Woodworking Network

DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. — Diplomat Closet Design has expanded its custom residential storage design services across Southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey Shore communities. The locally owned company uses a catalog-free planning model based on personalized layouts rather than standard, pre-cut components.

In this video, Jason Hibbs, a professional woodworker and owner of Bourbon Moth Woodworking, tries to "rewrite a dark chapter in furniture history and make the world's first bespoke pallet." Over the years, Hibbs has had a "subtle animosity towards pallets," which lead him to build a $6,000 pallet. "I mean they're very utilitarian in nature," he said. "I get their function. You set things on them, and for that purpose ...

A research team from INRAE and the University Clermont Auvergne has shown that trees are capable of correcting a curvature they detect in their stems through a specific biological process. In the study, young trees with bent stems were placed in an experimental set-up that prevented them from sensing their orientation relative to light and gravity. The only sense remaining to the trees was the perception of their own curvature.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — LP Building Solutions (LP) has been named the 2025 Safest Company in its category by APA – The Engineered Wood Association, marking LP’s fourth consecutive win and 16th overall in the award’s 18-year history. LP recorded a total incident rate (TIR) of 0.68 and a weighted incident rate (WIR) of 3.04 for its manufacturing facilities in 2025. Its WIR was three times lower than that of the next closest company in the category, matching the margin by which LP led the category in 2024.

OSLO, Norway — Global furniture manufacturer Flokk has acquired ergoCentric of Mississauga, Ontario, an ergonomic task seating manufacturer. The acquisition adds nationwide distribution and a dedicated manufacturing facility in the region, further strengthening Flokk's presence in North America. With ergoCentric, Flokk reaches annual sales of approximately $600 million (USD).

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — As the laminate flooring industry navigates changing market conditions, evolving consumer expectations and continued product innovation, the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) will bring industry leaders together for its Fall Meeting from October 13–15 in Savannah, Georgia, to turn market insight into action.

CHAPLEAU, Ontario — GreenFirst Forest Products Inc.elcomes the Government of Ontario’s support for two initiatives at its Chapleau facility aimed at enhancing competitiveness and exploring new markets for forest biomass. The Government of Ontario is providing GreenFirst with more than $5.9 million through the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program (FSIIP) to support a new sawline and the installation of a high-speed planer.

At McWilliams Vision Care in Newburgh, Indiana, the design team set out to create a sleek, modern optometry practice. While daylight plays a major role in the architectural experience, the interior required materials that could deliver warmth, sophistication, and long‑term durability in a healthcare environment. During construction, the team revisited the originally specified laminate materials to achieve this look.

WIELSBEKE, Belgium — Unilin, part of Mohawk Industries and global reference in interior and building products, appointed An Nuyttens as Chief Executive Officer of Unilin and President of Mohawk’s Flooring Rest of the World segment.

LARINBURG, N.C. — Great Southern Wood, best known for its YellaWood brand, will invest $40 million to construct a pressure-treated pine lumber manufacturing facility at Laurinburg-Maxton Airport. Founded in Alabama in 1970, GSW’s Laurinburg facility will be the company’s 17th treating plant. The project is expected to create 43 jobs in Scotland County. While wages vary by position, the average annual salary for the new positions will be $60,827, which exceeds Scotland County’s average of $49,091.