News & Events

News for the Composite Panel and Decorative Surfaces Industries

• 21 Jun
  EPA To Withdraw Proposed Extension of TSCA Title VI Compliance Date June 21, 2017

  EPA has indicated to CPA that it will be withdrawing the direct final rule that had proposed March 22, 2018 as the new TSCA Title VI compliance date. Read More
• 21 Jun
  Ashley Furniture Breaks Ground on Facility Expansion June 21, 2017

  Ashley Furniture has broken ground on a 500,000 square foot expansion in their hometown of Arcadia, Wisconsin. Read More
• 21 Jun
  U.S. Building Permits Fall in May June 21, 2017

  U.S. housing starts in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.092 million, down 5.5% from the revised April rate and 2.4% below the comparable month in 2016. Read More
• 21 Jun
  U.S. Consumer Sentiment Down in June June 21, 2017

  In June, the U.S. experienced the largest drop in consumer sentiment since last October, according to the University of Michigan’s Survey of Consumers. Read More
• 21 Jun
  New Wood Markets Available June 21, 2017

  The June/July issue of Wood Markets is now available to members through the association’s website. Read More
• 15 Jun
  PB and MDF Shipments Up 7% in May June 15, 2017

  North American shipments of particleboard and MDF in May increased 6.9% to 496 MMSF (3/4” basis), up from 464 MMSF during the same period in 2016. Year-to-date shipments were 2.338 BSF, up nearly 1% compared to 2.317 BSF for the first five months of 2016 . Read More
• 15 Jun
  TFL Shipments Rebound in May June 15, 2017

  May TFL shipments totaled 115 MMSF, an increase of 3% over the 111 MMSF recorded for a year ago. Read More
• 15 Jun
  May Safety Report Available June 15, 2017

  North American composite panel mills in May reported 10 incidents compared to 8 in April. Read More
• 15 Jun
  Save the Dates: Upcoming CPA Annual Meetings June 15, 2017

  Mark your calendar for CPA’s 2017 and 2018 annual meetings. Read More
• 15 Jun
  Trump Announces Manufacturing Apprenticeship Initiative June 15, 2017

  This week, President Trump unveiled a major initiative to encourage more apprenticeships to address concerns in the manufacturing sector regarding bridging the skills gap with the next generation of workers. Read More
• 15 Jun
  Sandvik Sells Processing Business June 15, 2017

  Sandvik AB, Stockholm, Sweden, has agreed to divest Sandvik Process Systems to Foundation Asset Management AB, an investment firm owned by the Wallenburg family, for $575.6 million. Read More
• 15 Jun
  U.S. Builder Confidence Falls in June June 15, 2017

  U.S. builder confidence for new single-family homes in June fell 2 points to 67 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. Read More
• 7 Jun
  EPA Issues New Non-Complying Lots Guidance for TSCA Title VI June 7, 2017

  EPA issued today new guidance on non-complying lots under TSCA Title VI. Read More
• 7 Jun
  EPA Recognizes CPA as a Third-Party Certifier (TPC) June 7, 2017

  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced the first three Third-Party Certifiers and two accrediting bodies to be recognized under TSCA Title VI. Read More
• 7 Jun
  PB and MDF Shipments Dip in April June 7, 2017

  North American shipments of particleboard and MDF dropped 5.2% to 451 MMSF (3/4” basis) compared to 476 MMSF in April 2016. Read More
• 7 Jun
  CPA Showcases Industry at NeoCon 2017 June 7, 2017

  CPA will represent the industry at the 2017 NeoCon show to be held June 12-14 in Chicago. Read More
• 7 Jun
  Axalta Completes Purchase of Valspar Wood Coatings Business June 7, 2017

  Axalta Coating Systems, Philadelphia, PA, completed their acquisition of The Valspar Corporation’s North American Industrial Wood Coatings business last Thursday for approximately $425 million. Read More
• 7 Jun
  EPA Extends Key Deadline for 2015 Ozone Standard June 7, 2017

  Yesterday, U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt informed state governors that the agency will extend by one year the deadline for promulgating initial area designations under the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Read More
• 7 Jun
  U.S. Construction Down in April June 7, 2017

  U.S. construction spending during April was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.218 trillion, 1.4% below the revised March estimate, but 6.7% above the comparable month in 2016. Read More
• 7 Jun
  Canadian Building Permits Continue to Fall in April June 7, 2017

  Canadian building permits in April were valued at $7.1 billion, down 0.2% from March and 3.3% lower than the comparable month last year. Read More
• 2 Jun
  Special @the edge - MJB Wood Acquires Pacific MDF in Arkansas and South Carolina June 2, 2017

  MJB Wood Group, Inc., headquartered in Irving, TX, announced today the acquisition of the assets of Pacific MDF Products, Inc. of Arkansas and Pacific MDF Products, Inc. of South Carolina. Read More
• 31 May
  2017 North American Capacity Report Published May 31, 2017

  CPA has published its 2017 North American Capacity Report summarizing the annual production capacity of particleboard, medium density fiberboard, hardboard and engineered wood siding and trim plants in North America, as reported by producers. Read More
• 31 May
  Morrill Calls for TSCA Title VI Labeling Fix in BNA Article May 31, 2017

  CPA President Jackson Morrill was quoted in an article in Bloomberg BNA published last week commenting on the EPA extension of the TSCA Title VI compliance dates and calling for a fix to the labeling prohibition. Read More
• 31 May
  CARB Issues Another Fine for Imported Laminate Flooring May 31, 2017

  CARB announced that it recently settled a case with USC Flooring Products, Inc. for importing, distributing, and offering for sale in California laminate flooring made from composite wood products that exceeded the ATCM 93120 formaldehyde emissions standard. Read More
• 31 May
  U.S. Furniture Orders Rise in March May 31, 2017

  U.S. furniture factory orders in March rose 12% over the comparable period in 2016, according to a monthly of residential furniture manufacturers and distributors. Read More
• 31 May
  U.S. Kitchen Cabinet Sales Down in April May 31, 2017

  The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association’s monthly Trend of Business Survey reported that cabinetry sales for April fell 3.2% compared to the same month last year. Read More
• 31 May
  Workforce Education Legislation Advances with Unanimous Support May 31, 2017

  On May 17, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education in the Workforce unanimously approved the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. Read More
• 31 May
  Canadian Wood Products Affected by Softwood Lumber Duties May 31, 2017

  Growth for Canadian wood products manufacturers is expected to be significantly impacted by U.S. softwood lumber duties, averaging about 20%, when combined with anti-dumping duties expected this June. Read More
• 24 May
  2017 First Quarter TFL Shipments Dip 1.4% May 24, 2017

  TFL shipments for the first quarter of 2017 were down 1.4% to 310 MMSF compared to 314 MMSF for the same quarter in 2016. Read More
• 24 May
  CPA at AWFS includes TSCA Title XI Presentation; Booth Samples Needed May 24, 2017

  CPA President Jackson Morrill will present on TSCA Title XI during the “Legislation Affecting the Woodworking Industry” session at the upcoming AWFS show. Read More
• 24 May
  CPA Showcases Industry at NeoCon 2017 May 24, 2017

  CPA will represent the industry at the 2017 NeoCon show to be held June 12-14 in Chicago. Read More
• 24 May
  NAFTA Renegotiation Initiated by Trump Administration May 24, 2017

  The first step towards the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement was taken by President Trump’s administration last week. Read More
• 24 May
  U.S. Home Sales Down in April May 24, 2017

  U.S. sales of new single-family homes in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 569,000, falling 11.4% below March but up 0.5% from the comparable month last year. Read More
• 24 May
  Home Improvement Retailers Report Financial Results May 24, 2017

  The world’s two largest home improvement retailers reported mixed results in the first quarter. Read More
• 24 May
  Lowes Acquires Maintenance Supply Headquarters May 24, 2017

  Lowes Companies, Inc., announced last week it will acquire Maintenance Supply Headquarters, a Houston-based wholesale maintenance supplier. Read More
• 24 May
  New Wood Markets Available May 24, 2017

  The May issue of Wood Markets is now available to members through the association’s website. Read More
• 23 May
  EPA Announces Direct Final Rule Extending TSCA Title VI Compliance Dates May 23, 2017

  Read More
• 17 May
  CARB Settles 2nd Formaldehyde Emissions Case for Imported Wood Flooring May 17, 2017

  CARB recently announced that it has settled a formaldehyde emissions case with AAA Flooring & Building Supplies, Inc. for $27,750. Read More
• 17 May
  CPA Submits Comments on TSCA Title VI, Air Regulatory and Permit Reforms May 17, 2017

  Last week, CPA submitted two sets of comments in response to EPA’s request for information on regulations that could be repealed, replaced or modified to make them less burdensome. Read More
• 17 May
  Material, Technology & Design Symposium @ the CPA Fall Meeting May 17, 2017

  CPA is pleased to introduce the Material, Technology & Design Symposium, which will be held in conjunction with the CPA Fall Meeting October 1-3 at the Hyatt Regency Savannah. Read More
• 17 May
  April 2017 Safety Report Available May 17, 2017

  North American composite panel mills in April reported 8 incidents compared to 16 in March. Read More
• 17 May
  CPA Supports Career & Technical Education Bill May 17, 2017

  CPA signed onto a broad industry coalition letter sent earlier this week to House and Senate leadership calling for reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. Read More
• 17 May
  R.E.D. Foundation Scholarship Winners Announced May 17, 2017

  The Robert E. Dougherty Educational Foundation is proud to announce the 2017 scholarship recipients. Read More
• 17 May
  Spring Meeting Minutes Available May 17, 2017

  Meeting minutes from the Board and Committees that met at the 2017 CPA Spring Meeting in Los Cabos are now available online. Read More
• 17 May
  U.S. Building Permits Fall in April May 17, 2017

  U.S. housing starts in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.172 million, down 2.6% from the revised March rate and 0.7% above the comparable month in 2016. Read More
• 17 May
  U.S. Builder Confidence Rises in May May 17, 2017

  U.S. builder confidence for new single-family homes rose 2 points to 70 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. Read More
• 10 May
  CPA Testifies at EPA TSCA Title VI Hearing May 10, 2017

  CPA testified on May 1 at an EPA public hearing held to solicit input on regulations promulgated under the Toxic Substances Control Act, including the formaldehyde emissions in composite wood regulation known as TSCA Title VI. Read More
• 10 May
  Canadian Parliament Passes Motion Calling for Formaldehyde Regulation Aligned with TSCA Title VI May 10, 2017

  On May 4, Canada’s Parliament passed Motion M-102, which calls for the adoption of national regulations on formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products that are aligned with the EPA’s TSCA Title VI. Read More
• 10 May
  Spring Meeting Concludes with 10-Year Record High Attendance May 10, 2017

  The 2017 CPA Spring Meeting held last week in Los Cabos, Mexico, concluded with a 10-year record high number of attendees, guests and spouses totaling 317 from nearly 110 companies. Read More
• 10 May
  2016 Safety Award Recipients Announced May 10, 2017

  Last week, CPA recognized its 2016 Safety Award recipients during the Chairman’s Dinner in Los Cabos, Mexico. Read More
• 10 May
  Commerce Department Cites EPA Permitting As Top Manufacturing Roadblock May 10, 2017

  The U.S. Commerce Department Secretary Wilbur Ross reported yesterday that after reviewing the public comments submitted on regulatory and permitting reform in late March, the leading issue for U.S. manufacturers was burdensome EPA permit requirements. Read More
• 10 May
  Louisiana-Pacific Names New CEO May 10, 2017

  Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, has named Brad Southern as their new CEO following the retirement of Curt Stevens. Read More
• 10 May
  Panel Processing Increases TFL Capacity May 10, 2017

  Panel Processing, Inc., of Alpena, Michigan, will expand their TFL production capabilities by adding a new laminate press for their Klamath Falls, Oregon facility. Read More
• 10 May
  NAM Encourages Manufacturers to Support Infrastructure Investment May 10, 2017

  The National Association of Manufacturing has created a tool-kit for manufacturers to encourage U.S. lawmakers and government policymakers to support critical infrastructure investments. Read More
• 10 May
  U.S. Furniture Shipments Up from January May 10, 2017

  U.S. furniture factory orders in February were up 4% over the comparable period in 2016, according to the monthly survey of residential furniture manufacturers and distributors. Read More
• 10 May
  U.S. Construction Stays Steady in March May 10, 2017

  U.S. construction spending during March was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.218 trillion, 0.2% below the revised February estimate, but 3.6% above the comparable month in 2016. Read More
• 10 May
  U.S. Kitchen Cabinet Sales Rise in March May 10, 2017

  The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association’s monthly Trend of Business Survey reported that cabinetry sales for March rose 8.4% compared to the same month last year. Read More
• 10 May
  Canadian Housing Starts Up in April May 10, 2017

  Canadian housing starts in April totaled 213,768 units, up nearly 1.5% from March. Read More
• 10 May
  Canadian Building Permits Continue to Fall in March May 10, 2017

  Canadian building permits in March were valued at $7 billion, down 5.8% from February. Read More
• 10 May
  New Wood Markets Available May 10, 2017

  The April issue of Wood Markets is now available to members through the association’s website. Read More
• 25 Jan
  EPA Issues Guidance Document on Formaldehyde Regulation January 25, 2017

  Late last week, EPA issued four guidance documents targeted to the following stakeholder groups: (i) panel producers; (ii) fabricators and laminated product producers; (iii) importers, distributors and retailers; and (iv) accreditation bodies and third-party certifiers. Read More