Pursuits
In Housing Rebound, Makers of Faucets and Cabinets Top Builders
- More people feel confident enough to remodel their homes
- Lower prices for nickel, copper offset higher labor costs
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As a recovery in the U.S. housing market gains footing, the biggest beneficiaries turn out to be the makers of kitchen cabinets, door locks and bathroom fixtures, not companies that actually build the homes.
Profits have soared at American Woodmark Corp.; Masco Corp., whose brands include Delta faucets and Behr paint; and carpet producer Mohawk Industries Inc. Prices for raw materials such as copper and nickel, are falling enough to offset higher labor costs while sales are up as builders outfit more homes.