Timber Design & Technology - February 2012

www.timberdesignandtechnology.com

Issue 01 | February 2012

Is this the year of turnaround for the industry?

Interview with Dawood Al Shezawi Hakkasan Abu Dhabi case study Cross-laminated timber explored How to manage your machines PLUS Timber industry news, new products, exhibition previews and listings and more

ANALYSIS | INTERVIEWS | DESIGN | SUSTAINABILITY | TECHNOLOGY

American black walnut the library at Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Keeping carbon out of the atmosphere.

Naturally.

American hardwood.

Each kilogram of U.S. hardwood product stores the equivalent of 1.835 kilograms of CO2 for as long as it remains in use.

For more information visit: www.americanhardwood.org Follow us on Twitter

Editor’s word Issue 1 | February

2012

ndtechnology.com

Editor’s Word

www.timberdesigna

F fight al cooperation to A decade of region Asia illegal logging in nges 2012 highlights challe Dubai WoodShow al timber market region within and opportunities ology Techn orking ACIMALL: Woodw ’ in 2012 to remain ‘stable takes s appetite for wood heavy toll on forests

Sustainability: China’

Cover photo: Private dining room Hakkasan Abu Dhabi

Issue 01 | February 2012 Timber Design & Technology Magazine Publisher Andy MacGregor publisher@citrusmediagroup.net +971 55 9199 783 Marketing Manager Eric Hammond marketing@citrusmediagroup.net +971 4 455 8400 Editor Ujala Ali Khan ujala@timbedesignandtechnology.com Design Creative Pocket +971 50 427 9688 International Representatives Rabia Alga AntExpo Org. | Turkey +90 216 541 0390 rabia@antexpo.net

Timber Design & Technology is published 6 times a year

by Citrus Media Group (powered by WillyMac Associates FZ LLC) Level 14, Boulevard Plaza - Tower One, Emaar Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, PO Box 334155, Dubai, UAE

and is printed by Masar Printing Press Great care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the contents of Timber Design & Technology but the publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions.

All contents are © 2012 Citrus Media Group and may not be reproduced in any form without prior consent.

or a country that until very recently claimed to be home to 90 percent of the world’s cranes, a quality publication dedicated to one of construction’s most major mainstays has been long overdue.

And hence, you hold in your hand the inaugural issue of Timber Design & Technology – a bi-monthly magazine catering exclusively to the GCC’s buyers of wood and related machinery and products. We will focus on sourcing, design, sustainability, technology, innovation, legality and other pertinent industry issues and cater to both the wood processing and design community.

We aim to bring you the latest and most relevant news, analysis and in-depth features examining all aspects of the regional timber industry. We hope to stay unbiased and accurate in our representation of the wood industry in the Middle East, and starting with this issue, you can tell us if we’re on the ball.

We’ve tried to achieve a balance in our content that will appeal equally to professionals across all areas of the industry: from importers and manufacturers to designers and architects.

In this issue, we bring you the latest industry news, trends, technologies and products, rounded off with your own little black book: a guide to the major industry trade fairs coming up over the next couple of months. We’ve taken an in-depth look at a hand-picked few - headed by the UAE’s own Dubai International Wood and Wood Machinery Show.

Dawood Al Shezawi, CEO, Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions – the man behind the show – told us what to expect in this year’s edition of the show. It’s heartening to note that the show – which reported sales volume over AED 100 million last year, and attracted 194 exhibitors and 5,940 visitors – has garnered the interest of 230 exhibitors this year.

That’s exciting news for the region: the fact that new markets such as Indonesia, Brunei, Cameroon, Gabon, Argentina are taking an interest in doing business in this region.

Business which there is no shortage of, by the way. Between the covers of this magazine, you will find news about the rapid expansion of companies, such as Danube, and of exciting new product launches, such as those we cover from Jotun’s side.

News and updates aside, education is one of the most important elements of our magazine. No matter who we’ve spoken to during the making of this magazine, we have always gotten the same answer regarding education about timber: there is a real need for more.

In addition to the newest techniques and developments, we have covered a couple of very fundamental and very critical subjects.

Keeping our finger on the pulse of what’s most recent and most relevant, we bring you information about Cross-Laminated Timber (a building material that could possibly change the way we build) and thermo-treated wood (a new generation of wood material that is gaining repute as being superior to non-treated wood).

We’ve also covered basic topics like what you should keep in mind when purchasing new machinery, and how to care for the machinery you already have. Woodworking machinery is a huge investment and protecting that investment so that it gives you maximum returns can make or break your business.

Lending his expert opinion to this issue is Lesly Lobo, Managing Director of Woodfloors Middle East.

He tells us all about wood floors. As the man heading the company that has installed the wood flooring for Burj Khalifa, we heed his advice.

We hope you find this issue engaging and informative. Don’t forget to write to us and let us know what you would like to see in the next issue!

Regards,

Letters and readers’ contributions may be edited at our discretion.

February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com

3

In this issue

Contents 12 Feature

Hello, Yellow!

Southern Yellow pine comes out on top in a recent study

by TRADA comparing the hardness and strength of five species of softwood

14 Feature

P12

Hello, Yellow!

To Kiln or not to Kiln

Weighing Kiln-drying of wood against Air-drying

19 Analysis

After the collapse of the construction market in 2008, 2011 has been the year where the timber industry started its upward climb. Will 2012 be the year of turnaround?

20 Design and Décor

Bringing back the Dragon

Hakkasan - a modern Chinese restaurant at the opulent Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi

P20

Bringing back the Dragon

P26

Why Wood Floors?

26 Flooring

Why Wood Floors?

Lesly Lobo, Managing Director of Woodfloors Middle East – talks about bringing the warmth and beauty of natural wood into any room with wood flooring

30 Sustainability All Wood, All Good

‘Cross-Laminated Timber’ - the new buzzword in the dialogue for green building

35 What’s New Feel The Heat:

Thermo-treated wood Jotun’s ‘Era-Coat MDF’ and ‘Woodshield’

40 Tech Talk

PLUS

Manage Your Machines

Machine management and purchase tips from Stiles Machinery Inc.

p7 Latest News

43 Showtime

Dawood Al Shezawi, CEO, Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions – talks about the upcoming 2012 edition of Dubai International Wood and Wood Machinery Show

p50 Calendar February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com

5

News

News

Illegal harvesting amps up reforestation

Around three million trees are harvested every year in the Amazon - much of which done by the informal sector without the necessary approvals and hence, illegally. Only a small part of this overall harvest is undertaken by the timber industry which has the necessary approvals for logging.

In light of this dilemma, reforestation with native species is now being given serious consideration. One of these is the Paricรก (Shizolobium amazonicum) - the most widely cultivated tree

species native to the Amazon forest that grows fast and produces high quality wood.

Parica timber is used in civil construction and furniture manufacturing. It is also widely used for plywood production because the logs are clear of defects and are cylindrical. The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) is currently conducting research on genetic improvement of this species as well.

More chips to China As import figures for 2011 roll in, China reports record import of wood chips in the last year, owing largely to lack of domestic wood fiber sources coupled with increased pulp production. Wood chip imports in the first ten months alone equaled more than the total volume of imports in all of 2010.

Total imports for 2011 reached around seven million tons, or 37 percent higher than in 2010. This upward trend is expected to continue this year and 2013 because the Chinese pulp industry is in an expansion mode.

Chinese pulp mills increasingly have to rely on imported wood chips for their wood fiber needs.

In 2011, record volumes were imported mainly from hardwood plantations in Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.

With the lack of sufficient quality and quantity of domestic wood fiber supply, new pulp mills in China are looking to expand importation of wood chips from plantation-rich countries in South East Asia to meet their growing fiber needs. Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia were the major suppliers to China, together accounting for about 88 percent of all imports of hardwood chips, as reported in the Wood Resource Quarterly.

February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com

7

News

Bamboo for bio-energy A partnership among African nations and communities, the International Network for bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) and China are working to substitute bamboo charcoal and firewood for forest wood on which 80 percent of the rural population in sub-Saharan Africa depend for their fuel needs.

Initial successes with bamboo charcoal in Ghana and Ethiopia, which have put bamboo biomass at the centre of renewable energy policies, are spurring interest in countries across the continent and prompting calls for greater investment in bamboo-based charcoal production as a ‘green biofuel’ that could fight deforestation and mitigate climate change.

INBAR’s bamboo as sustainable biomass energy initiative is the first to transfer bamboo charcoal technologies from China to sub-Saharan Africa to produce sustainable ‘green biofuels’ using locally available bamboo resources.

Driven by growing concerns about energy, health and food security and climate change, the initiative is funded by the European Union (EU) and the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC).

Danube spreads its wings Danube opened two new state-of-the-art facilities in Ajman and Al Quoz, wherein the company invested a total of AED 55 million as part of its regional expansion plans to address the demand for topquality materials in the region.

The new operations hubs will conveniently bring the widest range of products including wood, steel, glass, aluminium, hardware, sanitary, ceiling and flooring closer to local and regional customers.

The AED 30 million facility in Ajman will have a total area of 58,000 square feet. With investments amounting to over US $93 billion already

8

www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

channeled into the Ajman real estate market in the past two years, Danube has identified the potential of the emirate to become one of the UAE’s construction hotspots.

Amidst the strong effor ts of the Dubai Municipality towards developing Al Quoz as a world-class industrial destination, the manufacturer has made a decision to invest in a new factory in the area. Spanning a total of 30,000 square feet, the AED 25 million Al Quoz facility underlines the company’s deep resolve to increase its production and fur ther expand across the emirates.

Designs on you A new drawer system from ArciTech has now attracted two coveted awards: the IF Product Design Award 2012 and the OWL Innovation Prize 2011. Both accolades acknowledge the product’s outstanding qualities, its design as well as the overall concept, including the newly constructed production facility at company headquarters in Kirchlengern/Bünde.

In the IF Product Design Award 2012, ArciTech came through against a competent international field of competitors. The award honours outstanding design achievements for volume products that have not been on the market for more than three years or will go into mass production in the award year. The IF Design Award is regarded worldwide as a seal of quality for design excellence.

The OWL Innovation Prize goes to innovative products, services and processes from the Ostwestfalen Lippe region. Hettich received a special prize for the new ArciTech drawer system. The jury felt that in a bold process and with the biggest investment in company history, a completely new drawer system had been developed that sets new standards with its incredibly smooth running action, high stability and broad product line-up based on a single platform, while also revolutionizing previous developments.

News

US and Indonesia collaborate for conservation The United States has reportedly pledged US $450 million for an environmental and climate change cooperation programme with Indonesia. The money will be utilized to fund projects for the promotion of environmentally sustainable economic growth, strengthening climate change policies, conservation of tropical forests, protecting coastal communities and fisheries as well as the Low Emission Development Strategies (SOLUSI) project to improve air quality.

The US will, reportedly, assist Indonesia to implement a ‘Green Prosperity Project’ at a cost of US $332.5 million, which will support environmentally sustainable economic growth through the enhancement and management of Indonesian forests, peat lands and other natural resources as well as the development of renewable energy. In addition, the US will provide US $6.9 million to match funding from Norway for the new Indonesian Climate Change Centre (ICCC), which will deploy and provide the mapping and monitoring of carbon-rich peat lands and tropical forests, with expertise to be provided by the US Forestry Service.

The aim is to provide Indonesia with the best available scientists and policy analysts on key strategies and decision making from the US to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Rwanda reigns supreme Each year the World Future Council (WFC) spotlights exemplary policies that bring the interest of future generations to the forefront of policy-making. In connection with the UN-declared International Year of Forests 2011, the WFC collaborated with the United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity to honour the best in forest policy for the 2011 Future Policy Award.

2011’s winners represented the most inspiring, innovative and influential forest policies. An international panel awarded Rwanda’s National Forest Policy the gold medal, honouring its work in biodiversity conservation, ecotourism and green jobs which increased forest cover by 37 percent since 1990. Silver medals were awarded jointly to USA’s Lacey Act for tackling the problem of illegal timber trade, and Gambia’s Community Forest Policy for providing local communities with secure and permanent forest ownership rights. Winners were announced at a press conference in New York at UN Headquarters, followed by an awards ceremony that evening.

IDdesign’s third store in Saudi IDdesign - an international furniture store with an emphasis on Scandinavian form and simplicity – is set to open its third store in Saudi Arabia.

Opening late 2012 in the center of Al-Khobar, the new store will be located in the prestigious Al-Dhahran Street.

This new store will be the anchor store in Al-Khobar with a floor size of app. 4,500 sqm that incorporates and reflects the newest development in retail design, merchandising and customer focus.

The unique international furniture and interior design collection will ensure customers an extraordinary shopping experience when visiting the new store. The product range will include everything from furniture to lighting and accessories, and interior solutions for every room and purpose in your home of the highest quality.

February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com

9

News

Qatar and Saudi lead building material consumption in GCC

Qatar and Saudi Arabia have been tipped to consume some 50 percent of the GCC region’s building materials over the next decade or so, according to analyst Frost and Sullivan.

Both countries have ‘ramped up’ construction activities due to the growth in economic activities in Saudi Arabia and the run-up towards the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Qatar and Saudi have increased their manufacturing activity, especially in building materials so as to help the domestic construction industry achieve a level of self-sufficiency.

However, phasing the different projects correctly will be crucial, Frost and Sullivan has warned while highlighting what it terms sequential key factors (SKF) crucial to a phased approach of the project pipeline. These are availability of financial investment, skilled labour for construction, building construction materials, construction equipment, technological and managerial workforce.

The report also predicts that ‘a lack of skilled labour and technical and managerial proficiency will force the GCC construction companies to leverage close tie-ups or joint execution for major construction and infrastructure projects’ in Qatar and Saudi. Some US $700bn worth of new investment projects are predicted in Qatar by 2020, and around US $86bn alone will be spent on infrastructure projects for the World Cup in the next decade.

Major projects include the New Doha International Airport, the Qatar national railway endeavour, a multitude of new stadia, the Lusail mixed-use development, the Doha port and the long proposed Qatar-Bahrain causeway.

It was reported earlier that a total of 80-90 consortia have been identified as qualified to bid for Qatar Railways Company (QRail) Doha Metro phase 1 projects, tenders for which are set to be issued in the second quarter of 2012.

Steel yourself Canada’s pulp and paper sector’s revenues have dropped 38 percent over the past decade, and they are now counting on nanocrystalline cellulose to up their bottom line.

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) - pine needle-shaped crystals that measure less than 10 nanometres in length - is extracted from dried and bleached woody biomass. Together, the crystals display some remarkable properties. Stronger than steel, but many times less dense, NCC is an attractive additive for materials that need to be tough, rigid and lightweight, such as auto and airplane parts. When formed into a film, the crystals can reflect ultraviolet and infrared light (good for energyefficient window films), and respond to magnetic and electrical fields (ideal for encryption inks). NCC is currently being tested for dozens of applications and might one day find its way into consumer products as diverse as golf clubs and nail polish.

Starting in early 2012, CelluForce - a joint venture between Domtar and the non-profit research institute FPInnovations - will begin transforming wood pulp into NCC at its newly constructed commercial demonstration plant in Windsor, Quebec. At peak production, the facility should produce about a tonne of NCC daily from two tonnes of pulp.

10 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

Interested in quality hardwood lumber ? all species of hardwood

t:

it us a

e vis pleas

2 b , 201 ooth: i - 1 5 3 l Apri l Hall | B a Centr

ABALON HARDWOOD www.abalon-hardwood.com

INTERHOLCO AG www.interholco.ch

Contact: Benoit Moreau, Phone: + 973.39.710.630, benoit.moreau@interholco.com

Southern Yellow Pine

Hello, Yellow!

As America’s most abundant and sustainably harvested wood resource, Southern Yellow pine has been an integral part of American history As America’s most abundant and sustainably harvested wood resource, Southern Yellow pine has been an integral part of American history. 199 Million acres of forest is replanted with Southern Yellow pine in the South East US every year, ensuring a steady and sustainable supply. Over time, though, lower-priced softwoods have encroached on its market share around the world. A recent study by the Timber Research and Development Association confirms the superiority of Southern Yellow pine over other softwood species, and aims to raise its profile.

Southern Yellow pine - one of the strongest structural timbers in the world - is not a single tree species, but a collective term used to describe a range of species that, 12 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

once felled, are virtually indistinguishable from each other.

Four principal species make up the Southern Yellow pine family: loblolly, longleaf, shortleaf and slash pine. All are native to America and grow mainly in a broad geographic region from eastern Texas to Virginia. Lumber from all four species is marketed as Southern Yellow pine and graded in accordance with the grading rules of the Southern pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB), approved by the American Softwood Lumber Standard Committee.

The natural advantages of Southern Yellow pine are its density, high resistance to decay, superior ability to hold fastenings, and ease of treatment with preservatives.

The Southern Forest Products Association contracted the internationally recognised Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA) to conduct a study to test the comparative hardness and strength of several softwood species: Southern Yellow pine, Radiata pine sourced from both Chile and New Zealand, Brazilian Elliotis pine, European Redwood, and European Whitewood.

The purpose of the study was to obtain evidence from an objective, third-party source on which softwood is better suited for flooring, furniture, and other applications where durability is of paramount importance.

Testing was conducted for each of the species in one central location to ensure more reliable and objective

Southern Yellow Pine results. Selection and conditioning of the samples was of preservatives, rendering the done following internationally accepted methodology. wood useless as a food source Testing methods included the Janka hardness test (e.g., for fungi, termites and resistance to indentation) and a modified Hatt-Turner test micro-organisms, and to determine impact bending. Both tests involve applying a hence makes it the load to wood specimens in a controlled environment. preferred species Test results show that Southern Yellow pine is when pressure treated significantly more resistant to indentation than Chilean with wood preservatives.

Radiata pine, Brazilian Elliotis pine, European Redwood, Each piece carries a treatment and European Whitewood. Southern Yellow pine also quality mark which provides tested significantly assurance that Southern Yellow pine is harder than the it has been produced stronger in impact other types of pine, but not as hard as oak by a qualified treater under bending than all the other species. or bamboo, and its distinctive grain pattern a quality scheme audited by In addition, it was an independent inspection appeals to many consumers considerably denser body accredited by the than the other American Lumber Standards species, which indicates that furniture, cabinets, doors, and Committee (ALSC). flooring made of Southern Yellow pine are less susceptible Southern Yellow pine is also one of the stiffest, strongest to dents, scratches, and other signs of wear. structural timbers in the world, making it ideal for flooring It is due to these very attributes that Southern Yellow in areas of heavy traffic. It is equivalent to C22 in the pine is regaining popularity with flooring and furnitureUK strength class grading scheme, a structural timber makers. Aesthetically, it has a beautiful butterscotch classification. It is heavy (between 537 and 626 kg/m3) color and grain that appeals to many consumers. On and dense (Janka hardness rating 690). a professional level, Southern Yellow pine provides Applications for pressure-treated Southern Yellow pine construction professionals with not only proven high include flooring, external cladding, truss rafters, outdoor performance timber, but also with third-party quality decking and boardwalks, pergolas, harbours, gazebos, assurance of fitness for purpose. Every piece of Southern screening, fencing, outdoor furniture, path and border Yellow pine is clearly marked with its grade and other edges, earth retaining walls, bridges, freshwater piers and information relating to its production, such as the pontoons, and post and frame structures. manufacturer and moisture content at time of grading.

The solid evidence provided by the TRADA study Southern Yellow pine is one of the easiest softwoods on the superior properties of Southern pine may well to pressure-treat with preservatives. The wood’s unique contribute to winning back market share lost to lowercellular structure permits deep and uniform penetration cost products.

“Southern Yellow pine provides construction professionals with not only proven high performance timber, but also with third-party quality assurance of fitness for purpose”

Applications Southern Yellow pine can be used for a wide range of applications: • Raised floor foundations • Outdoor living • Structural components • Post-frame construction • Aquatic and wetland structures • Vehicular bridges • Highway noise barriers • Permanent wood foundations

Even though 97 percent of American homes are of timber frame construction and more wood is consumed per head of population in the US than anywhere else in the world, the forests of North America cover the same land area as they did 100 years ago because more trees are planted every year than are harvested, these forests are growing in size. While about 4 million tree seedlings are planted every day in the US, over 3 million of these are Southern Yellow pine. That’s over 1 billion of these seedlings planted every year in the US.

February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 13

Kiln-drying Technology

To Kiln or not to Kiln Natural air-drying of wood can take a very long time, while kiln-drying takes far less time in comparison Freshly felled timber contains a large quantity of moisture, most of which has to be removed in order to obtain satisfactory performance from the wood and to avoid unequal shrinkage during the equilibration process.

While no one argues against the need to dry wood, there is a debate about the preferred method: kilndrying or air-drying.

Air-drying is the drying of timber by exposing it to the air. The rate of drying largely depends on climatic conditions, and on the air movement (exposure to the wind). Kiln-drying is an industrial unit operation used to accelerate the drying of wood, in an enclosed space where air speed, temperature and humidity are controlled.

Both methods bring their own advantages and challenges for importers and sawmills. For manufacturers, they hold appeal for various reasons. Leading regional importers of timber confirm the benefits –and the demand - of kiln-dried timber.

“Kiln-dried lumber is of higher quality because after drying - it will be graded again and any physical deformities or drying defects will be removed before shipment,” says Danube Group’s Founder and Chairman, Rizwan Sajan.

14 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

“Of course, most markets prefer kiln-dried wood,” states Mohamad Maulana, CEO, Al Nibras General Trading Company. “The main reason behind this is that kiln-drying lowers the moisture level significantly and gives you very stable timber.”

Kiln-dried timber can be machined to a finish superior to air-dried timber and therefore problems such as raised grain are virtually eliminated. Kiln-dried timber can usually be installed immediately upon delivery to site, which means that you don’t need to have expensive timber lying around acclimatizing. Such timber is also suitable for finishing immediately with a paint or stain, which means that the wood can be protected without delay.

Sajan tells us that the demand for kiln-dried wood exceeds the demand for air-dried wood in the markets Danube deals with. United Agencies’ General Manager Venu Gopal verifies that, in 2011, kiln-dried timber moved faster than air-dried timber, due to its superior properties.

The benefit of kiln-drying timber is that it is dried in a

Kiln-drying Technology

controlled environment, has rigorous testing, and is extremely quick - giving a higher quality end product. Bugs and insects are also killed during the drying process. Therefore it can be more cost effective and is less likely to have distortion, staining or drying stresses (i.e. warping or bowing).

Because it offers benefits with respect to ensuring consistent quality and preventing lumber degrade, kiln-dried lumber is pretty much a standard in the global lumber industry nowadays.

For large sawmills, an important benefit of kiln-drying is the short lead time required to move the lumber, which reduces inventory costs and saves space in the yard.

However, the cost of installing and maintaining kilns may often be prohibitive unless throughput of timber is high.

The obvious advantage of air-drying is its low capital cost in comparison to kiln drying procedures.

Kiln operators often find that it is more economical to air-dry timber to 25 to 30 percent moisture content if the material is likely to take more than 5 weeks to kiln from green, due to its size or the drying characteristics of the timber. However, it is important to remember that airdrying can only be used to reduce the moisture content of timber to around 14 to 20 percent. Therefore, for many applications, kiln-drying - which reduces the moisture content down much further - is a necessary final step in the drying process.

“Compared to air-drying , kiln-drying results in lower and more uniform moisture levels,” adds Sajan. “For example, with kiln-drying it is possible to go down to a moisture content of 8 percent which is not at all possible in air drying. Compared to air-drying, the drying time is quicker with kiln-drying so the timber will be ready for use earlier than The benefit of kiln drying timber air dried timber is that it is dried in a controlled and there is no dependency on environment, has rigorous testing, and weather. Also, is extremely quick - giving a higher while kiln-drying, all possible quality end product insects will be killed and we will get insect-free timber.”

Modern kilns allow tight control of air-flow, temperature and humidity so that all the timber dries uniformly and to the precise moisture content required. This results in a Rizwan Sajan more uniform product and the problems often associated Danube Group’s with poorly air-dried timber are avoided.

Founder and Chairman B M Ashraf, Managing Director of Mohiudeen Wood LLC concurs with his peers but also explains why air-dried timber is still selling and continues to be in stock. “The kind of timber required depends on the end use. If the use demands a very stable timber, then the timber has to be kiln-dried. Generally, when engineers have a fixed budget to work with and the end use allows a little flexibility, air-dried timber can be specified after careful thought.”

The main disadvantage of air-drying is that all pieces of a given bundle of lumber will not February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 15

Kiln-drying Technology

Some of the benefits associated with kilndrying: •

“Kiln operators often find that it is more economical to air dry timber to 25 percent to 30 percent moisture content if the material is likely to take more than 5 weeks to kiln from green”

necessarily dry to the same moisture content. Boards on the inside of the stack may have a completely different moisture content to those on the outside. In other words, when air-drying timber you don’t have the same control that kiln-drying offers.

Another disadvantage is that air-dried timber usually needs acclimatizing when delivered to site to prevent further shrinkage once installed. Furthermore, air-dried wood may not be sufficiently dry for a coating to be applied whereas kiln-dried wood can be coated with a wood finish immediately. There are dangers in air-drying timber as well. If allowed to dry out too quickly, casehardening or honeycombing may ruin the structure of the wood.

“Wherever the final destination of sawn timber (lumber) in temperate species, it is always advisable that the wood is kiln-dried before shipment,” explains Rod Wiles, AHEC Director for Africa, Middle East, India and Oceania. “The process is a fine art and those who produce the wood in North America or Europe, for example, have perfected it over many, many years. It is a genuine value-addition to the product and should ensure that what is delivered to the customer is higher yielding, pest and fungus free, ready to use and dimensionally stable. In effect, when you buy kiln-dried lumber, you have more chance of knowing what you are going to get and there will be much fewer unwanted surprises.”

16 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

•

•

• • •

Kiln-drying lumber allows for uniform drying in a carefully controlled environment Careful drying in a controlled environment minimizes checking (cracking), warping and bowing, creating a stable product, which is ready for shipment and further processing Grading after kiln-drying ensures delivery of a quality-controlled product, which minimizes wastage The heat and steam used in kiln-drying serve to eliminate pests and disease in the green lumber Finishes can be applied to kiln-dried lumber without the need for further drying Once the moisture content is sufficiently reduced through the process of kiln-drying, the wood will remain dimensionally stable and allow for a longer lasting performance product.

Rod Wiles, AHEC Director for Africa, Middle East, India and Oceania

the finishing experience

Doors, kitchen Doors, furniture, hotel furniture, Yatch furniture, frames, glass, plastic‌ for this anD much more, cefla is here With his 80 Years of historY

cefla: since 20 years the finishing experience in the middle east.

cefla miDDle east fZe. P.O Box: 261 633 Warehouse No. FZS2AB02 Jebel Ali Free Zone - Dubai - UAE Tel: +971 4 8862 722 - Fax:+971 4 8862 527 info@ceflamiddleeast.ae - www.ceflafinishinggroup.com

Analysis

2012: Is it the year of

the turn-around?

We spoke with several timber industry experts to get their take on 2011 and their outlook for 2012 For the timber industry, the recession hit bottom in late 2008 and early 2009, and demand for wood products began increasing slightly in 2010. 2011 was a marginally better year and all the industry people we spoke with agree that - though growth in 2012 is going to be sluggish - it’s not going to get any worse.

The collapse of the construction market in 2008 has been responsible for much of the timber industry’s ensuing woes. 2011 has been the year where the timber industry has climbed slowly out of its recession and has started its upward climb. Recent construction data for the region suggests that 2012 may well be the year of turnaround.

A lot of strong trends emerged towards the end of 2011. North American and European hardwood exporters and international buyers reported reduced trade in December. Sellers noted intense competition for orders in almost every market, although many held prices firm in the belief that they have reached bottom and will soon be rising. Supplies appeared to be tightening, with several exporters reporting that lower production and slower kiln turns had started to limit sales. US hardwood lumber exports reached a five-month high of 105.6 million board feet (MMBF) in October 2011, the latest month for which data is available.

Also towards the end of 2011, with weaker demand for lumber around the world, sawlog prices fell in a majority of the 21 markets tracked by the Wood Resource Quarterly. The Global Conifer Sawlog Price Index (GSPI) declined in the the third quarter of 2011, for the first time since the first quarter of 2009.

The outlook for the next two years is moderately positive. Log export markets look favorable, but with substantial risk deriving from Europe’s financial crisis. The bottom line is that timber industry executives must plan for moderate growth while protecting themselves from a possible recession.

While total recovery for the markets still seems far away, prices are now bottoming out. As a result of improving sentiment, construction companies are picking up where they left off, and bringing business to the timber market: a view that has been confirmed by our industry experts.

February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 19

Analysis The international timber market has some encouraging statistics to report. In the first 11 months of last year, the district of British Columbia shipped 4.2 billion board feet of lumber to China, exceeding a goal of 4 billion set four years ago. Exports are up 200 percent from 2009, and their value has hit more than US $1 billion. China now takes about 29 percent of all B.C. lumber exports, second only to the US, which accounts for 42 percent of exports.

Speaking about things closer to home, Venu Gopal, General Manager, United Agencies reiterates that the effects of the recession hold strong and not much construction is going on. “We feel that there is going to be a decline in general demand for timber in 2012,” he says.

Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman of Danube Group, says that he expects demand to remain more or less the same in the coming months.

“We always maintain a positive outlook, with a conservative approach to achieve sustainable levels of growth,” says B M Ashraf, Managing Director of Mohiudeen Wood LLC. “The signs are all there and we are certain the market is slowly moving on a stable upward trajectory. The year ahead looks promising indeed.”

Al Nibras General Trading Company’s CEO Mohamad Maulana explains that while the market is definitely evolving, there are still a couple of challenges. “One major challenge is cash-flow, which is not just a local issue, but a global one. Most of the projects that are unfinished belong partially to international investors – who have cash-flow problems. There are minor indications which show that the market has picked up, but it’s more a matter of ‘let’s get started on the project and move it along slowly, rather than stop it altogether’. A project that could easily be completed in 6 months, is being scheduled for completion in a period of one year. This makes demand go down.”

Maulana feels that if construction speeds up, then the demand for timber will go up.

“So the market depends not just on whether or not owners decide to complete projects, but also the speed at which they decide to do it,” explains Maulana.

He adds that that the market situation in the UAE is excellent compared to other GCC countries, because it is positioned in to take up not just local, but regional and international projects as well – which is why factories are still working and businesses are still in operation in the UAE, while they are closing down elsewhere.

When asked about the specifics of what kind of wood has been in demand over 2011, Gopal, Sajan and Maulana all confirm a high demand for red oak on the higherpriced end and meranti on the lower-priced.

United Agencies deal primarily in European and American hardwood and Gopal reports that there has been ample demand for both, American red oak and ash in particular.

Danube’s Sajan says red oak, beech and meranti have been the most sought-after hardwoods, and amongst the softwoods, it has been spruce and pine.

Both Sajan and Gopal have seen hardwood being procured for interiors and softwood for construction purposes.

Maulana from Nibras comes forward with a very interesting observation on the duality of demand in the market: very expensive species such as walnut and 20 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

red oak have moved very fast, as has the more humble meranti - the former for luxury projects and the latter for commercial projects.

“Since most of the projects have gone into cost-saving mode, meranti has been specified for a lot of commercial projects to keep the costs low,” explains Maulana.

Mohiudeen’s Ashraf is keen to point out that demand for certain species never fades, such as Malaysian red meranti, West African okume and Burmese teak, which are predominantly sought after in this market because of their ready availability and their ability to be used for a variety of internal and external applications.

“European and American hardwood species such as beech and ash are also in high demand,” adds Ashraf.

“North American and European suppliers have had to

Analysis

look at burgeoning international markets such as China, South East Asia and the Middle East to fill demand, as their local markets and client base have shrunk in the past year. This is an added advantage for buyers here and - coupled with the depreciating Euro - has worked in our favor.”

Talking about the reasons why certain species are more popular in this region, all experts agree that two major factors are at play: aesthetics, and cost.

Walnut and red oak are very popular in this region because of their aesthetic appeal and luxury element , and meranti due to its price.

“The wood selected depends largely on the specifications of the consultants. We hardly ever dictate or influence decision,” says Gopal. “A lot depends on the

tastes of people too, be it the consultant, the architect or the client.”

“Technically speaking, most of the species can work in any project ,” says Maulana. “There are lower-priced species that you can stain and get the look of walnut. But people here specify walnut mainly for the luxury aspect.

From a durability and technical suitability point of view, there are rarely very strict technical considerations that dictate what kind of timber is specified. It is mostly the aesthetic and cost factor on which the decision is made.

There are a lot of luxury projects in the region – such as five-star hotels from international hotel chains – which follow strict international specifications, such as the use of walnut. We also have a lot of palaces and luxury residences in the UAE, and hence more expensive ‘luxury’ wood moves fast.”

Ashraf highlights that technical specification should not be overlooked when specifying timber.

“For most applications apart from industrial uses, it is important to specify a timber that is stable, which doesn’t split, crack, cup, warp, twist or bend after installation,” says Ashraf. “For example West Malaysian red hard meranti is a naturally stable timber, that doesn’t necessarily require careful curing cycles and remains relatively stable as it dries out naturally. Cost and availability are also major factors. meranti is both cost effective and readily available, so this makes meranti one of the most commonly used timbers in this region. Burmese teak, which is also a naturally stable timber, is sought after for use in prestigious installations, such as yacht decks, interior paneling and fine furniture, but is sparingly used when compared with other species due to its relatively high cost.”

Regional timber importers and suppliers are well prepared for the most highly demanded species, but what happens when an order comes in for something not in stock?

Danube’s Sajan refers to his regular supply base who have flexible manufacturing facilities and can accommodate such requests.

Mohiudeen – as the oldest sawmilling company in the Middle East with two dedicated sawmills that mill and process various species of hard and softwood logs into various special and standard dimensions upon demand – proudly profess that they can execute special orders within very short time frames.

“We were the first to import round logs into the UAE and we have certainly come a long way since then,” says Ashraf. Maulana expresses that Nibras is well-placed when it comes to sourcing orders, as their global network of suppliers is wide and varied.

“We already have good knowledge about the different species used all over the world, and have a network of producers as well,” Maulana explains. “It’s a little bit faster and easier for us to get any new species that may come to be in demand. We also have a huge variety in our stocks, which gives the manufacturer or consultant a chance to choose. If the quantity they require is higher, or if they need a new species, then it is just a matter of how long it takes us to ship it. In my opinion there are not many species available in the world - or that are demanded in this market - that we don’t have. We have 45 species in our stocks today, where 65-70 species are used worldwide. So you can say we cover almost all of the species. “ February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 21

Design and Decor

n’

‘Br i

go

n

k c a t he D b g n i ra g

We explore this Chinese restaurant which combines Oriental charm, Arabian mystique and American hardwoods 22 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

Design and Decor Diners who flocked to the opening of modern Chinese restaurant - Hakkasan - at the opulent Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi in 2010 were ushered into a magical world where haute Chinois culture and cuisine effortlessly blends with Arabian mystique.

Backed by the famed Michelin stars from Michelin Guides, the global authority on restaurant and hotel evaluations, Hakkasan brings the grandeur of Chinese fine dining right at the heart of the capital. Hakkasan Abu Dhabi’s expansive 16,000 square feet of space includes a dining area, a bar, a lounge and four private dining rooms.

All sections are separated by carved wooden lattice screens made of American red oak, adding luster to the luxurious interior of the high-class restaurant.

Alan Yau, the man behind the Hakkasan concept of offering modern Chinese dishes with chic Chinese décor, aimed to reproduce the same ambience of the restaurant’s London branch in the UAE and complement it with Arabian touches. To achieve this, he contracted the services of long-time design partner Gilles and Boissier.

The Paris-based design firm maintained trademark modern-ethnic Hakkasan elements and accentuated the facility with embroidered finished furniture and marbled Chinese forms to add body to key spaces. The main dining area was crafted into a wooden cage-like structure surrounded by blue glass nested in a stainless steel frame.

Woods Bagot, a global design studio specialising in the design and planning of facilities, was also brought onboard as the Executive Architect for Hakkasan Abu Dhabi.

The leading firm managed key functions including the liason work between project consultants and the client in addition to handling approvals on material selections.

Woods Bagot also had an influence on the design in the ‘Front of House’ areas, but more importantly as and when required during resolution of design issues. In addition, the firm designed the entire ‘Back of House’ area excluding the kitchen.

The design of the restaurant pays tribute to the emotional aspects of the venue, considering important factors such as the aura of each space, the emotion it provokes and nurtures, and the logistics behind its aesthetics, functions and form. Further, Hakkasan Abu Dhabi’s unique feel is achieved by employing the Chinese art of Feng Shui and tuning the layout and design in harmony with the social dynamics within the space, all of which involved careful consideration of how people would interact in the designed environment.

The design ethos for Hakkasan was based on the theme ‘Bringing back the Dragon’ in honor of the colorful cultural roots of Chinese restaurants from days of yore.

Woods Bagot sought to imbibe a distinctive Chinese feel coupled with rich, sensuous overtones with the use of American red oak across different parts of Hakkasan.

Space planning was also a major consideration in designing the layout. The methods and elements employed focused on the spatial relationship of the furniture; the size and dimensions of the tables and chairs; scene setting of lighting; music and sound; fire; and scent. The end result is a comfortable setting that dispenses with the hows and whys and says ‘it just is’.

“To implement the design by Gilles and Boissier, which intended to impart a strong Oriental feel to the place for the patrons, Woods Bagot and the contractor, Decovision,

Bird’s Eye View of Lounge

Ling Ling Lounge

adopted the use of red oak along the various parts of the restaurant. If you look around, you will find that the internal columns, screens, ceilings, some of the walls and the loose furniture are made of red oak. The wood magnifies the Chinois ambience while giving off a relaxing vibe,” said Bruno Veninga, Associate, Woods Bagot.

Hakkasan Abu Dhabi integrates design cues from the orignal Hakkasan restaurant in London and the collaboration between Woods Hakkasan Abu Dhabi’s unique feel Bagot and Giles and Boissier has ulitmately resulted in achieving is achieved by employing the Chinese the signature aesthetic feel that art of Feng Shui and tuning the layout has now become embedded as and design in harmony with the social a fundamental principle of the dynamics within the space Hakkasan concept. The style exudes a cool charm that bestows calm, tranquillity and modesty to a luxurious and modern environment.

Signature elements such as the use of blue glass, the ‘caged’ dining area, the contemporary European interpretation of Orientalism in the design of the furniture, fittings and equipment, and the permeating scent of Bindi candles point to the Hakkasan legacy.

February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 23

Design and Decor

We are very proud of our work with Hakkasan Abu Dhabi as it elicits both excitement and intrigue,” Bruno Veninga, Associate, Woods Bagot

Upon entering Hakkasan Abu Dhabi, visitors are greeted by an entrance desk made of stainless steel, mirror polished consoles and a marble top. This visual delight is punctuated by a hanging rectangular white silk pendant. The dining area’s cocoon-like atmosphere is generated by a surrounding woodwork structure infused with the restaurant’s signature blue glass and backlit stainless steel frames. The woodwork, primarily made of American red oak, gives patrons their first feel of Chinese design, which comes in the form of traditional patterns visions of Chinese forms recreated in marble and wood, handcrafted and moulded Chinese pottery, and furniture in fish-skin embroidery.

“All wood used in this project were stained a very dark ‘Wengue’ tone, with none of the original color or variation in color visible. Some features of American red oak that we took great advantage of were the excellent

Private dining room

24 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

Design and Decor on the ceiling like traditional Asian lanterns. depth of grain that occurs naturally without sacrificing The four private dining rooms are ably separated by structural integrity and its easy adaptability in carvings vertical pinewood shutters, with and structural elements,” added The design ethos for the walls of each room adorned Veninga.

Hakkasan was based on the with hand-carved panels of greyThe kitchen can be seen theme ‘Bringing back the Dragon’ tinted American red oak depicting through the blue glass surrounding the dining area. This in honor of the colorful cultural Chinese scenery. Another part of concept allows activity in the roots of Chinese restaurants from the restaurant that makes full use of the aesthetic beauty of American kitchen to be part of the whole days of yore red oak are the toilets, which seek dining experience, with diners to capture an endearing sense of calm and a spa-like feel. treated to a live show on how their food is prepared. A Inside, white marble is set against dark wood and steellong blue-toned glass rectangular bar with a retro-lit top framed mirrors and sinks are accented with a touch of accompanied with a back bar with blue, retro-lit acrylic teak. Asian-fragranced soap is further evidence of the high shelves also forms part of the dining space. Hanging level of attention to detail inherent in this interior. overhead are custom-made conical steel pendant lights A key challenge faced by the design team was the while surrounding walls are fitted with ripple lighting to restaurant’s interior lighting. The designers wanted a create an atmospheric night-time effect. lighting concept that highlighted the patterns coming from Hakkasan Abu Dhabi also boasts of a Ling Ling Lounge the claustra and created contrast to the dark wood and and Bar, which plays on architectural space with its other elements. The solution was to create a filter that American red oak -accented seats separated by white diffused the UAE’s extraordinary sunlight. The wood color marble elements and heightened with red leather and was highlighted by using lighter-toned leather while the dark blue pillows. In addition, Chinese red pendants hang

Project Particulars Project Name: Hakkasan, Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi Client: Emirates Palace Hotel (OwnerOperator) / Hakkasan (Management) Executive Architect: Woods Bagot Interior Designer: Giles and Boissier Lighting Design: Firefly Lighting Design Dimension: 1,500 sq.ft split over ground and mezzanine Levels Wood Species: American red oak Photographer: Victor Romero General Contractor: Decovision LLC

windows were covered with dense Chinese woodwork that acted as a filter. The mood-enhancing set-up is made more sophisticated by strategic seating dimensions and spacing between tables and the infusion of local design elements. The end-result is a venue that successfully captures the essence of the original London restaurant while being anchored on its Middle East setting.

“We are very proud of our work with Hakkasan Abu Dhabi as it elicits both excitement and intrigue. What creates the identity of this space is the way that your eye can move, play everywhere and never rest. Each visit feels like the first time because each seat has a totally different view. We are particularly pleased with the ease of use of American red oak, which gave the interior contractor the opportunity of rendering the design and desired ‘Chinois’ feel to a successful reality. The timber depicts strength, shape and color, while not being too susceptible to damage from everyday use. The wood being seen all over the place is synonymous to constantly greeting visitors with a warm ‘Welcome to Hakkasan’” concluded Veninga.

Project Manager: Woods Bagot

February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 25

Surface and flooring

Why

Wood Floors?

Wood flooring brings the warmth and beauty of natural wood into any room, enhancing the décor An unbelievable range of natural wood patterns and colors means you can find a fit for any taste and any interior. A little help along the way never hurts, and that’s why we spoke with Lesly Lobo. As Managing Director of Woodfloors Middle East – a company with over three decades of wood flooring expertise, including projects such as Rihan Heights, one of the largest wood flooring projects in the Middle East, and through their subsidiary, Zoralco International, the wood flooring on the Burj Khalifa Tower – he is certainly the man in the know.

Wood floors have come a long way in the past few years. Nature has gifted us with an unbelievable range of natural wood patterns and colors, that enhance the beauty of any interior. Today, there are more styles, colors and species of wood flooring available than ever before. Whether you’re looking for traditional oak, rustic pine, exotic wenge or trendy bamboo, you’re sure to find a color and style to fit your décor.

We offer you ways of using this bounty of nature to make it convenient to utilise in various decors and interior/exterior finishes. Our range of wood flooring comes to you in unfinished and pre-finished wood flooring.

If class, elegance, timelessness and longevity is what you are looking for to enhance your interiors, then wood flooring is the answer.

There are many reasons to choose wood floors. Over time, they maintain their value and their integrity. When other flooring options are looking tired and worn out, wood

26 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

Floorings floors will still look beautiful and timeless.

Wood floors are ecologically friendly. Since it is a natural resource, wood is both renewable and recyclable.

And, because wood does not collect dust and other allergens, many leading health associations agree that wood floors are the perfect choice for a healthy home.

Maintenance of today’s wood floors is easy. With advanced technology in stains and finishes, regular maintenance requirement is reduced to just sweeping and/or vacuuming, with occasional use of a professional wood floor cleaning product.

Wood floors come in a variety of styles to meet the demands of today’s busy lifestyles - factory finished, unfinished, solid, engineered, strip, plank, parquet, and acrylic impregnated. Choosing the style that is best for you is an important decision, and will be based on a variety of issues including your lifestyle, your decorating style, and the area in which you live.

Colors Wood floors come in a rainbow of colors to fit any décor.

You can achieve unique, one-of-a-kind looks with custom stains and finishes. And even if your floor is old, you can achieve an entirely new look with new stain and finishes.

The possibilities are endless.

Species Today’s wood floors come in more than 50 species, both common and exotic, spanning the spectrum of color options, hardness, and price ranges. No matter what the look you want to achieve, there are a variety of species to meet your needs.

Care and attention to installation and maintenance of wood floors goes a long way to increase the life of your wood floors.

Before beginning the installation you should consider few things in order to make the floor installation quick and effortless. A well-made plan will help you to install well -functioning floor that will last for years to come.

You should thoroughly consult with a reputed installation expert before acquiring a wooden floor.

Caring for wood floors is fairly easy and simple.

Natural oil waxes that are hardened with UV light are more durable and more manageable than traditional oil waxes, so regular oil waxing is not needed in normal wear. Vacuum cleaning and wiping with a damp mop is sufficient. Try to maintain appropriate humidity (RH 40-60 percent) and temperature conditions (+18-24°C), necessary protection of the parquet surface (doormats, felt patches etc.) and regular vacuum cleaning and wiping with a damp mop.

February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 27

Flooring

Wood Floors Middle East has just launched an exclusive flooring product from Finland: Timberwise. The range features the following collections: Original Collection Original Collection is a good choice for lovers of traditional wooden floors. You can choose from pine, Siberian larch, oak and ash. Besides wood in natural color tones, we also offer white varnished and white wax oiled products. The following spreads show examples of different surface treatment combinations. Your floor can be brushed and varnished, sanded and wax oiled - or vice versa. Varnish and wax oil finishes are available in clear or matt, so there is plenty to choose from.

Color Collection wax oiled Wax oiled Color Collection products use colored wax oil to emphasize the wood’s natural tones. Depending on the selected wood species and colors, the end result varies from nearly white to dark ebony wood tones. You can choose from Siberian larch, oak and ash. Ideal finishes are silky gloss or matt wax oils.

Color Collection lacquered In the lacquered Color Collection, varnishes and stains are used to create an attractive floor color. The surface is brushed or sanded, after which it is coated with a suitably colored varnish or stain. Even stained products receive a varnish coating, which ensures the floor is durable.

Available wood types are oak and ash.

Handwashed Collection The inspiration for the Handwashed Collection was sourced from nature and its harmonious colors and lively surfaces. Every wood and floor is unique reflecting nature’s own diversity. Handwashed Collection’s color range gives you endless opportunities to create fascinating and cutting edge interiors.

28 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

Sustainability Title

All Wood All Good

Cross-laminated timber promises faster and cheaper construction, lower carbon footprint, easy deconstruction and prevention of resource depletion Wood has always been a desirable construction material for a multitude of reasons. However, due to the relative weakness of existing construction methods utilizing just wood, it has not been possible to build tall wooden structures. Until recently.

‘Cross-laminated timber’ is the new buzzword in the dialogue for green building, and is changing how we will be using wood.

Cross-laminated timber, or CLT, is a new method of fabricating wood panels that is – amongst other applications - enabling mid-rise construction with wood.

This highly pre-fabricated building material is essentially a panel made of wood planks that are fastened together using interlocking profiles (i.e. dovetail connections) instead of glue or fasteners, and can be used for long spans, such as roofs, floors and walls.

Work with CLT was first done in Switzerland and

Austria in the early to mid 1990s, and since then CLT has proven to be a boon on many counts:

Faster and cheaper construction: Because the panels are lighter than masonry and hollowcore concrete plank, and since the panels can be lifted with lighter equipment, construction can be faster and thereby less expensive. It also requires a smaller crew to install and connect the panels at the job site, which allows for rapid and efficient construction. CLT also reduces labor and construction site waste because of its pre-fabrication.

Low Carbon footprint: Since CLT is all wood, it is a carbon sink: it traps the carbon in solid form and keeps it from entering the atmosphere. Because wood products are responsible for less air and water pollution and fewer greenhouse gas emissions than other materials, and because of its capacity to stores more carbon than other non-wood building materials, CLT could perhaps even be accredited with a negative carbon footprint.

Easy deconstruction and prevention of resource depletion:

UBC Earth Sciences Building 30 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

As CLT panels can be constructed with dovetail joints or other joints, without the use of glue or fasteners, deconstruction becomes easier – meaning CLT panels can easily be reused in other building applications.

This, in turn, reduces environmental impact caused by resource depletion.

The only catch here is that CLT is a relatively new technology that has only started gaining traction a decade or so ago. As a building material CLT is commercially available in Europe, but isn’t widely or readily available in other parts of the world.

Attention on green building in the region will no doubt create a demand for CLT regionally, and hopefully - supply will follow.

Sustainability

Work with CLT was first done in Switzerland and Austria in the early to mid 1990s

While we’re waiting for this product to reach our shores, it has already made a huge impact in the West.

Innovative Timber Solutions LLC - the first CLT Service firm in the US – share some of the advantages of CLT for the various segments of users: CLT is extremely versatile and is perfectly combinable with other construction materials. As a result of its extreme load distribution properties in both directions, CLT presents few limitations for architectural, residential or utility building projects. This is a significant reason for its increasing use in the construction of detached and multi-tenant residential properties or in the construction of commercial and industrial premises.

In addition, the enormous load-bearing and rugged properties of CLT ensure the increasing popularity of this high-quality construction product in the construction of bridges, carports, ancillary buildings, wood/concrete composite ceilings and in many other fields.

Residential Anyone who has lived in a “modern home” that was built to today’s “standards” has experienced the realities of our archaic methods and materials. Homes that won’t outlive most mortgages with low performance, often toxic materials thrown together on-site, exposed to all the elements for months while dumpsters are filled with construction waste (much of it wood) and hauled to the dump. Stud framed walls are loud, have thermal bridging at every stud (that can add up to as much as 20 percent of your home being uninsulated) and trap moisture in the walls causing mould.

Architects Architects have been eagerly and proudly designing and specifying CLT in Europe for over twenty years. Design freedom and opportunities with CLT are limitless. The stunning success of architect Andrew Waugh’s ninestorey Stadthaus CLT apartment building in London are a testament to what the future holds for this system.

Flawless in its life cycle assessment, carbon footprint, sustainability, ease and speed of installation, architects have new and previously unattainable opportunities to design unique, innovative high performance buildings across all categories that will last for generations.

Builders Most builders will agree that little has changed in our method of construction over the last 150 years. Why is that we have been building cars in factories since the turn of the century yet we continue the slow, wasteful, stressful, inefficient method of site built construction?

Would you buy a car built in the parking lot? Smart builders, those looking ahead, those that recognize advances in technology can improve their bottom line and deliver higher quality, faster, better buildings. If you want to operate with less labor, less risk, less waste and accelerate the number of projects you can accomplish, CLT has a long list of tangible assets for your business.

Cross-laminated timber

February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 31

Sustainability

Cross-laminated timber process

CLT homes are like living, breathing buildings. CLT wall assemblies are engineered to be a Vapor-Open system. This means the walls can eliminate internal water vapor (think of your kitchen, bathrooms, people, animals, fish tanks all pumping significant volumes of water vapor into your walls) just by letting the wood do what is does naturally. It breathes.

Commercial This is the real prize for CLT in North America because CLT can replace high embodied energy materials like concrete and steel in low and mid-rise buildings and do it faster and cost competitively. In commercial applications, CLT panels can be installed in a platform frame method in buildings that would otherwise be

32 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

CLT could perhaps even be accredited with a negative carbon footprint

Sustainability using concrete. CLT can also be used to compliment any post and beam structure and is particularly well suited as a vertical application in any timber frame project. For instance, the CLT panel would vertically enclose the building, while horizontal oriented panels then create the floors by spanning the beams. CLT can even handle a more industrial configuration where the larger panels are erected in multi story balloon frame and the floor panels are hung from vertical CLT panels.

The recent nine storey Stadthaus CLT apartment building in London was erected in 27 days with four carpenters. The dramatic weight reduction of the structure drove cost reductions by reducing foundation requirements, less labor, shorter construction loan and no waste removal expenses. They even built the elevator shaft and stairwells using thick CLT elements.

Developer

Stadthaus CLT apartment building in London

Today’s sharp developers recognize the fundamental need to differentiate their product from their competitors in a manner that matches the expectation of the demanding customers. No small challenge on the heels of the recession. Many developers shelved projects and find themselves behind schedule on long term strategies.

Accelerating delivery of projects, reducing labor and associated risks and creating a sustainable strategy for expediting sales and occupancy dates are all critical to success, and CLT makes all of this more achievable.

Contact Tel: +971 (0)4 447 1788 | Email: info@germantechmachinery.com February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 33

What’s New?

Feel The Heat Chemicals are never used during the thermo-treatment process, so the material remains environmentally safe.You and your children can walk barefoot across a thermotreated wooden deck with certainty and piece of mind

thermo-Treated wood is a new generation of building material that is gaining repute as being superior to non-treated wood. The experts at Chabros International Group – one of the region’s leading distributors of this exciting product – tell us more.

Increased weather durability and dimensional stability. Moisture repellence at the molecular level. An even brown color, consistent to the core, with beautifully accented grain structure. 100 percent chemically free.

Just a few of the reasons to choose thermo-treated wood The versatility of this material makes it a widely used material for both interior and exterior applications, such as siding, roofing, decking, garden furniture, hardwood flooring, doors, windows, fences, musical instruments and highway acoustic barriers. Other applications ideal for thermo-treated wood are high moisture environments such as, boardwalks, areas around swimming pools, trim of yachts, sinks, bathtubs, floors and facing tiles in bathrooms.

The list is really only limited by a person’s imagination. The natural elegance of thermo-treated wood and its distinguishing features make it quite

easy to integrate into the most stunning and innovative designer solutions.

Thermo-treated wood Durability The reason for thermo-treated wood being so durable and stable is the molecular changes in thermo-treated wood compared to untreated wood.

95 percent of the polysacharide are removed during the high-temperature processing, and for this reason, thermotreated wood is so durable.

The thermo-treated wood assumes its minimal size, which substantially reduce moisture related swelling and shrinkage and increase hardness. Wooden floors and furniture for bathrooms and other high humidity areas are now acceptable.

The thermo-treatment process enhances the woods color, creating an even brown tint that is consistent beyond the surface (making scratches invisible, which is important to design the high-traffic areas furniture and flooring, as an example). The natural wooden grain is accentuated, giving the appearance of exotic wood for a fraction of the cost.

Chemicals are never used during the thermo-treatment process, so the material remains environmentally safe.

Chabros International Group is a well known name in wood and veneer supplying since its foundation in 1960. Product lines range from the standard to the exotic from different origins around the globe. Through its affiliates all over the world, Chabros procures raw material of high standards and qualities to meet the demands of the different markets in Africa, Asia, and Australia. Due to its strategic alliances with mills in Africa, north/south America and Europe, as well as its own mills in Ukraine and Serbia, which are responsible for sourcing, cooking, cutting/slicing, drying, grading and supplying the various wood products, the group has expanded its chain of supply to incorporate all wood related activities from a to z, and from the source directly to the consumer without any mediators.

Because of its cognition of the different markets and its keen interest in growth and development, Chabros group has extended its services to include production and not just the supply of raw material. In its different locations, Chabros facilities are equipped with cutting, slicing, pressing and laser machines for the production of layons, veneered boards, and marquetry/parquetry designs.

Being at the forefront of this field, Chabros has established itself, not only in the UAE market, but in the Middle East area and especially in the Gulf region.

With a record of consistent clients, its name has been attached to myriads of projects, ranging from residential and commercial towers to hotels, shopping malls, villas and palaces.

February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 35

What’s New?

Is the smell of TTW harmful?

You and your children can walk barefoot across a thermo-treated wooden deck with certainty and peace of mind.

Is it environmentally safe?

Thermo-treatment process uses only water and electricity to create the desired results, minimally impacting the environment. When you consider this along with the fact that chemicals are never introduced, you realize this is real wood material that is 100 percent environmentally safe and people friendly.

Does TTW shrink or swell?

The dimensional stability is dramatically improved, compared to non-treated wood (by 5-15 times).

The darker the color, the better the stability. But, thermo-treated wood is still wood and cant be considered as absolutely stable material, like stone.

Some dimensional movements have to be taken into consideration.

Can it be used when constant ground contact is unavoidable?

Research has shown that when thermotreated wood is kept in constant contact with the ground it does not decay.

However, due to the chemical processes that occur in wood kept in constant contact with the ground, there is some loss of strength. For the time being, it is not recommended to maintain constant ground contact when using thermotreated wood.

Is the color of TTW consistent throught the wood?

The color is consistent to the very center of the board.

In laboratory tests, the results show that the smell of thermo-treated wood, similar to the smell of charcoal, is not at all harmful but may be unusual to some people. For unfinished products, this aroma will fade away after 1-2 months from the time of treatment.There is seldom any smell when the products are pre-finished. The tests show the emissions of thermotreated wood is three times less than non-treated wood.

Does the product have to be finished for outdoor applications?

Thermo-treated wood is still a natural, organic material and will fade in color from UV exposure. The brown tint will fade to a silver/gray over a 1-2 year period if untreated with a UV protectant. Although the wood is resistant to checking, it is more likely for checking to occur if a UV protectant is not applied. Checking of the wood has no effect on the long term durability or its resistance to rot and decay.

How often is maintenance required for thermo-treated wood products?

Thermo-treated wood products have increased dimensional stability which allow it to maintain its size. This ensures the products will not shrink or swell following the application of a protectant.

36 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

When the product maintains its size, it prevents the finish from cracking, which means less coats, less often. However, to ensure you are receiving the best results from your protectant, please follow the directions on the products’ label.

What is the difference between ‘heat-treated wood’ and ‘thermotreated wood’?

In the US, the term ‘heat-treated wood’ refers to kiln dried wood that reaches temperature of 55°C. The only purpose being to dry wood. Thermo-treated wood is a process that increases the temperature of wood beyond 200°F which create a change in the molecular structure, resulting in a new generation of wood material.

Chabros supplies thermo-treated wood from Serbian producer Wood World Trading, which is specialized in the production of European lumber species mainly beech, white oak and maple, as well as some American species such as cherry and walnut and African species such as Wenge and Zebrano.

All wood processed at WWT is subject to International standard grading. Lumber is kiln-dried and follows a strict drying process, using state-of-the-art technologies.

Why Thermo-treated Wood • • • • • • • • • •

Can it be glued?

Thermo-treated wood is suitable for jobs involving glue or paint. If waterbased glue or paints are used, a longer penetrating time is required (mostly for softwoods). This is due to the diminished absorption of water and must be taken into consideration.

The thermo-treatment process enhances the woods color, creating an even brown tint that is consistent beyond the surface - the scratches are invisible, which is important to design the high-traffic areas furniture and flooring

• • •

Thermo-treated wood is ‘Green’ (chemical free) Increased weather durability by 25 years for outdoor applications Lightweight Safe for contractors and homeowners Fasteners are not corrosive Exotic wood appearance and color Thermo-treated wood costs less to maintain (finish doesn’t crack due to the increased dimension stability of the wood) Does not get extremely hot like composite’s and plastics do in the sun Does not accelerate the dulling of tools such as blades and bits Thermo-treated wood has better grain structure hence greater stability and lesser splitting Increased dimensional stability (swelling and shrinkage is reduced by 5-15 times) Repels moisture at the molecular level (the equilibrium moisture content is lowered by 50-90 percent) An even brown color, consistent to the core, with beautifully accented grain structure.

What’s New?

Top Coats

Jotun’s new ‘Era-Coat MDF’ furniture powder coating promises to offer furniture manufacturers and designers better ‘freedom of design’ Jotun Powder Coatings recently launched their first furniture powder coatings range ‘Era-Coat MDF’.

Specially created for designers and furniture makers, Jotun proclaims that this cost-effective and eco-friendly new coating solution offers complete ‘freedom of design’and can coat the most intricate of furniture.

This new range is based on the latest MDF color trends, which includes ‘Era-Coat MDF Primo’, a uniquely engineered primer and a top coat ‘EraCoat MDF 32T’, available in 20 trendy colors and textures.

Formulated to ensure a seamless coated surface, ‘Era-Coat MDF’ products can coat both the front and back of the MDF board at once, and leave it reclaimable, safe, resistant to scratches, water, stains and impact.

38 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

Adaptable enough to bring to life any design concept, ‘Era-Coat MDF’ is ideal for a host of areas including office furniture, retail displays and shelving, flat-pack furniture, doors and countertops, kitchen cabinets and bedroom wardrobes.

In line with Jotun Powder Coatings’ commitment to minimizing any environmental damage, ‘Era-Coat MDF’ does not contain solvents nor releases any Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

‘Era-Coat MDF’ offers almost unlimited design opportunities, with properties that allow it to work for pieces of any shape, as well as rounded corners and contoured edges.

Complimenting the ‘Era-Coat MDF 32T’, the ‘Era-Coat MDF Primo’, is a basecoat that gives excellent adhesion and sealing properties to the MDF

board. When used in combination with ‘Era-Coat MDF 32T’ as a top coat, and following strict quality and process control procedures, ‘Era-Coat MDF Primo’ extends the use of MDF powder coatings to a larger range of high-end products within the furniture industry.

Jotun has also recently launched the new and improved ‘Woodshield’ product range, developed to deal with the usual challenges and issues of wood coatings and Era-Coat MDF paints like long drying does not contain time, the presence of very strong odors solvents nor release and lack of options any Volatile Organic in finish.

Compounds ‘Woodshield Exterior’ provides twice the power of UV Protection, minimizing color fading and protecting

What’s New?

Woodshield Exterior provides twice the power of UV Protection wood against cracking, peeling and erosion from sunlight. ‘Woodshield Interior’ creates a smooth and tough hydrophobic film that makes for easy cleaning of the wood surface. It has a uniquely formulated quick-dr ying resin, which acts as a fast-dr ying formula and leads to a convenient and quick-drying solution - saving time, energy and manpower.

‘Woodshield’ is available in three color ranges that have been developed to provide reliability and high aesthetic value. ‘Golden Sand’ is meant to capture the golden tone of the forest and represents the richness of the woods.

‘Forest Walk’ comes in natural red and green elements that inspire ways to beautify the timber grain. ‘Semi-opaque shades’ attracts inspirations from season change and colors from spring to fall.

February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 39

Tech Talk

Manage Your Machines For many people in the industry, woodworking machinery is likely the biggest investment they will make – and most definitely one they will not be making very frequently. This leaves very little room to learn by trial and error. Experts from Stiles Machinery Inc. - one of the world’s largest independent distributors of advanced CNC equipment for processing wood panels, solid wood, wood composites, plastic, glass, stone, and other materials - talked to us about various aspects of machinery purchase.

Q: What is the benefit of

good CNC machines in the woodworking industry?

A: Tasks once done manually can now be accomplished with the push of a button or a mouse click, allowing sophisticated software applications and CNC machines to work hand-in-hand with traditional A routine craftsmanship and maintenance program artistry. The wide product selection is a wise investment these days makes it all the more important to that can minimize the right solution repair costs and keep find to fit your needs, and your production to select the best application, brand, and running smoothly machine type.

40 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

Q: Why is preventive maintenance

and service important?

A: Downtime is expensive. That’s why preventive maintenance and service is important. A routine maintenance program is a wise investment that can minimize repair costs and keep your production running smoothly. For a successful woodworking business, it is vital to set up a program to troubleshoot and solve potential problems before they disrupt production. Equipment must be inspected and regular maintenance performed regularly. A routine maintenance program can also reduce short and long-term operating costs.

Q: What are the most important

things to keep in mind when it comes to machine maintenance?

A: It is very important to monitor service cycles based on how much your equipment is being utilized. Maintenance inspection should be done as suggested by the machine manufacturer. The entire machine should be checked (including mechanics, pneumatics and electronics) using the manufacturer’s checklist and manufacturing specifications.

The machine should also be carefully tested for early detection of possible failures resulting from wear, material fatigue or incorrect settings. Routine

adjustments and minor repairs should be performed as well. When performed thoroughly, at the end of the inspection, you should receive a written report of basic settings, wear status, functional and safety characteristics. This report may also include recommendations for replacement parts and service work.

Q: What is the benefit of regular

servicing and maintenance?

A: Regular servicing and maintenance

Tech Talk

It is very important to monitor service cycles based on how much your equipment is being utilized assists early detection of malfunctions due to wear. It reduces your operation’s downtime. Through proper servicing and maintenance of your machine, you can maximize its performance for increased output as well. A good inspection can tell you what parts are soon to fail or are currently causing quality issues, so you can order them in advance and avoid unnecessary or emergency shipping costs.

Q: What is your advice on the

purchase of used equipment?

A: Before you acquire any used machinery, ensure that you get all the technical details and age of the machine.

We always encourage you to inspect or operate a used machine prior to purchase, or review photos and request a 30-day trial. Though it is fairly difficult to provide a fair market value for used equipment without personal knowledge of the machine’s operating condition, a good consultant can assist you in making an informed decision. If you have recently purchased a used machine, regardless of the brand, it is important to get it inspected by a professional who can help bring it to proper working order and provide replacement parts.

Through proper servicing and maintenance of your machine, you can maximize its performance for increased output as well February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 41

Tech Talk

r e l p g n m i i l S ea S

“The HotCoating system is much more than just a product.

It is a patent protected process which has been developed over the last 10 years and experienced a breakthrough at Ligna 2011”

Wooden flooring is extremely fashionable and highly coveted. The prohibitive cost, however, leads people to parquet and veneer flooring, which gives the appearance of wooden floors for a fraction of the cost.

Though cost-effective, these floorings pose a challenge when it comes to refurbishment and protection. A new product from Klebchemie offers a flexible and easy-to-use abrasion protection system with excellent shock resistance. Michael Kienberger, Managing Director of German Tech Machinery - distributors of this product in the Middle east - explains.

Unlike real wood floors, parquet and veneer floors cannot be sanded. For a long time, UV hardened lacquer systems have been the standard in anti-abrasive coatings. for parquet and veneer floorings.

UV hardened lacquers – which are applied in multiple layers by rollers and are hardened with the aid of UV light – require very large production areas, several applications of individual layers, several products to complete the process and a high capital expenditure.

Klebchemie’s new Kleiberit PUR HC 717 HotCoating offers a simpler solution.

HotCoating opens new possibilities for users in the flooring industry, and is also interesting for furniture, doors and wood based material industries.

42 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

With Kleiberit HotCoating, Klebchemie has developed a new technological process which revolutionizes surface sealing and significantly simplifies the complete process.

What exactly is HotCoating?

HotCoating is the process in which Kleiberit PUR HC 717 - an anti-abrasive sealant - is applied to the surface.

HotCoating is applied as a smooth film with an intelligent roller application

system, replacing the extensive, multilayered process which is required for UV hardened lacquers. The coat weight and the degree of gloss can be adjusted to the user’s requirements, but even with low coat weight, high wear resistance and shock resistance can be obtained.

A big advantage of HotCoating is single-step application – in comparison to up to seven layers that are required for coating with standard lacquer coating, and involve intermediate

Tech Talk

HotCoating offers: sanding and UV drying. Depending on the thickness of the layer, HotCoating • Excellent shock resistance increases the flooring class. Abrasion • Very good water resistance class AC1 to AC5 according to the • Brilliant transparency laminate flooring norm can be achieved • Universal bond with the Kleiberit process by simply • Pleasant acoustic characteristics adjusting the application quantity.

• High UV stability With the HotCoating product, • High scratch resistance Kleiberit has bundled its knowledge • Good chemical resistance of EVA hotmelt adhesives and PUR adhesives. The close technical relation The lines in which the product is used of HotCoating to adhesives allows are convertible for high gloss coating of the product to adhere especially well. furniture components That applies for all as well as flooring possible substrates, A big advantage whether glass, of HotCoating is single- production. However, glossy furniture surfaces melamine, step application – in is a trend which decorative paper, comparison to up to seven can quickly change, foil or a difficult wood like teak. layers that are required therefore we see potential for HotCoating for coating with standard stable HotCoating in flooring penetrates the lacquer coating production. open pores but This abrasiondoes not go deep resistant coating for parquet, cork into the wood. flooring, decorative paper, laminate Flooring experts confirm that while and vinyl flooring can be applied in in use, warping of flooring can never one step using a line that is barely be absolutely avoided. HotCoating seven meters long. The costs can be keeps flooring from warping through up to 30 percent less than the multiits extraordinary flexibility and shock layered lacquer application in the very resistance, even after mechanical impact complicated coating lines of regular (pebbles, heels, etc.). Due to its elasticity, flooring manufacturers. HotCoating the melted coating is especially well also allows for individually designed suited for cork flooring and wrapping floors to be given a perfect protective foils for baseboards. in small lot sizes with a simple process.

In comparison to conventionally The HotCoating system is much coated laminate floors, surfaces produced with HotCoating have a warm more than just a product. It is a patent protected process which has been character. Trials are currently testing the developed over the last 10 years and long-term effect of wind and weather experienced a breakthrough at Ligna on the coating.

2011. Since the exhibition, furniture and flooring manufacturers from all over the world have been sending their product samples to Weingarten to test the coating results. Just recently, a one and a half ton air freight arrived from Chile. The cost involved therein shows the marked interest of the industry.

HotCoating is undoubtedly

HotCoating • • • • • • •

competition for industrial finishing.

However, flooring manufacturers who already have expensive lacquer lines in place will not simply change to a new process. They have to amortize the existing lines and contemplate an investment of around 250,000 EUR for a HotCoating line. It is either in new factories or expansions to increase capacity where this coating will get a real chance to shine.

v’s

Singular application Uncomplicated and easy to operate 100 % solid No VOC or formaldehyde emissions Smaller production areas Lower capital expenditure Reliable production

UV Lacquer • • • • •

Very large production areas required Requires several applications of individual lacquer layers Several products required: filler, base coat, lacquer Interim sanding required several times High capital expenditure

February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 43

Tech Talk

More

Machines from Europe!

Despite moderate recovery in 2010 and early 2011, global sales of woodworking machinery remain far below pre-crisis levels. However, of the 7 billion Euro turnover achieved by the global technology trade in 2010, as much as 56.2 percent was generated by Eumabois member companies.

Woodworking machinery manufacturers have had a difficult few years behind them. There’s no denying that the market has undergone a major crisis. Turnover collapsed and it is still very low in many companies. The industry can expect such difficulties to endure a while longer, but more and more indicators show that the curve is turning upwards.

European woodworking machinery companies continue to struggle for orders but there are some rays of hope.

Says Franz-Josef Buetfering, President of Eumabois, the European Federation of

Eumabois President Franz Josef Buetfering 44 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

Woodworking Machinery Associations, constructions using equally standard “Today, more than ever, we have to and highly industrialized aggregates, but believe in what we do. The industry still capable of delivering the desired needs vision, planning capacity, forwardresult to users. High-end technology looking attitude. We are well aware that will move down to improve low-end we have to be very practical right now, systems: plants can already be operated and I personally think that the duty of by anyone through a simple touchscreen. an association like Maybe we Woodworking machinery Eumabois is also should focus will be different: ‘greener’ from any attention to look ahead, to expand the scope point of view, capable of consuming specifically on of its action to this aspect, 30 percent less energy with the avoid missing the on these same efficiency standards big picture.” machines that Buetfering feels that though the will no longer require joiners or experts worst is over and recovery is coming, of wood and wood-based materials, but it’s not happening at the same level in rather simple technicians who can press all countries. “In the United States and a button. Maybe we still don’t realize the some countries of Europe, recovery is impact of this change. still weak and it will take time to return Eumabois is a non-profit organisation to the same levels as years ago,” he made up of 13 national associations, says. which in turn represent 800 European When asked about how the manufacturers of woodworking market demand is changing for machinery, tools and components. woodworking machinery, Buetfering Eumabois plays a key role in the global points out technological changes as a industry of woodworking machinery, major differentiator. tools and components.

“Woodworking machinery will Member countries are Austria, be different: ‘greener’ from any point Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, of view, capable of consuming 30 France, Germany, Italy, Poland, percent less energy with the same Por tugal, Russia, Slovak Republic, Spain, efficiency standards,” he clarifies. “They Switzerland and Ukraine. will be more and more flexible, with One of Eumabois’ roles is endorsing increasingly higher automation levels: woodworking trade shows and the automated or ‘one man factory’ is supporting the most important a popular concept, not just a dream for exhibitions of the different countries. the future”.

Two new events were added to Technology will require smaller their World Exhibition Network in investments; solutions will take up less 2011: Holz-Handwerk in Nuremberg, space; they will be built with standard Germany, and the Internationale

Tech Talk

FACTS AND FIGURES Eumabois is a non-profit federation grouping 14 national associations representing the major European manufacturers of machines and accessories for woodworking. Approximately 800 industrial companies belong to Eumabois. All member companies are engaged in the manufacturing of machines, plants and accessories for production sectors.

The purpose of the federation is to coordinate, protect and promote the technical and economic interests of the European industry of woodworking machinery. Eumabois aims to represent the common interests of the European woodworking machinery industries, and promote the European woodworking machinery Industry and its developments.

Holzmesse in Klagenfurt, Austria.

The Federation aims to continue growing in the near future to include Associations of countries like Greece and Turkey and to represent a bigger number of manufacturers. Plans are focused on the monitoring of shows

and markets to study and solve technical problems involving the interest of European companies and foster the knowledge and wider diffusion of European woodworking technology, also through the promotion of exhibitions and conferences.

Eumabois members are: • Austria: FMMI Fachverband Maschinen and Metallwaren Industrie (www.fmmi.at) • Czech Republic: SVDSZ Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers Association Phone (www.svdsz.cz) • Denmark: SMT The Association of Danish Manufacturers of Machines for the Wood Industry (www.s-mt.dk) • Finland: The Federation of Finnish Technology Industries (www.teknologiateollisuus.fi) • France: SYMOP Syndicat des entreprises de technologies de production (www.symop.com) • Germany: VDMA Fachverband Holzbearbeitungsmaschinen (www.wood.vdma.org) • Italy: ACIMALL Associazione Costruttori Italiani Macchine per la Lavorazione del Legno (www.acimall.com) • Poland: DROMA Stowarzyszenie producentów maszyn, urzadzen i narzedzi do obróbki drewna (www.droma.com.pl) • Portugal: AIMMAP - UNIMAP DIVISION Associação dos Industriais Metalurgicos, Metalomecânicos e Afins de Portugal (www.aimmap.pt) • Russia: DREVMASH Association of the organisations and the enterprises of woodworking machine-building (www.rosdrevmash.ru) • Slovak Republic: ZSDSR Zväz Spracovatel’ Ov Dreva Slovenskej Republiky (www.zsdsr.sk) • Spain: AFEMMA Asociacion De Fabricantes Españoles De Maquinaria, Equipos Y Productos Para La Madera (www.afemma.com) • Switzerland: HBT Holzbearbeitungstechnik Schweiz HBT (www.holzbearbeitungstechnik.ch) • Ukraine: UWMA Ukrainian Woodworking Machinery Association (www.uado.org.ua)

February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 45

Showtime

Top Industry

Exhibitions coming up This season

WMF CHina

6th Dubai International Wood 14th International WMF and and Wood Machinery Show FAM, China The Dubai International Wood and Wood Machinery Show is the leading specialized show in the Middle East bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and traders giving them a direct access to decision makers involved in the wood industry.

“Set to take place from 3- 5 April 2012 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center, the 2012 edition promises to live up to the show’s 6-year history of success as the regional landmark event for wood trade and investments” As a must-attend event for anyone who is passionate about wood, the Dubai International Wood and Wood Machinery Show is UAE’s largest convention for distributors, suppliers, interior designers, furniture manufacturers, carpenters, wholesale traders and retailers, building material manufacturers, construction suppliers, project developers and precise target segments.

This show is a platform for visitors and exhibitors to establish profitable relationships and an excellent opportunity for great business deals and to create an international networking structure.

Set to take place from 3-5 April 2012 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center, the 2012 edition promises to live up to the show’s 6-year history of success as the regional landmark event for wood trade and investments.

This highly specialized show, provides an excellent opportunity for regional and international companies and agents to showcase and learn about wood and woodworking and to build new strategic relationships with buyers, traders and investors.

The exhibition will display products, such as MDF, plywood, hardwood, softwood, veneers, timbers, parquet, laminates, finished wood merchandise, paper products, as well as wood machineries and related products and services.

Date: 3-5 April Venue: Halls 2 and 3 Location: Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center Timings: 10:00 - 18:00 Exhibition Size: 12,000+ sqm Expected Visitors: 6,000+ specialized trade visitors Expected Exhibitors: 250+

Dubai Wood Show 46 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

Having served China’s woodworking industry for over 25 years, the International Exhibition on Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Manufacturing Equipment (WMF) and the International Exhibition on Furniture Accessories, Materials and Wood Products (FAM) are the largest and the most historical exhibitions of its kind in Asia.

“WMF and FAM have been expanding continuously for over 23 years. Now, the shows cover 14 countries and 583 top manufacturers from different districts and different categories in the industry.This includes 2,000 high-tech machines and other accessories” As Asia’s leading woodworking machinery, furniture accessories and materials fairs, the International Exhibition on Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Manufacturing Equipment (WMF) and the International Exhibition on Furniture Accessories, Materials and Wood Products (FAM) provide the largest business platform in the woodworking industry for sourcing and trading.

Since 1986, WMF and FAM have been recognized as the most influential exhibitions in the industry. Over the years, they have served as the best one-stop services platform for matching and trading with a large number of high quality exhibitors and buyers. With the patronage given by exhibitors and buyers from all over the world, these shows - now in their 14th year - are always in the limelight and continuously strive for excellence.

WMF and FAM have been expanding continuously for over 23 years. Now, the shows cover 14 countries and 583 top manufacturers from different districts and different categories in the industry. This includes 2,000 high-tech machines and other accessories.

In 2012, WMF and FAM will move to New China International Exhibition Center. The organizers have announced an exhibitor lineup featuring the most upto-date techniques, design, materials, application and market trends.

The show is divided into six themed zones to facilitate sourcing of buyers • Furniture Machinery Zone (Hardwoods and Boards) • Panel Board Machinery Zone • Carving Machinery and CNC Machining Center • Coating, Drier and Materials-making Machinery Zone • Furniture Materials, Hardware and Wood Products Zone • Knives, Blades and Machinery Accessories Zone

Showtime

IndiaWood

The scope of the exhibits include: • Materials (Logs / Panel Board / Hardware / Semi-finished Wood Products / Chemicals / Decoration Materials / Other Furniture Accessory / Other Materials) • Machinery / Tools (Wood Processing Machinery / Furniture Manufacturing Machinery / Panel Board Manufacturing Machinery / Knife and Blade / Machinery Accessories / Hand Tools / Grinder / Measuring Equipments / Materials Handling Equipments) • Related Products (Building Construction / Interior Decoration / Software).

Date: 12-15 March Venue: New China International Exhibition Center (NCIEC) Location: Beijing, China Timings: 12 March (Mon) 10:00 - 17:00, 13-14 March (Tue-Wed) 09:00 - 17:00, 15 March (Thu) 09:00 - 15:00 Exhibition Size: 60,000 sqm Expected Visitors: 700 Expected Exhibitors: 28,000

7th Indiawood Since its inception in 1999, Indiawood has offered a successful platform for the woodworking sector to convert market potential into business. The 7th Edition of the show is scheduled for 10-14 February 2012 and is being held in Bangalore, as usual.

“As India’s woodworking industry is maturing into a sophisticated and mechanized industry, the woodworking sector is opening up enormous opportunities for business in India due to its internal requirements” Bangalore has been home to Indiawood since its modest beginning in 1999, when the show was conceived to cater to the boom in the Indian woodworking industry with the objective of providing an educational and beneficial platform. As the Indian economy grew, it also opened up opportunities for the woodworking industry.

Indiawood in 1999 started with 3,000 sqm and 103 participants from India and Overseas. The 2002 show doubled in size to a 6,000 sqm exhibition showcasing 220 participants from 22 countries. The 2004, 2006 and 2008 editions set new benchmarks in the Woodworking Industry.

Indiawood 2010 set an astounding landmark. With over 30,000 sqm of exhibition space, the show has established its position as the single largest sourcing ground for woodworking.

For over 6 editions now Indiawood and the Indian woodworking industry have complemented each other in

their growth. The Indian woodworking sector has similarly complemented Indiawood by continuing to place its trust and faith in the event. As India’s woodworking industry is maturing into a sophisticated and mechanized industry, the woodworking sector is opening up enormous opportunities for business in India due to its internal requirements.

The show will feature technologies for the entire Asian woodworking community. Last year’s event had more than 450 participants with over 49 percent of participation from overseas companies and country pavilions from Germany, Italy, Malaysia, China, USA, Taiwan, Turkey and Brazil.

Date: 10-14 February Venue: Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) Location: Karnataka, India.

Timings: 10 February, 10:35- 18:00, 11 - 13 February, 10:00 – 18:00, 4 February, 10:00 -16:00 Exhibition Size: 30,000 sqm Expected Visitors: 35,000 Expected Exhibitors: 600

CIFM / interzum guangzhou 2012 Asia’s largest furniture production and woodworking machinery event grows by 20 percent in scale ahead of show, and features enhanced product layout, new country pavilions and fully sold out international halls.

“Green Home Design forum held concurrently with the exhibition explores issues involving the trends of low carbon emission and environmental friendliness” CIFM/interzum guangzhou 2012 is slated to grow by about 20 percent to reach 130,000 sqm. The trade fair – Asia’s largest in its own right – will be held together with the China International Furniture Fair (CIFF) at the China Import and Export Fair Complex (Pazhou) in Guangzhou from 27-30 March and will feature over 1,000 international and domestic exhibitors. Organizers estimate the show to draw over 50,000 visitors.

The event is reportedly selling out fast. Booth space at the international halls was snapped up as early as four months before show opening.

Organizers attribute the industry’s enthusiasm to the show’s reputation, a series of efforts to review and sharpen product offerings, as well as a new layout, which

Interzum February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 47

Showtime

EXPOBOIS 2012 Highlighting innovation in the industry will be a core theme of the 2012 edition of EXPOBOIS, the benchmark event in France for timber processing technology.

“Manufacturer response to sustainable development issues in the timber industry will form the backbone of the programme”

Expobois

will be introduced next year.

Exhibitor pavilions from the US fronted by the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC),Turkey, Chile and Spain are debuting at CIFM / interzum guangzhou 2012 and joining them are show veterans Germany, Italy and Canada.

The event also boasts an impressive confirmed exhibitor list including industry heavyweights.

In addition, the ‘Green Home Design’ forum held concurrently with the exhibition will explore issues involving the trends of low carbon emission and environmental friendliness, such as producing ‘green’ furniture based on ‘green’ design with style and culture in mind.

Date: 27-30 March Venue: China Import and Export Fair Complex (Pazhou) Location: Guangzhou, China Timings: Exhibitors: 9:00 - 17:30. Visitors: 9:30 - 17:00 Admission up to 16:30 Exhibition Size: 130,000 sqm Expected Visitors: 50,000 Expected Exhibitors: 1,023

48 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

The spotlight at EXPOBOIS will be as much on innovations developed by manufacturers in response to customer specifications as on innovation as a means of staying ahead of the competition and winning market share abroad.

EXPOBOIS has registered 30 percent growth in the exhibition area compared to the previous edition.

A larger exhibition area means more operating machinery and demonstrations on stands. For the show organisers it guarantees the ever greater appeal of being the leading show in France.

EXPOBOIS 2012 is also preparing a programme of conferences and round tables with support from professional organisations. These events will address issues in the primary processing sectors, construction, frames and carpentry, furniture, layout and packaging.

Manufacturer response to sustainable development issues in the timber industry will form the backbone of the programme. While timber is an intrinsically natural resource, the debates and announcements during the 4-day event will show the extent to which timber processing manufacturers are all eco-responsible, innovative economic players.

Date: 8-11 February Venue: Hall 7 Paris Nord Exhibition Centre Location: Paris, France Timings: Everyday from 9:00-18:00 pm, except Saturday (9:00 -17:00) Exhibition Size: 30,000 sqm Expected Visitors: 20,000 Expected Exhibitors: 300

Showtime Interview

More Show,

More Go

Dawood Al Shezawi, CEO, Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions (organizers of Dubai International Wood and Wood Machinery Show) talks about this year’s edition

Q: What were the achievements from last year? Do you have any sales volume figures to report?

A: According to the survey filled by exhibitors, Dubai International Wood and Wood Machinery Show 2011 reported sales volume over AED 100 million. The show attracted 194 exhibitors from 31 countries and 5,940 visitors from more than 68 countries.

Q: What are your objectives for the 2012 show?

A: The objective of the 2012 edition is to provide a platform for visitors and exhibitors to establish profitable relationships. The show presents an excellent opportunity to forge long-term business relationships, and gives businesses dealing with wood products and woodworking a chance to launch and showcase their products and services. This year, we are targeting more than 230 exhibitors from 35 countries. We are specially focused on attracting the latest products from new markets such as Indonesia, Brunei, Cameroon, Gabon, Argentina etc. Our visitors’ campaign for this year will be focused on getting specialized trade visitors from the Middle East and neighboring countries.

We expect 8,000 professionals to attend this year.

Q: Are there any new events going on during the show?

A: Yes, there will be a conference, which we didn’t have in the 2011 show. It will be in collaboration with EU TTF, World Research Institution USA, Indonesia Ministry of Forestry and Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Q: What are some of the specifics visitors can look forward to this year?

A: This year SCM Group Woodworking Machinery will showcase 12 new products during the event, where they will display the latest technologies in the woodworking industry for our esteemed visitors. Also, there will be a new finishing line from CEFLA Finishing Group, which is the only technology available all over the world for renovating furniture paints. Over 3 days, visitors will get a chance to learn more about the latest products and technologies in the wood and woodworking machinery industry.

Q: Do you have any long term plans for the show?

A: The long-term plan is to establish Dubai International Wood and Wood Machinery Show as the Middle East hub for wood products and wood machinery trading. Given the new formula for the event - which includes a conference and business roundtables - the show allows businesses to launch their regional operational strategy, voice their day-to-day business management concerns and connect with the rest of the wood industry.

Dubai International Wood and Wood Machinery Show 2011 reported sales volume over AED 100 million February 2012 | www.timberdesignandtechnology.com 49

Showtime

EXPO Calendar 7th INDIAWOOD 10-14 February Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) Karnataka, India

www.indiawood.com EXPOBOIS 2012 8-11 February Hall 7 Paris Nord Exhibition Centre Paris, France

www.comexposium.com WMF Trade fair for woodworking and furniture production 12-15 February China International Exhibition Center CIEC Beijing, China

www.adsale.com.hk Drevostavby Trade fair for wooden buildings and woodwork 23-26 February Incheba Prague Exhibition Center Prague, Czech Republic

www.terinvest.com

Wooden House and Wooden Structure Fair 9-11 March Poly World Trade Center Guangzhou, China

www.gzhw.com FAM Trade fair for furniture and wood products 12-15 March New China International Exhibition Center (NCIEC) Beijing, China

www.woodworkfair.com Kiev Expo Furniture 14-17 March Kiev Expo Plaza Kiev, Ukraine

www.expofurniture.kiev.ua 8th International WOODEN HOUSE Fair 15-18 March Crocus Expo International Exhibition Center, Moscow Moscow, Russia

www.woodenhouse-expo.ru Las-Expo Forestry trade fair 16-18 March Kielce Fariground Kielce, Poland

www.las-expo.pl Forst and Holz Exhibition of modern forestry and timber industry 16-18 March Dresden Messering Dresden, Germany

www.forst-holz-dresden.de Holz-Handwerk (Trade fair for woodworking) 21-24 March Messe NĂźrnberg Nuremberg, Germany

www.holz-handwerk.de Drema International trade fair of machines and tools for the wood and furniture industry 27-20 March Poznan International Fair Grounds Poznan, Poland

www.drema.pl CIFM interzum guangzhou 2012 27-30 March China Import and Export Fair Complex (Pazhou) Guangzhou, China

www.interzum-guangzhou.com Umids Exhibition of equipment, technologies, materials and products for logging, wood processing and furniture industry 28-31 March Exhibition Center Krasnodar Expo Krasnodar, Russian Federation

www.krasnodarexpo.ru 50 www.timberdesignandtechnology.com | February 2012

medwood International exhibition of tools and equipment for the furniture industry 29 March-1 April Athens Metropolitan Expo Athens, Greece

www.medwood.gr International Famous Furniture Fair Dongguan 16-20 March Guangdong Modern International Exhibition Center Houjie, Dongguan, China

www.2f.com.cne UMIDS 2012 15th International Specialised Trade Fair for Wood Processing, Furniture Industries and Forestry in South Russia 28-31 March Krasnador Expo Russia, Krasnodar

www.ifw-expo.com 6th Dubai International Wood and Wood Machinery Show 3-5 April Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center Dubai, UAE

www.dubaiwoodshow.com Holzhaus 2012 16th International Specialised Exhibition Holzhaus 9-13 April VVC Moscow, Russia

www.holzhaus.ru Technibois Exhibition of carpentry and joinery 26-28 April Espace Gruyère Bulle, Switzerland

www.technibois.ch Interkomplekt Interzum Moscow 2012 11th International specialized exhibition of components, accessories and materials for manufacture of furniture 24-27 April VVC Moscow, Russia

www.interkomplekt.ru Technomebel Fair for woodworking and furniture production 24-28 April Inter Expo Centre Sofia, Bulgaria

www.bulgarreklama.com

rdarchitects.co.uk

rdarchitects.co.uk

rmation on your Formore more information information onon your For your ainable American choice of sustainable American choice of sustainable American cluding certified Softwoods, including certified Softwoods, including certified ow Pine, Western Southern Yellow Pine, Western Southern Yellow Pine, Western Red Douglas Fir, Hemlock ouglas Fir,Cedar, Hemlock Red Cedar, Fir,visit Hemlock and Eastern White Pine, White Pine, visitDouglas www.americansoftwoods.com and Eastern White Pine, visit nsoftwoods.com www.americansoftwoods.com

rdarchitects.co.uk

a’s favourite timber.

America’s favourite timber.

America’s favourite timber.

www.americansoftwoods.com 16758 SP American softwoods 245(h) x 192(w) Generic Ad .indd 1

2(w) Generic Ad .indd 1

www.americansoftwoods.com www.americansoft

09/03/2011 11

09/03/2011 11:16

MDF Coating that’s top drawer.

Era-Coat MDF

Freedom of design

Top drawer, top notch, top level - no matter which way you look at it, Era-Coat MDF is simply the best solution for MDF products.

Created especially for industrial designers and furniture makers, this textured grade powder coating is adaptable enough to bring any design concept to life.

With its wide range of colours, environmentally friendly attributes and superior, seamless finish, Era-Coat MDF is perfect for any MDF project and coats any shape; from contoured office furniture, to rounded kitchen cabinets, to curvy children’s toys.

So visit jotun.com and let us help you enjoy full design freedom.

Powder Coatings Industrial