Factories posted a third straight month of growth in January, with still-strong new orders and production, the Institute for Supply Management announced.

Interceramic posted a record year, with sales topping $300 million.

Pergo AB and the main shareholder of Witex AG -- HW Industries GmbH & Co. KG -- have concluded negotations concerning an acquisition of stock between Pergo and Witex.

Oriental Weavers of America announced that Steve Stultz has been selected to fill the position of senior vice president of OWA, previously held by Paul D'huyvetter, who passed away November 15, 2002.

Sales of existing single-family homes rose strongly in December -- while the year 2002 set a new annual record, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Amtico International announced the sudden death on Friday, Jan. 24, of John Gallo, senior Vice President of manufacturing.

On Saturday, Jan. 18, Swiff-Train Co.'s Houston warehouse suffered a major fire that damaged much of the goods and equipment at the Texas distributor's branch.

Cargill Dow LLC has unveiled Ingeo, a new fiber brand concept based on technology that allows man-made fibers to be derived from annually renewable resources, such as maize.

Decorative Coatings North America, a business unit of Akzo Nobel, has assumed direct responsibility for North American marketing and manufacturing of the company's Synteko brand of wood floor coatings.

3M today announced its sales and profit results for the fourth quarter and calendar year 2002.