FIRST CALL HOBBS WALL

for wholesqle redwood, pine, fir, hemlock, cedqr ond spruce

Exotic Joponese Plywood Goining Strength in U.S.

Japan's fast growing hardwood plywood industry plans to con' centrate on two major U. S. market areas during 1964: (I) in' creasing efiorts to sell more of its quality Lauan and (2) con' centration on its exotic native Japanese hardwoods' Yosuke Kawahara, Japan Hardwood Plywood Manufacturers' Association in San Francisco, notes that Japanese hardwood plywood exports to the LI. S. last year exceeded $53'7 millionF.O.B. Japan--placing its retail value at well over $100 million.

Outlining current plans for an intensified marketing campaign in the U. S.o Kawahara stressed these points: l. "While hardwood plywood from Japan provides relatively little competition to the U. S. product, there is increasing compe' tition from plywood originating elsewhere in the Far East-pri' marily the Philippines, Korea, and Formosa. v3. "'Io maintain top quality, the Japanese manufacturers-in cooperation with official agencies-have instituted revised and heightened standards of quality production and control. Only plywood meeting advanced standards is permitted to bear the JPMA stamp (in English) certifying passage of tests and inspections covering the basic raw materials' uniformity of finish and construction. Producers plan to stress immediate availability of high quality, attractive and freguently rare hardwoods; with stronsest interest in Lauan followed bv Sen. Birch. Elm. and other exotiJ wood grains plus extensive ur.'of l/8" and 3/l6t'Lauan for the flush door industry and the furniture trade for cabinet backs and drawer bottoms.

2. "Greatest competition is coming in the field of Lauan ply' wood, made in Japan of Philippine mahogany prbcessed in rotary cut, V-grooved and plain grain, and employed primarily for natural finished interiors. Areas from which Japan originally obtained raw materials are now increasingly producing their own plyrvood. To compete, the Japanese sources have determined to concentrate on quality which they believe to be superior to that of all competitors.

4. "At the same time, the Japanese makers are also concentrat. ing efiorts on plywood made from their native woods. Those include Sen, Birch, Shina, 'Iamo, Oak, and Elm. The greatest concentration of Sen sales is on the U. S. West Coasts, primarily because the light color complements the architecture of those areas. These woods are used primarily for doors, panels, cabinets, interior and exterior decorative areas, and other related usage,

Wesl Coosf Mills Listed in Direciory

Coast region Iumber manufacturers, dependable sources for West Coast Douglas fir, IVest Coast Hemlock, Western red cedar, Sikta spruce and White fir, are listed in the 44-page, 1964, whereto-buy directory, just released by the West Coast Lumbermen's Association.

This long time lumber buyers' guide with complete data about West Coast mills, contains detailed and factual information on all WCLA lumber manufacturing, timber-fabricating, timberlaminating, precutting, wood pipe and lumber treating firms. Each individual WCLA member has a listing pointing out mill location, key manufacturing and sales personnel, capacity, plant facilities, species cut and a breakdown of the major and specialty products manufactured.

A rail freight rate map listing rail rates from coast region mills to U.S. destinations, and addresses and telephone numbers of the various WCLA branch offices and market area representatives are .repeated.

For {ree copies of where to buy write: West Coast Lumber' men's Association, 1410 S. W. Morrison Street, Portland, Oregon 97205.