News
CPA 2026 Fall Meeting Highlights
The 2026 Fall Meeting wrapped up last week in Savannah, GA, with amazing weather and a great location that brought members together for networking, committee meetings, and timely presentations. General Session presentations are now available on the CPA website, including Scott Lincicome of the Cato Institute on North American trade policy and Edie Sonne Hall
Registration Open for PCWP Compliance Workshop
CPA members are eligible to attend the upcoming workshop, From Rule to Practice: PCWP MACT Compliance Workshop, hosted by the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc. (NCASI) and the American Wood Council (AWC) on December 9-10. The workshop will provide facility personnel with guidance on creating practical compliance plans for implementing the requirements
Forestry Analytics for Carbon Tracking (FACT) Platform Beta Launch
On October 5, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities announced the Beta launch of the FACT platform, a science-based tool using standardized methods that help forest landowners and wood products manufacturers calculate carbon impacts across value chains. The Beta tool is publicly accessible, allowing users to test and provide
U.S. Consumer Confidence Declines Significantly in September
U.S. consumer confidence measured 81.9 in September, decreasing 6.7 points from the adjusted August reading, according to The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index. The index gauging current business and labor market conditions fell 7.9 points in September to 109.3. The short-term outlook index for income, business, and labor markets slid 5.9 points to 63.6. See
August U.S. Construction Spending Improves from Prior Month
U.S. construction spending in August reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2.20 trillion, increasing 0.9% from July but 1.7% below year-over-year. Total public and private residential spending grew 1.1% month-over-month to $894.60 billion, but down 4.8% from August 2025. Non-residential spending totaled $1.31 trillion, 0.7% higher than in July and up 0.5% from the
U.S. Wood Product Shipments Down in August
Seasonally adjusted shipments for all U.S. manufacturing industries held steady in August at $658.6 billion. Wood products slipped 0.1% to $13.9 billion in August, while furniture and related product shipments dipped 0.2% from July to $7.7 billion. New manufacturing orders inched up 0.1% from July to $663.5 billion. Orders for furniture and related products shrunk
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
Fastmarkets RISI Particleboard and MDF Commentary Published
The July issue of the Particleboard and MDF Commentary has been published and includes a detailed economic analysis of the North American market. The Commentary is published monthly by Fastmarkets RISI and permits CPA to republish issues quarterly as a benefit to members. See Particleboard and MDF Commentary