Moulding & millwork

By Robert Weiglein President Wood Moulding & Millwork Producers Association

A LL PREDICTIONS and eco- lil nomic forecasts point towards a domestic market much the same as we are now experiencing. If that is the case, the bulk of our domestic market will be the remodeling and upgrading of existing homes. One million new home starts seems to be the current trend. This makes one realize that home prices are going to continue to soar in most parts of the country. The homes that sell the best, for the most dollar value, are the upgraded homes that are well finished with decorative mouldings and millwork.

With all the unsettling things going on in the world, it is hard for the average home buyer to make the decision to buy a home. But when they do make this move, they expect to get something for their money. This is where the smart builder makes his profit, building an attractive, well designed home finished off with an eye appealing blend of mouldings and millwork.

The new found freedom for millions of people in Europe, along with the combined European Market through EC-92, is going to create a phenomenal market place for the lumber producing nations. This is not going to be an overnight happening, but eventually it will happen. When it does, WMMPA members plan on being suppliers of good quality millwork to these markets.

Due to recent legislation and the Super 301 negotiations, which involve shipments to the Pacific Rim, and the new situation in Europe, we are confident our products are going to be in demand in new world markets. Many already have started marketing internationally.

WMMPA members have some of the world's most advanced woodworking technology. Our production and quality is unmatched anywhere in the world. Quality conscious buyers in the sophisticated world market demand this. Companies that produce mouldings and millwork under the WMMPA logo are fortunate and excited about the future.

Story at a Glance

@air & rcmodeling will be the bdght spot c housing drags along at one million starts rrxre exports to the Prcific Rim and Europe. naw material supply a prcblem.

The lone downer in all these plans is the availability of raw materials for our plants, but I am sure that the people of this nation will soon realize that we cannot survive as a free people and industrious nation without manufacturing our own products. We must manage and utilize our forests and continue to be a world leader in the manufacture of good products.