Protesters try to hang with producers

Proving once again that fools' names and their faces ofttimes appear in public places, two anti-logging protesters suspended themselves and a 4O-foot high banner from the front of the St. Francis Hotel in an attempt to disrupt the Western Wood Products Association meeting.

The banner read: "Do Your Kids Know You're Buying Old Growth Wood?" Other than mildly amusing the lumbermen and snarling downtown San Francisco traffic for hours, the protest had no effect upon the meeting. One wag said he'd happily buy all the old growth he could find. The protesters, a man and a women, were suspended in separate boatswain chairs nine floors above the street.

Running Sunday to Tuesday, the convention was a shortened version of the traditional gathering. Additionally, WWPA announced that henceforth the spring meeting would be the annual meeting as the fall meeting has been discontinued.

Registration was 360, about normal, though far fewer spouses attended than usual. Lower lumber prices were the apparent villain. Lobby traffic was down sharply. Whether this was due to the success of the North American Wholesale Lumber Association's fall Traders Market was the topic of some discussion. WWPA is mulling a similar venture as well as alternate sites and formats for the 2000 meeting.

Walter M. Wirfs was named new president of WWPA, replacing Robert H. Hunt, who retired in January. Prior to being named ceo, Wirfs spent 23 years with Willamette Industries managing lumber mills, plywood plants, engineered wood facilities and forestry operations in the West and South. Jess R. Drake, Simpson Timber Co., Shelton, Wa., was elected chairman; Marc A. Brinkmeyer, Riley Creek Lumber Co., first vice chairman, and James M. English, Idaho Forest Industries, Inc., second vice chairman.

In the annual forecast, Wirfs said 1997 set a record of 50.7 billion board feet of lumber consumption. This year is expected to be 27o below last year. He said lumber supplies were more than adequate, putting downward pressure on lumber prices.

"We cannot rest our hopes on further demand improvements or economic growth to stay profitable.

Instead, the western industry must find ways to improve margins and control costs," Wirfs said. He expects housing starts to decline 2.8Vo to 1.435 million. Repair and remodeling is expected to slip 3.2V0 to 14.84 billion bd. ft., while non-residential construction should be near 1997's 7.33 billion bd. ft.

Production at western mills is forecast to fall just l.4%o, while southern production, which hit a record 15.9 billion bd. ft. last year, should fall to 15.4 billion bd. ft.

Imports, mostly from Canada, continue to roll into U.S. markets. ln 1997 imports were O.6Vo below 1996's record 18.2 billion bd. ft. and represented 37Vo of the U.S. lumber supply.

Wirfs said predictions made two years ago that a U.S./Canada trade agreement would cause lumber shortages and higher prices proved unfounded. Canadian shipments into the U.S. are expected to decline 2.5Vo. Non-Canadian imports, just 2Vo of import volume, should grow 4.3Vo to 610 million bd. ft.

The Asian economic crisis has hurt American wood exports, which were down 5.6Vo last year. This year exports are expected to decline 8.8%.

Colorful Lumber History

Bohemia: The Life & Times of an Oregon Timber Venture, a 600-p. history of the colorful Pacific Northwest lumber outfit Bohemia Lumber Co. (Bohemia Inc.) is $35 plus $3.50 shipping from Cheshire Co., Box 106, Cheshire, Or. 97419; (54r) 998-3484.

Pallet O'Mine

The 1998 National Wooden Pallet and Container Association's Buyers Guide is free by calling (703) 527-7670, ext. 209.

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Open Door Policy

Two full-color brochures on the Premium and Prodigy lines of fiberglass entry and patio doors are free from Stanley Door Systems, 1225 E. Maple Rd., Troy, Mi. 48083; (800) 521-2'752.

Make lt Fastening

A 384-p. fastening systems handbook is free from Powers Fastening, 2 Powers Square, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10802.

SFPA Buyer's Guide

The 1998 Southern Forest Products Association Buyers Guide is available free by calling (504) 443-4464.

To PVC Or Not To PVC

Two PVC fencing and decking brochures are free from L.B. Plastics, Box 907, Mooresville, N.C. 281l5; (800) 752-7739.

Light'em Up

The CD-Rona "Introduction to Lighting" is $30 from Osram Sylvania, Box 8 1 16, Trenton, N.J. 08650; (800) 544-4828.

Blue Book'em

The Blue Book of Building & Construction is now available on CD-ROM at $50 per region by calling (800) 431-2584.

This Year's (Re) Model

Information on running a remodeling business is available by calling the National Association of the Remodeline Industry, (703) 575-l 100.

Enviro Product Catalog

The 1998 Environmental Building News catalog of environmentally sensitive building products is $59. Call (800) 8610954.

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