Linden Lumber, LLC is closing its hardwood flooring division effective today. As a result, its work force will be reduced by 37 employees. “This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, but we believe it is the right decision given the ongoing depressed state of the solid flooring industry. Any time business decisions such as this negatively impact employees, it is very emotionally difficult for everyone,” says Hugh Overmyer, Linden Lumber’s President.

The solid flooring market across the United States has been in a slump for the past year, and Linden Lumbers’ flooring sales have been no different. Nationwide, solid wood flooring mills have struggled on and off the last few years dealing with volatile price swings, while engineered flooring mills seem to be quite healthy and growing at a robust pace. Industry insiders believe that solid wood flooring is losing market share to its nearest relative—engineered flooring.

The company says its decision to exit the flooring business in no way affects the ongoing operation and manufacturing of its lumber and industrial wood products.  Linden Lumber has invested heavily in recent years in new machinery, and has outpaced many of its competitors through the investment of the latest optimization technology for sawing lumber.   The 150-acre site where Linden Lumber operates today has been the home of a high-quality lumber operation since 1963—some 53 years. Company management looks forward to producing quality hardwoods for another 53 years or more.

While the news of closing its hardwood flooring plant might seem bad, it’s not all bad.  Jamey Hurst, Linden Lumber’s Director of Sales & Marketing said, “This will simplify our business model and will help us be more focused on growing our hardwood lumber sales both domestically and worldwide.  We’ll continue to push the bounds of our industry, with the goal of Redefining Southern Lumber.”

Whether you are building a new home, renovating an existing home or just want to freshen things up, selecting the perfect hardwood flooring can be a daunting task. That is where the experts here at Linden Lumber are equipped to help you every step of the way! Linden manufactures high quality red oak, white oak and ash hardwood flooring that makes its way into homes across the globe.

We have created a Pinterest page to keep our readers and customers informed of the latest trends in the hardwood industry and for inspiration in all things hardwood! Please follow us and share with your friends!

Also, don’t hesitate to contact Shelley and let her help you get the ball rolling on giving your home a makeover with flooring from Linden!

*Image courtesy of Houzz.com

Linden Lumber is excited to be exhibiting April 27th – 29th  at the NWFA Wood Flooring Expo in Charlotte, North Carolina. The NWFA Expo is the only wood show dedicated exclusively to wood flooring. Linden will be located in Booth #701 and will have samples showcasing our exceptional hardwood strip flooring – available in Red Oak, White Oak and Ash.

We look forward to visiting with new and existing customers and to learning about the latest trends in the flooring market.

If you are in the Charlotte area, stop by the Charlotte Convention Center and visit with Shelley or Tim and learn how Linden is Redefining Southern Lumber!

Photo Credit: Luker Photography

American Hardwoods Promotion (AHP) recently ran an article detailing a trend that we have noticed in the domestic housing market, and one that we hope continues into the future. Interior hardwood moldings, which had fallen out of favor with many domestic homeowners and builders, are in vogue once again.

This uptick has coincided with improvement in domestic economic growth. Many US homeowners are looking to spruce up their home for their own pleasure, or in hopes of gaining a higher resale value when they place their home on the market. Homeowners now have more disposable income than in the past three to five years and are using that income to express themselves, their style, and invest in their homes.

Consumer markets such as clothing, furniture, jewelry, food, architecture and more have shifted away from uniform, mass-produced items, and consumers are instead looking more towards more traditional manufacturing methods, as well as goods and architecture that expresses their individuality.

Classy is cool. Retro is in style. And that’s good news for the hardwood moldings!

For more inspiration, check out the original article here.

Cheers!

Photo Credit: White River Hardwoods