Safety Awards to be Presented at EXPO

Good safety habits protect workers and reduce operating expenses, which is why SFPA annually recognizes members who achieve outstanding safety records.  Sawmill Safety Awards for 2006 will be presented June 22 during the general session of EXPO 2007.

Plans continue on track for SFPA’s Midyear meeting, June 19-20, at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta and the EXPO, June 21-23, at the Georgia World Congress Center. Those who have not already registered for both events are encouraged to do so. In addition, members who want to ensure they get a room at the Omni should make their reservations no later than April 23 by calling 800/243-1588. Refer to meeting code, “SFPA Meeting Block.”

Southern Pine Gospel Spread in Boston

Hundreds of architects, engineers, builders, building officials, and others involved with residential construction attended the Residential Design and Construction 2007 trade show and seminars April 4-5 at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston.  Steve Bean, SFPA marketing vice president, staffed the Southern Pine Council display at the show and handled questions about Southern Pine's structural properties, changes in available treatments, flooring applications and availability.

"Where to buy" and "who makes this product" were common questions.  “Most visitors were pleased to learn they could find local supply sources in the product locator on www.southernpine.com,” Steve said.  Just a few mouse clicks help Web visitors locate local Southern Pine dealers along with specific manufacturers for just about every product available. 

The flooring brochure was by far the most popular publication.  Some visitors asked Steve for advice about integrating the new Southern Pine products into homes that were literally hundreds of years old.  “Questions often started with the phrase ‘I own a home built in 1740, and I am replacing the floor in one wing,’” Steve said.  Several visitors asked if untreated Southern Pine was available, since they had seen only treated Southern Pine in the local lumberyards.  Visitors looking for general information about Southern Pine were also delighted to pick up the Lumber Library CD with its complete collection of Southern Pine Council publications.

“Booth location is a critical factor with this show,” Steve explained.  “We had a great location this year, and our traffic improved dramatically compared to last year. Visitors began arriving as soon as the exhibit hall doors opened, and they kept me busy most of the time.”  The trade show is the only one SFPA and SPC attend in the Boston area and one of the few in the Northeast. 

SPC a Hit in Texas

The Southern Pine Council joined exhibitors at last month’s Lumberman's Association of Texas Convention and Buying Show in San Antonio. SPC reminded dealers that incorporating a raised floor system can add one-third more lumber to a framing package. "Dealers would recognize our booth and remark how often they use our Web site at www.southernpine.com," said Richard Kleiner, SFPA director of treated markets. Comments included “we use the span charts all the time," the site makes it "easy to find what I need," and "I refer my customers to your site all the time."

A Place in Schools

 Keeping Southern Pine at the top of the building materials list for schools was the objective of the Southern Pine Council’s participation in a recent “Schools of the 21^st Century Symposium” in New Orleans. "This was an excellent symposium attracting 200 architects and school administrators responsible for large facility programs,” said Cathy Kaake, SFPA director of engineered markets, who staffed an exhibit in conjunction with APA – The Engineered Wood Association. “APA’s school-specific literature was very helpful, and our environmental message was right on target.”

Success at D.R. Seminar

A recent seminar on structural uses of Southern Pine in Santo Domingo drew more than 125 architects, engineers, builders and do-it-yourselfers and also resulted in interviews with local news media. The Southern Pine Council sponsored the seminar, which was conducted by Dr. Ramon Echenique, SFPA‘s market consultant for Mexico.