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 KITCHEN + DECORATING TRENDS
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Hot Home Trends For 2018
Two trend reports suggest that several long-time kitchen favorites will be less popular in 2018: granite countertops and all-white kitchens. Instead, expect consumers to choose marble or quartz countertops, and to opt for light or medium wood cabinets with flat fronts and clean lines to create more warmth in the kitchen. Other home decorating trends for 2018 include statement floors instead of walls, floral prints on fabrics, and warm neutral colors.
Source: Money, January 2, 2018; Cision, December 20, 2017.
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
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Treat Wildfires Like Disasters
The federal government is rapidly spending resources on fighting forest fires that could be used to improve forest health and make forests less susceptible to fire. $2.4 billion was spent in 2017, more than any other wildfire season on record. Tightly packed trees and excessive brush can cause out-of-control wildfires. Allocating funds to maintain healthy forests will lower firefighting costs.
Source: Bismarck Tribune, December 13, 2017.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
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Roseburg Names Phil Odom As Business Manager
Roseburg Forest Products announced that Phil Odom will be the business manager for plywood and lumber beginning January 1. In the newly created position, Mr. Odom will have responsibility for both hardwood and softwood plywood.
Source: Roseburg Forest Products, January 3, 2018.
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HPVA® To Launch New Brand, Website In February
In mid-February, HPVA® will become the Decorative Hardwoods Association. At the same time, we will launch our new website, focused on promoting the beauty, craftsmanship, and reliability of American-made decorative hardwood products to consumers and trade professionals while continuing to provide the latest information and support for our members. The eNews will get a new look, too. Watch this space!
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE: CHINA
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China Reacts To Antidumping Vote
Following the 4-0 vote by the International Trade Commission in early December, Chinese authorities expressed strong dissatisfaction with the U.S. antidumping decision and stated that they consider it in violation of WTO obligations and commitments. According to China, the decision will seriously hinder Chinese plywood imports to the U.S. and damage the interests of Chinese enterprises. In 2016, U.S. hardwood plywood product imports from China were estimated at $1.12 billion.
Source: Fordaq, December 14, 2017.
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China’s Forestry Output Expected To Exceed $1 Trillion In 2017
China has become the fastest growing and most influential country in forest products manufacturing, trading, and consumption, said Zhang Jialong, director of the State Forestry Administration. Mr. Zhang noted that China’s forests cover nearly 22% of the country and that China leads the world in the production of furniture, timber floors, wooden plates, bamboo wood, and other forest products.
Source: China News, December 20, 2017.
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ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
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Manufacturers' Outlook Soars
In 2016, about 64% of respondents to the National Association of Manufacturers' quarterly surveys rated their business outlook as positive. This soared to an average of 92% in 2017. Note that the fourth-quarter positive outlook reached nearly 95% - the highest in the survey's 20-year history.
Source: National Association of Manufacturers, December 18, 2017.
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U.S. Construction At All-Time High
U.S. construction spending rose 0.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.26 trillion in November, setting a new all-time high. Key drivers of growth were an uptick in single-family homebuilding and an increase in office construction.
Source: Construction Dive, January 4, 2018.
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Contractors Optimistic About 2018
The Associated General Contractors of America and Sage Construction and Real Estate anticipate a strong construction market this year. Most respondents plan to increase headcounts. The causes of optimism include current economic conditions, a more business-friendly regulatory environment, and federal tax cuts that are expected to result in stronger demand.
Source: Construction Dive, January 4, 2018.
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featured VIDEOS
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VIDEO: The Impact Of Megafires
Some fires burn so hot that they destroy the soil.
Source: Years Of Living, December 23, 2017. Photo © U.S. Forest Service.
VIDEO: Apple Park
Watch the video of the dramatic new headquarters for Apple Computer.
Source: Duncan Sinfield, September 5, 2017.
VIDEO: Drones On Construction Sites
Drones have multiple uses on construction sites, including safety.
Source: Clear Vision Security, July 11, 2017.
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NEWS BRIEFS
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129 Million Trees Dead In California
According to the Forest Service, the primary causes were drought and bark beetles.
Source: USDA, December 11, 2017.
Photo © U.S. Forest Service.
Russian Plywood Exports Mixed
Volume was down slightly from January to August as value increased 15% vs. year ago.
Source: Customs Today, October 18, 2017.
Steel-Timber Combination Proposed
The system consists of structural steel columns and beams that support a CLT floor.
Source: BD+C, December 11, 2017.
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Tallest Hybrid Wood Structure
The 232' mass timber tower in Vancouver will be the tallest hybrid wood building in North America.
Source: BD+C, January 4, 2018.
The Revolutionary Role Of Wood
What to watch: these 8 innovations in wood.
Source: USDA, January 5, 2018.
Geologists Discover Tree Fossils At The South Pole
Researchers uncover the secrets of a 280-million-year-old forest at the South Pole.
Source: CNN, January 5, 2018.
PHOTOS: IKD Pioneers Hardwood CLT
See the first U.S. hardwood CLT structure.
Source: Architect's Newspaper, January 5, 2018.
PHOTOS: Wood Soars At Burning Man
View a slideshow of the spiraling timber temple to be built for Burning Man 2018.
Source: Inhabitat, January 8, 2018.
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