60 MMBF engineered wood demand increase targeted

EALERS will indirectlv benefit I from an American Wood Systems (AWS) campaign to increase demand for engineered wood products by 60 million board feet over the next five years.

Established last year to provide quality auditing, marketing and product and systems research services for manufacturers of glulam beams, I-beams and other glued engineered wood products and systems, the organization represents more than half of U.S. glulam production, according to executive vice president Michael O'Halloran. It is a nonprofit related corporation of the American Plywood Association.

Production, identified by the APA EWS (Engineered Wood Systems) trademark, is projected to be approximately 150 million board feet this year, a6% incteaseover 199 1. Production in 1993 and beyond should be evenbetter, O'Halloran notes, as both residential and nonresidential construction markets rebound from the recession.

Elements of amultifaceted program to increase demand were reviewed at a recent meeting of the APA Engineered Wood Systems Advisory Council, an industry group comprised of glulam distributors and wood roof system erectors. Nucleus of the program is a highly trained wood systems marketing team, development of computer aided wood systems design software and implementation of a qualified roof erector program.

The wood systems marketing specialist team is already in place to reach and assist engineers, architects and building owners. Supportedby the APA technical service division, it will encourage use of wood systems, thus helping dealers. "The addition of glued engineered wood products to the mix we represent gives the industry much greater ability to provide the total system design services that the construction market requires," explains Doug

Storyat a Glance

Engineered wood systems marketing push to help dealers. ..6% sales growth expected this year. APA's American Wood Systems takes lead with marketing team and computer software development.

McNeill, APA field services division director.

Computer aided design software will enhance integrated wood system design. Tentatively called Woodcad, the first two programs will be released this fall. One will analyze, design and estimate the cost of flat wood roof structures. The other will allow the user to analyze and design continuous wood beams and joists using glulams. Bidding wood systems against competing steel systems will be much simpler, O'Halloran said.

More glued engineered wood product publications, increased face to face promotion of the APA EWS trademark to all segments of the specification, construction and distribution markets and expansion of staff and membership are additional goals.

Dealers can increase their sales of engineered wood products by utilizing the impetus of this product awareness program.