The Commerce Department announced recently that housing starts rose 5 percent in December, the highest level since 1986.

Weyerhaeuser has introduced its Engineered Floor System, built with leading floor component brands, according to the company.

Domco Tarkett Inc. has selected Lars von Kantzow, former president and CEO of Pergo and now president of TriCrown Consulting, Cary, N.C., to spearhead a corporate identity and branding program.

Solutia has formally welcomed Nylon Board Manufacturing of Medford, Minn., to the company's Partners for Renewal carpet sustainability program.

Dan Sawchyn has been named Surfaces' first Innovative Retailer of the Year.

Columbia Forest Products announced it has reached an exclusive agreement with Halex Corp. to head up North American sales of Columbia's Multiply hardwood plywood flooring underlayment to the wholesale flooring distribution segment.

DuPont announced today that it expects reported earnings for the fourth quarter 2002 to be between $0.31 and $0.33 per share, slightly below the company's initial outlook.

Honeywell today announced definitive agreements with BASF for two transactions that are part of a planned restructuring of Honeywell's Specialty Materials business unit.

Congoleum Corp. recently announced its strategy for resolving current and future asbestos claims liability.

DuPont will launch the latest in Tactesse fiber for DuPont Stainmaster carpet.