Treated Wood Associations In Transition

A glimpse at the future of pressure treated wood was unveiled during the American Wood-Preservers' Association's 99th annual meeting in Boston at the end of April.

In addition to presentations on emerging preservatives, the eventthemed "Your Industry in Transition"-featured the first ever business meetings of AWPA's standards-setting committees outside of the usual week-long September sessions. AWPA hopes to streamline its standards-setting process by having technical committees meet twice annually instead of once.

During the event, AWPA proposed allowing corporate sponsorships to augment dues. The association also introduced its new executive vice president, Colin McCown, who succeeds the retiring John Hall at the end of May.

AWPA installed its new officers: president Dr. John N.R. Ruddick, lst v.p. Scott C. Conklin, 2nd v.p. William Grimes, 3rd v.p. Wayne P. Ryland, treasurer Randy Deweese, and executive committee members David D'Hooge and G. Paul Merrick.

Other associations-including the American Wood Preservers Institute. the American Forest & Paper Association, the Timber Pile Council and the Southern Pressure Treaters Association-also addressed serious changes during the event.

AWPI now is being overseen by an association management company. April James is executive director, assisted by Melissa White.

In the wake of AWPI's restructuring, SPTA is considering expanding its focus beyond industrial treaters to the entire southern treating industry.

And, AF&PA is taking over the Treated Wood Council to continue the legislative and regulatory functions of AWPI.

Additional details and photos of the event will appear in next month's Merchant Magazine.

OPP Acquires Plywood Biz

Olympic Panel Products has acquired Simpson Timber Co.'s Shelton, Wa., specialty overlay plywood business.

Olympic plans to keep the opera- tion in Shelton and intends to retain all employees.

On site management includes former Simpson employees Ben Horn, general mgr.; Jim Langenberg, production mgr.; Jim Zmudka, sales and marketing; Ken Pratt, technical director, and Jim Larsen. controller.

Founded by Connecticut-based Atlas Holdings, Olympic Panel Products includes industry executives David Wang, ex-International Paper, and Richard Yarbrough, who worked for both International Paper and Louisiana Pacific.

Cal Cedar To Shutter Mill

California Cedar Products Co., Stockton, Ca., will begin layoffs at its McCloud, Ca., mill in June and shutter the facility in August.

The mill primarily cut wooden flats for pencil-making, reportedly becoming the world's leading supplier of wooden slats for wood-cased pencils.

According to debark operator John Prinz, Cal Cedar officials said the mill had to close because it had made too many pencils to sell-two years' worth.