Wood Usage Trends in the Furniture and Fixtures Industry.

This report shows that despite sharply higher prices, wood products have not lost their share of the market within the furniture and fixtures industry during the period of 1960 to 1972. Slightly lower lumber usage was more than offset by increased utilization of plywood and wood composition boards. Especially noteworthy was the rapid growth of particleboard and hardboard usage, a phenomenon that slowed because of market saturation and the advent of medium-density fiberboard. Since 1972, additional market losses by lumber were deemed unlikely because of the traditional consumer preference for wood furniture, rather than metal or plastic furniture. Market penetration by plywood, particleboard, and hardboard also slowed because of market saturation and new product competition. Veneer usage, which showed little historical variation, was projected unchanged from the 1972 level.