Why engineeredwood products?

Story at a Glance

Changes in resources, products and markets bring new demands on industry. . engineered wood products utilize untraditional species. . . LVL, l-beam markets growing rapidly. million in the U.S. in recent times. The aging population will cut this to about 1.2 million with l.l million starts forecast for 1991, barely exceeding the 1.07 million units built at the bottom of the recession in 1982.

On the other hand, a larger portion of these new homes will be single family, which use more wood, and will be larger. There also will be new emphasis on repair and remodeling of existing homes.

International wood usage is emerging as the European economic community becomes a joint bargaining force in the world market. Participating countries will have uniform building codes, making it easier for us to serve Europe. New markets will develop in eastern Europe as the political walls tumble down. As trade barriers with Japan slowly come down, there is more potential for market growth, particularly if U.S. log exports decline.

The 1991 outlook for supply and demand shows U.S. structural panel production down 5% from 1990's 26.6 billion sq. ft. and lumber production down possibly 4olo fronr 1990's 36.4 billion board feet.

Longer term, according to the Forest Service, U.S. demand for softwood products will grow 70% over the next 50 years. World lumber consumption will increase by one third in 20 years and world panel usage will grow by 700/o in that time. Several possibilities could change the supply picture. There might be somewhat of an increase in southern pine production or more Canadian or Soviet Union or South American imports.

This leads to the third paradigmthe fact that products are looking different. Different timber, including new growth timber and different species such as alder, poplar and cottonwood, which can be grown on plantations, will fill at least some of the supply void *

Conventional uses for unconventional species can make a tremendous contribution towards meeting the nation's wood needs. Increased development of engineered building components is the key. We need more and more products which provide higher dollar returns for the amount of wood used and products that can make a high quality component out of a lower quality resource.

Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and l-beams are examples of what can be done. LVL has consistent dimensions, exceptional workability and strength far beyond that of dimension lumber. Just for example, a No. 1 Douglas fir 4xl2 would have a bending strength rating of 1,500 psi. Boise Cascade's Versa-Lam in 3-l /2

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