INDUSTRY NEWS UPDATE APRIL 24, 2019

Check out what's been happening lately in the cabinet industry:

US IMPORTS OF HARDWOOD PLYWOOD FALL
The volume of U.S. imports of hardwood plywood declined by 5% in December and fell a total of 10% in 2018. December was the strongest month for Chinese imports, which increased by 62% from November. Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia all showed gains of more than 50% in 2018, replacing market share previously held by China.


KCMA

FORMALDEHYDE MAKES EPA RISK PRIORITY LIST
On March 20 EPA published a list of 40 chemicals that will go through a prioritization process.  Formaldehyde was included on the list of 20 chemicals in the "high-priority" category.  Each of these 20 chemicals will undergo a three-year risk evaluation process.

KCMA
Photo courtesy of US Environmental Protection Agency

FLOODING IN MID-WEST CAUSES WORKER EXODUS
Workers are permanently moving away from flood-ravaged towns in the Mid-West, hurting manufacturing companies that already struggle to find and retain workers.

Last month heavy rains caused sever flooding and $3 billion of damage in Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, Wisconsin and other Mid-West States. It's expected that those states will see an increase in workers moving to South-West cities like Denver, Dallas, Seattle, and Phoenix.


CLEAN MODERN LOOKS DOMINATE CABINET TRENDS
Woodworking Network recently published a report on cabinet trends based on looks seen at KBIS 2019 in Las Vegas. The full survey includes information on finishes, stains, materials, cabinet case constructions, drawers, doors, countertops, and other features such as moulding and hardware. Here are a few highlights:
  • Frameless cabinet construction featured in 40% of the displays
  • More than 55% of display cabinets showed a painted finish and only 33% showed stained wood
  • Maple is still the top contender for wood species
  • 37% of displays featured soft-close mechanisms
  • Creativity in design of doors was prevalent with mixed materials (wood and metal), floor to ceiling doors, and more

KCMA
Photo courtesy of Woodworking Network

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To learn more about KCMA's work for the cabinet industry and how you can become a member today, visit our website.

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