Toppan Interamerica Inc., McDonough, GA, announced the retirement of Bob Knothe, National Accounts Manager as of February 17. Bob, a 21-year veteran with Toppan, leaves the décor and surfaces industry after 35 years.  Bob has been an active CPA member and previously served as the Chair of CPA’s Decorative Surfaces Council for many years.  See

U.S. builder confidence for new single-family homes in February climbed seven points from January to 42, marking the highest level since September of 2022, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). The HMI component gauging current sales conditions increased six points to 46, while the measurement of sales expectations

U.S. housing starts in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.31 million, dropping 4.5% from December 2022 and 21.4% lower than the comparable month last year. Single-family starts decreased 4.3% from December to 841,000. U.S. building permits in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.34 million, growing 0.1% from

Seasonally adjusted Canadian wood product sales in December 2022 were $3.3 billion (CAD), down 7.5% from November and 16.9% lower than the comparable month in 2021. Sales of furniture and related products totaled $1.28 billion, decreasing 7.5% from November but rising 4.5% over December 2021. Canadian manufacturing sales for all industries were $71 billion, dipping

The monthly standalone seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of Canadian housing starts in January was 215,365 units, 13.3% lower than December 2022. The SAAR of urban starts decreased 15.9% from December to 191,491. Multiple urban starts fell 20% to 146,267, while single-family levels rose 3% from December to 45,224. The trend in housing starts in

Canadian building construction investment in December 2022 was down 1.3% from November to $20.2 billion (CAD). Residential construction spending decreased 2.1% from November to $14.6 billion.  Seasonally adjusted single-family construction spending declined 0.5% from November to $7.8 billion. Multi-unit levels fell 3.9% to $6.8 billion in December. Non-residential totals were 0.8% higher in December at