Millwork Industry Looks Online for Training

The Association of Millwork Distributors' Learning Management System for its online education programs has quickly become one of the preferred education training systems for AMD members and non-members alike.

In less than two years, the program has grown to currently offer more than 20 online courses and has become the "go to" source for millwork companies to train their employees on an extensive range of industry topics, including mouldings, doors, door frames, windows, stairs, and cabinets.

The latest addition is a l6-hour online course on the "Principles of Professional Selling."

By request, AMD also recently introduced a Spanish version of its most popular program, "Millwork Principles and Practices," to accommodate employees whose primary language is Spanish.

To date, more than 900 students have taken over 5,000 hours of AMD online education since the program was launched.

This year, AMD will look at enhancing the curriculum of online education courses by partnering with other organizations to make available a broader array of education topics as related to the millwork industry.

Also for 2012, AMD plans on developing of a series of safety courses and instruction on door, window and skylight instal Iation.

Boise Cascade Adds to Workforce at Oregon Mills

Boise Cascade, Boise, Id., has added 40 workers at its mills in Medford, White City and Willamina, Or., thanks to better sales of its plywood and engineered wood panels in the U.S. and Canada. The new hires will boost Boise's regional employee count to 580.

"The current markets for our wood products, and the recent upturn in demand for the products we make using the veneer produced in our mills, have necessitated this hiring," said spokesperson R.J. Roberts.

Other factors affecting the market include closure of Georgia-Pacific's plywood plants in Crossett, Ar., and Hawthorne, Fl., plus a fire that destroyed Celuosa Arauco's mill in Nueva Aldea. Chile.

Roberts acknowledged that new contracts with Home Depot and some Canadian companies also helped. "Housing starts are stagnant at best," he said. "We're just hoping that the bleeding stops soon."

ldaho Sawmill Operator Remains Optimistic

Richard Vinson, owner of Emerald Forest Products, is optimistic that Chapter 11 bankruptcy will allow the company to reorganize and stay in operation at a 22-acre site in Emmett, Id., formerly occupied by Boise Cascade.

"The only way to put off foreclosure was to file Chapter 1l reorganization," he said. "Our direction is to pay every creditor 1007o so nobody loses money."

Boise Cascade left the site in 2001 and Emerald opened there in May 2010. Last November, Western Capital Bank filed foreclosure proceedings against Emerald Forest for a $1.9 million debt.

According to Vinson, he has obtained financing from a new partner to fund mill renovations, including installation of an automatic debarker and horizontal saw.

"In our case, we just need time," said Vinson. "We have the money, we have the logs. Fourteen people are working right now on completing the mill. Our plan shows we will open in April."

By that time, he hopes to hire 40 to 45 workers to comprise one full-time shift.

Home Depot Purchases Online Contractor Finder

Home Depot, Atlanta, Ga., has acquired Redbeacon, San Mateo, Ca., which has a software platform that allows users to search, browse, and book pre-screened, home-service contractors that have paid a fee to be listed on Redbeacon's website.

The company also offers an iPhone app that allows users to get service quotes without a home visit. The app uses the phone's GPS to locate the job and match it with appropriate professionals, who then provide quotes and compete for the job.

Founded in the San Francisco. Ca.. area by three former Google employees, Redbeacon has expanded to all major metropolitan areas of the U.S. Home Depot will use the service to connect its own customers-both consumers and professionals.

The deal was Depot's first acquisition since 2006.

B.C. Exports to China Surge

Through the first I I months of 2011, British Columbia exported a record 4.28 billion bd. ft. of lumber to China, surpassing the province's goal of shipping 4 billion bd. ft. for the year.

The 1l-month total was747o ahead of2010 anda2OOVo jump over 2009. Sales to China, now with a value of more than $l billion, make up about 297o of all B.C. lumber exports. Only the U.S., at 427o of exports, is a larger market.

When the province challenged industry in 2008 to work collaboratively with government to increase export sales, B.C. was shipping about 700 million bd. ft. of lumber to China.

A three-way market development program between the province, federal govemment, and industry targeting China was launched in 2003. Since then, B.C. sales have surged over l,3OOVo and more than tripled in the last two years.

Softwood Lumber Pact Extended

The U.S. and Canada have agreed that the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement will remain in effect through October 20 15.

"The Softwood Lumber Agreement is a compromise agreement that is not ideal from the U.S. industry's perspective. Nevertheless, we support extension of this agreement with the expectation that Canada will improve its record of compliance with this trade agreement," said Steve Swanson, chairman of the U.S. Lumber Coalition and president of Swanson Group, Glendale, Or.

He said, "The coalition will continue to work with the U.S. government to ensure that this agreement is enforced," but added that "if the U.S. industry continues to find itself having to seek multiple arbitrations to address Canada's unwillingness to adhere to its commitments under this trade agreement, then U.S. industry has to seriously consider whether it would not be better off exercising its rights under U.S. trade laws."

According to the coalition, Canada's compliance record during the first five years ofthe agreement has been uneven at best. Independent dispute resolution panels have found Canada in breach of its obligations and prescribed measures to offset the resulting injurious effects on American companies and workers.

"Multiple rulings by independent dispute resolution panels confirm that Canada has repeatedly violated its obligations under this trade agreement," stated Swanson. "It is essential that Canada complies with, and lives up to, its obligations under this trade deal." He added that improved Canadian compliance "would give U.S. industry the confidence it needs in Canada's compliance with its trade obligations to pursue long-term trade agreements instead of returning to traditional trade litigation."

Strong-Tie Acquires Truss Plate, Concrete Repair Businesses

Simpson Strong-Tie, Pleasanton, Ca., has acquired the majority of the assets of truss plate firm Automatic Stamping LLC and Automatic Stamping Auxiliary Services LLC, Edenton, N.C., and has entered the concrete repair, protection and strengthening business with the purchase of Fox Industries. Baltimore. Md.. and Switzerlandbased S&P Clever Reinforcement Co.

The former owner of Automatic Stamping, Bill Black, will continue to lead the manufacturing and plate innovation operations.

In addition to the new truss plate offering, Simpson Strong-Tie will launch an initial release of its new truss plate software later this year. The company acquired the source code of Keymark's truss software last fall and has been aggressively developing its software and technical support capabilities.

Founded in 1969, Fox Industries manufactures a complete line of cementitious, epoxy, urethane, elastomeric and polyester coatings, grouts, mortars, adhesives, sealers, sealants, membranes and custom-manufactured fiberglass parts for the marine, industrial, transportation, commercial building, and public works industries.

Formed in 1998, S&P Clever produces epoxy resins and fiber-reinforced polymer materials for concrete and asphalt reinforcement. Its systems are manufactured from fiber made of materials such as carbon, glass and aramid.

S&P also provides static design software to engineers and planning and design offices. S&P's manufacturing and distribution facilities are located in Switzerland. Poland, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

"Simpson Strong-Tie has been in this industry for more than 15 years with its Anchor Systems product line and is excited to bring complementary product lines to our customers in the U.S. and in Europe," said SST president Terry Kingsfather.

Revised SP Design Values Gain PartialApproval

The Southern Pine Inspection Bureau's proposed design value changes have been partially approved by the American Lumber Standard Committee's Board of Review. effective June 1.2012.

The board approved proposed design value changes for No. 2 2x4 southern pine visually graded dimension lumber and all lower grades of 2x4: No. 3, Stud, Construction and Utility. It declined to approve the proposed design values for other grades and sizes of southern pine, but was mindful that testing is currently underway on a full matrix sample.

"Southern pine producers and their customers are pleased with the board's decision on design values," said Cathy Kaake, SFPA's senior director of engineered and framing markets. "Industry and customer groups need time for an orderly implementation and this announcement provides that."

The Southern Pine Design Value Forum, held last November in Atlanta, was instrumental in bringing industry and customer groups together. SFPA will continue to facilitate the dialog among key industry segments to help formulate a unified approach to implementation of these new design values.

"The decision from ALSC is a good thing," said Kaake. "We are receiving positive reactions from our customer groups and will continue to work with them on a united front going forward."

At Long Last, Jeld Wen to Start Up in North Louisiana

Late this year, Jeld-Wen, Klamath Falls, Or., will finally open a longdelayed door-facings facility in Winn

Parish, La.

The manufacturer first announced the facility in 2006. It began construction soon after, but mothballed the $120-million project before it could be completed.

"Jeld-Wen felt now was the time to complete the plant," said spokesperson Teri Cline. "We already had quite a bit invested and want to see it come to fruition."

The facility near Dodson, La., will initially employ 75 workers, manufacturins wood fiber door skins.