TPfeb20pgs_SS.qxp_Layout 1 1/22/20 3:16 PM Page 36
and 14% of responses, respectively. Least represented were Tennessee, Florida and Louisiana with 6%, 4% and 4% of respondents. Most of the sawmills were moderately sized in terms of employment, with 56% employing 20-250 people, while 6% employed more than 500 and 20% had less than 10 employees. CLT is a possible new sales channel
36
■
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020
■
for softwood lumber producers, so we looked at current customer bases to see where market shifts may occur. With multiple responses possible, 35% of respondents sell to wholesalers at the top of the list, followed by preservative treating companies/remanufacturers/export (18%), stocking distributors (12%), and non-residential builders (9%).
● What do they know about CLT? While the CLT market is poised for substantial growth, results indicate that respondents are generally unfamiliar with CLT. Forty-one percent indicated that they were not at all familiar with the product while 41% were somewhat familiar and 18% were very familiar. The recent establishment of a CLT manufacturer within the region seems to be slow in gaining the attention of Southern sawmills, as 53% of respondents reported they knew nothing about the current CLT manufacturers within the U.S.; only 2% were very familiar. ● Will they sell lumber to CLT manufacturers? Can they meet CLT lumber requirements? How much will they charge? While the lack in familiarity may be a concern for CLT manufacturers hoping to locate in the South, 36% of respondents said they were somewhat or very likely to sell lumber to a CLT manufacturer operating in the region, while 8% of respondents have already sold lumber to a CLT manufacturer. Seventy-seven percent of respondents would not require long-term contracts with CLT manufacturers, but 65% said they would accept them. The capability of Southern sawmills to produce CLT grade lumber
TIMBER PROCESSING
CLICK HERE IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY OPTED IN!