GERMANY – Steelcase announced the opening of its newest Learning + Innovation Center (LINC), capping a multi-year effort to bring together employees and boost global growth.

GERMANY – After the Austrian antitrust authorities had already given the green light for the takeover of the Alno subsidiary, the German Federal Cartel Office also approved the sale.

GERMANY – Leicht Kuchen AG one of the top German Kitchen manufacturers based in Waldstetten will invest in the construction of a highly automated new plant near its existing plant.

NETHERLANDS – The IKEA Group reported total retail sales of USD 40.2 billion (EUR 34.1 billion) for fiscal year 2017 which ended on August 31st. Adjusted for currency impact IKEA Group’s retail sales increased by 3.8 percent during the year.

NETHERLANDS – Last October 9th Inter IKEA Systems B.V., owner of the IKEA Concept and the worldwide IKEA franchisor, issued a press release summarizing the results for fiscal year 2017 and the future outlook. The company also highlighted its future target markets: South America and South East Asia.

GERMANY – The German high end kitchen furnishings manufacturer Siematic has been acquired by Chinese home appliance supplier Nison Group.

CHINA – Nanning Shuixin Ketien based in Lanzhou, northwest China, a global supplier of home furnishings and water-based paints, has decided to venture into the production of wood panels by signing a contract for the supply of a particleboard manufacturing line with the German Siemplekamp group.

COLOMBIA – In the January-July 2017 period (7M-2017), Colombian exports of modular board furniture totaled USD 7.41 million, up 21.7% compared to USD 6.01 million in the same period of 2016.

LITHUANIA – Ikea Industry has decided to invest in advanced technology for furniture production in order to double the capacity in its Kazlų Rūda, Lithuania site.

SPAIN – As Spain’s furniture exports continue to grow at a much faster pace than imports, the country’s trade deficit in the industry was reduced by 5.6% in the first half of the year.

COLOMBIA – “I will never forget that number”, says amazed Ma. Eugenia Hernández, Production Manager of RTA Muebles (formerly RTA Design). “In 1240 square meters we had the production plant, storage of raw materials, packaging, warehouse and offices,” she adds, recalling the first days of the company founded in 2003 in Yumbo, Valle del Cauca that in just 15 years has become Colombia’s leading wooden furniture manufacturer.

CANADA – Novacap, a Canadian investment management company, announced a partnership with furniture manufacturer Bestar Inc.