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lleadquartens Charlotte, N.C. lounded tgg:

0$B Frcilities (5) Commerce, Ga.; Easton, Me.; Broken Bow, Ok.; Spring City, Tn.; Crystal Hill, Va.

2005 Gapacig 2 billion sq. ft. 1:ra" uasis;

What's lllew Both Crystal Hill and Commerce achieved certification in OSHA's voluntary protection program, through their EruCIruSeneO commitment to superior WOODS safety and health practices in the workplace.

What's lllert The company has chosen Emanuel County, Ga., as the site for a new 700-million sq. ft. OSB mill. Expected to cost more than $200 million, the plant will have annual capacity of 650 million sq. ft. when fully operational in 2008.

Another good example of expansion through emerging markets is the rising star known as structural insulated panels (SIPs). As well as being highly engineered for the purpose of energy conservation, SIPs offer the marketplace an additional benefit to combat the growing problem of insufficient skilled labor. The prefabricated components are easy and quick to install on the jobsite. I suspect that as we witnessed with l-joists when they were introduced. once builders become familiar with SIPs, they will be unlikely to go back to their former methods.

There are many other applications that offer growth opportunities for OSB. For example, stair treads can now be manufactured from OSB, resulting in stair systems that offer greater spanning capability and more dimensional stability.

The third primary trend is perhaps the most exciting for me personally from the manufacturer's perspective. I'm talking of course about the introduction of oriented strand lumber (OSL) as a dimension lumber replacement. While the product line is in its early stages of development, OSB manufacturers are looking ahead to the future and working to perfect the breakthrough technology.The real challenge lies in producing a product in dimensions and with structural properties that are fit for the job. Overcoming the limitations of current OSB technology is the focus of the technology development effort.

By pushing the envelope of manufacturing parameten, we could soon be looking at thicker products with bener physical and mechanical properties than comparative dimension lumber components. The successes that OSB achieved in displacing plywood may be a preview for what is next. OSL or other lumber-type substitute products may have a similar impact on dimension lumber in the years to come.

But how do all of these trends impact dealers? Well. there's no doubt that the trends show promise for the marketplace, and an increased role for dealers to play. The most successful dealers will be those who embrace the newer engineered products in a bid to supply their builder customers with quality products. Closer relationships

llerfirerta: Vernon, B.C. frrrdd tg0t

0SB hcilitier (3) High Praide, Slave l:ke, Alb.; Meadow l-ake. Sask.

2085 Prollctio! 1.3 billion sq. ft. rm-u.,i,y Grpeci[ 1.490 billion sq. ft.

20ll[ Prodrctien t.lg6 billion sq. ft.

Ghaqe'|d{.r0i|5 -6.9% tetoattTutJt lro. between distributors, dealers and the manufacturers will play a part. As we talk about enhanced product capabilities, the manufacturers must become more sophisticated. More importantly, we must pass on that technical knowledge to dealers to share with their customers through technical guidance, product information and support.

What's ilew High Prairie received a new Liebherr log loader last year. As of February of this year, this mill had achieved four consecutive years without a losttime accident. Proposed improvements were put on hold at the Slave Lake mill purchased from Weyerhaeuser in 2004. Instead, management is focusing on additional opportunities for specialty producs, to better compete with larger-capacity mills.

STAIR stringers make use of code-evaluated OSB and work as a system with OS-B stair treads to offer greater spanning capability and m6re dimensional stability.

Twenty years ago, when plywood and dimension lumber were the products of choice, a high level of technical support wasn't needed. But as wood products continue to become more sophisticated with better attributes and more tangible benefits, it is essential for us all to work together to provide builders with product and system solutions that are problem-free and give them guidance in their use.

- Robert Fouquet is vice president of marketing and sales for Ainsworth Engineered. He can be reached at (604) 661-3200 or via email at robert.fouquet@ ainsworth.ca.

Headquarters Vancouver, B.C. Founded tg:g

0SB tacilities (2) Fort Nelson, Fort St. John (507o JV with L-P), B.C.

2005 Production 4'79 million sq. ft. (3/8" basis)

Capacity 650 million sq. ft.

?004 Production 385 million ft. Ghange'04-'05 +24.4vo

What's lllew Canfor's mill in Fort Nelson, purchased in April 2004 from Slocan, suffered a number of setbacks. During the first quarter, lack of dry flake, power outages, and maintenance and reliability issues caused downtime. The mill was also shut down for installation of two new dryer drums and completion of other planned improvements. A June fire caused another two week closure. In the fourth quarter, a major equipment failure in the heat generation unit caused an I l-day shutdown.

Whrt's lllext The Fort St. John mill that Canfor coowns with L-P is expected to reach full production capacity of 820 million sq. ft. this year.

Headquarters Alexandria, La.

0$B Facilities (1) Le Moyen, La.

2005 Production 385 miition sq. ft. (3/8" basis)

Eapacig 385 million sq. ft.

2004 Production 360 million sq. ft.

Dhange'04-'0i +6.9vo

What's New Martco's focus last ,f^ year was on increasing efficiency ffi?.:"il'&tJapacitv at its main plant

What's Next The company's sec- ond OSB plant. in Oakdale. La.. should start production in October. The mill will consume more than 1.5 million tons of pine pulpwood from the company's 598,000 acres of timberland in Louisiana, to produce 900 million sq. ft. of 8', 9' and 10'panels.

lleadquafiert Quitman, Ga.

0$8 facilities (l) Quitman, Ga.

1005 Productlsn 27 5 million sq. ft. (3/8" basit

Gapacity 450 million sq. ft.

2004 Production 240 million sq. ft.

Ghange'04-'05 +l4.6vo

What's l\lew A three-phase, $70 million expansion completed this spring added 50,800 sq. ft. and nearly