Cabinet hardware innovations that enhance function, durability, accessibility, and customer satisfaction

Burkard Custom Cabinets has built a steady, referral-driven business by combining custom craftsmanship, flexible service, and smart technology investments. Owner Don Burkard discusses cabinetry trends, CNC efficiency, and how serving clients at every budget has sustained growth.

Building a complete spray finishing system requires careful planning, from capturing sanding dust to selecting the right booth and equipment

Today’s wood manufacturers need systems that match their specific production
reality, from flexible job shops to high-volume automated lines.

Butternut lumber’s decline has made this once-common domestic hardwood difficult to source, yet woodworkers still value it for carving, paneling, furniture, and antique reproductions. Suppliers discuss scarcity, uses, and current pricing.

Soft maple remains a popular choice for cabinetry and furniture projects due to its versatility and lower price point compared to other hardwoods. It is favored for paint-grade projects and custom moldings, and is particularly sought after for its figured varieties like curly and bird’s-eye. While sales are steady, some suppliers note a slight decrease compared to last year.

Black walnut hardwood sales remain steady as 2026 begins, with consistent orders for FAS and premium grades. Suppliers report steady demand, driven by walnut’s unique color and versatility in furniture, millwork, and craft projects. Prices for FAS walnut in 4/4 thickness range from $10 to $13.25 per board foot.

Cherry hardwood sales have been sluggish for over a decade, despite its competitive pricing compared to other domestic hardwoods. While demand for standard cherry remains low, highly figured cherry, especially matched sets from the same tree, continues to be popular. The shift in market trends towards brown woods over red woods, coupled with the influence of marketing buzzwords, is believed to be contributing to the decline in cherry sales.

Tariffs have not impacted raw exotic lumber, but challenges remain in sourcing exotic species due to scarcity and regulatory measures. Zebrawood and yellowheart are particularly difficult to source, with zebrawood facing a global shortage and yellowheart impacted by a Brazilian export ban.

From solvent-heavy lacquers to water-based UV systems, finishing
technology adapts to stricter regulations and changing customer demands

C.R. Onsrud Inc., a Troutman, North Carolina-based manufacturer of CNC machinery, hosted more than 200 attendees at its recent demo day, including CNC vendors, experienced CNC users and novices. The…

SCM’s recent open house in Rimini, Italy, drew more than 3,000 visitors from 60 countries. The March 12-14 event at SCM’s headquarters showcased automated production systems, robotics and artificial intelligence…

The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA) has issued its 10,000th credential certificate since the program began in 2011. The milestone certificate, known as a Passport in the WCA…

Integrating RTA cabinets can optimize your most valuable asset — your team’s time and skill. By offloading the redundant work of building boxes, you can empower your shop to produce more, earn more and focus on the custom details that built your reputation in the first place. Choosing the partner whose quality, logistics and pricing align with your business is the critical first step to smarter growth.

Osborne Wood Products introduces two new table leg designs, Tahoe and Sonora, featuring traditional Mission elements.

Felder presents the KV 925 vertical panel saw to the U.S. market after its premier at LIGNA 2023.

Grizzly Industrial presents a new 8” jointer with a spiral cutterhead, model G0490ZX, and a parallelogram table adjustment mechanism.

Wood Environmentally Adaptive (EA) Hydroplus technology in a new waterborne wood coating that can be applied in a variety of conditions.

WHITESIDE MACHINE CO. is introducing two new CNC router bit sets aimed at production shops and the discerning woodworker. The General Purpose CNC Set (Item No. 709, $232.90) is a…