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December 2010/January 2011 Page 25
RAM Forest Products, Inc
Specializing in Hard Maple • Cherry • Soft Maple • Red Oak • AshHardwood Lumber and Logs
Export Packaging and Container Loading
Band Sawn Lumber at Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania (U.S.A.) location.
Lumber Sales - Mike Tarbell - Rus GustinPhone: 814-697-7185 FAX: 814-697-7190
Log Sales - Bob MalleryPhone: 814-697-6576 FAX: 814-697-6637
E-Mail: [email protected]
Mailing Address: 1716 Honeoye Rd.Shinglehouse, Pa. 16748-9739
Manufacturers and Exporters of QualityPennsylvania Hardwoods producing
25,000,000 BF annually1,000,000’ Kiln capacity
BUSINESS TRENDS(ABROAD)
“We are content with the end result,” aspokesperson said. “The level of payincrease is in line with the increases in thepace-setting metal sector agreement.”In related news a Forest Stewardship
Council (FSC) standard in Finland hasmoved closer following the approval ofdraft standard in the country by the FinnishFSC Association.Finlandʼs forest industry in co-operation
with environmental organizations, draftedthe standards, which will now be submittedto FSC International for approval.“FSC certification is very important for the
utilization of domestic wood raw material,which is produced in small forest holdings.We will have a comprehensive solutionthat is backed both by the forest industryand by environmental organizations,” saidAnders Portin, Finnish Forest IndustriesFederation spokesperson.
Vietnam
The Vietnam Business News (VBN)recently reported that Vietnam now hasmore than 2,500 wood processing busi-nesses, nearly three times as many as in2000. According to the report, Vietnam issecond only to China as the leading sourceof wood furniture imports in the U.S.Exports of furniture and timber for the first
nine months of 2010 totaled U.S.$2.43 bil-lion, representing an increase of 37.7 per-cent over the same periods in 2009,according to the nationʼs Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development. VBN also noted that log imports totaled
$827 million in the first nine months of2010.
•
Continued to page 26
Continued from page 25
building requirements and technical solu-tions need to be sought to meet new chal-lenges and requirements from the con-struction sector.
West Africa
Some price changes were recently expe-rienced in West Africa as a result of gooddemand from China, India and Vietnam.Reports indicate Iroko logs are still in gooddemand and sawnwood prices gained dueto increased demand from European andAsian buyers. Sapele log prices are a littlehigher and demand for Niove logs for theIndian market remains steady, liftingprices. Prices of Okoume logs also rose,even though supply from EquatorialGuinea and Congo Brazzaville is now suf-ficient to meet demand in consumer coun-tries, according to an analyst.Okoume logs from Congo Brazzaville are
replacing what was sourced from Gabonbefore the log export ban. There is a pos-sibility that Congo Brazzaville may at somepoint refer to the limits on log exports thatwere in force in early 2010, the analystsaid.Log exports in Cameroon are continuing
and due to the high demand there areshortages of Azobe and Ayous logs fordomestic processing industries.Demand for sawnwood has remained
steady with the exception of ContinentalEurope where most buyers are unsureabout business prospects over the comingwinter months. Italyʼs market is more activewith demand for Ayous sawnwood but oth-erwise European trade is reportedly dead.African exporters have been making head-way in competition against Malaysianexporters suffering from higher oceanfreight costs with demand from Middle Eastcountries reported as moderate.
Europe
Illegal timber legislation was recently rub-ber stamped by the European Council.United Kingdom timber importers will haveto get ready for implementation by 2012.The news is welcomed by the TimberTrade Federation (TTF) and commentedon as “the correct result of many years ofhard work.”“We now have 27 months to address
implementation, which actually isnʼt that faraway when you start to take into accountlead times,” said TTF head of sustainabili-ty Rachel Butler.“The concern is now those member states
and companies that have not started theprocess: however, as far as the UK TTF isconcerned, members will be ready as weare in the process of implementing our duediligence obligations.”The regulation includes a statement that
importers who place products on the mar-ket have to exercise a due diligence sys-tem, which includes access to information,risk assessment and mitigation of the riskidentified. Supplying information on thecountry of harvest, species, quantity andwhere applicable the sub national region ofharvest and forest concession is included.Importers that already operate similarly
will not be required to set up new proce-dures. Basic information will be required oftraders on their suppliers and buyers toenable traceability of the timber.
Finland
A threat of a lengthy strike from Finnishsawmills was recently averted when an 18-month wage deal was made, giving mem-bers of the Wood and Allied Workers Uniona 1.1 percent rise with a 0.8 percent localsupplement. Mill owners agreed to makeno changes in seniority pay unlessapproved at a local level.Approximately 4,000 workers had been
on strike for nearly a week and the actionwas due to be extended to all membercompanies of the Finnish Forest IndustriesFederation when the deal was put intoaction recently. Affecting 33 mills the strike consisted
mainly of larger companies such as UPM,Stora Enso, Finnforest, Vapo Timber andVersowood. According to one company,the cost of the action is several thousandeuros per day.The Federation insisted that commercial
demand continues to be weak and compe-tition countries have lowered their coststhrough moderate pay solutions.The union however, which has been sup-
ported by the Swedish woodworkers unionGS, had planned further escalation of thestrike including companies outside theownersʼ federation.
BUSINESS TRENDS(CANADA)
Ontario
Some contacts confirmed an improvedsupply situation for most species key tothis region. There seems to be increasedbuyer action in the marketplace for thecommon grades. However, business con-tinues to be in a more controlled fashionand generally more competitive for theupper grades. According to areas contact-ed there are variances in market activity.There is strong activity for secondary man-ufacturers with regards to green lumber,whereas kiln dried materials are beingbought for short term or immediate needs.It is reported that wholesalers are also con-trolling their purchases; in order to avoidexcess inventory, but at the same timemaintain a good mix of species, in variousthicknesses and grades to serviceaccounts in the future. There is also strongcompetition among companies in evidenceas well. Market activity for Ash is seen as mostly
stable. Several regions contacted reportedincreased sawmill production, thus improv-ing supply for this species. The demand, itis reported, has eased from earlier in theyear. There has been less activity on inter-national markets, caused by product avail-ability.Activity for Basswood is steady on
domestic end-use markets and exports. Itis a competitive situation when it comes towholesalers and distribution yards. Somereport excess inventory, with prices dippinglower for certain grades.Sales of Birch are based on specifications
for enhanced product characteristics.Colour sorts are a common requirement,as are minimum standards for length andwidth distribution. The prices are wideranging depending on the difficulty of thespecifications of the order. The regionally important Hard Maple is
reported as having mixed results for busi-ness; grade, market destination, and com-petition from Appalachian suppliers havesome influence. The common grades areoutperforming the upper grades of HardMaple, as is similar for other species.Some say the effect the weak economy ishaving on the almost dormant housingmarket are having an impact on high-endproducts. Upper grades have stiff competi-tion from composite and non-wood mould-ing and millwork products. The Forest Products Association of
Canada (FPAC) called on the federalgovernment to act quickly and decisivelyon the deficiencies in rail service to ruralindustries. After two and a half years ofprocess and deliberation they feel itʼs timeto act.The interim report from the Rail Freight
Service Review panel recognizes “there isa need for change” and that “improvement
Page 26 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News
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Continued from page 25
BUSINESS TRENDS(CANADA)
in rail service is required”. It goes on tomake several positive recommendationsthat would help address some of the servi-ce inadequacies faced by all Canadianshippers. However the panel is relying onCN and CP to voluntarily bring in thechanges and says the government shouldonly consider regulatory measures after2013.FPAC President and CEO says that the
delays on improving services are unaccep-table and a deep blow to resource commu-nities in rural Canada that depend on railshipping.“It simply makes no sense for the panel to
identify the problem as the lack of com-mercial competition in the railway systemand then suggest giving the railways threemore years to find commercial solutions,”he adds. “From our perspective thegovernment did the right thing in setting upthe panel. The panel did the right thing inmaking concrete recommendations forchange. The one thing that is terriblywrong here is the notion of deferring actionfor another three years.”Most resource shippers are located in
remote regions of the country where only asingle rail company can transport their pro-ducts. For the forest products industry,most mills served by rail are captive tosuch a rail monopoly. The governmentlaunched the review of rail freight servicetwo years ago in recognition of the need tocreate conditions to help Canadaʼs ruraleconomy get the necessary rail service toprosper. At the outset of the review pro-cess, the forest products industry wasassured that the government would act toimprove rail service at the earliest opportu-nity.FPAC says regulatory action is needed to
ensure a strong commodities sector thatcan compete in international markets,create wealth to benefit all taxpayers andpreserve jobs and communities.
•
Continued on page 27
Quebec
Aspen is reported as having little changein activity, with marketplace activity forgrade lumber being confined, while mostbuyers rely on established buyer-selleragreements to move this species. It does-nʼt appear that there will be a pick-up inactivity for this and most species any timesoon. There is, however, a level of continu-ity in business. Soft Maple markets have come under
pressure from species preferences, com-parative prices, and competition from theU.S. border states, along with the weak-ened construction industry. Yet, it is report-ed that business is relatively consistent forthis species.Demand for Red Oak lost some momen-
tum as supplies increased. Inventories arestarting to catch up to targeted levels, andfor some, it has surpassed their desiredquantities. Competition is coming fromwithin the region and outside of the area.The strain caused by exports has eased
up for White Oak. With the easing ofdemand, the product available hasimproved, and prices have moderated to acertain extent. Sawmillers are controlling their production
of pallet lumber and cants to avoid anexcess in supplies. Prices are reported asgenerally steady. There is a strong interestin crossties represented by an active pres-ence in the marketplace. Buyers are work-ing at establishing a supplier base for atime when the demand will arise.Members of Parliament (MPs) supported
a Bloc Québécois private memberʼs billcalling for the government to use woodwhen it constructs or renovates its build-ings. Bill C-429 sailed through first andsecond reading and landed in mid-Octoberat a parliamentary committee, where itfaced political battle and protest from theconstruction industry.The bill, introduced by Bloc MP Gerard
Asselin to help boost Quebec's strugglingforestry industry, would amend the PublicWorks Act and make wood a 'preferred'building material for any new governmentbuildings or repairs.A New Democratic Party (NDP) MP, who
is also a carpenter by trade, said the billhas "tied Parliament in knots." He arguesMPs couldn't vote against a bill that sup-ports a product as Canadian as wood —especially coming from Quebec, wherethousands of forestry jobs have been lost.With the legislation, Public Works would
have to consider using wood to build twonew office towers in neighbouringGatineau, Que., or to repair the decrepitparliamentary precinct. The bill takes thelead from countries such as France,Norway and Sweden, which have givenpreference to wood in public buildings.Quebec and British Columbia have similar
policies for public construction.But the bill's opponents said MPs didn't
consider the implications when voting forthe bill, which also will have a slew of unin-tended consequences on the markets forother building materials, international andinternal trade, federal procurement, andbuilding and fire codes.Hearings into the bill began in late
October and the construction industry,from steel to masonry producers, are unit-ed in protest. A wood preference policy isdiscriminatory and will increase federalconstruction costs, said the CanadianConstruction Association (CCA). Thegroup argues the bill limits the freedom ofarchitects, designers or contractors toselect the best material for a building's use.Wood can't work for everything and being
forced to use it could cause malfunctionsand failures, and drive up costs. It alsogives an "advantage" or protection to oneindustry at the expense of others, whichviolates the principle of fair and open com-petition, added the CCA. It is felt this indus-try is facing enough turmoil and givingwood preferential treatment could pushother businesses into bankruptcy and wipeout jobs.Andrew Casey, vice-president at the
Forest Products Association of Canada,said the industry supports the bill butunderstands the opposition. But he saidCanada can't expect to make inroads con-vincing other countries to buy and use itswood if it isn't actively promoting its use athome."It's hard to imagine that putting a couple
of extra sticks of lumber into Public Worksbuildings is going to save the industry ...but it is much more significant from outsidethe (Canadian) market than internally." He said an amended National Building
Code would do more to boost the industrythan the bill. The current code restrictswood buildings to four stories. Buildingscould be built much higher today with newengineered wood products and laminates.On the housing side, the seasonally
adjusted annual rate of starts was186,400 units in September, according toCanada Mortgage and HousingCorporation (CMHC). This is down from189,300 units in August.“Housing starts moved lower in
September due to a decrease in urban sin-gle starts in Atlantic Canada and Ontario,”said Bob Dugan, Chief Economist atCMHCʼs Market Analysis Centre. “Multiplestarts were unchanged.”In September, the seasonally adjusted
annual rate of urban starts decreased by3.3 percent to 163,200 units. Urban multi-ple starts were unchanged at 99,600 units,while single urban starts moved lower by8.1 percent to 63,600 units.Septemberʼs seasonally adjusted annual
rate of urban starts decreased by 10.9 per-cent in Ontario, and increased by 3.9 per-cent in Quebec. Rural starts were estimat-ed at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of23,200 units.
•
BUSINESS TRENDS(U.S.A.)
Lake States
Hardwood suppliers in the Lake Statesregion account for moderate decreases insales activity. A contact in Michigan statedthat he believes inventory levels have a lotto do with the decreased activity. “We werebone dry last year. Things started pickingup and everybody replenished their inven-tories and started producing—then it justleveled off.”Offering northern Red and White Oak,
Hard and Soft Maple, Ash and Aspen, hesaid, while logs are available, they do notseem to be plentiful. “Weʼre heavy to theindustrial market and a lot of the grademills have been focusing on the No. 2 and3 A. Now, those prices are leveling off insome areas and the railroad industry isgearing up. So theyʼre cutting a lot of rail-road tie logs, which are 9-foot. Industrialtimber doesnʼt go that well in 9-foot andweʼre not cutting railroad ties right now.”He also mentioned a lack of loggers in his
area. “We saw a lot of them drop offthroughout the summer months. Itʼs hard tofind anybody to get back into that busi-
December 2010/January 2011 Page 27
Export Grade Appalachian Hardwood Lumber -Direct From the Source
Chris Hoover and Marijo Wood
Neff Lumber Mills, Inc.Broadway, VA
“We are a 5th generation family-owned sawmill, shipping lumberthroughout the United States and Canada and into marketsabroad. What started out a long time ago as a flour mill turned intoa producer of walnut burls, then walnut lumber, and is now acomplete hardwood manufacturing facility and kiln drying opera-tion. Our focus is on quality, not quantity, producing and selling thefinest Appalachian hardwood lumber, both green and KD.”
Call or fax us the next time you need Quality Export GradeAppalachian Hardwood Lumber. Better yet, come see us.
Marijo Wood is our sales manager and will be glad to meet with you.
Neff Lumber Mills, Inc.P.O. Box 457, 12110 Turleytown Road
Broadway, Virginia 22815 (U.S.A.)Tel: 540-896-7031Fax: 540-896-7034
E-mail: [email protected]
“We are a 5th generation family-owned sawmill, shipping lumberthroughout the United States and Canada and into markets abroad.What started out a long time ago as a flour mill turned into a producerof walnut burls, then walnut lumber, and is now a complete hardwoodmanufacturing facility and kiln drying operation. Our focus is on quality,not quantity, producing and selling the finest Appalachian hardwoodlumber, both green and KD.”
BUSINESS TRENDS(U.S.A.)
Continued from page 26
ness. Theyʼre finding easier things to do.The only way around that is to get the pro-ducers who are left to be more efficient byupdating their equipment and producingmore wood with less people.”Going into the winter, the source said,
“Weʼre heading into the winter with more ofa spring inventory. Everybody in the coun-try is in the same boat, trying to build up loginventory.” He doesnʼt expect much tochange until the spring. “Weʼre expectingthings to pick back up by then,” he said.In Wisconsin a hardwood supplier said
business conditions are further depressedfrom the previous six months. When askedwhat factors he believes are contributing tothe conditions he said, “I think the govern-mentʼs inability to convey to the peoplewhatʼs going to take place with the legisla-tion for the hardwood industry is having thelargest impact. The fact that weʼre goinginto the typical season where people arewatching their inventories closely until theend of the year, also plays a role.Obviously there is consumer apathy cur-rently because they donʼt know yet aboutthe taxes theyʼre going to be paying alongwith what theyʼll be paying for healthcare.There are many unanswered questions atthis point and time that hinders peoplefrom making decisions going forward.”The supplier, which handles Red and
White Oak, Ash, Aspen, Basswood, Hardand Soft Maple, Yellow and White Birchand Hickory said Common grades aremoving well across the board. “The uppergrades are kind of hit and miss right now.Customers seem to be ordering length andwidth specific currently, with not a lot ofrandom width and length orders. Uppergrade Hard Maple is a little flat. The RedOaks are moving okay with some down-ward pressure.” He also mentioned thatSoft Maple is moving well with downwardpressure coming from the east coast stock. Hickory is in short supply in his area, but
he said it was seasonally related. “Hickoryis in-between seasonal cuts right now.Typically the word isnʼt ʻhard-to-findʼ forany particular species. Itʼs just hard to findthe stock that meets ours specifications.”The supplier said that his companyʼsinventory levels are ʻon target.ʼWith a wide customer base that includes
distribution yards, moulding and millwork,case goods and flooring manufacturers, hesaid, “We anticipate a decent year. Not agreat year but not a bad year by anymeans. Weʼre optimistic about the comingsix months.”A source in Indiana said his company
chose not to renew their SustainableForestry Initiative (SFI) certification recent-ly, due to heavy costs involved. “Our cus-tomersʼ initial interest is there for certifiedproducts, but once you discuss the price,that interest wanes,” he explained. Sales activity in his area has also been
slow. The contact said inventory is thelargest factor, however the company isbeginning to see some changes. “Weʼrejust now beginning to have lumber comethrough the kilns to have available for sale.July was a very wet month for us so wedidnʼt cut much in July or August, so ourkilns set empty through Septemberbecause we didnʼt have anything to dry.” Marketing to mostly exporters, the suppli-
er said the coming months donʼt lookpromising. “Itʼs all about the supply. Logsupply and lumber supply is down in thisarea. Even still, the phones are not ring-ing.”A hardwood wholesaler in Michigan also
accounted for a decrease in market condi-tions, stating inventories as the primaryfactor. “Six months ago people werereplenishing inventories that they let dwin-dle to nothing. Now weʼre seeing morecompanies closing, ordering less lumberbecause their order files are smaller andmills are still producing,” she explained.As for what species are moving well, she
said, “Soft Maple Commons are movingwell. The upper grades are slow and theNo. 2A Hard Maple is moving well.”She said the prices theyʼre paying for logs
have stabilized, but are still consideredhigh for the region. “I hope prices changein the next 60 days. Do I think theyʼre goingto? I donʼt know, but I hope so. Our mar-gins are very narrow, if there is a margin.”The contact said a large role belongs to
landowners. “The landowners can say, ʻIdonʼt like the prices and I donʼt have to har-vest my land right now.ʼ ”Marketing 70 percent of their product to
end users, 25 percent through distributionand 5 percent to broker wholesalers, the
Continued on page 28
source is prepared for a rough winter. “Iexpect the winter months to be brutal. Untilthe housing starts come back the cabinetmanufacturers are going to continue todecrease orders because their jobs aredecreasing.”According to the Federal Reserveʼs Beige
Book, overall economic activity in the LakeStates is steady with some signs of recov-ery. The manufacturing, energy, miningand residential real estate sectors sawmoderate increases. Agriculture, con-sumer spending and tourism were mixed,while activity in services was flat.Decreases in activity occurred in construc-tion and commercial real estate. Labormarkets remained weak, but some signs ofimprovement were noted. Meanwhile,wage increases were modest, and overallprices were generally unchanged.
•West Coast
Hardwood lumber sources on the WestCoast accounted for as much as a 20 per-cent decrease in recent sales activity. Ahardwood supplier, which offers all domes-tic species, said the lending stipulations ofbanks are largely contributing to thedecline. “People want to do things outhere, but the banks arenʼt loosening anycredit stipulations and many people canʼtafford to build without a loan.”He said that Poplar is a primary moverright now followed by Alder and Cherry.“Availability is good because demand isweak. People expect more for less in thesetimes and I donʼt expect any change in thenear future.As for certified products such asSustainable Forestry Initiative and ForestryStewardship Council, he said his customhomebuilder clients have good intentionsbut, “the prices are very high and in theend itʼs about the bottom line.”In Washington a hardwood supplier saidbusiness was about the same as it hasbeen. “Things are slow. There is definitelyroom for improvement. There is no buildinggoing on, housing is down.”Handling Red and White Oak, Maple,Cherry, Poplar and Walnut, he said Poplarand Red Oak are moving well. “Our pricesare starting to come down a little bit. Thetrend right now is that prices are goingdown but sometimes that will go back up inthe winter, it just varies.”As for transportation issues the sourcesaid, “The flow of containers has beenmore of an issue than the prices of freight.It seems to be hard to get lumber back outhere because the container is gone andthe flow is off.”The Forestry Stewardship Certified suppli-er thinks 2011 will bring more of the samebusiness conditions. “I donʼt see anythingchanging until we get through the housingissues and foreclosures. I donʼt think build-ing trends will improve.”In southern California a hardwood distrib-utor said todayʼs market comes down tothree factors: “Youʼve got to have the finestquality youʼve ever had at the cheapestprice youʼve ever had and youʼve got to beable to deliver it yesterday. There hasnever been a more competitive market.“Sales in California are up slightly fromlast year. I just got back from the NationalHardwood Lumber Association conventionand people were saying the new up is flat.I think that describes California. We have a14.6 percent unemployment rate in theinland empire in southern California. Untilwe see a change in employment numbers,I donʼt expect any huge change in ourindustry. What you see is what you get. Idonʼt see any short-term effects or quickturn arounds coming our way.”He said as a distributor he has seen pricesat historic lows in the past few years.“Weʼve seen low availability particularly inRed Oak where prices shot way up andnow weʼre seeing availability back on themarket and prices are dropping. I thinkunfortunately instead of a level graph,weʼre seeing peaks and valleys. Thatmakes it difficult for the entire industry todeal with prices that shoot up on the highpercentage points and back down this fre-quently.”The distributor, which carries most domes-tic and imported hardwood species, saidPoplar, Alder and Red Oak is moving bet-ter than the others. “Our inventory levelsare good. Walnut is the only specie thatseems to be on the tight side. I think weʼreseeing a decline depending on the speciein prices.”As for what lies ahead in 2011 the contactsaid, “Weʼre a very optimistic company andwe continue to refer to this as ʻtimes toplant.ʼ Weʼre trying to grow our customer
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Page 28 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News
BUSINESS TRENDS(U.S.A.)
Continued from page 27
base by improving and becoming moreefficient at everything we do. Weʼre lookingforward to a time when things turn aroundand in the meantime itʼs time to plant ourgarden and make sure that weʼre ready forwhen that time comes.”Housing demand in the region appearedto be the same from the previous reportingperiod, and demand for commercial realestate remained at very low levels. Thepace of home sales continued to be mixedacross areas but mostly unchanged onaverage. In response to sluggish sales,new home construction has stayed quitesubdued, although contacts reportedslightly expanded activity for home repairsand remodeling. Conditions in commercialreal estate markets generally remainedweak, as vacancy rates stayed at very highlevels in many parts of the area.
Continued on page 29
Reports from regional banking contactsindicated that loan demand was largelyunchanged compared with the prior report-ing period. Demand for commercial andindustrial loans continued to be restrainedby businessesʼ cautious approach to capi-tal spending. Consumer loan demand alsoremained weak overall, although contactsnoted an uptick in demand for noncon-forming mortgage loans. Sources saidwhile lending standards stayed relativelyrestrictive for business and consumer lend-ing, the reports indicated some looseningof credit standards for select groups of bor-rowers.
•
Northeast
Hardwood lumber suppliers in theNortheast region continue to report moder-ate to depressed market conditions. InPennsylvania, a supplier, which offers pre-dominately Poplar, said conditions aredown from six months earlier. “We are stillmoving product, but there is still a lack ofconfidence and orders from our cus-tomers,” he commented. “We also carry Red and White Oak, Ashand some Maple but the two biggestmovers for us are the Poplar and RedOak.” The contact said his inventory levelsare healthy but currently his prices are notstable. “Weʼre trying to work the pricesdown because kiln-dried prices are fallingevery week,” he explained. Making adjustments to the economicdownturn the contact said, “When thingsstarted turning we started watching ouroverhead and how many employees wekeep.”Marketing to moulding and millwork man-ufacturers, he believes the coming sixmonths will be “day-by-day. Itʼs going to beslow thereʼs no doubt about that. Whatʼsgoing to happen in the New Year, nobodyknows yet.”A hardwood supplier in New York said hisbusiness activity is slow. He believes thelast “good cycle” the hardwood lumberindustry had was supply driven. “In myopinion the demand never came up. Weover-supplied the market again. Loggingconditions got better and now we have aweaker demand than before. So weʼre in aweaker cycle now,” he said.Offering most domestic hardwoodspecies, he mentioned that upper gradeWhite Oak is moving well. “Weʼre still mov-ing Red Oak but everything is price sensi-tive. The old saying is, ʻif the customersmells blood, you have to keep makingadjustments to keep it moving.ʼ So itʼstouch-and-go for us.”He said his inventory levels are wherethey need to be. “Weʼre not having anytrouble replacing any of the species thatwe carry. Our prices are down. In the com-ing 30 days I expect Red Oak prices tocontinue to fall. Iʼve gotten a few examplestoday, Iʼve been low-balling and peoplehavenʼt been saying no. In my opinionWhite Oak is holding up better than theRed Oak.”The source, whose customer base variesfrom endusers to importers said hebelieves the coming year will continue tocycle downward. “Itʼs really hard to say.Weʼre going into another down cycle, how-ever I donʼt think it will last as long as theone before. Weʼre all looking for answers,but we donʼt know what they are yet.”Elsewhere in Pennsylvania a hardwooddistributor, who also manufacturerʼsmouldings and millwork, said his marketsare mixed. “At this point market conditionsmay be slightly more depressed from sixmonths ago. Itʼs still an up and down mar-ket. Some months things pick up and
things are busier and others slow down.Weʼre finding the same thing with our cus-tomers, they may be busy for a month ortwo and then it slows back down. So weʼreseeing a ʻsee-sawʼ type of market.”He attributed the factors involved to pooreconomic conditions. “The housing marketaffects our business a lot. In general I thinka lot of it is just uncertainty. People areconcerned about whatʼs going to happenwith taxes and regulations. The healthcareissue: what thatʼs going to cost people andwhat thatʼs going to do to payroll costs.”Stocking “everything from Ash to Walnut,”the contact said Walnut seems to be mov-ing fairly well along with White Oak. “Weʼvebeen doing a fair amount of Poplar andSoft Maple as well.” He said he hasnʼt hadany supply issues although he doesnʼtknow how that will play out in the comingNew Year. “Weʼve been keeping our inven-tory levels low and so are our customers.There are a lot of ʻjust-in-timeʼ orders com-ing through. People are holding off andgetting just what they need, keeping theirinventories tight and weʼre doing thesame.”At a hardwood distribution/concentrationyard in Connecticut, a source said the mar-ket in his area has declined from the pastsix months. “Things have declined further.Especially in the raw material prices, a lotof high log costs. We tried to warn themthat the prices were artificial because ofthe over supply. Lumber sales are just hitand miss right now. We may not be doingtoo badly, but the guy behind us may havea different story. Itʼs not a fun time to be inthe lumber industry, thatʼs for certain. Iwouldnʼt want to be an unseasoned sales-man in this type of market. Itʼs just tootough.“We offer the majority of the species hereon the east coast,” he continued. “We do alot of Cherry, Hard and Soft Maple, Redand White Oak, and Poplar. Hickory ismoving well for us right now, but everythingelse is a mixed bag. Iʼve been in this indus-try over 20 years and I feel like at this pointin my career I should be able to spottrends, but everything just seems to be upfor grabs in this market. We donʼt need togo to the casinos to gamble; we do iteveryday.”The overall economy for the Northeastregion continued to expand at a modestpace according to statistics. Generally,sales were mixed but on average steadyand close to plan. Commercial real estatemarkets remain steady and financial insti-tutions report marginal change in loandemand, lower delinquency rates on con-sumer loans and ongoing tightening incredit standards.Real estate sources in both New YorkState and northern New Jersey report thatsales activity remains weak as the usualseasonal pick up has not occurred.Contacts said the weakness could, in part,be attributed to the expiration of the home-buyers tax credit.
•Southeast
The southeast region reported mixed lum-ber market conditions. In Georgia a hard-wood lumber and flooring manufacturersaid business activity is lower than in pre-vious months. “Overall flooring and lumberpricing is down,” he explained. “As awhole, exports seem to be down. Theactivity in China is down. The flooring dis-tributors and domestic customers are hold-ing back based on the fact that theybelieve they can get it cheaper in twoweeks.”The supplier, which produces 65,000
square-feet per day in unfinished Red andWhite Oak, Hickory and Cherry flooring,also mentioned with a weak housingdemand flooring distributors are competingheavily for little business. “From a finishedproduct standpoint, there is a small amountof demand and every flooring distributor,every customer is fighting for that littlebusiness. The overall demand for the prod-uct is not where it needs to be. I donʼt seeit changing for the next 24 months.”With an annual production of 20 million
board feet in Red and White Oak, Poplar,Ash, and Hickory, he said White Oak ismoving the best and he is not having anysupply issues. “Inventory levels are out-standing. Weʼve actually cut back our logsupply. Weʼve had a very dry time here inGeorgia and we have plenty of lumber andlogs.“The by-products side of our business is
becoming increasingly difficult as well.Weʼre having a hard time getting rid of oursawdust and weʼre starting to see peoplefill up on cants and pallet lumber, which isan indication of the overall market. When
December 2010/January 2011 Page 29
BUSINESS TRENDS(U.S.A.)
Continued from page 28
the cants and the low grade lumber marketstarts getting slow you know itʼs gettingtough.”A Mississippi Red and White Oak lumber
supplier said his business conditions areoff and he attributes it to overproduction.“Inventory levels are low and our prices aresteady. We had a period of good businessearlier this year and now things are trend-ing downward again.” The source said,“Nothing is going to bring us out of thesetimes until consumer confidence goes upand customers start buying productsagain.”Another hardwood supplier in Mississippi
said his company had a stellar year untilrecent weeks. “We had a great year untilrecently, simply due to lack of demand,” heexplained. “Itʼs not a price issue, the fact iswith no housing starts itʼs out of our hands.The general economy is slow and every-body is scared because nobody knowswhat the future holds.”Supplying 75 percent Red and White Oak
with the remaining 25 percent in Ash andCottonwood he said he is not having anysupply issues and his inventory levels areadequate. “Our prices are average. Weʼreable to buy timber at the prices we bid.Weʼve worked real hard to get prices down,weʼve had to. Itʼs a matter of survival.”Marketing to end users the supplier said
the outlook for the coming six months isquestionable. “Even though there seems tobe plenty of lumber available, I think over-all lumber will be in tight supply early on in2011. That wonʼt make a difference if thedemand is still off.”Overall reports from most sources in the
region indicated that the pace of economicactivity remained slow in recent weeks.Retailers noted a decrease in traffic andsales. While the hospitality sectorimproved, some areas continued to beaffected by the lingering impact of the Gulfoil spill. Further weakening in home salesand inventory increases were reported byrealtors and homebuilders. Manufacturersreported that new orders grew at a slowerpace and production was flat. Provision ofbank credit continued to be constrainedand loan demand remained weak. Labormarkets continued to recover slowly,although many businesses relied onincreased hours for existing staff andexpanded their use of temporary hiresrather than adding permanent employees.Transportation and material prices roseslightly, but firms continued to report limit-ed pass through to consumers.Several Florida real estate brokers indi-
cated that declines moderated. Manybuilders and realtors noted that potentialbuyers remained on the sidelines and thatacquiring mortgage financing is becomingmore difficult. Cash buyers, particularly inFlorida markets where price declines havebeen pronounced, continued to purchasehomes at a strong pace. New home con-struction softened further from low levels.Brokers indicated that existing home listinginventories continued to rise on a year-over-year basis. Builders reported that newinventories remained below the year-earli-er level, but were rising. Both brokers andhomebuilders reported persistent down-ward pressure on home prices.Homebuilders, in particular, were con-cerned about the number of foreclosed andbank-owned properties coming to market.The outlook among contacts regardingsales over the next several months isweak. Nonresidential construction activityremained soft throughout the area.Contractors noted that the pace of com-mercial development was below the year-earlier level and backlogs remained low.
•
NEWSWIRES
Leland, North Carolina—CompanyPresident Chuck Dean, Dean HardwoodsInc., recently announced Matthew B. Deanas his successor. The announcement tookplace in the presence of senior U.S.Senator of North Carolina, Richard Burr,and Georgia U.S. Senator SaxbyChambliss. “Matt has been working nightand day since 9/11. He has earned myrespect, part ownership and vice presi-dent/general manager status during that Continued to page 30
time period. It is the appropriate time forhim to have the title that best represents
the present operational reality,” ChuckDean said. “After we founded Dean Hardwoods Inc.
together in 1967, I spent 13 years with LesFletcher as president and 30 years aspresident myself. It is time to pass thetorch to the next generation,” he continued.“I am very pleased that Matt Dean will con-tinue to lead The Dean Team.”Dean Hardwoods manufactures its trade-
marked Prestige Hardwood Flooring andPrecision Mouldings from foreign hard-woods it imports, and high-end domesticspecies, which they warehouse and alsodistribute in rough lumber and dressedform for fine furniture, boat building, andredistribution. Domestic specialties include high grades
of Walnut and Cherry as well as Hickory,Ash, and Maple. Specialty woods includethe companyʼs hallmarks Teak andAfromosia, also Bubinga (AfricanRosewood), Doussie, Cumaru, SantosMahogany, Sapele, Wenge, and HeartPine from the Caribbean, among theimports. For more information visitwww.deanwood.com.
•Portland, Oregon—Bridgewell Resources
LLC recently announced the addition ofseveral associates to its International andDomestic Wood Products Groups.Bridgewellʼs International Wood Products
Group welcomes four new traders eachwith specialized product experience includ-ing speaking foreign languages. Listedbelow are the names and divisions of eachtrader.
•Hubert Mommers, Export Division, 20years experience•Nils Dickmann, Export Divison, 15 years
experience•Gary Wing, Import Division, 13 years
experience•Robert Leal, Import Division, 30 years
experienceThe firmʼs Domestic Wood Products
Group added five new traders listed below:•Tom Reynolds, Industrial Division, 35
years experience•Matt McCoun, Hardwood Division, 15
years experience•Andrea Cowell, Hardwood Division, 25
years experience•Jim Decker, Hardwood Division, 25 years
experience•Brian Bippes, Hardwood Division, 25
years experienceBridgewell Resources is a global whole-
sale distributor of international and domes-tic wood products as well as food, agricul-tural and utility and construction products.For more information visit www.bridgewell-resources.com or contact 800-570-3566.
•Vancouver, British Columbia—A
recent 20 percent increase in lumber pro-duction at British Columbia sawmills is thefirst in several months. Presumably betternews for the provinceʼs forestry industry,sources say, “that depends on where youare.”Statistics Canada recently reported that
B.C. sawmills produced almost 15.8 millioncubic meters of lumber, almost a 21 per-cent increase from the same time periodlast year.Slightly more than half of Canadaʼs total
production over the same period, thenationʼs almost 31 million cubic metres oflumber production represented an almost
U.S. Senators Congratulate Matt Dean, New DHIPresident
ties, as well as hisinherent interest inthe lives of others,that led to his suc-cess in business andto countless friend-ships around theworld,” Cersosimorepresentatives stat-ed. “We will miss himas the leader of ourexport sales teamand as Cersosoimoʼsambassador to ouroverseas customers and to the manyindustry organizations in which he partici-pated over the years. He will be missed asa unifying force within our company—agreat man and a great friend.”
•
Page 30 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News
JANUARYNational Association of HomebuildersInternational Builders ̓ Show, Orlando,Fla. Contact: 847-996-5884. Jan. 12-15.
SURFACES, Mandalay Bay ConventionCenter, Las Vegas, Nev. For more informa-tion: www.surfaces.com. Jan. 25-27.
MARCHEcobuild, ExCel, London, England. Visitonline: www.ecobuild.co.uk. March 1-3.
Western Wood Products Association,Annual Meeting 2011, Embassy SuitesHotel, Portland, Ore. Contact: 503-224-3930. March 14.
Interzum Guangzhou 2011, China Importand Export Fair Complex, Guangshou,China. Contact: [email protected] more information: www.interzum-guangzhou.com. March 27-30.
APRILInternational Wood ProductsAssociation, World of WoodConvention, Loews New Orleans, NewOrleans, La. Contact: 866-211-6411. April13-15.
•
IMPORT/EXPORT CALENDAR
20 percent increase from 2009.Some mills in northern B.C. and the cen-
tral interior have opened or added shifts,while others remain curtailed. Which millsoperate depends on whether they can tapexport markets that have become morelucrative while the U.S. housing construc-tion sector remains stagnant.Russ Taylor, president of the consulting
firm International Wood Markets, said,“There are reasons why B.C. is quiteunique right now in the world. We havevery good access to the Pacific Rim andvery low sawmilling costs.”He added that the depressed U.S. lumber
market has dragged prices down to levelsthat are more attractive in export marketssuch as China and Taiwan.“Shipments from B.C. to the U.S. were
probably up five to 10 percent in 2010,”Taylor said. “Shipments to China went up60 percent through the first six months thisyear, and that volume is substantial.”Taylor also acknowledged that B.C.ʼs
forestry downturn probably bottomed out in2009 when about 55 to 60 percent of itssawmilling capacity was running. Thisyear, Taylor said that has increased toabout 65 to 70 percent capacity.
•Washington, D.C.—The Coalition for
American Hardwood Parity (CAHP), anassociation of U.S. manufacturers of multi-layered (engineered) wood flooring,announced today that it has filed an unfairtrade petition regarding imports of theproduct from China. The petition, filed withthe U.S. Department of Commerce and theInternational Trade Commission, assertsthat imports of the product are sold in theUnited States at dumped prices, and thatChinese manufacturers have gained anunfair competitive advantage.The petition also asserts that U.S. manu-
facturers of multilayered wood flooringhave suffered material competitive injuryas a result of these unfair trade practices,and that the industry continues to bethreatened by further injury by reason ofthe Chinese imports. The petition requeststhat the U.S. government investigate theseunfair trade practices and their harmfulimpact on this domestic manufacturingindustry, and to apply anti-dumping andcountervailing duties on parity in the U.S.market. The petition documents anti-dump-ing and countervailing duty margins inexcess of 100 percent.According to CAHP counsel and
spokesperson, Jeff Levin, the marketshare growth of China has not beenearned on a “level playing field” as Chinadoes not abide by the same rules as U.S.manufacturers. “China has dumped prod-ucts into the U.S. market at prices that arewell below fair value,” said Levin.“Furthermore, Chinese manufacturersreceive an array of government subsidies,including that countryʼs manipulation ofcurrency exchange rates. All of these fac-tors equate to an enormous unfair advan-tage for Chinese manufacturers and injurethe entire domestic hardwood flooringindustry. Even more ominously, theseunfair trade practices present a fundamen-tal, if not insurmountable, obstacle to thedomestic industryʼs ability to recover itscompetitive footing, even when underlyingeconomic conditions in this country turnmore favorable.”The CAHP petition has the support of
domestic multilayered wood flooring manu-facturers that together represent a majorityof domestic hardwood flooring production.In line with regulatory timelines, CAHPexpects a preliminary ruling and escrowdeposit requirement could be implementedby early 2011 and a final ruling and dutyto be implemented by the end of 2011.For more information visit www.usfloorpar-ity.org.
•Editors note: The following is a cor-
rection from our Oct./Nov. issue.
Surrey, United Kingdom—NHG TimberLtd., headquartered here, recentlyannounced the addition of Jeff Lee who willwork alongside their Far East trader BennJenn as sales representative into the FarEast and procurement from the region.Lee has wide industry experience and
comes from both a manufacturing andmarketing background, having previouslyworked in Malaysia, Singapore, China and
Continued from page 29
NEWSWIRESGabon. “Jeff willenhance the com-mercial team of NHGand is part of ourcontinued overseasexpansion,” NickGoodwin said.Lee will be based in
Kuala Lumpur andwork alongside BenJenn and GuyGoodwin in theTropical Team andBen Goodwin andStuart McBride in
the Temperate Team. NHG Timber Ltd. has been trading for
nearly 30 years. Nick Goodwin, who spenthis entire working life in the timber trade,founded the firm. The family business hascontinued to grow, developing new sourceareas and widening its product portfolio,and is presently trading with over 65 coun-tries and offering a wide range of products.For more information visit www.nhgtim-ber.co.uk.
•
Jeff Lee
According to the Western HardwoodAssociation some will result in tax increas-es only if Congress acts; others will auto-matically increase taxes unless Congressacts. Some of these policy changes arelisted below as reported by the WHA.Capital Expensing—Businesses areallowed to immediately deduct a certainpercentage of capital investment costs inthe first year, and then depreciate the bal-ance over time according to a regularschedule. The American Recovery andReinvestment Act of 2009 kept the$250,000 expensing limit in place through2009, and the Hiring Incentives to RestoreEmployment Act of 2010 (HIRE) extendingit through the end of 2010. ObamaAdministrationʼs FY 2011 budget baselineassumes a $125,000 expensing limit willbe made permanent for 2011 and all futuretax years. But if Congress does not act, theexpensing limit will fall 90 percent nextyear to a level of $25,000.LIFO—President Obamaʼs FY 2011 budg-et proposes to prohibit businesses fromusing the LIFO (last in first out) inventoryaccounting method in their federal incometax calculations for all tax years beginningafter December 31, 2011.International Tax Reform—PresidentObama is urging Congress to close sever-al tax loopholes which he claims are beingused to avoid taxes by U.S. based compa-nies with foreign interests.
Oregonians Seek Forest Reclaim from Federal Control
Oregon has relied on federal agencies tomanage the majority of its land. This exper-iment, which has lasted more than a centu-ry, has experts stating the results are “crip-pling to Oregonʼs forests and rural commu-nities.”According to OregonLive.com the federalgovernment owns 18.2 million acres ofOregonʼs 30 million acres of forestland. Arecent study released by the OregonForest Resources Institute suggests thatmany of these forests are “sick and requireimmediate help.” Many are reported asovercrowded and subject to devastatingfires and insect infestations. Additionally to environmental concerns,rural community officials say relying on thearrival of federal timber payments to fundessential services is uncertain. Congressand the responsible federal agenciesremain tight with no incentive to improvethe system or to put control of the landback to local authorities.The Oregon Legislature acknowledgedthis problem in 2005 in federal forests andurged the Oregon Department of Forestryto address the issue. The result was a cre-ation of the Federal Forestland AdvisoryCommittee. After three years of collabora-tion, the committee proclaimed the criticalneed for local action and decision makingto sustain a healthy forest system. In spiteof these findings, 60 percent of Oregonʼsforests remain locked in federal control, outof reach for local management.
•
WASHINGTON SCENE-Continued from page 2
Peter King
Brattleboro, Vt.—Peter King ofCersosimo Lumber Co. Inc. died recent-ly. King began his career with NorthAtlantic Timber & Shipping Company in hishometown of Hardwick, Massachusetts. In1994 he went to Northland Forest Productsof Kingston, N.H., as Far East sales man-ager. During his tenure at Northland, Kingbecame increasingly involved with theAmerican Hardwood Export Council. Aftermany years of service on the board ofdirectors, he served as Chairman of AHECfrom 2006-2008. In 2007 he went to workfor Cersosimo Lumber Co. Inc. and set upthe CLC export division, which, accordingto a company representative has met withmuch success due to Kingʼs leadership.“Peter was an articulate man of great dig-
nity and integrity, and it was these quali-
OBITUARIES
Import/Export Wood Purchasing NewsPublisher Paul Jerome Miller, 88, diedrecently at his home in Memphis, Tenn.after a long battle with cancer. Born in St.Louis, Mo., on Feb. 1, 1922, his parentswere Shirley and Otto Louis Miller. OttoMiller was associated with the St. LouisLumberman, a magazine that focused onyellow pine. Otto Miller moved the family to Meridian,
Miss., where he traveled throughout theSouth selling advertising and developingfeature articles about the lumber industry.Shortly thereafter, he discovered a largenumber of hardwood mills that were notinterested in the softwood industry oradvertising in a softwood magazine, butthey would support a hardwood magazine.However, the St. Louis office did not think
there was a need for a hardwood maga-zine. So, in 1927, Otto Miller relocated hisfamily to Memphis, Tenn., which, at thattime was the Hardwood capital of theworld. His family consisted of son Paul,daughter Shirley and a younger son, OwenLouis Miller.In Memphis, well-known lumberman E.N.
Beard Sr. lived two doors down from theMillers on Evergreen Street. The hardwoodmills from the Midwest and North weremoving South to cut the vast track of virginhardwood timber and most roads werenon-existent. In fact, it took all day to get toJackson, Miss., from Memphis.Miller named the initial publication “The
Memphis Lumberman and SouthernWoodworkers,” but it was soon re-named,National Hardwood Magazine.Paul Miller graduated from Central High
School in Memphis, as well as a businessschool to learn typing and office skills. Heworked a short time for the magazine whenWorld War II broke out, and he joined theNavy to work as a yeoman on an Admiralʼsstaff on a ship based out of Portland,Maine.On leave, he returned home to marry
Ernestine Herbers in 1943. The two lived inPortland until the end of the war and thenmoved back to Memphis. Paul rejoined themagazine and soon started a second pub-lication, a monthly woodworking andmachinery publication, The ClassifiedExchange.Over the years, these two publications
were followed by eight more wood tradepublications, including Import/Export WoodPurchasing News. Four of Paulʼs five sonsand his daughter joined the publishing firm,and helped establish and build the lasteight publications.In 1972, Paul started Yuletide Office
Supplies to create jobs for his underage
sons and daughter to teach them “the art ofsales.” Today, this company is the largestlocally owned independent office supplybusiness in the Memphis area and it isowned and operated by members of thefamily.
Paul was an avid outdoorsman and a suc-cessful hunter and fisherman. He enjoyedbow hunting for deer, mainly in Arkansas,as well as hunting for rabbit, duck, quailand pheasant. He also raised homingpigeons and enjoyed dancing. He was a key organizer of what was the
largest local archery hunting club in WestTennessee. He was also a charter memberof the famous Tommyʼs Lake Duck Club inSoutheast Arkansas. Paul held variousoffices in the Lumbermenʼs Club ofMemphis and was also secretary/treasurerof the Memphis Hoo Hoo Club.He was predeceased by his wife of 64
years, Ernestine Herbers Miller. He is sur-vived by his six children: Wayne, Gary,Paul, Chris, Terry and Michelle Miller, all ofthe Memphis area. There are 13 grandchil-dren and four great-grandchildren.Today, Paulʼs legacy continues to the
fourth generation now working for thelargest publisher in the forest productsindustry helping suppliers market theirwood products around the globe; a thirdgeneration of Millers run the office supplybusiness.The family requests any donations or
memorials be sent to St. Jude ChildrenʼsResearch Hospital, 262 Danny ThomasPlace, Memphis, Tenn., 38105.
•
Paul Jerome Miller – 1922-2010
MBA professional with 20+ yearsexperience in forest products exportsaless/marketing seeks position.Contact: Thomas Collet at 541-255-3496 or [email protected]
December 2010/January 2011 Page 31
AHEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Argo Fine Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Aztec Intl. Timber & Trading Ltd. . . .31
BAILLIE Lumber Co. . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Bingaman & Son Lumber, Inc. . . . .19
Coastal Lumber Intʼl. . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Cole Hardwood, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Downes & Reader Hardwood Co., .32
Fitzpatrick & Weller . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Frank Miller Lumber Co., Inc. . . . . .21
Hanafee Bros. Sawmill Co., Inc. . . .24
Hancock Lumber Co. . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Hansson, Elof, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Hardwood Forestry Fund . . . . . . . .23
Hawkeye Forest Products . . . . . . . . .9
Hermitage Hardwood Lumber Sales .13
IWPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Midwest Walnut Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
NHG Timber Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Neff Lumber Mills, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . .27
Newman Lumber Co. . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Penn-Sylvan International, Inc. . . . .29
Prime Lumber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Primewood Lumber, Inc. . . . . . . . .25
Ram Forest Products Inc. . . . . . . . .25
Rolling Ridge Woods, Ltd./Yoder Lbr. Co. 11
Romea Legnami S.p.A. . . . . . . . . . . .5
TMX Shipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Transit King City/Northway Forwarding 24
Tuscarora Hardwoods . . . . . . . . . . .17
U•C Coatings Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Wheeland Lumber Co. . . . . . . . . . .26
Classified advertising accepted only for: Positions Available, Positions Wanted, BusinessOpportunities, Machinery For Sale, Machinery Wanted, Wanted To Buy, Services Offered.Classified Rates: Display classified $45.00 per column inch, fractions of an inch will be chargedas full inch. Line Ads are $8.00 per line.All classified Ads must be received by the 16th of the preceding month. Example: Ads for
February/March 2011 issue must be in by Jan. 15th.Also please specify number of times Ad is to run. All Ads to be inserted on prepaid basis
only.
C l a s s i f i e d O p p o r t u n i t i e s
INDEX OF ADVERTISERSINDEX OF ADVERTISERS
Chinese Agent to represent Graf BrothersFlooring & Lumber – logs, flooring andlumber.
Graf Brothers, P.O. Box 458, SouthShore, Ky 41175
Phone: 606-032-3117 Fax: 606-932-3156email: [email protected]
WANTED
ATTENTION: OVERSEAS LUMBER BUYERSAmerican, NHLA graduate, current working contacts with domestic
sawmills/dimension plants, looking for work with an overseas companywho is tired of paying for high-priced lumber/logs from the U.S. We will setup a small office and you/we will buy direct from the sawmills.
CONTACT: Blind Box No. 141
C/O The Import/Export Wood Purchasing NewsP.O. Box 34908
Memphis, Tn 38134
International lumber company is looking for a Sales Representative living in the Gulfregion of the USA. Must have a minimum of 5 years experience in imported hardwoodlumber and plywood sales. Must be willing to travel. Candidate would be responsible forincreasing market share, generating and maintaining new accounts. Must have excellentcommunication and computer skills. Excellent career opportunity and compensationpackage for qualified individual. Please send resume:
C/O: Blind Box 143Import Export Wood Purchasing News.
P.O. Box 34908 • Memphis, Tn 38184-0908
Sales Representative Needed
“Be A Part of One of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies”Sales Representatives
Weston Premium Woods is a 60 year old hardwood lumber distributor who isadding to our existing sales team. Offering outstanding earning potentialand career growth for the right individual. You should:
• Have experience buying and selling lumber products• Be highly motivated with a strong work ethic • Be able to work independently as well as in a team environment• Be entrepreneurial, results oriented and resilient• Be able to develop long lasting customer and supplier relationships• Have an existing customer base with a proven track record • Be confident in selling through price objections
If this is you please contact: Nico Poulos, [email protected] or at 866-385-7778
Export Business Development Mgr.
“A CUT ABOVE”SPECIALIZING IN APITONG, KERUING, KAPUR AND OTHER
IMPORTED HARDWOOD SPECIESORIGINAL MANUFACTURER AND AFTER MARKET TRUCK AND
TRAILER DECKING AND RAIL CAR FLOORING
EXPORT OF DOMESTIC HARDWOOD AND SOFTWOOD ALSO AVAILABLE
QUALITY FOREST PRODUCTS FROMSELECTED DOMESTIC AND OVERSEAS MANUFACTURERS.
CUSTOM FABRICATED WOOD PRODUCTS.
“WE DO THE DIFFICULT WITH EASEAND THE IMPOSSIBLE WITH GRACE”
SERVICE WITH INTEGRITY
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: DAVID XÓCHIHUA1104 MAIN STREET, SUITE M-150
VANCOUVER, WA 98682-0012 USA P.O. BOX 820563TEL: 360.690.8532 FAX: 360.690.0035Website: www.aztecintltimber.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Page 32 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News
A Guide to
U.S./CANADIAN SOFTWOOD FOREST PRODUCTS
EXPORT SUPPLIERSImport/Export Wood Purchasing News’worldwide circulation is distributed tocompanies that purchase both Hardwoodand Softwood forest products.
GOODFELLOW INC.Canada’s Largest Independent Distributor,
Remanufacturer And Producer Of Wood ProductsOVERSEAS EXPORT
HARDWOODSEASTERN WHITE PINE - WESTERN RED CEDARDOUGLAS FIR TIMBERS - PRESSURE TREATED WOOD
THE WOOD SPECIALISTSDELSON, QUEBEC, CANADA
Manufacturers of 4/4Eastern White Pine, Lumber
andDIMENSION
Kiln Dried andAssociation Graded
Robbins Lumber Inc.Manufacturers Wholesalers
Searsmont, Maine 04967
Telephone: 207-342-5221
FAX: 207-342-5201
Website: www.rlco.com
SMALL STARTS...
MAIN OFFICEPortland, OR • 503/297-7691 • FAX 503/297-3188DISTRIBUTION CENTERPortland, OR • 503/220-0600 • FAX 503/220-8596SOUTHERN PRODUCTS DIVISIONCenterville, AL • 205/926-4606 • FAX 205/926-5910CALIFORNIA DIVISIONNewport Beach, CA • 714/752-5910 • FAX 714/752-6731CALIFORNIA DISTRIBUTION CENTERNational City, CA • 619/336-4625 • FAX 619/336-4823
...GREAT FINISHES
RB LUMBER COMPANY
RB LUMBER COMPANYP. O. Box 2254
Oregon City, OR 97045
623-936-7090 - Randy
Fax 623-936-7091
� INDUSTRIALS
Moulding, Finger Joint, Shop Core Stock, Furniture, Pallets,Bedframe
� PRODUCTS FOR REMANUFACTURE
Random length low grade boards & dimension, Waney cants, Tight Knot Timbers
CALL US FORWESTERN RED CEDAR!
We represent U.S. sales for North Okanagan Cedar, a sawmill in BritishColumbia. From their production we offer you:
• KD 1 x 6 and 1 x 8 Bevel Siding
• KD 1 x 6 and 1 x 8 Channel
• KD 1 x 4, 1 x 6 and 1 x 8 Tongue & Groove Pattern Stock
Other products include:
� FENCING ROUGH & S1S2E
1x4, 1x6, 1x82x4, 2x6, 2x84x4, 6x6Western Red Cedar
Incense Cedar Yellow Cedar Chinese Cedar
503-655-8020 - Gary
Fax 503-650-7235
Contact: Jean KnittelTEL: (450) 635-6511 / 1-800-361-0625 FAX (450) 635-5078E-mail: [email protected]
www.goodfellowinc.com
COMMITTED TOIDAHO WHITE PINEPRODUCTS SINCE
1953WEEK IN...WEEK OUT.
52 WEEKS A YEAR
P.O. Box 339Post Falls, Idaho 83877(208) 773-4511FAX: (208) 773-1107
IDAHO WHITE PINE LUMBER
Sandy Neck TradersTM
PINECEDAR
Call 888-726-3963It’s that simple.
Sourcing Solutions, Building BusinessTM
Tel: 604-946-2910
Since 1893
Your clear choice for
Western Red Cedar
R. B. LUMBER COMPANY
R. B. LUMBER COMPANYP. O. Box 2254Oregon City, OR 97045623-936-7090 - Randy Fax 623-936-7091 [email protected]
� INDUSTRIALS
Moulding, Finger Joint, Shop Core Stock, Furniture, Pallets,Russian Red Pine
� PRODUCTS FOR REMANUFACTURE
Random length low grade boards & dimension, Waney cants, Tight Knot Timbers
CALL US FOR
WESTERN RED CEDAR AND IMPORT NEEDS!Our products include:
� FENCING ROUGH & S1S2E, FENCING DECKING & PATTERN STOCK
1x4, 1x6, 1x82x4, 2x6, 2x84x4, 6x6Western Red Cedar
Incense Cedar Chinese Fencing, Decking & Patterns
503-655-8020 - GaryFax [email protected]
Contact: Charlie FreemanSales, General Manager
Phone: 902-685-2792Fax: 902-685-2644
4804 Medway River RoadGreenfield, N.S., Canada B0T 1E0
www.freemanlumber.com
Consistent Quality Since 1832Manufacturers of Wholesale Lumber Products
www.millerpublishing.com
P.O. Box 34908 ~ 1235 Sycamore View
Memphis, TN 38184-0908
(800) 844-1280 or (901) 372-8280
Fax: (901) 373-6180
E-mail: [email protected]
Miller Publishing proudly serves the woodworking industry with thefollowing publications and online directories:
National Hardwood Magazine................................www.nationalhardwoodmag.com
Import/Export Wood Purchasing News ..................www.woodpurchasingnews.com
Softwood Forest Products Buyer .........................................www.softwoodbuyer.com
Classified Exchange ..........................................................www.classifiedxchange.com
Imported Wood Purchasing Guide ...................www.importedwoodpurchasing.com
Forest Products Export Directory ............................www.forestproductsexport.com
Dimension & Wood Components Buyer’s Guide...........www.dimensionwoodcomponent.com
Hardwood Purchasing Handbook ...................www.hardwoodpurchasinghdbk.com
Greenbook’s Hardwood Marketing Directory ................www.millerpublishing.com
Greenbook’s Softwood Marketing Directory ..................www.millerpublishing.com
Imported Wood Purchasing Guide ...................www.importedwoodpurchasing.com
Forest Products Export Directory ............................www.forestproductsexport.com
Dimension & Wood Components Buyer’s Guide...........www.dimensionwoodcomponent.com
Hardwood Purchasing Handbook ...................www.hardwoodpurchasinghdbk.com
Greenbook’s Hardwood Marketing Directory ................www.millerpublishing.com
Greenbook’s Softwood Marketing Directory ..................www.millerpublishing.com
Forest Products Stock Exchange ...........................www.forestproductsstockexc.com
Please visit us online
for more information about
our publications
DOWNES & READER HARDWOOD CO., INC.
Ash, Basswood, Beech,Birch, Cherry, Cypress,
Hickory, Hard Maple, SoftMaple, Bird’s Eye Maple,
Curly Maple, Poplar,Walnut, Red Oak, White
Oak, Aromatic Cedar,Western Red Cedar,
Redwood, Sugar Pine,SYP
Lumber: Mahogany (Genuine & African),Jatoba, Santos Mahogany, Banak,Marupa, Peroba Rosa, Guatambu,Purpleheart, Yellowheart, Macaranduba,Tatajuba, Spanish Cedar, Royal Cedar,Ipe, Cumaru, Tropical Walnut, Teak,Anegre, White MahoganyProducts:Kiln Stacking Sticks: Macaranduba, Ipe,Cumaru & JatobaBlanks: (Chamfer-Custom) Virola & ParaParaDecking: Ipe, Cambara, CumaruFlooring: Jatoba, Ipe, Santos Mahogany
DIRECT EXPORTERS DIRECT IMPORTERS
Providing the following services:4,000,000 BF Kiln Dried Inventory, Planing Mill, Straight Line Ripping, Gang
Ripping, Mixed Container Shipments, and Rail Siding
The most durable and cost-effectivekiln stick on the market
When You Can’t See the Forest for the Trees...Turn to DOWNES & READER HARDWOOD CO., INC.
Import/Export Division:William von der Goltz - Steve Arnett
Greensboro, NCToll-free: 1-866-4 JATOBA (452-8622) & 336-323-7502
Fax: 336-217-7970e-mail: [email protected]
Headquarters at Stoughton, MAWeb Site: downesandreader.com
Servicing U.S. Lumber and Log Exporters fromall U.S. Ports: East Coast, Gulf and West Coast
OUTSIDE SALES OFFICE:Contact, Mike Hilburn817 Hiawatha • Wilmington, NC 28412Phone: 252.241.1660E-mail: [email protected]
TMX Shipping Company, Inc.Corporate Headquarters727 Arendell StreetPO Box 747Morehead City, NC 28557 USAPhone: 252.726.1111Toll Free: 800.631.7447Fax: 252.726.9097
TMX Shipping Company, Inc.2020 General Booth Blvd, STE 220Virginia Beach, VA 23456Phone: 757.563.6200Fax: 757.563.0300
www.tmxship.com
S H I P P I N G
We’re a detail minded company that provides individualizedservice, custom designed to each customer’s requirements.We are committed to the best possible service; utilizing ourextensive experience and skills, coupled with oursophisticated computerized traffic management and docu-mentation system.
December 2010/January 2011 Page 33
Manufacturers & Processors
who supply
over
500,000,000
of Hardwoods are
Represented Online
SEE
forestproductsstockexc.com
Page 34 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News
SERVING THE SOUTH SINCE 1949
10100 DENTON DRIVE • DALLAS, TX. 75220RICHARDSON LUMBER & MFG. CO.
• 54” McDonough Resaw • Yates American A-20 planer
• 60,000’ capacity per day • 20+ million feet of dry storage space
SALES -- WALTER YOUNGP.O. BOX 504 • 224 INDUSTRIAL PARK
• WELLS RIVER, VERMONT 05081TELEPHONE: 802-429-2332 • FAX: 802-429-2217
• E-MAIL: [email protected]• Website: www.newmanlumberco.com
SPECIALIZING IN PATTERNS
A COMPANY YOU CAN BANK ON...WITH YEARS OF Experience!
The Waldun GroupOne-stop source for quality cedar products
WALDUN FOREST PRODUCTS TWIN RIVERS CEDAR
STAVE LAKE CEDAR M&R WOOD TURNING
Working as ONE to better serve you.
9393 287th Street, Maple Ridge, BC V2W 1L1
TEL. (901) 604.462.8266
FAX (901) 604. 462.8266
www.waldun.com [email protected]
Look to the Leader in Manufacturing QualityCypress, Southern Yellow Pine and HardwoodLumber...
Look to: Jerry G. Williams & Sons, Inc.Cypress
Select & 2 Common Grades 4/4 - 5/4 - 8/4, 3”-12” widthSurfaced to S4S and patterns - Bevel siding - Fresh Resaw Face
Southern Yellow Pine5/4 KD in 3”, 4”, 5”, 6”, 10”, 12” - 4’ thru 16’ lengthsSpecialize in Nosed Edged Stepping and 5/4x10”Stringer material - cut-to-length Stair TreadsPine Pallet Parts
Stock Width HardwoodSpecializing in Stock or Fixed Width Lumber3”, 4”, 5”, 6”, 7”, 8”, 9”, 10”, 11” & 12” & W in Yellow Poplar, Red Oak and White Oak, FAS and 1 Common NHLA GradesAll lumber can be Gang Ripped 1” thru 12” - Straight Line RippedSurfaced S2S or S4SPrecut Pallet Parts, Deck Boards and StringersPlease call for exact specification
The Sawmill for all Your Quality Lumber Needs
P.O. Box 2430, 524 Brogden Rd., Smithfield, NC 27577Please Call Thomas, Brian or Bob whenever we can be of service at
(919) 934-4115Fax 919-934-4956
Jerry G. Williams & Sons, Inc.
• Manufacturers and wholesale distributors• Log Home and timber frame components• Appearance grade Douglas Fir beams, green or dry• TPI Certified• Decking and flooring• Glu lam beams• Dowels, porch posts, hand rail and decorative posts
up to 12”• 4x4 KD Hem-Fir appearance• Lathe turned and coped logs
7” to 12” diameter - 8’ to 16’ lengths
Lakewood, WA1-800-232-2132
Portland, OR1-800-819-4238
IN EASTERN WHITE PINE
PRODUCTS• NeLMA PATTERNS
• PANELING• FLOORING
• SIDING• TIMBERS
• SHOP LUMBER
FACILITIES• MILL - PRODUCING 30 MILLION BOARD FEET
• DRY KILNS• TWO PLANER MILLS
KING FOREST INDUSTRIES, INC.53 Eastside Road • Wentworth, NH 03282TEL: 603.764.5711 • FAX: 603.764.9654
FOR SALES CALL BOB DAVISON
MAKING THEGRADE
For Sales Call: (214) 358-2314 Toll Free: 877-318-5261
Fax: (214) 358-2383Web site: timbersonline.com
#1 & BTR. GREEN DOUGLAS FIR*sizes up to 20” x 20”Lengths to 40’NOW STOCKING: DOUGLAS FIR Tru-DryTM TimbersEXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTORS FOR: LA, OK, TX#1 & BTR. WESTERN RED CEDAR*sizes up to 16” x16”Lengths to 32’OAK TIMBERS*sizes up to 12” x12”Lengths to 20’*Larger sizes available upon request
207-627-7600
www.hancocklumber.com
Eastern White Pine from Maine
PUTTING YOU FIRST
U.S. /CANADIAN SOFTWOOD FOREST PRODUCTS
EXPORT SUPPLIERSImport/Export Wood Purchasing News’worldwide circulation is distributed tocompanies that purchase bothHardwood and Softwood products
A guide to
Eastern White Pine from Maine
www.hancocklumber.com
Stock Width HardwoodSpecializing in Stock or Fixed Width LumberRed Oak, White Oak Poplar, FAS and 1 CommonCypressSelect & 2 Common Grades 4/4 3”-12” widthSouthern Yellow Pine5/4 KD in 3”, 4”, 5”, 6”, 10”, 12” - 4’ thru 16’ lengthsSpecialize in Nosed Edged Stepping
The Sawmill for all Your Quality Lumber Needs
Jerry G. Williams & Sons, Inc.P.O. Box 2430, 524 Brogden Rd., Smithfield, NC 27577
Please Call Thomas Ezzell or Bob Maiers
whenever we can be of service at
(919) 934-4115Fax 919-934-4956
Massachusetts800-752-0129 800-468-8220
800-955-2677 800-888-0227
Connecticut
Vermont Maine
www.HoodDistribution.com
Tight-knot Western Red Cedar out performs vinyl siding year after year. Vinyl sell-ers claim that it’s low maintenance, yet cedar needs the same cleaning as vinyl.Unlike vinyl, if the cable guy cuts a hole a little too big, with cedar he simply fills it,paints it and no one’s the wiser. Try painting vinyl or finding caulking that matchgesthe color of the customer’s house. If the customer should want to change the colorof their home, with vinyl someone has to tell them how much more trouble and costpainting is; while cedar takes paint and stains like a dream, plus cedar can lasttwice as long as the best vinyl.Lazy S Lumber also sells factory-primed cedar siding that saves prep time andspeeds up installation. Vinyl does have its uses! Tell your clients that cedar offersbuilders high profits, less work, and long lasting beauty from any angle.
USE THE RIGHT STUFF FOR THE JOB
WESTERN RED CEDAR SIDING
Contact Todd Fox for a distributor near you 503-632-3550
Look for and demand Lazy S brand Cedar Siding
541-343-5854
How big?Up to 52 feet long
for 34 x 34 inch timbers!
To learn more about our real big timber and otherproducts and services, call us today at:
www.zipolog.comEugene, Oregon
ill & Timber Products
Contact: Jim Dunse, Berny Power
or Sid Sigfusson
At Mill & Timber we mill our logs at our sawmills
in Port Moody and Surrey, B.C. and we finish our
lumber at our plant in Richmond. Mill & Timber is
your source for reliable service and the highest
quality Western Red Cedar products.
1 2 7 7 0 - 1 1 6 t h A v e .S u r r e y , B C V 3 V 7 H 9P h : 6 0 4 - 5 8 0 - 2 7 8 1F a x : 6 0 4 - 5 8 0 - 3 6 4 6
Western Red Cedar is the Bestand the Best Western Red Cedar
comes from Mill & Timber!
1-877-898-5266www.wynndellumber.com
RICHARDSON TIMBERS
Edward W. Allen 1402 Wilkinson Ct.St. Peter, MN 56082
Office: 507-931-5724Fax: 507-931-5740Cell: 612-850-4873
E-mail: [email protected] • Website: [email protected]
edallenexporting.com
CENTRAL MINNESOTAHARDWOOD SALES, LLC
EXPORTING OF HARDWOOD LOGS FROM THE NORTHERN USA
Eastern WhitePine from Maine
www.hancocklumber.com
• Manufacturers and wholesale distributors• Log Home and timber frame components• Appearance grade Douglas Fir beams, green or dry• TPI Certified• Decking and flooring• Glu lam beams• Dowels, porch posts, hand rail and decorative posts
up to 12”• 4x4 KD Hem-Fir appearance• Lathe turned and coped logs
7” to 12” diameter - 8’ to 16’ lengths
Lakewood, WA1-800-232-2132
Portland, OR1-800-819-4238
Looking for Eastern White Pine chips?Call Hancock Lumber! Email [email protected] call 207-615-3348
FIND HUNDREDS OF NORTH AMERICAN SUPPLIERSOF IMPORTED FOREST PRODUCTS
Order Your Copyof the 2010
Imported Wood Purchasing Guide
$175.00 (U.S. and Canada) $225.00 (Foreign)To Order, E-mail: [email protected]
or Fax: 901-373-6180
