News
July Safety Report Now Available
The July Safety Report Is Now Ready for Members to Download
Fall Meeting Attendee List Published; Hotel Reservation Deadline Extended
The Fall Meeting attendee list is now available online, featuring representatives from more than 60 member companies. Rooms for the September 27-29 meeting at the Hyatt Regency Savannah must be reserved by September 9 to secure the discounted group rate. Current meeting details and hotel reservation information are available online. See Annual Meetings. More Info: Anna
Unilin Names New CEO
Unilin announced the appointment of An Nuyttens as CEO. She will join the company in mid-October, succeeding Paul De Cock, who will become CEO of Mohawk Industries on September 30. Nuyttens brings over 30 years’ experience to the role, most recently serving in executive positions at Solvay. Unilin is a global manufacturer of panels and
August U.S. Consumer Confidence Dips
U.S. consumer confidence measured 89.4 in August, a decrease of 0.8 points from the adjusted July reading, according to The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index. The index gauging current business and labor market conditions climbed 6.8 points in August to 121.2. The short-term outlook index for income, business, and labor markets slid 5.8 points to
U.S. New Home Sales Down in July
U.S. sales of new single-family homes in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 607,000, falling 10.5% from June and 6.3% below the comparable month in 2025. The seasonally adjusted estimate of new homes for sale in July was 488,000, representing a 9.6-month supply at the existing sales rate. This is 1.9% higher
July U.S. Construction Spending Weakens
U.S. construction spending in July reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2.16 trillion, decreasing 0.5% from June and 3.8% year-over-year. Total public and private residential spending declined 1.3% month-over-month and 7.3% from July 2025 to $871.21 billion. Non-residential spending totaled $1.29 trillion, 0.1% higher than June but down 1.3% from the same month last
CPA Webinar on Apprenticeship and Internship Programs Next Week
CPA is hosting a webinar for members on September 21 from 3 to 4 pm EST, focusing on successful apprenticeship and internship programs with the goal of sharing best practices. The webinar features speakers from Interprint, Swiss Krono and Tafisa. Registration is required to attend. See Webinar Registration. More Info: Gary Heroux
Product Samples Sought for Greenbuild Exhibit
CPA is seeking samples for its booth at the upcoming Greenbuild Expo in Washington D.C. on September 27-29. CPA’s booth, #1303, will promote industry products and sustainability messaging, including the Eco-Certified Composite (ECC) certification. Members are encouraged to send one or two composite panel product samples (without literature) that are labeled on only one side
Fall Meeting Exhibit Space and Sponsorships Still Available
CPA members can showcase products and services through a tabletop exhibit session and/or sponsor the upcoming CPA Fall Meeting, October 22 to 24 at the Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, VA. Benefits include spotlights on the CPA website, social media, and attendee packets. The Fall Meeting schedule includes ITC Lab tours, networking functions and a dynamic
Afry Names Velarde as Principal Consultant
Afry Management Consulting, New York, NY, announced that Guillermo Velarde joined the organization as a Principal Consultant leading the North American Wood Products and Surfaces team. With over 15 years in the industry, he will advise clients on corporate and product strategy and market analysis. Velarde was previously Director of Downstream Business Development at Arclin.
Ahlstrom Announces New Executive Team Members
Ahlstrom, Kaukauna, WI, named Niklas Beyes as Chief Financial Officer and Wolfgang Laures as Chief Operating Officer. Beyes joins the organization after years of experience in finance at other corporations, including Brose Group. Laures brings extensive knowledge of the global supply chain from working at several companies, most recently at Glatfelter. He succeeds Markus Esterkamp,
U.S. Residential Housing Permits Weaken in All Regions
U.S. year-to-date single-family permits dropped 18.4% over 2022 to 527,158. All four regions posted declines, with the West having the largest at 25.1%. The Northeast reported the lowest decrease at 12.1%, while the South fell 16.5% and the Midwest shrunk 18.0%. The multifamily sector also posted reductions across all regions, with the Northeast seeing the