B.C. Concentration on Low Grade Lumber Irks U.S. Mills
The U.S. Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports is considering filing a trade complaint that British Columbia wood producers are violating the Softwood Lumber Agreement. U.S. mills allege that B.C. manufacturers have been milling a larger percentage of low-grade timber procured with lower, government-subsidized harvesting fees. Reportedly, low-grade lumber rose from 10% of B.C. harvests in 2006 to 45% in 2009.
Universal Sells Endangered Truss Plant to Manager
When Universal Forest Products, Grand Rapids, Mi., announced it was closing its truss plant in Riverbank, Ca., general manager Jeff Qualle had to work fast to buy the facility and keep it open. “I guess you could call this a shortsale,” said Qualle, who had just weeks to find a silent partner and put together an offer. The sale became official August 9, when he took over the plant’s assets and lease. Now operating under the name of Better Built Truss, the company has about 33
employees. “I’ve worked with these people for years,” said Qualle. “Some of them have coached my kids in baseball.” When Universal Forest Products bought the plant four years ago, the facility had close to $20 million in sales annually. Last year, sales were just $4 million. But Qualle is confident that the plant will succeed. Business is already up 25% from last year, he said, and more than $500,000 in project bids have gone out. “We have fantastic people here who are working harder than they’ve ever worked. The workers, they feel like it’s part of them now. And it is. It’s for them.”
Green Building Show Delayed
Green Contractors Expo has been rescheduled from this month to May 17-18, 2011, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nv. The inaugural show was held last year at the same site, under the banner of the National Green Builders Products Expo. Ironically, the first show had been scheduled to debut in the fall of 2008, but was postponed to May 2009.
Remanufacturing and Wholesale Distribution of High Quality North American Softwoods
Superior
®
Brand siding 100% useable STK Sidings & Trim Exclusively Produced and Distributed by Lausmann Lumber
PANELCRAFTERS A Division of
La zy S Lu m b e r
Now distributing PanelCrafters Cedar Knotty Plywood
Stocking Distributor of Quality Redwood produced by Agwood
WRC • SPF • Pine/ESLP • Ipé • Redwood • WRC FJ • Specialty Sidings 3370 Rippey Rd., Loomis, CA 95650
1-800-626-1233
www.lausmannlumber.com
Building-Products.com
September 2010 The Merchant Magazine
35