Southern Pine Suppliers Ready for Recovery

The southern pine lumber industry has faced dramatic downturns before, but certainly nothing quite like the business climate of the last two years.

Steady declines in housing startsand consequently lumber demandhave affected mill operations to create an environment not seen since the early 1980s. The extension of federal tax credits to new homebuyers and those who are looking to move up has helped manage the massive national inventory of properties for sale,

There will be no new demand for housing until a substantial portion of the millions of homes now on the market become occupred. Struggling financial and housing markets, high unemployment, stagnant personal income growth, and minrmal exports continue to complicate the recovery picture.

SFPA is taking aggressive steps to develop the best possible promotional strategy for moving forward. For nearly 100 years, SFPA has conducted a wide range of promotional programs and weathered every downturn. And since 1988, the Southern Pine Council has

Couvillion have hosted groups of seniors interested in an age-specific community tailored to their specific needs. A site plan for "The Gates of aided lumber dealers with the tools they need to sell more lumber.

Customers want what southern Dine lumber has to offer: strength, treatability, and beauty, not to mention outstanding value. Manufacturers are responding to today's challenging market and offerrng the newest preservative treatments; the most popular items in flooring, siding, ceiling and paneling patterns; framing lumber in a wide range of grades and sizes, plus engineered wood products. With milloperations in close proximity to major markets, special-order items can be quickly orocessed in most cases.

Today, www.southernpine.com is a gold mine of information dealers can depend on for answers to customers' questions and for locating product suppliers. Sourcing hard{o-find items can be just a few mouse clicks away. SFPA can actually send customers to dealers stocking southern pine products if dealers are listed among the nearly 700 already onlrne in its product locator. Signing up is free for dealers at www.southernpine.com/joi nlocator.

Burlington" was the result, and the 54lot development plans to break ground this spring on the first 24 raised floor homes.

Development in other states of more "boutique neighborhoods" similar to the prototype near Baton Rouge means conversion of slab construction projects into housing starts that call for more lumber. Industry-supported grants are sponsoring these efforts. Events to be held for local dealers and builders offer a firsthand look at how a raised wood floor is the premium foundation option.

New Raised Floor Site

Recently, SFPA and Southern Pine Council extensively overhauled the website www.raisedfl oorliving.com.

The site is now divided into two sections, addressing the needs of both homeowners and building professionals. Builders, architects and engineers exoerienced with raised floor construction are encouraged to list themselves in the online locator.

Dealers then direct customers to the locator for finding professional help in designing and building a home. The search begins at www,raisedfloorliving pro.com/fi nd_dealer. py.