Structural Wood Panel Production lncrease

Structural wood panel production in the United States and Canada will reach a record 32.2 billion sq. ft. (3/8inch basis) this year, some 700 million ft. more than in 1993, forecasts the American Plywood Association.

But the improving outlook is accompanied by 'difficult prospocts for segments of the indusfy inoeasingly affected by misguided national forest and private land management policies,' APA president David L. Rogoway emphasized"

The forecast is based on gradual improvement of U.S. and Canadian economies, particularly residential construction, increasing demand, be pointed out, adding APA forecasts 1.315 million U.S. housing starts this year, up fror 1993's 1.267.

Already restrained by timber barvest cons8aints, western sanded plywood production will continue to drop as industrial market specifiers discouraged by a lack of familiar western grades and species switch to nonwood subsd$tes.

Western plywood production declined from 9.1 billion sq. fr in 1988 to about 4.1 billion ft. in 1993 and will drop to 3.2 billion ft. this year, according to APA. Nearly half of the lost western production is in sanded grades with other producing regions unable to make up the difference.

Total U.S. plywood production is expected to drop 600 million sq. ft. Ois year while oriented strand board producdon rises 850 million ft. OSB now constiurtes roughly 307o of U.S. structural wood panel production. Nearly all of the 4 billion sq. ft. of new industry capacily expected over lhe next five years in the U.S. and Canada will be for OSB, according to APA market research.

Rogoway noted that with increasing demand and new mill capacity not expected to come on line until 1995, marketplace volatility is likely to be exacerbated this year.

Encouraged by resource constraints, engineered wood production, which makes more efficient use of fiber supply, is expected to grow with U.S. glulan production rising almost 7Vo lhis year. Combined U.S. and Canadian production of wood l-joists and laminated veneer lumber is forecast to increase l0Vo and 167o rcspectively. "We think engineered wood products constitute a defining uend in the wood products industry of the '90s and beyond," Rogoway concluded.

Lumbermen's Association of Texas '94 Expo

Jack Rice, telling dealers "Don't Just survive Excel Into The 2lst Century," and Bob Legg, discussing "Let's All Promote Wood: The Miracle Resource," will be luncbeon speaken at the Lumbennen's Association of Texas convention, April 7-9, San Antonio, Tx.

Following the theme "LAT Something Special," the expo will

Lummus Opens Number 6

Lummus Supply Co., Atlanta, Ga., has opened a sixth retail location in Acworth, Ga", and consolidated its engineered products division at the new site.

Todd Baird is manager of the new yard, which opened in October and celebrates its grand opening April 16.

According to Atlanta manager Don Barnefi, sales for the engineered prod- introduce exhibitor area seminars on recycled plastic building materials, ACQ heservative, pressure treated lumber, concrete mixes, federal regulations, sexual harrassment, accounts receivable, and increasing margins. ucts division have doubled every year since its inception in 1987. He expects the consolidation to further increase growth, since the larger location allows more inventory and personnel.

Meetings, a golf tournament, "ranch" night, "Ya'll Come'! reception and the president's dinner gala complete the progam.

Engineered products division sales force, materials and engineering department had previously been located at three separate yards. Brad Butts is division manager.