International Wood International Wood 2004 | Page 14

FURNITURE AND CABINETRY
Although the importation of solid wood for mass-produced furniture
has fallen off because of growing manufacturing capacity in China,
demand is still strong from small and medium-size high-end manu-
facturers, says McIlvain.
“These companies are still quite busy, and are doing very nice
work with a variety of species. The same is true for the high-end
kitchen cabinet manufacturers, who are benefiting from the housing
boom here.”
“Imported plywood is used for special furniture applications,” says
Don MacMaster of Argo Fine Imports. “Ecuador produces thin hard-
wood plywood made from lighter-colored species, which make great
cabinet liners. It’s also used for drawer bottoms and cabinet backs,
and thicker panels are used for laminated applications like kitchen
counters, cabinet door inserts, and shelving.”
CONSTRUCTION STILL
STRONG
Imported plywood also plays a
huge role in construction.
“Growth in the use of hard-
wood plywood is tied to the
growth of the overall economy,”
says John Chaffin of Liberty Woods
Int’l. “People have been using it for
some time, for flooring underlay-
ment, kitchen cabinets, furniture,
and countertops, but there haven’t
really been any new developments
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IMPORTED WOOD