EXPO 2009

June 11-13, 2009

in New Orleans

April 9, 2009

Media Tour Reaches Consumer, Trade Editors

With Americans looking for weekend projects and ways to remodel or redecorate, national lifestyle magazines continue to offer ideas.  Richard Wallace, SFPA’s vice president of communications, found several publications receptive to Southern Pine project ideas during a media tour to New York City last week. Richard met with editors to discuss the basic project plans, photography and online resources available from the Southern Pine Council to assist their millions of readers. The group decorating director at Woman’s Day Special Interest Publications expressed interest in SP interior patterns for their “Fast Fix-Ups” section. Outdoor project ideas for a new magazine featuring Ty Pennington were also discussed, along with material needed for a growing line of books sold at home improvement centers. “Readers are looking for small DIY projects they can complete in a weekend,” Richard said.  “The economy is contributing to people staying at home more and wanting to fix up their place.”

Plans are in the early stages for the 2010 House of the Year at Country Living, and product editors are keeping Southern Pine materials on their list to be considered for paneling, flooring and ceilings. A package of reference literature was delivered to This Old House; treated decking and outdoor applications have been the topic of recent phone interviews with the staff.  Raised floor construction is a subject of interest to trade magazines, and a stop at McGraw-Hill’s offices provided the latest details, light commercial case study suggestions and photos to editors at Engineering News-Record and Architectural Record.

Richard also met with a prominent New York-based media consultant, reviewing ideas for expanded promotions of SPC’s online resources and other editorial opportunities. For more information, contact Richard at 504/443-4464, ext. 236, or by e-mail at rwallace@sfpa.org.

Southern Pine Reps Touch Base in China

Two trade shows, the Guangzhou port and a wood wholesale market were among the stops made by Ned DeJarnette, SFPA’s director of international markets, and Vince Almond of Southern Pine Council member company Almond Brothers Lumber Co., during a recent 10-day trip to China.

The two shows were the Domotex Asia/China Floor Show in Shanghai and Interzum China in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province. Sponsors predicted around 40,000 visitors and buyers would attend the Domotex show, and Interzum was expected to draw 50,000. Southern Pine was represented at both shows through an exhibit sponsored by American Softwoods, a cooperative effort of SPC, APA and the Softwood Export Council. The Domotex show focuses on flooring products, while Interzum targets furniture manufacturers.

In addition to the shows, Ned, Vince and Xu Fang, who represents American Softwoods in China, were among a group touring the port in Guangzhou and visiting a wood wholesale market. “The wood wholesale market was a great opportunity because it assembles all of the smaller ‘mom and pop’ wood buyers in one place,” Ned said. “The market acts as an agent for all of these different entities and gets them a better price for the wood, which they then distribute throughout the market.”

As to China’s economy, Ned says it’s running at a slower pace than last year, but is moving because the government is spending a good deal of money on infrastructure. A major investment involves China’s preparations to host the World Expo in Shanghai next year. For more information about the trip and potential trade opportunities, contact Ned at 504/443-4464, ext. 233, or by e-mail at edjarnette@sfpa.org.  

Raised Floor Living Visits Up in First Quarter

Traffic on the Southern Pine Council’s Raised Floor Living Web site continued to defy market doldrums during the first quarter by posting an increase for the fourth year in a row. Though still robust, traffic to SPC’s site – www.southernpine.com – was down somewhat from last year. 

Statistics show a 10% drop in unique visitors to www.southernpine.com during the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year. The site attracted 60,782 unique visitors in the first quarter of 2009 compared to 67,571 unique visitors in first quarter 2008. Those visitors viewed a total of 222,216 pages, down 18% from the 271,697 pages viewed last year. Meanwhile, 40,008 unique visitors dropped by www.RaisedFloorLiving.com in the first quarter, a 16% increase over the 34,361 unique visits recorded in 2008. Page views were up 6% with 114,275 pages viewed during the first quarter compared to 107,820 pages viewed during the same period last year.

The sites offer builders, designers and consumers a wealth of information ranging from free downloadable technical guides to answers to frequently asked questions. Visitors to www.southernpine.com can also find a handy “Product Locator,” while www.RaisedFloorLiving.com provides consumers a tool for locating professionals qualified to build raised floor homes.

For more information, contact SFPA Communications Manager Georgiann Gullett at 504/443-4464, ext. 216, or ggullett@sfpa.org.  

Aubra Anthony to Receive NAWLA Award

SFPA salutes Aubra Anthony Jr., president and chief executive officer of SFPA member company Anthony Forest Products, for his selection as the recipient of the North American Wholesale Lumber Association’s 2009 Mulrooney Award. The award was created in 1979 to honor the life and career of former NAWLA Executive Director Jack Mulrooney. NAWLA presents the award to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the forest products industry in North America. Candidates also must have contributed their time and talents to serving their local communities. Click here to read more about the award and Aubra’s substantial contributions to the industry and his community. The award will be presented at NAWLA’s 117th Executive Conference, April 27 at the Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort in Henderson, Nev.

SFPA Office Closed Friday

SFPA’s office will be closed Friday, April 10, in observance of Good Friday. We’ll reopen Monday.

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mechanical means, without written authorization from SFPA is prohibited.