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
Q2 Canadian Hotel Construction Projects Expand
Canadian hotel construction projects in Q2 2023 rose 5% from 2022 to 275, representing 37,359 rooms. Projects planned for the next 12 months dropped 10% compared to Q2 2022, with 88 projects and 10,086 rooms anticipated. Construction in the “early planning stage” grew 30% to 135 projects representing 20,252 rooms. See Canadian Lodging Econometrics
June Canadian Building Permits Increase Month-over-Month
Canadian building permits in June climbed 6.1% from May but fell 4.2% from the comparable period in 2022 to $11.6 billion (CAD). Residential authorizations decreased 1.8% from May and dropped 16.8% from June 2022 to $6.9 billion. Single-family totals reached $2.5 billion, up 1.1% from May but down 32.6% from last year. Multi-family levels shrank 3.5% from
Canada Manufacturing Index Improves Slightly in July
The seasonally adjusted S&P Global Canada Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) in July was 49.6, up 0.8 points from June. Manufacturers reported increased output and forecasted production while new orders declined. The PMI index comprises five sub-indices tracking changes in new orders, output, employment, suppliers’ delivery times and stocks of raw materials. A reading above
July Mexico Manufacturing Index Improves
The July seasonally adjusted S&P Global Mexico Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) was 53.2, growing 2.3 points from June and marking the most progress in more than seven years. Manufacturers reported significant growth in new orders and production. The PMI index comprises five sub-indices tracking changes in new orders, output, employment, suppliers’ delivery times and
CPA Digital Subcommittee Launches LinkedIn Initiative
CPA’s newly created Digital Subcommittee, under the Marketing Committee, has developed an initiative through LinkedIn to promote member involvement and volunteerism within the composite panel industry. To participate, members can proudly display the newly created “member badge” logo on a LinkedIn profile and also add volunteer positions held on CPA boards, committees, subcommittees and task
August 15 Deadline for Innovation Award Nominations
The deadline for the new Innovation Awards submissions is August 15. Developed and managed by CPA’s Decorative Surfaces Council (DSC), the program recognizes significant and creative advances in technology, product development and service solutions in the industry. This is a separate award from the current recognition program for plant safety innovation at manufacturing facilities. Further