Created by Computer Numberic Control (CNC) machines, a solution for boat building has matured. The last sailing yacht designed by marine architect Carlo Sciarelli was manufactured entirely with wood by numeric control machines. by F.F. Nautech

Regular use of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software in their design and production at Ivry-sur-Seine has allowed Fourniture to establish a reputation in the wood industry. by Ellen Marie Hickey, marketing manager, Missler Software

These two engineered products are indispensable commodities in the building trade. Augustine Quek gives the lowdown on them.

When hundreds of ragged gold miners arrived in New Zealand in the 1860s, fresh from the gold fields of California, they could not have foreseen that the seeds of Pinus radiate, bundled with their socks and blankets would create a second source of 'gold', bringing wealth to the Pacific nation 150 years later. by Jacquetta Bell, Nelson journalist

It is the start of the new year and in the wake of the global economic downturn, FDM Asia has asked three players on their thoughts about what 2010 has in store for the industry

Chris Osborne, the managing director of Homag Asia, shares his opinion on areas that woodworking processing will take when 2010 comes. Daniel Cai reports

Timber, when partnered with smart interior design, can give urban living a continuous 'facelift' without harming the environment. by Joseph Chia, industrial designer

The solid wood furniture market progresses in a specific direction despite its limited supply. Some can venture to state that it is heading in this direction because of its increasing scarcity. by Augustine Quek

Michael Hermens, a timber importer, simply wanted to show everyone what could be done in a tropical climate with woods from the world. by Michael Buckley, Turnstone Singapore

As the world's second largest timber consumer, China has a significant impact on the global forest products trade, and as a result, represents a powerful ecological footprint that can influence the sustainability of the world's forests, by Betsy Hickman, communications manager, Global Forest and Trade Network, World Wildlife Fund

Sustaining tropical forests requires more than general policies and guidelines. Governmental and international corporate as well as non-profit organisations will need to cooperate and coordinate to find a mutually beneficial meeting point. by Dr Jegatheswaran Ratnasingam, FIWSc