Hardwood flooring

Kährs Group closes hardwood flooring production in Finland

Kährs Group is reorganizing its hardwood flooring production. The company announced a closure of its production unit in Tuupovaara, Finland.  The company is starting the implementation of the decision immediately and the reorganization affects 21 employees. Christer Persson, President and CEO of Kährs Group, commented: “Streamlining our supply footprint and adjusting our production network to what is in demand is necessary to secure our long-term ability to provide customers with competitive, high-quality hardwood floors.” Earlier Kährs Group signed an agreement to supply wood flooring to Stena Fastigheter. Deliveries under the new agreement will start during the first half of 2017. The company is a world-leading flooring manufacturer in hardwood and resilient flooring with a number of strong brands in its product portfolio, including Kährs, Karelia and Upofloor.... Continue reading →

January 10, 2018

Positive outlook for 2018 US hardwood flooring market

Hardwood flooring consumption increased 5.9% in 2016, according to a market research report released by Catalina Research. Growth in laminate flooring was much lower at less than 1%. The US hardwood flooring market was worth US$3.64 billion in 2016. In laminate flooring imports have grown, especially from Asia, but US producers hope that the new federal formaldehyde emission requirements will provide a competitive advantage to domestic manufacturers. Competition from non-wood hard surface floors, especially luxury vinyl tile and wood plastic/polymer composites, is another concern for wood flooring producers. The hardwood flooring market outlook for 2018 is positive. The National Hardwood Flooring Association carried out a survey among its members this year and more than 70% expect sales to grow at least 3% in 2018. One third of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and... Continue reading →

August 16, 2016

Higher US plywood and wood flooring imports from China

US hardwood plywood imports grew 27% in May following four months of declines. Year-to-date import volumes were up 3% from May 2015 but the value of imports fell 5%. A total of 268,735 cu.m. was imported in May, worth US$159 million. A recovery in US plywood imports from China was mainly responsible for the growth in May. Imports from China jumped 55% from the previous month to 157,103 cu.m. Canadian shipments to the US also increased while imports from Indonesia declined to 21,779 cu.m. (-7%). China increases share of hardwood moulding imports May US hardwood moulding imports grew 7% year on year to US$15.9 million and year-to-date imports are slightly higher (1%) than in 2015. The largest jump was in imports from China, which increased 37% to US$4.8 million however, year-to-date imports from China remain below 2015 levels. Hardwood moulding imports from Brazil were almost... Continue reading →

January 10, 2018

Positive outlook for 2018 US hardwood flooring market

Hardwood flooring consumption increased 5.9% in 2016, according to a market research report released by Catalina Research. Growth in laminate flooring was much lower at less than 1%. The US hardwood flooring market was worth US$3.64 billion in 2016. In laminate flooring imports have grown, especially from Asia, but US producers hope that the new federal formaldehyde emission requirements will provide a competitive advantage to domestic manufacturers. Competition from non-wood hard surface floors, especially luxury vinyl tile and wood plastic/polymer composites, is another concern for wood flooring producers. The hardwood flooring market outlook for 2018 is positive. The National Hardwood Flooring Association carried out a survey among its members this year and more than 70% expect sales to grow at least 3% in 2018. One third of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and... Continue reading →