Surgingbuildstechnology up OSB

ARIENTED strand board is the llrlhon.rt selling structural panel in North American residential construction. Used for wall, floor and roof sheathing, it has about 75Vo of the U.S. market.

Made from strands layered and oriented in different directions for structural strength and bonded with water resistant adhesives and resins, OSB is referred to as a commodity. But latest manufacturing lyzer that scientists have recently developed. The system measures the resin distribution of OSB panels to ensure panel strength and consistency-a useful means to manage costs by calibrating resin use.

A technology recently licensed from the University of California at Berkeley that is being refined uses sound waves to determine how long an OSB press must be closed to yield top adhesive strength for panels. This is done on the fly without opening the press.

How about an infrared density measurement system that can flag improper fiber distribution and density and correct imbalanced panel properties without intemrpting the production process? The first such systems were sold to manufacturers in 2000.

A recently completed proiect looked into the use of i. Ject looKecl tne use oI ,:' fines, or wood residue left over from the production process, to be used along with strands in OSB panels with a minimum effect on OSB properties. Manufacturers gain more value if they can put more wood into their product while enhancing structural integrity. OSB panels already use most parts of a tree and are made from small diameter trees like aspen, both conducive factors discouraging logging of old-growth stands.

There are at least half a dozen more ongoing projects that will help shape the future of OSB as a panel developed from high-tech manufacturing processes. According to Robert Knudson, team leader of composite wood products for Forintek Canada Corp., an organization pio- neering such research, "the most important ones deal with 'process variability' or establishing uniformity and consistency, yielding strength and durability in panel density, resin distribution and strand orientation."

At least half a dozen ongoing projects will help shape the future of OSB as a panel developed from hightech manufacturing processes.

The ultimate goal is for all parts of the manufacturing process to be computer-simulated. The result of every variation in the production process then will be known -OSB produced at a higher mill temperature, with optimum wood use, frozen wood, fewer fines, less resin, and so on. This will enable manufacturers to make informed decisions based on processes and technologies that will yield the highest quality products in the most cost efficient manner.

Wayne Wasylciw, composite products scientist for the Alberta Research Council, another organization spearheading research advances for the industry, agrees. "We are heading toward the smart mill concept. From a variety of information, we will be able to optimize the product for specific applications. This on-going synthesis of ideas has led to connections with technologies which were perhaps not considered in this industry previously."

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Thomas Building Supplies, Homosassa, Fl., has opened a specialty yard in Crystal River, Fl., specializing in high-end mahogany doors and discount building materials

Carolina Holdings, Raleigh, N.C., has acquired Virginia Lumber, Manassas, Va., and Venture Daor & Trim. Oldsmar. FI....

Lowe's Cos. eafly this month opens new stores in Yukon, Ok., andS.Charlotte, N.C. (Lynn Lyons, mgr.), and a relocation in Greeneville, Tn. (Jason Bullis, asst. mgr.) ... last month Lowe's unveiled new locations in Boynton Beach, Fl. (Douglas Wokurka, mgr.);NW San Antonio (Seth Gatza, mgr.), and Allen, Tx. (Darrin Clark, mgr.), and relocations in SW Augusta, Ga. (Wayne Adams, mgr.); Russell, Ky. (James Butcher, mgr.), and Metaire, La. (Lonnie Walker, mgr.) ...

Lowe's is tearing down its Decatuq A1., unit to build a superstore on the site; plans to build in Plant City, Fl.; anticipates a late 2001 opening in Suffolk, Va.; is considering a site in Galveston, Tx.; is choosing between two possible sites in Albemarle, N.C., and received preliminary site approval in Edmond, Ok.; Beaufort, S.C., and Kerrville, Tx.

Home Depot this month opens new 108,000-sq. ft. home centers in Clear Lake Shores. Tx.: Shallotte and Statesville. N.C., and Cartersville, Ga.; a 112,000-sq. ft. relocation in Mesquite, Tx., and a 107,000-sq. ft. Expo Design Center in Buckhead (Atlanta), Ga.

Home Depot got the go-ahead to build in Loganville, Ga.; had its plans for a Destin, Fl., store shot down, and hopes to build a 114,000-sq. ft. store on the site of the former Castlegate Hotel in

Atlanta, Ga., if developers can renegotiate a deal to buy the property; their initial contract recently expired

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Glen Oak Lumber & MiUing added a DC in Ball Ground (Atlanta), Ga., for interior trim products; David Warford, gen. mgr. ...

G e org i a - P ac ific has acquired Diamond Wood Treaters' treating plants in Decatur, Al., and Bulls Gap, Tn., from Erwin Industries, Peachtree City, Ga.

Colonial Forest Products is a new remanufacfurer in Crewe, Va., managed by Tom Palmer and Al Anderson; Kathy French, ex-East Coast Lumber. is in sales

KroyBuilding Producls has acquired a 200,000-sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Fair Bluff, N.C., and opened a marketing/ sales office in Raleigh, N.C.; the plant, which Owens Corning used to produce vinyl siding until April 2000, will be converted to fencing, decking and accessories

Willamette Industries expects a September start-up of the Carolina Particleboard facility under construction in Bennettsville, S.C., and acquired 27 acres in Oklahoma city,ok., to build a 200,000sq. ft. box plant; Willamette will begin stamping its lumber products to show it meets Sas/cinable F ore stry Initiative certification and has replaced its familiar bright red end seal with an environmentally friendly clear wax

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Universal Forest Products hras agreed to acquire certain assets of Iirrro M anifacturin g's Sunbelt Wood Components Division, including component-manufacturing facilities in N.C., Al.. Ga., and Az.; thedeal, which requires bankruptcy court approval, is expected to be completed by midApril ...

DAP Inc. agreed to sell its Durabond flooring installation products business, including plants in Conyers, Ga.; Orange, Ca.. and Paulsboro, N.J., to Bostik Findley

Enterprise Computer Systems. Greenville, S.C., is partnering with Cybergnostic.net ...

ProBuild Inc.o a dealer software designer, has moved its headquarters from Racine, Wi., to Atlanta, Ga.; former Georgia-Pacific v.P. Alan Gay has replaced ProBuild founder/chairman Valerie Hansen as ceo

Deltic Timber Corp., El Dorado, At., has completed the sale of 619 acres in western Pulaski County, Ar., to the cityof Little Rock, Ar., for a park ...

Mid-Atlantic Millwork Sales, Arlington, Va., is now representing Dixie - P ac ific Manufacturing in S.C., N.C., east Tn. and Va. ...

Anniversaries: Griff W. Smith Lumber and sister firm Smith Millwork, l-,exington. N.C., 96th

New Web site: Wickes Lum' ber's building components division, www.trussnet.com ...

Housing starts in Feb. (latest figs.) held steady at a seasonallY afiusted annual rate of 1.653 million ... single family starts edged up to a 1.35 million rate; multifamily was at a 309,000 pace for 5+ units, 23,000 for 2-4 units permits slipped 3Vo to an annual rate of 1.67 million.