWFA released a formal definition that separates wood flooring into three categories:
- Solid wood flooring: A solid piece of wood from top to bottom.
- Engineered wood flooring: Real wood from top to bottom, typically using multiple wood veneers or slats of wood glued together at opposing directions.
- Composite engineered wood flooring: Contains real wood on the wearable surface only. The backing and core material may be any type of composite material.
Two Sides will continue to work to stop organizations from making misleading environmental claims. The anti-greenwash campaign found that more than two-thirds of the 921 organizations investigated worldwide were using unsubstantiated claims. 335 corporations have since removed or changed their messaging.
Next year will be the year of the kitchen, experts say, as homeowners aim to "create an in-home oasis that reduces stress and boosts wellness."
Dawn Garcia has been named Roseburg's director of marketing, effective November 1. She previously worked for Sierra Pine and the American Electronics Association. Ms. Garcia also chairs the Decorative Hardwoods Association® Marketing Committee.
Columbia Forest Products has acquired a hardwood veneer processing facility from 3A Composites in Ecuador. As part of Columbia's new alliance with Schweiter Technologies, 3A Composites will take on plantation management, purchasing, and logistics tasks for Columbia in Ecuador.
As part of an initiative to reduce the amount of plastic used in packaging, Danzer will wrap its veneer pallets in oxo-biodegradable plastic. OBP breaks down into tiny biodegradable pieces after about two years when exposed to ultraviolet light.
Hurricane Michael wreaked havoc with southern forest land, destroying at least $1.6 billion in timber over more than 5 million acres.
Two California wildfires have left at least 31 dead and 200 people missing as 250,000 residents were forced to evacuate.
The U.S. homeownership rate was 64.4% in Q3, well below the high of 69.2% in 2004 but still above the low of 62.9% in Q2 2016. Millennials - mostly first-time homebuyers - had the largest gain: 1.2% vs. last year.
Experts foresee moderation in Canada's housing starts and sales in 2019 and 2020.
A recent report suggests that total construction starts next year will tick up to just over $808 billion from this year's estimated $806.8 billion.
The construction workforce continues to age. Builders now employ a higher percentage of workers 55 and older than the national average.
The Forest Service is accepting grant applications for projects that expand wood product and wood energy markets, reduce wildfire risk, and improve forest health. The deadline to apply is January 23. The grants are intended to help make communities safer by reducing the use of hazardous fuels.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced grants of more than $1.1 million to fight white-nose syndrome and promote the survival of bats in North America.