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Homag Showcases 50 Years of Innovation at Ligna 2025
GERMANY – Homag, a leader in woodworking technology, is showcasing its comprehensive solutions at Ligna 2025, marking 50 years of innovation. Under the theme "Building Living Spaces," the company brings together System TM, Kallesoe, Weinmann, and Homag to cover the...
Premier Forest Products Unveils the World’s First Fire-retardant, Water-resistant Plywood
UNITED KINGDOM – Premier Forest Products has launched DryGuard FR, the world’s first plywood that combines both fire-retardant and water-resistant properties. Developed in partnership with European manufacturer Paged, this innovative product offers unparalleled...
German Furniture Industry Sales Fall 7.4% in 2024
GERMANY – The German furniture industry experienced a significant downturn in 2024, with total turnover dropping 7.4% to EUR 16.4 billion, according to official figures. Domestic sales fell 6.8% to just under EUR 11 billion, while exports (33% of total sales)...
Italy’s Woodworking Technology Impacted by Market Stagnation
ITALY – Italy’s wood processing and furniture technology sector faced significant challenges in 2024, influenced by ongoing geopolitical tensions and the lasting effects of the Ukraine conflict. Additionally, the sector struggled with the aftermath of unusually high...
BIFMA Urges Caution on Potential Tariffs Impacting U.S. Furniture Industry
USA – BIFMA, representing commercial furniture manufacturers and suppliers across North America, emphasizes the importance of free trade in maintaining competitive global supply chains. The association warns against new tariffs that could disrupt trade relationships...
Roland Auer Joins Egger as Chief Marketing Officer
AUSTRIA – The Egger Group, one of the top global wooden panel manufacturers, has announced the appointment of Roland Auer as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), effective May 1, 2025. Auer, who brings over 30 years of industry experience, joins Egger from...
EPF Appoints Matti Rantanen as Managing Director
BELGIUM – The European Panel Federation (EPF) has announced the appointment of Matti Rantanen as its new Managing Director, effective May 5, 2025. Rantanen will succeed Clive Pinnington, who has decided to step down at the end of June 2025. Rantanen, 40,...
Novopan Hosts Workshop to Define Design Trends
ECUADOR – Novopan, a regional leader in wood panel production and decorative surface design, held its annual Workshop Pelíkano, bringing together international architects, designers, and industry experts. The event, held on February 7, 2025, at Novopan’s headquarters,...
Peru’s Particleboard Imports Up 37.7% in January
PERU – Peru’s imports of particleboard saw a significant rise in January 2025, increasing by 37.7% compared to the same month last year. The total value of imports reached USD 13.46 million, up from USD 9.78 million in January 2024. The top country sources of these...
Slight Increase in Spanish Furniture Exports in 2024
SPAIN – Spanish furniture exports saw a 2.3% increase in 2024, reaching over EUR 3.1 billion. France remains the top destination, accounting for 26% of exports, though it saw a 2.8% decline. Portugal (+4.6%), Germany (+0.4%), Italy (+10.7%), and the Netherlands (+9%)...
New IMA Schelling Branch in Croatia
CROATIA – IMA Schelling Group, a leading machine and plant manufacturer for wood, plastic, and metal processing industries, has expanded its presence in Southeast Europe with the opening of a new branch in Zagreb, Croatia, on January 1, 2025. This move supports the...
Ecuadorian Particleboard Exports Surpass USD 200 million in 2024
ECUADOR – Ecuador's particleboard (MDP) exports totaled USD 201.24 million in 2024, marking a slight increase of 1.5% compared to USD 198.26 million in 2023. The largest export markets for Ecuadorian particleboard remained Colombia, with exports rising 1.1% to USD...
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Strategic Partnership Between Sonae Arauco and Gutex for Sustainability
PORTUGAL – Sonae Arauco’s Agepan brand has entered a strategic partnership with Gutex, a leading manufacturer of ecological wood fiber insulation materials based in Germany, to enhance its construction solutions portfolio. Under this collaboration, Gutex will produce...
Häfele Achieves EUR 1.74 Billion in Sales for 2024
GERMANY – The Häfele Group, one of the main global furniture hardware suppliers, recorded sales of EUR 1.74 billion for the 2024 fiscal year, marking a 1.5% increase, or 2.7% when adjusted for currency effects. Foreign sales accounted for 82% of total revenue....
Tariffs Could Raise U.S. Home Building Costs by up to USD 4 billion
USA – The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has highlighted that the ongoing shortage and significant rise in building material costs, from softwood lumber to distribution transformers, are driving up home construction expenses and harming housing...
Catas Appoints Paolo Tirelli as New Managing Director
ITALY – Paolo Tirelli, a mechanical engineer with over 20 years of experience at Catas, has been appointed the new managing director of the leading European testing laboratory for the wood and furniture industry. Tirelli, who previously headed the Mechanical Testing...
Brazil’s Particleboard Exports Grow 40.4% in 2024
BRAZIL - In 2024, Brazil’s particleboard exports totaled USD 113.38 million, representing a 40.4% increase compared to USD 80.74 million in 2023. This growth was primarily driven by strong performances in key markets such as China and Colombia. China led the way with...
Taiwan Achieves 100% FSC Certification for Public Forests
TAIWAN - Taiwan has become the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to achieve 100% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for its public forests, covering nearly 1.6 million hectares—71.5% of the country’s total forest area. The Forestry and Nature...
CSIL Publishes a New Edition of “The Furniture Industry in Europe”
ITALY - Europe, the world’s second-largest furniture market with a consumption value of EUR 106 billion, remains a key player in global production and trade. However, according to a recent CSIL report, the sector faced significant challenges in 2024, with most...
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