NWFA Completes 66th Home With Gary Sinise Foundation
The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), based in St. Louis, has provided flooring for its 66th home in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment). The R.I.S.E. program builds mortgage-free, custom, specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders. The home dedication for United States Army Sergeant (Ret.) Bryan Anderson took place recently in Cumberland Furnace, TN. Flooring for the project was donated by NWFA member Somerset.
Sergeant Anderson served two tours of duty in Iraq, earning his rank in the Military Police (MP). In October 2005, he was injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) that resulted in the loss of both legs and his left hand.
“Sergeant Anderson is one of the few triple amputees to survive his injuries,” says NWFA President and CEO Michael Martin. “He endured 13 months of rehabilitation at Walter Reed, and now serves as a national spokesman for Quantum Rehab, traveling the country delivering his message of perseverance and determination in major rehab facilities. We’re honored to partner with Somerset to provide beautiful wood floors for his new home.”
In addition to the 66 homes already completed, NWFA currently is working with its members to source wood flooring for 16 additional R.I.S.E. homes in various stages of planning and construction. Currently, 143 NWFA member companies have donated product, logistics and installation services in locations throughout the United States, with a total value of more than $5.7 million. A list of all NWFA R.I.S.E. participating companies can be found at www.nwfa.org/giving-back.aspx.
To learn more about the program, and how you and/or your company can get involved, contact the NWFA at 800-422-4556, or e-mail them at anita.howard@nwfa.org.
The National Wood Flooring Association is a not-for-profit trade organization, with more than 3,200 member companies world-wide, dedicated to educating consumers, architects, designers, specifiers and builders in the uses and benefits of wood flooring. The NWFA is located at 111 Chesterfield Industrial Boulevard, Chesterfield, MO 63005, and can be contacted at 800-422-4556 (USA and Canada), 636-519-9663 (local and international), or at www.nwfa.org.
Bliffert Merges WITH Moulding And Cabinetry Manufacturer, Fillinger Millwork
Bliffert Lumber & Hardware, based in Milwaukee, recently merged with Fillinger Millwork, a single-location millwork manufacturer of Hardwood moulding and custom millwork products in Milwaukee, WI. Fillinger Millwork uses solid U.S. Hardwoods in its manufacturing, which is carried out only in the United States. Species utilized include Oak, Poplar, Birch, Cherry, Walnut, Hickory, Alder, Maple and Mahogany.
Bliffert Lumber & Hardware has served contractors and homeowners in southeastern Wisconsin for over 115 years. Since their incorporation in 1904, they have helped the community grow by supplying building materials to hospitals, stadiums, new homes and other projects. Now in their fifth generation of Bliffert family ownership, they have 10 locations.
Fillinger Millwork is a fourth-generation, family-owned business founded in 1938. Fillinger has evolved over the past 84 years from its beginnings as a cabinet shop to a lumber mill, retail hardware store and lumberyard. Today, Fillinger Millwork focuses on manufacturing Hardwood mouldings and custom millwork products.
To learn more, visit www.bliffertlumber.com.
Hardwoods Distribution Inc. Rebrands As ADENTRA
Hardwoods Distribution Inc. (“HDI”) recently announced the rebranding of the company to ADENTRA Inc. (“ADENTRA”), with its corporate office in Langley, BC, and launch of a new website: www.ADENTRAgroup.com.
Deriving from the Spanish word “dentro,” meaning “within,” ADENTRA represents the company’s modern identity as a distributor of architectural design products used to create beautiful spaces where people live, work and play.
“This is an exciting time for the company and our 3,000 employees throughout North America,” stated Rob Brown, president and Chief Executive Officer of ADENTRA.
Gord Clough, ADENTRA director of marketing, noted that the rebranding initiative comes just over a year after HDI acquired Novo Building Products and Mid-Am Building Supply.
ADENTRA is one of North America’s largest distributors of architectural products to fabricators, home centers and professional dealers servicing the new residential, repair and remodel, and commercial construction end markets. The company currently operates a network of 86 regional customer service centers in the United States and Canada.
To learn more, visit www.ADENTRAgroup.com.
NAR Forecasts 4.78 Million ExisTing Home Sales, Stable Prices in 2023
Lawrence Yun, National Association of Realtors’ chief economist and senior vice president of research, forecasts that 4.78 million existing homes will be sold, prices will remain stable, and Atlanta will be the top real estate market to watch in 2023 and beyond. Yun unveiled the forecast of NAR during NAR’s recent, fourth annual year-end Real Estate Forecast Summit.
NAR predicts 4.78 million existing-home sales in 2023, down 6.8 percent from 5.13 million in 2022. Also, annual median home prices are expected to increase by just 0.3 percent, following a 9.6 percent gain in 2022.
Yun forecasts U.S. GDP will grow by 1.3 percent, roughly half the typical historical pace of 2.5 percent. After eclipsing 7 percent in late 2022, he expects the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to settle at 5.7 percent as the Fed slows the pace of rate hikes to control inflation. Yun noted this is lower than the pre-pandemic historical rate of 8 percent.
To learn more, go to www.nar.realtor.
2023 NHLA Rules Book is available
The new 2023 National Hardwood Lumber Association Rules Book is fresh off the press. All active member categories have been mailed a Rules Book. Should your company need additional copies, visit the NHLA online store, which can be found at www.nhla.com.
