Texas treating plant adds equipment for new process

As consumers show more interest in the chemicals used !o treat wood producers are rallymg o supply products that fall within their comfort levels.

"We know that pressure treated wood is safe. Industry tests have shown tbat, but there's no sense denying the conc€rn that's out there," said Bobbie E. Schiel, owner of Eastex Forest Products, which is slated to produce ACQ hesenre pressure treated wood by July.

"I've always been interested in new pressure treated products," he added. "They grow tle industry. An4 they give Fastex a competitive edge fc new business. That's why we began producingUltrawood"

"People said a water repellent would hurt the CCA business. Nonsense. It's done just the opposite. Our CCA business has increased almost 30% since we introduced UltraWood. As we start poducing ACQ Preserve, we expect our CCA related sales to continue to grow."

Commenting on new products in the reating industry, Schiel sai4 "If the industry tums its back on what appears to be a growing demand for mce environmentally advaned poducts, we might as well [nn the business over o the plastic manufacfirers.

'ACQ Preserve won't hurt the industry. It will let us go after new makets. Although it may not be for everyone, it is an effeoive altenrative to plastic products and can offer good margins to our retailer customers. What's more, it's a product retailers cim use !o compete effectively."

Recently, a large public works job in Padre.Island, Tx., used plastic decking instead of ttaditimal prcssure Eeated wood. "That r€inforced our decision to produce ACQ Preserve," Schiel emphasized

Capital equipment for the expanded service is on site and construction underway at Eastex's Houston, Tx., planr Esnblished in 1964, the company is widely recognized as a long- term industry player and bas a r€putation of being among tbe frrst !o produe new treated products.

A full servie provider, the company serves retail chains and lunber dealers with a full range of pressure treated wood including water repellent UltraWood as well as plywood and dimensional lumber. It also offers KDAT lumber and TSO services. Last year Eastex produced over 87 million board feet of pressure tr€ated wood.

When the current expansion is complete4 the company will produce pressure treated decking and timbers desiped for heavy duty marine applications, D-Blaze fire retardant wood, Designwood, a prcssure treated wood feanning a colmant, and ACQ Preserve.

'Eastex will produe tbe best value for tbe money. We're probably one of tbe few, if not he only plant in our area where sales people inspect and sign off on each truckload of wood befqe it's shipped- They ae the fust to know i1 159 shipment isn't right " Schiel noted.

"We don't focus on cheap producS. We mqke high qmlity p,roducts with exceptional retail sales value. We take pnde in giving on-time, complete shipments. custmers can count on us," he said. finally, if it's new and has retail potential like ACQ Pres€trve, F^stex will produce ir That way everyme wins."

New Hardwood ldentification

A new Hardwood Ma* oeated by the Hardwood Instiute will be used to distinguish genuine hardwood produos ftom imitations and substitutes. The new mark is available to manufacturers and retailers and will show consumers that real hardwood is used in the producl

NEWLY stafled conslruction in January climbed 7%, rwersing two months of dedine. The lal€sl month's contract award dah lifted lhe seasonallyadjusled Dodge Index lo 100, slill belowlhe recent high of 104 reached in Oclober. The Index us€s 1987 as ils 100 base,

Florida County Extends OSB Ban

The Dade County Board of Rules and Appeals recommended extending the emergency ordinance containing a ban on OSB roof sheathing in that Florida county to May l, despite American Plywood Association vice president Tom Flint's argument that properly applied and fastened OSB roof sheathing performed to code requirements during Hurricane Andrew.

However, John Pistorino, consulting engineer to the board, agreed to visit APA headquarters in Tacoma, Wa., to review testing and field snrdies results.

Millwork Producers Elect New Staff

The Wood Moulding & Millwork hoducers Association's new president is Frank DeMott, Best Moulding Corp., Albuquerque, N.M.

Others elected at the annual meeting in Ojai, Ca., Feb. 20: Sid Johnson, Nor-Cal Moulding Co., Marysville, Ca., vice president; Hardy Allen, Mt. Taylor Millwork, Milan, N.M., second vice president, and Fd Sturza, Ponderosa Mouldings, Redmon( Or., treasurer.

Tim Ellis, Georgia-Pacific, Atlanta Ga.; Phil ShugarL MedfordMoulding, Medford, Or.; Tom Williams, Jr., Yuba River Moulding & Millwork, Yuba City, Ca., and Gary Peacock, Madey Mouldings, Marion, Va., were naned to tbe board of directors.