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
U.S. Home Sales Increase in October
U.S. sales of new single-family homes in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 632,000, growing 7.5% from September but 5.8% lower than the comparable month last year. The seasonally adjusted estimate of new homes for sale at the end of October was 470,000, representing an 8.9-month supply at the current sales rate.
October Architectural Billings Weaken
The October Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dropped four points to 47.7, according to The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Economics & Market Research Group. A score above 50 indicates growth in billings. Design contracts decreased from 50.7 in September to 48.6. October billings were in positive territory for all geographic regions except the West, with
October Kitchen and Bath Cabinet Sales Rise YoY
U.S. kitchen and bath cabinet sales in October were 14.6% higher than the comparable month in 2021 but dropped 6.7% from September, according to the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association’s (KCMA) monthly “Trend of Business” member survey. Year-to-date sales grew 17.3% over 2021. Semi-custom sales increased 24.5% from October 2021 but decreased 1.3% from September. Custom
U.S. RV Shipments Down in October
The RV Industry Association’s monthly survey of U.S. manufacturers reported October shipments reached 32,652 units, dropping 43.7% from the comparable month last year. Compared to 2021, year-to-date shipments fell 12.2% to 448,246. See RV Industry Association
September U.S. Furniture Orders Drop
U.S. residential furniture factory orders in September decreased 26% from the comparable month in 2021. Year-to-date orders fell 29% over the same period in 2021. Furniture shipments increased 5% from September 2021 and were up 6% year-to-date. With shipments outpacing new orders, September backlogs declined 40% from 2021. See Smith Leonard
Closets & Organized Storage State of the Industry Report Published
Closets & Organized Storage magazine released its 2022 State of the Industry survey findings. The survey provides insight into 2022 and 2023 trade forecasts. Respondents represented independent closet companies, franchises and retailers, with the top three products sold at the establishments being closet and organized storage (56%), residential and commercial cabinets (19%) and garage organization