t91 same as tgO

By Erlc Yerdon President American Wood Preservers Bureau

A BROAD cross section of AWPB

A treating plants and presetvative manufacturers were polled in october regarding the prospects for treated wood in 1991. A certain pessimism surrounds the industry and the conclusion is that l99l will be a repeat of 1990 with the possibility of some weakening in the market, particularly in the first quarter.

The volume of CCA and ACZA treated lumber inspected under the AWPB LP-2 and LP-22 quality con- trol procedures will show an increase in the 1990 calendar year ofapproximately 20/o over the volume reported in 1989. This volume is stilla significant 1406 below the record volumes of 1988.

In 1990, solid increases were recorded through the first eight months, but a significant reduction of treater volumes in September and a weak October are expected to show

Story at a Glane

Tntrra expect more of the ganr, somo mafiet rvekenlng pooslble... loss wlnbr buylttg as rctallers rcly on qulck dellvery . eouthrr€stand uu€stcoatt opilmlsdc...3 bllllon b.L anilcl-' patod.

a poor fourth quarter performance, Uncertainties with the weak economy, interest rates and low housing starts, all compounded by the Middle East problems, make forecasting extremely difl'icult for treated wood production.

There is optimism in the Southwest with increase in the economic activity from the effect of oil pricing. The Midwest expects modest increases following a fairly good 1990 and the West Coast is expected to maintain current levels. The East Coast remains uncertain with hope that it must improve from a difficult l 990.

Treated wood has often shown strength in the R&R markets, particularly in a year of reduced housing starts.

Dealers appear to have gotten used to prompt service from the treating plants and carrying smaller treated inventory, and some of the traditional winter buying programs are signil'icantly reduced.

Lumber inspection in the AWPB LP-2 and LP-22 programs should remain level at approximately the three billion board foot measure.