Tnp PRESSuRE TnEHTERS

hange was the rule withThe Merchant Magazine's fourth annual production ranking of the nation's top pressure Featers-and our inaugural ranking of the Top 10 treating companies in the West. Only six of the Top 25 wood preservers hold the same spot as last year'

Although none of the Eeaters experienced significant drop-offs in production, several enjoyed double-digit percentage increases, vaulting them past steadier producers. Perennial top producer Universal Forest Products extended its lead by increasing treated wood production by 92 million bd. ft., or 16%o, and may further solidify its position after opening a treating plant this spring at its Moultrie, Ga., complex.

Big gainen include L.L. Brewton, which enjoyed the greatest percentage-wide increase at 36Vo to jump five spots and crack the national Top l0; International Paper, which climbed six spos to #15, and New South, which over the last four years steadily has risen nine spots to

Gompany

(including number of treating planls)

#12. Heading in the other direction is Louisiana-Pacific, which sustained production at 90 million bd. ft. despite closing its Grenada, Ms., plant last year and seeing its standing gradually slip eight spots over four years.

Western firms to watch for next year are fast-climbing Allweather Wood Treaters, which acquired plant #3 from Chemco in October and #4 from Colorado Wood Preserving in January, and Conrad Wood Preserving, which is putting the finishing touches on a new treating plant in Longview, Wa.

Companies are ranked by pmduction of lumber, timbers and specialty producs. Firms exclusively treating poles, pilings, railroad ties' etc., arc not included. Abbreviations include FRT (fire retardant) and WR (waterrcpellent).

All data were provided by the companies thernselves. While every effort was made to ensure full accuracy and completeness, a handful of reaters elected not to participate in t6

Co.i Aubumdale, Fl,;Union Cily, Ga,; Grangeri:ln.; Belcher' town, M*;tlorttr East, ilH.; HanisonMllei Mo;; :Elizdeth Oty, Salisbury, NiC.; Hanffion, Oh.l: Godon, Sloderiown, Pa.; Saglnai, Tx.; Janesville, Wi'; iftE6on,

Ga.l

1996 1995 (including number ol treating plants) z Grqat Southern Wood Prcserving

_ Abbeville. Al.

5 plants: Abbeville, Mobile, Musde Shoals, Al,; Conyers, Ga,; Sumter Oounty, Fl, t, , ,,, .:::::::::::: ::::::

3 Southeast Wood Montgomery, Al.

5 plants: Jasper, Louisville, Al.; Rockledge, Fl.; Rochelle, ll.; Richmond, In.

4 Quality Wood Treating Co., Inc. Prairie du Chien, Wi.

6 olants: Lansing, Mi.;St. Paul, [4n,; Columbus, 0h,; Fombell, Pa.; Janesville, Prairie du Chien, Wi.

5 Walker Williams Lumber Co., Inc. Hatchechubbee, Al.

5 plants: Falkville, Halchechubbee, Al.; Westville, In.; Blanchester, Youngstown, Oh. [Opening 1997:St. Louis, Mo.]

7 Culpeper Wood Preservers Culpeper, Va.

2 plants: Shelbyville, In.; Culpeper, Va.; : lOpening 1997: Fredericksburg, Va,j

8 Weyerhaeuser Co. Tacoma, Wa.

3 plants: Millport, Al.;Westland, Mi.; Plymouth, N.C.

6 C.M. Tucker Lumber

Pageland, S.C.

2 plants: Henderson, N.C.; Pageland. I Rocky Top Wood Preservers

Rocky Mount, Va.

3 plants: Streator, ll.; Hagerstown, Md.; plants: Athens, Al.; Roanoke Rapids, N.C.; Rock Hill, S.C. o Dranrs: Deneca, t,; DL Urarr, Dcnoorcraft, Mi,; Toledo, Washington Court House, Oh.; Prentice, Wi.

1s L.L. Brewton Lumber Co., Inc.

Ga.