July 27, 2007

Register Now for Annual Meeting

Registration materials are now available for SFPA’s 2007 Annual Meeting in Charleston, S.C. An action-packed agenda and classic Southern setting promise to make this year’s meeting a “can’t miss” event. Travel & Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler magazines both rank Charleston as a top 10 U.S. travel destination.

Learn more about the meeting – set for Sept. 29 through Oct. 2 – and how to register in our Annual Meeting brochure. A variety of sponsorship opportunities are also available for companies interested in reaching key industry leaders at SFPA’s annual meeting.  

For more information about registering for the meeting, contact Dianne Breaux at 504/443-4464, ext. 225, or dbreaux@sfpa.org.  To discuss sponsorship options, contact EXPO and Forest Resources Director Eric Gee at 504/443-4464, ext. 214, or egee@sfpa.org. 

Exports Continue on Higher Track

U.S. Softwood exports in 2007 continue to outpace 2006, reports SFPA Director of Economic Services Wade Camp. Southern Pine exports are up 17% year-to-date through May. Bright products through May are up 5% and treated Southern Pine is up 47%. Top destinations for Southern Pine are 1) Dominican Republic; 2) Bahamas; 3) Mexico; 4) Jamaica and 5) Spain. The seasonally adjusted annual rate for SP exports is 355 MMbf, while the total for 2006 was 330 MMbf.

Softwood imports into the United States, meanwhile, continue to respond to lower U.S. housing markets and are down 21% through May. The seasonally adjusted annual rate for May imports is 17.2 Bbf, which equals the 1995 level for imports and represents a 35% drop from the peak in 2005. Top sources for imports into the United States are Canada (down 16% year-to-date), Germany (down 55%) and Chile (down 18%).  

For more information, call Wade at 504/443-4454, ext. 217, or e-mail him at wcamp@sfpa.org.

Study Finds Homeowners Prefer Wood Flooring

The Forest Products Journal recently published a study comparing perceptions of wood flooring and carpeting based on Canadian homeowners’ opinions. The study found that wood flooring is thought to be more pleasant, attractive, healthier, durable and environmentally friendly than carpeting. Despite wood flooring being seen as a more costly material than carpeting, the study found that wood flooring has continued to capture market share from carpeting. The study’s authors attribute this to homeowners’ perceptions that wood flooring improves the indoor environmental quality of their home. As to cost, the report notes that wood flooring and carpeting are actually statistically comparable.  

“Many people feel that wood flooring adds value to their home,” said SFPA Director of Industrial Markets Russell Richardson. “This study’s findings are good news for our members who produce flooring patterns.” See the June issue of Forest Products Journal for more information or contact Russell at 504/443-4464, ext. 239, or rrichardson@sfpa.org.  

Recruiting Future Talent

Virginia Tech’s Department of Wood Science and Forest Products invites forest products companies and associations to participate in its Third Annual Wood Week Career Awareness Fair. The event is held to build student awareness about potential careers in forest products and related industries. “Participation will benefit your organization by identifying candidates for internships and employment, increasing the pool of future candidates and helping the general university population recognize the contributions of the industry,” said Dr. Paul Winistorfer, department head.

The fair will be held at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sept. 6. The registration fee for participating companies and associations is $250. Visit www.woodscience.vt.edu/woodweek for more information or e-mail Paul at pstorfer@vt.edu or Dr. Audrey Zink-Sharp, assistant department head, at agzink@vt.edu.

Virginia Tech’s program in wood science and forest products is among the largest in North America.

2008 Midyear Meeting Dates Announced

For those who like to plan ahead, here are the dates and hotel for SFPA’s 2008 Midyear Meeting. The meeting will be held in New Orleans May 14-15 at the Wyndham New Orleans at Canal Place. These dates immediately follow the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building Conference, set for May 11-13 at the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans. We’ll provide details later. Meanwhile, please save these dates on your calendar.

PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION  

mechanical means, without written authorization from SFPA is prohibited.