Plywood with a Southern Accent

By Clarence T[. Dietterich, Managing Director

Southern Plywood Manufacturers Association, Atlanta, Georgia

The development of the plywood industry in the South, while not spectacular, has been steady and is marked by great progress in improved quality of product and expansion of markets.

Thirty to forty years ago the industry consisted mostly of single ply veneer mills whose output was shipped to the older hardwood plywood mills in the northern and central states. in addition much of the product of these single ply veneer miils went into the box, basket and container field. Comparatively little plywood of any kind was made in the south at this time.

During the twenties and thirties the southern furniture industry developed very rapidly especially in the Carolinas. This growth of the furniture industry was accompanied by increased southern plywood production to supply this new industry. At first southern'plywood was manufactured primarily in the utility grades for use as drawer bottoms, chair seats, case backs, mirror backs, etc. As the southern furniture industry developed however, a greater percentage of high quality decorative panels were produced by the southern plywoods mills. These panels both veneer core and lumber core were faced r.vith native lvoods as well as mahogany, tvalnut, oak and the many other fine cabinet lvoods.

During this period the markets for southern plywood were exclusively in the furniture and industrial fields. These panels were made to purchasers' dimensions and shipped direct.

The war and post war years of the forties presented a challenge to the southern plywood industry for quality plywood in large quantities and in customary fashion this challenge r,vas effectively met. Production facilities of existing plants were improved and increased with the installation of new machinery and production techniques. At the same time ner,v mills were erected to help supply the increasing demand for plywood. It r,vas during this period that southern panel makers began manufacturing both large and small panels for distribution through warehouse and dealer channels. Although a great many southern mills are now equipped to produce panels 4'x8'in size, the industry generally favors the manufacture of smaller panels as these allow for better utilization of logs.

The tremendous expansion of the southern plywood industry during the past fifteen years has seen the installation of a large number of hot presses and the increased use of urea and phenolic resin glues. These glues have enabled the industry to enlarge its markets and continually improve the quality of its products. IJrea resin glues are the most widely used adhesive in the southern plywood industry today.

The war years focused attention on quality control in the production of plywood and the southern plywood manufacturers were anxious that this control be set up and maintained within the industry. As a result, the Southern Plywood Manufacturers Association established a plywood testing laboratory in Atlanta, Georgia, to assist the industry in developing and maintaining desired quality of product. The success of this laboratory is evidenced by the continually increasing use of its facilities by the southern plywood industry.

Present plans of the Southern Plywood Manufacturers Association call for the early establishment of an inspection service for the benefit of the southern plywood industry and its ,customers. This service patterned after the highly successful inspection service of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association rvill be further proof of the sincerity of the southern panel makers to manufacture and sell quality products. This inspection service together with the association testing laboratory will be the groundwork for the establishment of a grade marking program for southern Hardwood plywood.

Further proof of the industry's long range view of its quality control work is noted in the establishment and maintenance of an exposure fence near Atlanta where unprotected samples of Technical and Type I Hardwood plyu.ood are .being subjected to long term weathering tests. Information developed from this fence will assist the industry in its manufacture of hardwood plywood intended for use where excessive moisture conditions will prevail.

The grading rules of the hardwood plywood industry are contained in Hardwood Plywood Commercial Standard CS35-49 (the latest revision). Copies of this standard are available at no cost from the office of the Southern Plywood Manufacturers Association, 728 West Peachtree St., N.W., Atlanta, Georgia.

This insight into an important but as yet little publicized aspect of southern plywood manufacture should be of interest to plywood users, dealers and specifiers in California and the other western states. Southern plywood is not a stranger in this part of the country, because the continuing demand of the California furniture and building industry for quality plywood has given southern panels an you complete service. They will assist and advise you, if you wish. carried

To save time and money, to always be sure, turn your plyvood and door buying lnto one simple operitioni 'Order from Roddiscrift where every n-eed is filled right on schedule.

Douglos l[o!!frcrnft RODDIS PTYWOOD CORPORATION ,liARsHFtElD, WTSCONSIN stock, prompt shipment can be obtained from the mill. Trained opportunity to demonstrate those features which make it in such demand where a smooth finish is required.

The smooth texture of panels made from native southern hardwoods not only gives them a demand where lacquer, enamel and fine paint surfaces are required, but they are also excellent as a base for plastic overlays of all types. This feature of smoothness also creates a demand for these panels as a base for decorative and fine cabinet woods.

The fact that the southern plywood industry is geared to manufacture smaller, easily handled panels in standard or made to order sizes has been a sour,ce of delight to the small cabinet maker and hobby-shop enthusiast who need small quantities of smooth panels that can be easily transported and stored. These smaller panels also lend themselves to a wide variety of architectural treatments for use in interior wall paneling. Another interesting feature of plyrvood manufactured from native southern hardwood is that it can be easily stained to simulate more expensive r,voods such as mahogany and walnut.

Today the production capacity of the southern plywood industry is about 750,000,000 sq. ft. (%"-3 ply basis) and this is adequate to handle all normal demands for its products. Although a great deal of this production still goes to the furniture trade and industrial users, the industry is increasingly interested in the dealer trade where both large and small smooth surfa,ced panels are a profitable item to handle.

Coquille, Oregon, Plywood Mlll Produces Exterior and Interior Type

Coos Bay Lumber Company, Plywood Division's mill, located at Coquille, Oregon, has a production of approximately 100 cars a month, of both exterior and interior type Douglas fir plyrvood.

Distribution is in straight cars direct to dealers, and in addition through Dant & Russell Sales Co., exclusive distributors in California, through their warehouses.

This Division also manufactures battery separators, Venetian blind slats, and mouldings in large quantities.

There are two lvarehouses in the San Francisco Bay area, and tr"'o in Southern California.

Seth L. Butler is representative for Dant & Russell Sales Co. in Northern California, r,vith offices at 214 Front Street, San Francisco.

Arthur W. Neth is representative for Dant & Russell Sales Co. in Southern California, with offices at 812 East 59th Street, Los Angeles.

Invents Brcnding Mcchine

Invention of a new machine which brands plywoods has been announced by Thomas B. Malarkey, executive vice president of the M and M Wood Working Company, Portland, Ore. The machine, lvhich uses pressure and ink for branding on the edge surfaces, was contrived by the firm's research department. The machine will be known as the Malarkey l{otary Brander. The company heretofore has used both the rubber stamp and burning methods.

Tnn srupsoN LoccrNG coMpANy operates two plywood mills in the center of the Pacific Northwest, an important Douglas fir growing area. Integtated with Simpson's extensive logging operations, sawmills, door factory and woodfiber plant, these plywood mills contribute greatly to the stability and wealth of many communities dependent upon forest products for existence.

Logs to feed these various plants and mills come from forests which vire "farm" as a permanent source of raw materials. Under this program, observing sound logging and manufacturing methods, we are assured a continuous supply of timber.

Simpson Douglas fir plywood is manufactured in the complete range of stock sizes. interior and exterior, is trademarked, and carries DFPA grademarks for your protection.