Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association

INDUSTRY NEWS UPDATE AUGUST 21, 2019 It's been anything but a lazy summer for the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association - check out what's been happening in the cabinet industry the last few weeks: REMODELING SPENDING EXPECTED TO SLOW According to the Leading Indicator from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, remodeling activity is declining drastically. Home improvements and repairs are expected to drop  from 6.3% this quarter to less than 1% by the second quarter of the next year.  The decline may be attributed to the fact that home price appreciation has slowed and isn’t outpacing income growth like it once did in some markets. “Declining home sales and home building activity coupled with slower gains in permitting for improvement projects will put the brakes on remodeling growth over the coming year,” said Chris Herbert, Managing Director for Housing Studies. Click here to read more. ATTRACTING MILLENNIAL AND GEN Z TALENT The

KCMA Partners with Chicago Build Expo KCMA is excited to partner with the Chicago Build Expo for the first time.  The event will take place in Chicago, IL September 19-20, 2019. Chicago Build Expo is the leading construction and design show for Chicago and the Midwest. On Sept. 19 and 20, Oliver Kinross, the organizers of the New York Build expo, will be hosting Chicago Build at McCormick Place. Chicago Build is officially supported by the Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and is described by its organizers as “a large-scale construction and design show and expo covering new projects, technologies and opportunities in Chicago and the Midwest.” Chicago Build is set to feature 200+ speakers across 12 Summits and AIA/CES approved workshops, covering topics relating to: the future of construction, real estate, BIM and digital construction, architecture, building materials, sustainability, and government contracts. Chicago Build will also feature an exhibition attended by thousands

INDUSTRY NEWS UPDATE AUGUST 7, 2019 Check out what's been happening lately in the cabinet industry from the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association: STUDY SHOWS HOUSING TRENDS IMPACT ON WOOD PRODUCTS INDUSTRY The tenth annual housing market study revealed how changes in housing trends affect the wood product industry. In 2018, markets based in construction continued to grow, with increased U.S. spending on multifamily housing and nonresidential construction as well as repair and remodeling. The study, done in early 2019, looks at market conditions and how they will affect wood product manufacturers. Click here to read more. GREEN BUILDING CAN BOOST HOUSING AFFORDABILITY Housing affordability is a top priority for the National Association for Home Builders in 2019. According to the group, one main issue contributing to affordability struggles is the regulatory burden on builders – government regulations represent 24% of the price of building a single-family and

INDUSTRY NEWS UPDATE JULY 23, 2019 Check out the latest news and insights from the cabinet industry from the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association.  7 EXCITING NEW TRENDS IN KITCHEN DESIGN From islands to sinks, more and more homeowners are opting for modern twists on classic kitchen staples with plenty of visual interest coupled with increased functionality. The National Association of Homebuilders spoke with a kitchen designer recently and reviewed the top design trends we’ll see in the coming year: Cabinetry – less is more. The no upper cabinet trend has been gaining steam this year as the modern minimalist style takes shape Mixing colors and different metallic finishes Oversized islands are replacing breakfast nooks and other traditional dining arrangements Click here to read more. TRADE COURT UPHOLDS HARDWOOD PLYWOOD DECISION The U.S. Court of International Trade has sustained the USITC affirmative injury determination in its antidumping and countervailing

HOW TO PICK KITCHEN CABINETS LIKE A PRO The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association was featured recently in the  Modern Wellness Guide , an affiliate of USA Today. Check out the full piece below for information on how homeowners can pick the best kitchen cabinets for their home: Photo courtesy of Modernwellnessguide.com Cabinets are the structure and backdrop that make up the layout of your kitchen and how you will use it for years to come.  Everything else – countertops, backsplashes, paint, appliances – is a supporting character to the main attraction. So how do you know you’re making the right decision when it comes to choosing the right cabinets? Sure, color might seem like the most important choice (white shaker, right?) but there are a few areas in which your cabinets must deliver that you might not even know to explore. Third-party testing According to a study by Hanley Wood, third-party certification is one of the top drivers in the cabinet selection process

INDUSTRY NEWS UPDATE JULY 9, 2019 Check out what’s been happening in the cabinet industry the last few weeks from the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association: CHINA SUSPENDS WTO LAWSUIT China has suspended its World Trade Organization (WTO) panel case against the European Union where it sought status as a free market economy. This means that both the EU and U.S. can continue to treat China as a non-market economy in antidumping cases. Click here to read more. OSHA LOCKOUT/TAGOUT STANDARD In May OSHA released a request for information seeking input to modernize its lockout/tagout (LO/TO) standard, which governs manufacturers' shop floors to ensure that machines are properly shut off during maintenance and repairs. Today, with technological advancements, manufacturers can safely repair machinery without undertaking the full lockout/tagout procedures. However, the outdated OSHA standard, doesn’t account for safety advancements. Click here to read more. 2019