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
Decreased Remodeling Spending to Continue Through Q2 2024
The Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) for the second quarter predicts that remodeling and repair spending will decline 5.9% by end of Q2 2024, according to the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. This compares to 9.5% growth in the second quarter of 2023 over the same
Slight Decline in June Architectural Billings Index
The June Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dipped 0.9 points to 50.1, according to The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Economics & Market Research Group. A score above 50 indicates growth in billings, while a score below means a decline in firm billings. Design contracts increased 0.4 points from May to 52.7. June billings were above
Construction Investment Dips in Canada
Canadian building construction investment in May decreased 1.2% from April to $19.9 billion (CAD). Residential construction spending dropped 1.7% from April to $14 billion. Seasonally adjusted single-family construction spending was 2.9% lower than April at $7.4 billion. Multi-unit levels dipped 0.3% to $6.7 billion in May. Non-residential totals were level with April at $5.9 billion.
June Canadian Housing Starts Up
The monthly standalone seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of Canadian housing starts in June was 281,373 units, 40.7% higher than May. The SAAR of urban starts grew 45.7% from the previous month to 262,815. Multiple urban starts rose 58.7% to 219,914, while single-family levels increased 2.7% from May to 42,901. The trend in housing starts
May Canadian Furniture Retail Sales Down
Canadian seasonally adjusted retail furniture store sales in May decreased 3.1% from April to $1.17 billion (CAD) and were 8.9% lower than the same month in 2022. Sales for building material dealers dipped 1.5% from April to $3.86 billion, dropping 8.6% from May 2022. Total Canadian retail sales grew 0.2% from April to $66 billion
Fall Meeting Registration Ongoing
Registration for CPA’s 2023 Fall Meeting, October 22 to 24, at the Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, Virginia, continues. The resort is located 12 miles from the Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) and is accessible to Reagan National (DCA) and Baltimore Washington (BWI) airports. Hotel reservations can be made at the discounted room rate of $279 through