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
November U.S. Housing Starts Decrease
U.S. housing starts in November 2022 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.427 million, dropping 0.5% from October and 16.4% lower than the comparable month in 2021. Single-family starts declined 4.1% from October to 828,000. U.S. building permits in November were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.342 million, shrinking 11.2% from
U.S. Construction Spending Increases
U.S. construction spending in November 2022 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.81 trillion, up 0.2% from October and 8.5% over 2021. Year-to-date spending was 10.5% higher than in 2021 at $1.66 trillion. Private construction spending was $1.43 trillion, 0.3% above October. Residential totals for November were $868 billion, 0.5% lower than
November U.S. Home Sales Improve
U.S. sales of new single-family homes in November 2022 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 640,000, growing 5.8% from October but 15.3% lower than the comparable month in 2021. The seasonally adjusted estimate of new homes for sale at the end of November was 461,000, representing an 8.6-month supply at the current sales
Manufacturing Index Lower in December
The seasonally adjusted S&P Global U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) in December 2022 was 46.2, dropping 1.5 points from November. Manufacturers reported a decrease in demand due to inflation and economic insecurity. The PMI index comprises five sub-indices tracking changes in new orders, output, employment, suppliers’ delivery times and stocks of raw materials. A
November Kitchen and Bath Cabinet Sales Strengthen YoY
U.S. kitchen and bath cabinet sales in November 2022 were 14.7% higher than the comparable month in 2021 but dropped 3.5% from October, according to the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association’s (KCMA) monthly “Trend of Business” member survey. Year-to-date sales grew 17.1% over 2021. Semi-custom sales increased 22.1% from November 2021 but decreased 6.5% from October.
U.S. RV Shipments Down in November
The RV Industry Association’s monthly survey of U.S. manufacturers reported November 2022 shipments reached 24,445 units, dropping 50.4% from the record-breaking November 2021. Compared to 2021, year-to-date shipments fell 15.6% to 472,691. See RV Industry Association