Rated Gulverts &

Five-Year Forecast For EWP

North American structural wood panel production is expected to decline this year by l%o, according to APAThe Engineered Wood Association's latest annual fiveyear forecast.

While the decrease is the first in seven years, the Tacoma, Wa.-group expects a rise in production of wood Ijoists, laminated veneer lumber and glulams.

Structural panel production (plywood, OSB and composite panels) is expecred to be 39.76 billion bd. fr. (3/8" basis), compared to last year's industry record of 40.21 billion bd. ft. The slight decline is reportedly due to rising interest rates that are expected to reduce U.S. home construction by 57o this year or 90,000 units from almost 1.67 million units in 1999. U.S. and Canadian new residential construction is forecast to consume 18.67 billion sq. ft. (3/8" basis), roughly 497o ofproduction.

OSB production is expected to increase to 245 million sq. ft., but plywood output will decline by approximately 700 million bd. ft.

After operating at 947o of capacity in 1999, industry production is forecast to drop to 897o of capacity and to run in the 85Vo-86Vo range throughout the forecast period. The average production-capacity ratio during the previous decade was877o.

Production of wood I-joists is expected to reach I billion linear ft. this year, a 127o rise from 1999. Production is expected to climb to 1.5 billion linear ft. by 2004.

Glulam timber production is forecast to be 350 million bd. ft. this year, up 5.7Vo, whlle laminated veneer lumber output is expected to increase to 59 million cubic ft., a 13.6 rise over 1999.

The full report, Regional Production and Market Outlook for Structural Panels and Engineered Wood Products, 2000-2005, is available for $175.

Hoo-Hoo Convention Coming

Attendees of the 108th annual convention of-lumber fraternity Hoo-Hoo International truly will be walking in the footsteps of history.

The event will be held Sept. 9-13 at San Antonio's Menger Hotel, the site of the founding of Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders in April 1898.

Roosevelt, who was 39 at the time, commanded this diverse group of ex-polo players, gamblers, skeet marks-

Codes often allow Fire Retardant Treated Wood to be used in place of noncombustibles for commercial wall and roof s)rstems. Here's how FRTW stacks up against light gauge steel.

Light Gauge Steel

men and ranch hands in Cuba during the SpanishAmerican war, culminating in his famous charge up San Juan Hill.

T.R.'s heroism set the stage for his rise as a politician. In 1900, he became vice president under President William McKinley, who was assassinated the following year, making Roosevelt the youngest president atage 42.

The Menger is directly across from the historic Alamo, where 188 men died in 1836 fighting for Texas' independence.

The legendary battle pitted the tiny garrison against some 2,000 troops under the command of General Santa Anna, who was determined to retake the onetime mission and punish the Texans for resisting Mexican rule.

Though Santa Anna's arrny won the battle, over 1,540 of his troops were killed in the bloody contest, seriously depleting his forces. In addition, the l3-day battle allowed enough time for General Sam Houston to assemble and direct his soldiers to defeat his Mexican counterpart six weeks after the Alamo.

Numerous meetings will be held during the convention, as will recreational pursuits such as dancing, golfing and shopping excursions.

' Does not ignite or buckle in fire conditions, and maintains stn cturot integrity.

' No new investment is required for truss plants.

' Heats quickly, weatensi high temperatures, and buckles suddenly.

' Requires expensive new equipment and training.

For more information on meeting restrictive code requirements with Fire Retardant Treated Wood components, call I -800-TEC-WOOD FAX (706) ses-r326

FIRE RETARDANT TREATED WOOD HOOVER TREATED \A/OOD PRODUCTS. lrc .www. FRTW. m

For additional information about the Hoo-Hoo convention, contact Steve Allison, (281) 485-1855, or Von W. Simpson, (28 1) 93 | - 17 22.

Depot Allies ltself With Allstate

As part of a new alliance, Home Depot will supply building materials to Allstate Corp. customers in need of home repairs.

The insurance firm anticipates saving between $30 million to $50 million in claim expenditures this year by having their adjusters work with Home Depot's 977 U.S. stores. For now the agreement, which began in January, pertains to flooring replacement.