NEWS

Veneer Tech named a new set of champions in the 2023 Craftsman's Challenge. Dennis Zongker was awarded the grand prize for his art deco-style music box. Steven Lash won two awards for his marquetry of cubes ladies' desk. See these winners and more beautiful woodwork in categories ranging from architectural woodwork to furniture.

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In the first six months of 2023, Russia's production of plywood declined by 16.4% to a total of 1.6 million cubic meters. In 2021, Russia produced a record 4.5 million cubic meters; that dropped to 3.2 million cubic meters in 2022 primarily due to the sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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The volume of cabinet sales dropped by more than 13% through June. However, cabinet manufacturers reported an increase in revenue from cabinets of 4.4%. June revenue grew by 4.5% vs. May but is still down by 3% vs. last year.

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Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association: June Trend of Business Report

The value of U.S. imports of multilayered wood flooring grew by 11% last year. In May 2023, the volume of those imports rose 6% from the January to April average, reversing the downward trend from earlier in the year. Year-to-date imports dropped by more than 38% in value, with declines across nearly all sources.

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MLWF imports May 2023 (PDF)

U.S. imports of hardwood plywood rose by 60% in volume in May from the January to April average, but remain down 60% in volume and 67% in value year-to-date through May, after growing by 12% in value last year to $2.1 billion. Among large sources, imports from Vietnam fell the most, down by 79% vs. the same period last year. However, monthly imports from Vietnam and Indonesia grew in April and May, indicating that the downward trend may be reversing.