CMI Forms Partnership with Yawei and TaFu in China

CMI, the Chicago-based manufacturer and marketer of CraftMaster® Interior Doors, has made an equity investment in Fudun and entered into a joint venture partnership with Yawei and TaFu, makers of particleboard, door facings and related products located in Dunhua, Jilin Province, China.

The move expands CMI’s manufacturing network and is aimed at helping the company grow its international molded interior door business, particularly in Asia, India and the Middle East, while better positioning CMI for the domestic new construction market recovery.

CraftMaster Asia, a wholly owned subsidiary of CMI, will manage the partnership with Fudun. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

CMI currently operates manufacturing plants in Towanda, Pa., Christiansburg, Va., Ozark, Ala., and Garland, Texas.
“Fudun is one of the largest and most respected timber and wood products companies in China. This partnership allows CMI to further penetrate the fast-growing market for molded interior doors in Asia and other international markets where urbanization, rising incomes and other factors are contributing to tremendous growth in residential housing,” said Bob Merrill, CMI president and chief executive officer. “Through Fudun’s door facing manufacturing plant in northeastern China, we will better serve CraftMaster customers outside the U.S. and enhance future product innovation for these regions.”

George Mak, chairman, Fudun, said, “We are very pleased to enter into agreement with the makers of the CraftMaster brand, which is known worldwide and highly valued in Asia and Europe as the premier door facing product.”

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