Glulam makers beaming in Florida

fT WAS a case of good news-bad news at the American llnstitute of Timber Construction's recent annual meeting in Naples, Fl.

The good news was the addition of three new laminator members-Alamco Wood Products, a historic glulam producer in Albert Lea, Mn.; Blue Ox Millwork, Eureka, Ca., and D.L. Truss, New Holland, Pa.

The bad news category was the international decline in wood products demand. Housing starts fell by 300,000 units last year, contributing to closures and layoffs at lumber, plywood, OSB and EWP plants across the country.

As a result, AITC member laminators and other industry producers saw demand for their glulam products fall 287o to 358 million bd. ft. in 2001

Mike Caldwell, AITC executive v.p., was optimistic that a recovery would begin in late 2008 or 2009, when housing starts are predicted to rise. He told AITC members, "The rainbow will come out," and cited corporate turnarounds such as Union Pacific, IBM, Hewlett Packard, and Apple Computer. Each firm survived declining demand for their products by reducing costs and improving management, marketing and distribution.

"Like these companies, we expect to be the 'comeback industry,"' said Caldwell. He noted that glulams outperformed I-joists and other EWP during the current slump. He pointed to glulams' advantages-strength equal to steel, a warm aesthetic appearance, excellent fire resistance, and quick availability nationwide at competitive costs.

Trygve Rhude, Sentinel Structures, Peshtigo, Wi., was elected AITC president during the 56th annual meeting. Ed Jones, Laminated Timbers, was named v.p. and Joe Duckett, Boozer Beam Co., treasurer.

New board members include John Forman, Alamco Wood Products, and Frank Wolski, G-L Industries.

Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, Ca., was selected as site for the next annual meeting-April 19-21 ,2OO9.

AfTC exec (1) Mike Caldwell (left)congratulates incoming president Trygve Rhude, as new treasurer Joe Duckett looks on. (2) Bruce Bevard, Gunnar Brinck, Toni Bevard. (3) Shirl Sieli, Jane Brautigam. (4) Ann Lane, Kathy Jones. (5) Jerry Leslie, Nancy Jaenicke, Pat Leslie, (6) Randy & Di Leslie, Marie Wolski. (7) Martha & Carlton Whittle. (8) Tommy Hewitt, Mike Lane. (9) Cheryl & Ron Goff, (10) Gary & Kaye Burley. (11) Amy & Mark Seech.

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