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Article: Looking for the light at the end of the tunnel: a significant decrease in sales has many companies in the cabinet industry searching for new opportunities while preparing themselves for an eventual upturn in the economy.(FEATURE: STATE OF THE INDUSTRY)
- Article from:
- Wood & Wood Products
- Article date:
- May 1, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2009 Vance Publishing Corp. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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As with a host of other industries, the U.S. cabinet industry has been significantly challenged by the current economic environment. According to the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Assn.'s (KCMA) Trend of Business Survey, cabinet sales in 2008 were down 19.3 percent, compared to a decrease of 7.4 percent for 2007. (For month-to-month percentages, see the chart on page 30.) And 2009 already has seen a Merillat plant closing in March that cost 157 jobs, as well as Omega Cabinetry laying off 100 employees in February.
"Cabinet manufacturers have been affected negatively by the current economy," says Dick Titus, executive vice president ...