October 19, 2007

A Global Perspective on Softwood Markets

The Second International Softwood Conference was held in Geneva last week, and for the first time, convened jointly with the Timber Committee of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Delegations from 16 nations gathered to discuss current market conditions and outlooks in their countries as well as issues that may impact softwood resources in the future.

United States delegation members were SFPA President Digges Morgan and Western Wood Products Association President and CEO Mike O’Halloran along with Brian Hayson of Cox Industries Inc., a member of SFPA and the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (SLMA); Joe Kusar of Tolleson Lumber Co. Inc., a member of SLMA; Duane Vaagen of Vaagen Bros. Lumber Inc.; and Marc Brinkmeyer of Riley Creek Lumber Company.  

“All of these countries got together from throughout the world and shared their production and consumption figures and looked at challenges for the future,” Digges said. “Everyone is interested in the world market.”

Topics of particular interest included current issues with the U.S. housing market and subprime mortgage industry; the challenges and opportunities bioenergy is bringing for the forest and wood processing sectors; a Russian export tax on logs; and beetle kill problems in Canada. Conference attendees also heard presentations on subjects such as how public procurement and green building policies influence wood products markets and the market impact of certification.

Click here to see a news release with complete details about the conference. In addition, a market survey delivered at the conference is available in the Members Only sections of SFPA’s Web site. The survey also includes reports given by each nation’s representatives.

‘Big Red’ Celebrates 80 Years

SFPA Associate member Taylor Machine Works Inc. records a landmark anniversary this year – 80 years of designing and manufacturing materials-handling equipment for the forest products industry. W.A. Taylor Sr. founded his machine shop in Louisville, Miss., in 1927. The shop’s development of the “Logger’s Dream,” a log skidder that facilitated timber harvesting by small crews, soon established Taylor’s reputation as a manufacturer of materials-handling equipment. Today, the company operates from a 450,000 square-foot facility and is best known for its “Big Red” forklift trucks, which are marketed by 50 dealers with more than 100 locations in the United States and Canada and direct sales representatives in the Southeastern United States.

Taylor remains a family-owned and operated company. W.A. “Bill” Taylor, Jr. succeeded his father W.A. “Alec” Taylor Sr. as president in 1968 and continues to serve as chairman of the board of directors. W. A. “Lex” Taylor III assumed the presidency in 1987. Lex is the third generation of the Taylor family to lead the company. His brother, Robert D. Taylor Sr., vice-president of operations and sister, Teresa Taylor Ktsanes, general manager of corporate public relations and show promotions, are also actively involved in management and administration of the company.

The Taylor product line includes more than 100 machine models designed to meet the needs of materials-handling professionals in the forest products, steel, concrete, intermodal, transportation, marina and aluminum industries. For more information, visit www.taylorbigred.com.

Upcoming Conference Looks at Wood’s Durability

How do wood structures fare when disaster strikes?  The Forest Products Society will examine that question in a conference called “Durability of Wood-Framed Housing … Lessons Learned from Natural Disasters” Nov. 13-15 at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss. Experts will address a variety of topics, including reliability of wood roofs exposed to hurricane winds; performance of wood-framed structures in tornadoes that hit the Midwest in 2005; wind effects on residential structures during Hurricane Katrina; and the effect of wind-driven hurricane waves on wood-framed buildings. Cathy Kaake, SFPA’s director of engineered and framing markets, will explain how raised wood foundations can be used as a disaster-resistant construction alternative. Messages delivered at the conference are expected to be heard by design professionals, builders, code officials, government officials, researchers and educators. For more information, call 608/231-1361, ext. 208, or e-mail conferences@forestprod.org.

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