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May 18, 2007

Southern Pine Finding a Home in China

A healthy market for Southern Pine and a flair for using it creatively appear to be flourishing in China. SFPA Director of International Markets Ned DeJarnette and Director of Economic Services Wade Camp joined representatives from several SFPA member companies on a recent mission to promote SP in three of China’s growing housing markets – Hangzhou, X’ian and Chengdu. Sponsored by the US-China Build Program and the Evergreen Building Products Association, the “China Sales Mission and Seminar Series” included half-day seminars with table-top displays by U.S. companies. “We noticed that many more companies stopped by the Southern Pine companies’ tables than at those of other U.S. companies,” Ned said.

Ned helped coordinate the Southern Pine Council’s participation in the mission. Participating from SFPA member companies were Mark Junkins and Hunter McShan of McShan Lumber Company; Brian Hayson and Vickie Vernon of Cox Industries; and Randy Barsalou of BCH Trading.

“Southern Pine companies that went on this trip showcased their companies, their products and their resources to wood industry contacts such as importers, wholesalers, distributors and local wood industry companies,” Ned said.

After the mission and seminar events, Ned and Wade joined Xu Fang, director of AF&PA-China’s Shanghai office, on a tour of several high-profile projects featuring SP, such as the complex boardwalk maze and gazebo shown above. “All of these projects have high visibility and showcase Southern Pine beautifully,” Ned reports.

SFPA and SLMA members interested in establishing or strengthening their trade business in China can contact Ned at 504/443-4464, ext. 233, or by e-mail at edjarnette@sfpa.org. 

Sawmill Safety Award Winners Announced

Five SFPA member mills will receive Sawmill Safety Awards for achieving outstanding safety records during 2006. Based on the results of occupational injuries and illnesses reports, SFPA members submitted information on total employee hours worked and the number of recordable cases. Mills were classified by total annual production volume of the company – Division I for companies producing less than 50 million board feet; Division II for companies making 51 to 150 million board feet; and Division III for companies exceeding 150 million board feet annually. “We congratulate our winners for their dedication to maintaining safe workplaces,” said SFPA President Digges Morgan. Here are the winners:

Division I:       Lampe & Malphrus Lumber Company – Smithfield, N.C.        

Division II:     Anthony Forest Products – Atlanta, Texas       

Division III:    Hood Industries, Inc. – Waynesboro, Miss.

                        Weyerhaeuser Company – New Bern, N.C.

                        Weyerhaeuser Company – Taylor, La.

The awards will be presented to representatives of the winning mills during the general session of EXPO 2007, scheduled June 21-23 in Atlanta, Ga.

Staying on Track with Midyear Meeting

An association’s work is never more important than during challenging times, and as a leader in the forest products industry, that’s certainly true for SFPA. The association’s Midyear Meeting, June 19-20 in Atlanta, Ga., presents an opportunity for members to review and discuss Southern Pine Council programs and give feedback in key areas. “We’ll look at the Raised Floor Living campaign and will talk in general about what our 2008 marketing plan should look like,” said Steve Bean, SFPA’s vice president of marketing. Members will also hear updates on SPC programs and discuss emerging issues. Receptions close out each day’s work, giving attendees a chance to network and recharge. (See agenda.)

In addition to keeping their association on a winning track, members can also see the latest products and services available to the industry at EXPO 2007. EXPO Director Eric Gee reports that 228 exhibitors – including 40 first-time EXPO exhibitors – have booked more than 75,000 square feet at the Georgia World Congress Center.

For Midyear Meeting registration information, call Dianne Breaux at 504/443-4464, ext. 225, or email her at dbreaux@sfpa.org. To learn more about EXPO, visit www.sfpaexpo.com or contact Eric at ext. 214 or egee@sfpa.org. 

SFPA Dedicates City Park Tree

With more than 1,300 acres, New Orleans City Park is one of the largest urban forests in the country. Hurricane Katrina destroyed more than 1,000 of the park’s trees, just part of the $43 million in storm damages sustained in all. On behalf of its members, SFPA contributed to a national campaign to reforest the park, planting a Southern Pine tree in a new grove on the park’s southern edge. SFPA’s staff recently visited the park to check on the tree’s progress. President Digges Morgan (shown on right side of the tree in the photo) and Economic Services Director Wade Camp also dedicated the 8-foot slash pine. The tree will soon have a marker recognizing SFPA’s contribution. Want to see the tree for yourself? If you’re ever in the area, just use these GPS coordinates: N29° 59.014’ and W090° 05.638’.

Name Changes in the Works for Two Associations

Members of two wood-related trade associations recently voted to change their names. The National Frame Builders Association will become the National Frame Building Association, and later this year, the American Wood Preservers' Association will change its name to the American Wood Protection Association. According to an NFBA news release, NFBA’s board of directors recommended a name change to show that NFBA is primarily an industry organization that advocates for the interests of not only post-frame builders, but also for post-frame suppliers, design professionals and others who earn a living in the post-frame industry. AWPA, meanwhile, believes its name change will better reflect the expertise its members have across the field of wood preservation and protection. NFBA is headquartered in Lawrence, Kan., and AWPA is located in Birmingham, Ala.

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