“Although Unilin continues to take steps to mitigate the impact of increased costs, raw material costs have continued to rise on select lumber and veneer species,” said Shane Calloway, vice president of North American independent distribution sales for Unilin. (Unilin is the parent company of Columbia hardwood and Century hardwood.) “The combination of an improving economy and less than ideal logging conditions continues to pressure availability leading to increased demand.”
“Unfortunately, the cost increases continue to outpace our productivity initiatives,” said Calloway. “As a result, Columbia and Century will be increasing selling prices on certain solid & engineered hardwood flooring. These increases will be effective with all orders and shipments made on or after September 30, 2013.”