Woodworking Network Wood Industry Almanac 2016

Unlike past years, when the housing market dominated the news, in 2015 legal issues took center stage. Dominating all media channels throughout the year were the tribulations faced by Lumber Liquidators. The flooring manufacturer is dealing with allegations that some of its laminated lumber imported from China was mislabeled as CARB-compliant, a fact made public in a 60 Minutes’ expose.

Woodworkers looked to WoodworkingNetwork.com for inspiration and education — and we delivered.

Technology for Batch One wood products manufacturing is finally catching up with what custom woodworkers and cabinetmakers have been doing for years. Now it’s possible to do it on a factory production-line — right down to one-off edgebands of varying thicknesses, and robotic hand sanders.

Design driven materials in wood products manufacturing, supplies — adhesives, hardware, veneer, laminates, edgeband — took on leading roles during 2015.

The hardwood consumption for graded lumber has declined in recent years, from about 60% market share 10 years ago, to around 40% today, according to the Hardwood Market Report.

Woodworking Network Editor's Choice highlighted projects in 2015 ranged from unique and innovative to cool and inspiring. Top picks include a cocoon-like design for office furniture, a 50,000-year old Kauri table and a kinetic wave cabinet.

Numerous colleges and universities across North America offer degree programs in wood manufacturing and technology, and from design to construction.

An annual program since 1990, the WOOD 100 pays tribute to the achievements of secondary wood products manufacturers. The list below recognizes the production and custom woodworking companies that, throughout the years (indicated) have shared their strategies for success. To read more on the WOOD 100, click here. #: 5-Acre: 17

Since 2009, Woodworking Network has paid tribute to market leaders in the wood products industry that have made an impact — not only at their own companies, but also on the industry as a whole. Represented are persons from all segments of the secondary woodworking industry, including: residential furniture, contract/office furniture, cabinets, closets/home storage, store fixture, architectural woodwork, window and door, and wood components.

A look at the various industry segments that manufacture wood products: kitchen & bath cabinetry, contract furniture, residential furniture, architectural woodwork, closets & home storage, wood components, flooring, windows & doors and industrial wood products (railways, ties, pallets, etc.).

The secondary wood manufacturing market ranks in the top 20 U.S. industries in employment and volume.

In 2014 Canada exported more than $31 billion in forest products to nearly every nation on the planet. The advanced secondary wood manufacturing sector is a major contributor to the country's economy.

Architectural woodworkers are seeing improved operating margins as the commercial and residential markets continue to strengthen and business improves.

Global demand for cabinets is projected to grow 5.5% annually, reaching $64.4 billion in 2018.

Demand for home organization products in the U.S. is projected to increase 3.5% per year through 2019 to $10.5 billion.

The U.S. office furniture industry is expected to grow 4.0% to $10.2 billion, and to hit $10.4 billion in 2016, according to the latest industry projections from IHS Global Insight/Business & Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Assn.

Overall flooring sales grew 6% last year, to $21.83 billion, with the hardwood market accounting for $3.35 billion and laminate flooring $935 million, according to Catalina Research.

Pallet use in the U.S. is forecast to increase 1.9% annually through 2019 to 2.6 billion units, says The Freedonia Group.

New residential furniture orders remaining ahead of last year’s figures, with increases in 25 out of the past 26 months, according to the November issue of Furniture Insights.

Higher disposable income levels and rising consumer confidence bode well for the estimated $17 billion retail environments sector, according to IBISWorld.

Window and door demand is expected to grow worldwide, rising an average of 5.9% annually through 2019, to $233 billion.

The wood components industry continues its steady sales growth, with North American manufacturers’ optimism in tandem with the improving construction, housing and remodeling markets.

What’s the best method for getting dowel hole locations on the cabinet fronts to line up with the end panels? Woodworking experts put their know-how to the test, providing solutions to October’s Shop Smart challenge.