SEASON'S GREEIINGS

same product that was manufactured when the industry first began.

But today, the particleboard industry manufactures nearly 3.6 billion sq. ft., (3/4" basis) annually.

It is accepted as a product by the major building code agencies; it is used by more than 90%r of all kitchen cabinet manufacturers: more than one billion sq. ft. of it goes into the furniture industrv: and the possible ways it can be used by the diy-er would take pages to list.

The profit opportunities are there too, especially if dealers take the opportunity to promote it along with their shelving systems, tools, and remodeling projects. The industry is trying to do a better job of marketing it to the consumer but the dealer is the essential link in the chain of understanding.

In 1979. if housing experrs are right, starts will lall off to about 1.7 or 1.8 million housing starts, thus easing the particleboard demand somewhat and providing dealers with an opportunity to test for themselves the diy market.

Plywood Forecast

(Continued from page 9)

19.5 billion sq. ft. this year, which willtop the short-lived record set in 1977 by more than 100 million sq. fr.

While 1979 should be a solid year for the plywood industry, APA does not expect another production record.

The latest forecast calls for total industry production of a respectable 19.25 billion sq. ft. during the coming year, an estimate that allows for a measurable though not disastrous housing downturn.

Plywood's largest single market, the home building industry, is expected to encounter a slight down turn in 1979 due to a tigher supply of mortgage dollars and rising interest rates. APA economists predict there will be a drop of at least 150,000 single-family housing starts in 1979 to about 1.15 million units.

Producing members of APA introduced two important refinements in their products during the past 12 months: Sturd-l-Floor, a plywood grade specifically designed for single-layer residential floor applications with a span index on each panel showing the maximum recommended joist spacing; and a uniform system for grading 303 plywood sidings that classifies panel faces on the basis of repair and appearance characteristics.

APA will help acquaint customers with these new Products during the coming year as well as continue to promote numerous plywood applications in all markets. Special promotional attention is (Continued on next page)

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