Particleboard and MDF Markets

l' IO ONE needs to tell dealers and I!wholesalers about the boom in housing. Their snriling faces tell it all. But for the particleboard and medium density fiberboard industries, there is much that a smile doesn't tell.

First, while 1977 has been an excellent year with housing and related markets demanding more and nrore board. nranufacturers are examining carefully the return they are getting from their products. Traditional products have accounted for major shares of production but new particleboard and mdf products are ntaking significant headway. The use of particleboard, for example, as stepping has found builder interest; shelving, especially in Western markets, is getting a handsome play by many dealers, and underlayment is matching the housing boom stride for stride.

ln 1971, the particleboard industry will have produced about 3.5 billion

tsy Robert E. Dougherty I'.xecu tive vice-presiden t National Particlcboard Association

square feet (3/4" basis), of which3T% will be underlayment. About lWo more will be going into mobile homes primarily as decking. A vast amount of other particleboard goes through wholesalers and dealers ungraded and is used for a variety of applications by the do-it-yourself market. Up until now, this has been largely uncharted territory rvith each manufacturer relying more or less on the ingenuity of the retail dealer to sell the do-ityourselfer on the advantages and uses of particleboard.

Particleboard and medium density fiberboard manufacturers have become increasingly concerned about the relationship of their products to the housing market, and after having suffered through several slack years, it is no wonder. The current splurge, which hopefully will continue solidly into 1978, is giving manufacturers the opportunity to assess their conrmit- ments, atternpt to build new markets, and develop long range plans for a product mix that can keep thent healthy in ntodest growth years.

Manufacturers today are looking again at the Do-lt-Yourself Market which can be tapped further by responding to it differently and providing the dealer with help in expanding particleboard sales. They have called upon the National Particleboard Association to assist in these efforts and programs are now in the planning stage for a stronger push behind d-i-y products.

The retail dealer in 1978 can expect three things from the particleboard and mediunr density fiberboard industries: More products for the builder, more products for the d-i-yourselfer, and stronger promotional assistance.

Story at a Glance

Retailers can expect more builder and d-i-y products and stronger promotional assistance in particleboard and medium density fiberboard oroducts.