EXPO 2009

June 11-13, 2009

in New Orleans

May 22, 2009

Book Rooms Today for EXPO 2009

If you’ve been putting off making plans to attend SFPA’s Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Exposition June 11-13 in New Orleans, today is the day to take action. That’s because today is the cutoff date for the block of hotel rooms New Orleans hoteliers are holding just for EXPO attendees and the last day for EXPO’s advance registration fee.

And you don’t want to miss the show. For one thing, the event’s returning to New Orleans, the site where EXPO debuted in 1950, for the first time since 1991. In addition, EXPO offers a leading venue for catching up on what’s new in machinery, technology and services for the forest products industry. For example, long-time SFPA member and exhibitor Progress Industries Inc. will unveil an addition to its product line called a Progress Flared Butt Reducer, said Johnny Tarassoli, general manager of the family-owned business in Trussville, Ala. Progress will also bring a 70-inch chipper, a log grapple, a balanced vibrating conveyer and a ring debarker rotor. “EXPO traditionally provides a showcase for the most innovative, efficient equipment and technology on the market, and this year will be no different,” said EXPO Director Eric Gee.

The advance registration fee for all three days of EXPO is only $10 for those who register no later than today and $15 at the door. Spouses and children under 18 years of age are admitted free. Visit www.sfpaexpo.com to register for EXPO online and find a list of hotels with instructions on how to book a room.  

Overall Housing Numbers Down, Single-Family Up Slightly

At first glance, the new residential construction report for April released this week by the U.S. Census Bureau looked like more doom and gloom, but the stats also held a glimmer of hope that things could be improving. On the negative side, overall numbers were down in both permits and starts. On the positive side, April permits and starts were actually up a little in the single-family category.

Building permits for privately-owned housing units in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 494,000, down 3.3% from the revised March rate of 511,000 and 50.2% below the revised April 2008 estimate of 991,000. Single-family permits in April were at a rate of 373,000, which is 3.6% above the revised March figure of 360,000.

Privately-owned housing starts in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 458,000, down 12.8% from a revised March estimate of 525,000 and 54.2% below the revised April 2008 rate of 1,001,000. Single-family housing starts in April were at a rate of 368,000, a 2.8% increase over the revised March figure of 358,000.

Most of the single-family increase seemed to be in the West, where permits were up almost 18% in April compared to March with starts up by 26.6%. Click here for the release and statistics. In other news, the National Association of Home Builders reported that U.S. homebuilder sentiment rose to the highest level in eight months in May.

SFPA Provides Support for Member Educational Efforts

One value SFPA provides members is assistance with projects that help educate end-users about their products. For example, Richard Kleiner, SFPA’s director of treated markets, supported Affiliate member Cox Industries Inc. with a series of continuing education seminars for architects sponsored by Cox during April and May.  Kleiner joined with Cox partner and SFPA Associate member Arch Wood Protection along with others to provide information on a variety of building topics, including the many options available for specification of pressure-treated products and preservatives. The seminars were held in Alabama, Mississippi and the Carolinas.  Richard provided presentations and materials on code-compliant uses of pressure-treated lumber, raised floor foundations, and marine and wetland construction. “SFPA’s AIA-approved courses are a key service we provide for our members’ customers,” Richard said. For more information, contact Richard at 504/443-4464, ext. 211, or by e-mail at rkleiner@sfpa.org.

TP Accredited by ANSI as SFI, PEFC Certifier

Timber Products Inspection Inc. has been accredited by ANSI as a certification body for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® and PEFC (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes) chain of custody programs. Click here for a news release with more details or contact Jeremy Williams, TP’s green inspection program manager, at 770/922-8000, ext. 499, or jwilliams@tpinspection.com.  

Office Closed for Memorial Day

The SFPA office will be closed Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day. SFPA salutes the men and women who serve our country, and we hope everyone has a safe holiday.

PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION  

mechanical means, without written authorization from SFPA is prohibited.