ITALY – Within the current month of September will be completed an agreement that will bring Investindustrial, through its subsidiary B&B Italia, to become majority partner of Arclinea Arredamenti S.p.A..

SWEDEN – For FY2016, IKEA Group total sales amounted to EUR 34.2 billion (USD 37.6 billion), increasing by 7.1% against the previous year. Adjusted for currency impact, total sales increased by +7.9% and same store sales (sss) grew by 4.8%.

GERMANY – From 17 to 23 September Häcker Küchen will present its new products at this year’s in-house show in an entirely new exhibition with the motto “living spaces”. The exhibition will demonstrate how Häcker’s units can be individually and conveniently arranged to furnish a wide variety of living spaces, not just kitchens. The in-house show will take place at the company’s headquarters in Rödinghausen. 

GERMANY – Fabryki Mebli “Forte” S.A., one of the largest European furniture manufacturers, is expanding its product portfolio in the area of self-assembly furniture. The required wood-based material panels will be produced on a Siempelkamp press. 

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – On July 11, executives of IKEA and Caucedo Logistics Center (CLC) celebrated the start of construction of the new IKEA regional logistics operations building, strategically located in the facilities of Port Caucedo.

U.S. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with IKEA North America, is announcing the recall of MALM and other models of chests and dressers due to serious tip-over hazard. 

COLOMBIA – In an interview with Portfolio, Cousin Aynes, commercial franchise manager for Central America, South America and Africa of the French Gautier, said that the furniture manufacturer company plans to develop its brand in Latin America, and will begin to do so by the franchise system in Colombia and Mexico.

U.S. – IKEA U.S. announced on June 8th the results of the third annual IKEA Life at Home Report, which explores the life at home of people all over the world. 

GERMANY – ALNO has won yet another award: the popular consumer award “Kitchen Innovation of the Year” for ALNOSTAR SIGN / ALNOSUND.

SWEEDEN – Nobia is initiating a process to find a partner in global luxury products that can contribute to the development of German kitchen company Poggenpohl. 

U.S. – For the first time Vietnam’s share in total US imports of wood furniture surpassed 20%. China’s import share declined from almost 50% in January to just over 48% in February. Furniture imports from China declined by 3%, while imports from Vietnam grew 4% month-over-month. 

CANADA – Dorel Home Furnishings revenue increased by USD 14.3 million, or 8.8% to a record USD 176.1 million compared with USD 161.8 million of first quarter 2015.