Plywood Quality Controls To

Boost Japanese Exports

A l0 to 15 percent increase in shipments of top quality Japanese hardwood plywood to the U. S. during 1963, has been predicted, Prices, moreover, will be compar' able to those of last vear.

That report has been received here from the Japan Plywood Exporters' Association. The increase is expected to come primarily from demands from lumber dealers, builders, mobile home constructors, and boat and furniture makers. It will also result from an intensified merchandising campaign, in' cluding special promotional activities and Irom usage of better product grades and continued research in development of new types of plywood.

Japan, the world's largest exporter of qualiiy plywood and third largest plywood producer, last year held some 51.4/o oI the U. S. hardwood plywood import market, the report disclosed. Total 1962 hardwood plywood exports from Japan were valued at $66,490,000-F'O.B' This was some L\/o higher than average figures over the past five years. Of the total, some 80/o, or $53,731,000, was imported by the U. S. Price at delivery points was roughly 45/o higher-based on a 2O/o duty imposed on hardwood plywood imports, plus some2l/oshipping and other costs. Square Iootage import figures Ior 1962 were 740,' 000,000.

West Coast Eniry

The report added that well over half of Japanese plywood shipments to the U. S. enter by West Coast ports, and the balance through Eastern Seaboard and Gulf Ports. 'About 6O/o oL Japanese hardwood plywood imports are used in making flush doors, interior fittings, mobile homes, yachts, and furniture. Fine textures and grains-at competitive pricesmake it popular for home, hotel, restaurant, and office interiors, the report noted.

Detailing vital new developments in the industry, Eijiro M. Hirasawa, President of r:he Japan Plywood Exporters' Association, stressed these points:

Prices: Despite constantly rising costs of both production and distribution, Japanese imported hardwood plywood prices should remain basically unchanged during 1963.