NEWS

Designers are calling for a renaissance in the use of plywood - renewable, sustainable, and beautiful as used in cars, airplanes, mass transit, and more. The latest news in high-tech: more designs that incorporate carbon-friendly wood, supporting and advancing the wood products industry and sustainable forestry.

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Between 2005 and 2015, U.S. forests grew nearly 1.3 million acres a year, the equivalent of 2,740 football fields per day. There are 20% more trees in the U.S. today than there were on the first Earth Day celebration in 1970. China is determined to expand its forests as well, planting nearly 84 million acres of forests since 2012, bringing national forest coverage to more than 21%.

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OSHA released its final electronic recordkeeping rule with the provision that companies with more than 250 employees do not have to file details about workplace injuries or illnesses electronically, as this would compromise employee and employer privacy. Details of injuries and illnesses still must be provided to OSHA. In response, the Public Citizen Health Research Group sued OSHA.

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China's investments in fixed assets in the wood products industry rose 17% in 2018. Profits dipped 1.5% but exports grew by 3.8%. Vietnam's wood products exports grew too, up 15.9% to $9.3 billion. 95% of those exports were shipped to the U.S.

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RTA Chinese Made Kitchen Cabinet Imports (PDF)

A Missouri custom cabinet manufacturer is one of the latest casualties of the influx of ready-to-assemble cabinets from China. Woodpro Cabinetry abruptly closed in January after 42 years in business, laying off 60 people. Imports of Chinese RTA cabinets into the U.S. have grown steadily over the last ten years, from $100 million in 2008 to an estimated $1.24 billion in 2018.

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