International wood products show

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HERE'S nothing quite like it I in the United States. Or anywhere else, for that matter. Batibois 86, a large international exposition involving everything to do with wood from the forest to the home, was a remarkable gathering, not only for the wide range of new and established wood products and systems exhibited, but as a place for related meetings, symposia, conferences, industry tours and the like.

Story at a Glance

Huge exposition of wood products is also a forum for related meetings, seminars and plant tours. . . new and innovative European products and systems displayed... more exhibitors this year for the biennial show.

Backed by the French government, which coordinates the participation of many industry groups in the expo, it drew flocks of business and government VIPs, including Jacques Chaban-Delmas, the president of the National Assembly, who gave the official welcome to Batibois 86.A politician of national stature, he has been widely mentioned as a leading contender to succeed the current French president Francois Mitterand.

Among the new and innovative products displayed were unique metal plate connectors for joining poles and other round wood members to form virtually any size and shape frames. Wood fasteners for traditional framing sizes were also available.

I-beams comprised of a combination of wood and galvanized steel were touted as a quick construction member for walls, roofs and other applications.

One firm showed an ingenious product line of round and square dowels with balls on one end and sockets on the other. They could be quickly and easily joined to form storage shelves, bookcases, benches, even more elaborate furniture, as well as serving as a skeleton for other uses.

Other firms showed building blocks in various sizes from 2' x 3' and up that were entire wall sec- tions, complete with horizontally grooved siding on the outside, insulation in between and a smooth surface inside for the interior wall. Sections were sometimes cut diagonally at one end for fitting walls together, while others had

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United States: Minnesota, Michigan, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, IIlinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Calilornia.

Canada: British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec.