The Import/Export Purchasing News PRSRT STD P.O. Box 34908 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Memphis, TN 38184-0908 MEMPHIS, TENN. PERMIT 270 Address Service Requested

Vol. 36 No. 2 Serving Forest Products Buyers Worldwide October/November 2009 “Going Green” Proved Popular Theme At AWFS By Terry Miller Las Vegas, Nevada–Awards, receptions and a plethora of informational Although attendance was reportedly less at this year’s show than two years sessions were highlights of the recent biennial AWFS Fair, hosted by the ago, vendors spoke contentedly about the quality of leads their displays gener- Association of & Furnishings Suppliers. Additional photos on pages 10 & 12 Continued on page 13

Paul Dow, Karl Schmertzler and Mel Yoder, Yoder Co. Inc., Millersburg, Ohio Romel Bezerra, Elof Hansson Inc., Suwanee, Ga.; Joann Gillebaard, Holland Southwest, Houston, Texas; Pat Bennett, American Pacific Inc., Solvang, Calif.; and Joel Osterloh, Elof Hansson, Inc. Mood’s Upbeat At AHMI Annual Summer Meeting By Paul Miller Jr. Hot Springs, Virginia–Despite a slight decrease in attendance, the located here. atmosphere was upbeat and positive at the recent 2009 Summer Conference, Guest speakers delivered information pertinent to today’s market to 121 in

hosted by the Appalachian Manufacturers Inc. at The Homestead, Additional photos on pages 12, 14 & 20 Continued on page 13

Dean Alanko, Allegheny Wood Products Inc., Petersburg, W.Va.; John O’Dea, Augusta Lumber Co. Inc., Taylor and Tripp Pryor, Unlimited, Waynesville, N.C.; Kim Vollinger, W.M. Cramer Lumber Co., Waynesboro, Va.; John Crites ll, Allegheny Wood Products Inc., Petersburg, W.Va.; and Bill Campoll, Coastal , N.C.; and Karen and Joe Pryor, Oaks Unlimited Lumber Company, Weldon, N.C. North American Receive Attention At Tecnomueble

Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico–The American Hardwood Export Council down, which can still be perceived. The number of exhibitors was also visually (AHEC) exhibited at the 2009 summer edition of Tecnomueble trade show here reduced; the organizing committee reported that many exhibitors canceled their and received 88 visitors with real interest in the AHEC services and products participation due to a lack of cash flow. within the Council. The This year the supply- majority of these con- ing show was attached tacts were either to the furniture importer/distributors or maker’s show. These furniture manufactur- shows are usually held ers. Some specialized separately on different schools and architects dates but because of were included, too. the Swine Flu outbreak The trade show was the suppliers’ show well attended in spite of Continued on page 15 the economical slow- Eighty-eight visitors displayed Seminar attendees at interest in AHEC services and Tecnomueble asked a variety products at the recent of questions regarding Tecnomueble trade show in designs and hardwoods Guadalajara, Mexico. species. Page 2 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News Who’s Who in Import/Exports American Hardwoods To Take Center Stage At World Interior Design Congress 2009, Dubai

For more information on AHEC and the export promotion programs, call (202)463- 2720, fax (202)463-2787, or visit the website, www.ahec.org.

B y M i c h a e l S n o w E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r A m e r i c a n H a r d w o o d E x p o r t C o u n c i l W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . This November, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) will Headquarters JESPER BACH GREGORY D. BESSE SHANE COOK STUART MCBRIDE be Gold Sponsor of IFI09 Dubai - the Building, China 24th General Assembly of the Jesper Bach Gregory D. Shane Cook S t u a r t World Trade Center International Federation of Interior is import manag- Besse is recently joined McBride is a in Beijing, Penang Architects/ Designers and the World er for Baillie President/CEO the sales team at director of NHG Holiday Inn and the Interior Design Congress 2009. L u m b e r and sole owner M i d w e s t Timber Ltd. Labor Bureau in The event, which will take place from Company in of Besse Forest Walnut located located in Surrey, Ohio. The other November 6th to 11th 2009 at the Hamburg, N.Y. Products Group in West Plains, United Kingdom. speaker, Luke Grand Hyatt Hotel, Dubai, will include ® Baillie Lumber in Gladstone, Mo. NHG Timber Hughes, is a London-based furni- competitions, an exhibition, work- Company is a Mich. Established offers an exten- ture designer who has designed and shops and master classes for stu- wholesaler, Besse Forest more than 70 sive range of made furniture for major public build- dents and professionals. The theme , importer Products Group years ago, diversified wood ings, collaborating with the world’s for the event this year is “Celebrate and exporter of is comprised of Midwest Walnut products and leading architects for outstanding Interior Design” and it will provide the wood. , veneer produces mil- currently trades architectural interiors. Projects include opportunity for networking, exchange This company mills, a concen- lions of board in over 67 coun- the U.K. Supreme Court, the U.K. of knowledge and experiences in a offers domestic tration/distribu- feet of Walnut tries. Houses of Parliament, more than 50 global context, as well as for personal hardwoods and a tion yard, and is and other hard- Sourced from Oxford and Cambridge Colleges, 25 development and growth. wide variety of an exporter of annually. Europe, North significant public libraries, five royal AHEC will also be featuring two well- imported species quality hardwood The company America, Africa, palaces and over 1,000 boardrooms known speakers for the event. Patrick such as African products. has a well- South America for major multi-national businesses. Fong, a Hong Kong based Interior , On a national established and the Far East, AHEC will also be participating in the Architect, is a renowned designer with IFI09 Exhibition, located in the Grand over 35 years of experience. His com- Continued on page 15 Continued on page 15 Continued on page 16 Continued on page 16 Hyatt Hotel, Dubai, where internation- pleted projects range from shopping al design professionals will have the arcades and corporate headquarters opportunity to find out more about the to hotel and service apartments, locat- design possibilities for American hard- ed in Mainland China, Hong Kong and woods, as well as their sustainability Southeast Asia. Major completed proj- T H E credentials. ects include the Pacific Place, Times The American Hardwood Export , Hang Seng Bank W A S H I N G T O N Continued on page 16

S C E N E Beetle Burrows Into Wood

Ralph Sims, a senior analyst at the (Excerpts reprinted from The International Energy Agency, and a be difficult if not impossible to identify Vancouver Sun) member of the Nobel Peace Prize- and could be one of hundreds of pos- Vancouver, British Columbia– winning Intergovernmental Panel on sible species was declined. Forest Fires, flooding and the moun- Climate Change. Business as usual is •APHIS is seeking comments on Lacey Act Update tain pine beetle epidemic are clear no longer an option, he said. future HTS chapters/subchapters for examples in B.C. that climate change To get to a more acceptable two Animal and Plant Health Inspection inclusion after September 1, 2010. is real and needs degrees Celsius Service recently released an update Comments are also requested for to be addressed by temperature rise, an to the declaration requirements of the items previously not included in the governments IEA report shows Lacey Act. The purpose of this notice phase-in schedule. around the world, that biomass will is to announce revisions to the phase •Please note industry has 60 days to B.C. Forests need to be the in enforcement of the declaration submit comments on the notice. Minister Pat Bell greatest source of requirement. For more information about the told an primary energy by Highlights of the update include: Federal Register notice, visit International 2050, Sims said. •Composite and recycled or reused www.edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/p Energy Agency Carbon capture materials (e.g. medium density fiber- df/e9-21216.pdf. board, particleboard and scrap wood) conference on and storage, partic- will be delayed from the original Climate Plan Calls For bioenergy recently. adult pine beetle ularly if it is com- Bell said the dev- bined with energy phase-in timeframe of October 1, Forest Expansion Photo courtesy - USDA Forest Service - Region 8 2009. The proposal is to begin enforc- astation by the produced using bio- Under a congressional plan to con- ing the declaration for those products pine beetle and mass, is another front climate change, new forests no earlier than September 1, 2010. this summer’s forest fires are clear key to keeping temperatures from would spread across the American The Federal Government will use the indicators of climate change. escalating above the acceptable two- landscape, replacing pasture and additional time to evaluate options for He said the province spent $240 mil- degree threshold, he said. farm fields, an analysis from the enforcing the declaration for these lion fighting forest fires during sum- Genome BC used the conference to Environmental Protection Agency goods. mer’s record high temperatures and announce $8.8 million in funding for recently shows. •Request for blanket declarations to record floods have been occurring two new research projects using the According to USA Today about 18 be used for routine and/or repeat along the Nechako River near Prince gene sequencing to convert trees into million acres of new trees would be shipments is under evaluation. Such George, where the pine beetle has liquid biofuels. planted by 2020 as a result of the cli- declarations would reduce the paper- denuded the adjacent forests of The projects are aimed at breaking mate bill passed by the House of work burden for these routine ship- water-absorbing trees. down trees killed by the mountain pine Representatives. ments, reduce costs and improve The world is on a path right now to a beetle into fermentable sugars for Included in the House bill are finan- usefulness of information. six degree Celsius change in temper- ethanol production and in some cial incentives to farmers and ranch- •Request for use of only the genus ature over the next century, said cases, replacing them with hybrid name when individual species would Continued on page 17 Continued on page 16 October/November 2009 Page 3 Table of Contents IWPA Continues To Evolve FEATURES: By Brent J. McClendon, CAE Just an “Easy Button” Away is exported from the U.S. to Executive Vice President “Going Green” At AWFS ...... 1 As an association executive it’s my China where it is layed up with International Wood Products Association Mood Upbeat At Ahmi Annual Summit . . .1 job to make sure the organization is a core from Russia and Technomueble ...... 1 relevant and valuable to our mem- then re-exported back to the United bers. That requires me to have an States for further manufacturing into a PRS Guitars ...... 4 understanding of changes taking kitchen cabinet in Virginia. Eastern Oaks Unlimited ...... 5 place in the market environment and is sent to Brazil where it is Gilco International Lumber LLC ...... 6 make adjustments to our strategy matched with where warranted. Mahogany and is Redwood Interior ...... 8 A classic example is the latest edi- used to manufac- Egyptian Hardwood Market ...... 11 tion of IWPA’s magazine and sourcing ture wall paneling guide. With this edition, Imported for a California inn. Wood became International Wood. Almost every story DEPARTMENTS: What’s in a name? Why the change? in the current Who's Who in Imports/Exports ...... 2 International Wood We’re all in this together reports on com- Washington Scene...... 2 A major reason for the change was to bined and complementary use of exot- World Export Update ...... 2 acknowledge the realties of trade in ic species with domestic hardwoods Pine Beetle ...... 2 wood products. In our inter-connect- and . IWPA continuously ed world, wood isn’t necessarily a seeks to unify industry associations IWPA Continued To Evolve...... 3 direct export-to-import relationship. and work closely with them for the benefit of all of our collective mem- Stock Exchange ...... 22 & 23 Take a look at how U.S. manufactur- It’s the economy… Business Trends Abroad...... 25 ers can use an extended supply chain bers. The name change reflects that to differentiate their products: Cherry reality. There was another reality that was Business Trends Can., Hardwoods...... 27 Continued on page 18 Business Trends U.S.A., Hardwoods...... 29 Newswires ...... 31 Import/Export Calendar...... 34 Classified Opportunities...... 35 Advertisers Index ...... 35 U.S. & Canadian Forest Products Export Suppliers...... 36, 37 & 38

A Bi-Monthly newspaper serving the International wood trade. Published by International Wood Trade Publications, Inc. 1235 Sycamore View P. O. Box 34908 Memphis, TN 38134 Tel. (901) 372-8280 FAX (901) 373-6180 Web Site: http://www.woodpurchasingnews.com E-Mail Addresses: Advertising: [email protected] Editorial: [email protected] Subscriptions: [email protected] Gary Miller - President Wayne Miller - Vice President/Executive Editor Paul Miller, Jr. - Vice President/Editor Terry Miller - Vice President/Associate Editor Paul Miller - Secretary/Treasurer Sue Putnam - Editorial Director Michelle Keller - Associate Editor John M. Gray, Jr. - Production/Art Director Walter Lee - Production/Asst. Art Director Rachael Stokes - Advertising Manager Lisa Carpenter - Circulation Manager

U.S. Correspondents: Chicago, Grand Rapids, Mich., High Point, N.C., Los Angeles, Portland, Ore., Memphis Canadian Correspondents: Toronto Foreign Correspondents: Brazil, Philippines, Malaysia, Chile, Bangkok, Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand. The Import/Export Wood Purchasing News is the product of a company and its affiliates that have been in the publishing business for over 83 years. Other publications edited for specialized markets and distrib- uted worldwide include: Forest Products Export Directory • Hardwood Purchasing Handbook • National Hardwood Magazine • Dimension & Wood Components Buyer’s Guide • Imported Wood Purchasing Guide • Green Book’s Hardwood Marketing Directory • Green Book’s Softwood Marketing Directory • The Softwood Forest Products Buyer Annual subscription rates - 6 bi-monthly issues U.S. $75 - 1 year; $90 - 2 years; $100 - 3 years; CANADIAN & FOREIGN ORDERS MUST BE PAID BY CHECK DRAWN ON U.S. BANK, CREDIT CARD, OR BY WIRE TRANSFER Canada $90 (U.S. dollars) - 1 year; $105 - 2 years; $130 - 3 years; Foreign (airmail) $140 - 1 year; $224 - 2 years (U.S. dollars) FSC certification ensures responsible use of forest resources. SW-COC-000734 Send address changes to Import/Export Wood Purchasing News, P.O. Box 34908, Memphis, TN 38184-0908. © 1996 Forest Stewardship Concil A.C.

The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject editorial content and Advertisements at the staff’s discretion. Page 4 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News

PRS GUITARS Turns Wood Into Music By Jimmy Hudson

PRS Guitars is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a manufacturer of guitars carved from imported and North American hardwoods and softwoods. Pictured is the com- pany president (left) Jack Higginbotham and founder Paul Reed Smith.

Some guitar neck blanks are fashioned from Indian Jamie Vann is vice president of oper- Frank DeFina is vice president of at the firm’s facilities in Stevensville, ations/manufacturing for PRS. Maryland. Birds are carved into Rosewood on these guitar fingerboards. PRS operations/sales for PRS. makes 60 guitars per day, mostly handmade.

Stevensville, Maryland— Headquartered here, Paul Reed Smith (PRS) Guitars is a leading man- ufacturer of high-end American solid, semi-hollow and hollow body electric guitars, pickups, acoustic guitars and amplifiers. Founded in 1985 by gui- tarist and luthier Paul Reed Smith, PRS guitars have become substan- tially valued and highly respected by musicians and collectors around the world. Originally from Bowie, Maryland, Paul Reed Smith began what would later pave the road of his future by accept- ing a challenge to build a guitar from a college professor at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. After exceeding the challenge and earning extra cred- its, Smith continued to build guitars at the rate of one per month. Many long nights were spent designing, testing VENICE EUROPEAN HARDWOOD DIVISION BOLOGNA TROPICAL HARDWOOD DIVISION and re-designing as he created what would become the nucleus of Paul Reed Smith Guitars. “Every design change taught me something new,” Smith says in his article, “The Journey Begins,” a histo- ry of PRS found on the company’s Continued on page 18

Maple tops are stacked in the company’s hotroom waiting to be utilized.

EUROPEAN HARDWOOD TROPICAL HARDWOOD

MAIN HARDWOOD SPECIES: "AFRICAN MAHOGANY (), AFRORMOSIA, ANEGRE, AYOUS, BUBINGA, IROKO, MAKORE, NIANGON, OKOUME, OVANGKOL (SHEDUA), PADOUK, , SIPO, WENGE, ZEBRAWOOD, EUROPEAN BEECHWOOD".

ASSOCIATO FSC Trademark© 1996 Forest Stewardship Council A.C. Member © National QUALITY. ADVOCACY. LEADERSHIP. NWFA Wood Flooring ® Association KITCHEN CABINET MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION FSC SUPPLIER - ICILA - COC - 031 Kyoto Club Celebrating 50 Years

ROMEA LEGNAMI S.p.A. Italy - 30030 Gambarare di Mira (Venice) - S.S. 309 Romea - Ang. Via Onari - Ph +39 041 5629811 - Fax +39 041 5629810 www.romealegnami.com - [email protected] October/November 2009 Page 5 OAKS UNLIMITED Gaining Ground With Certification By Gary Miller

A load of surfaced and ripped FAS & Better Red is ready for deliv- ery to a domestic customer. This is an aerial view of facilities at Oaks Unlimited. President and owner of Oaks Unlimited, Joe Pryor.

Henry Ledford grades lumber at Oaks Unlimited’s green inspection A pack of White Oak passes in front of the company’s SII Dry Kilns, This is the interior of Oaks Unlimited’s new dry storage warehouse. and stacking chain. heading for the new warehouse. Waynesville, N.C.—Located 3,000 feet above sea level in an area known for superior hardwoods, Oaks Unlimited Inc. processes these species of hardwood lum- ber at their concentration yard: Red and White Oak; Cherry and Tulipwood. The firm is owned and operated by Joe Pryor, whose family has been in the lumber busi- ness for more than 40 years. Recently, the company became chain-of- custody certified and recognized by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Programme Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). After attending an Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturer’s Assoc. (AHMI) seminar, president and fourth generation owner, Joe Pryor began the certification process for Oaks Unlimited Inc. “I was looking ahead. While the demand for certified lumber is not significant from our customers at this

Continued on page 19

Green lumber under the company’s covered air-drying facil- ity.

Rick Parton operates Oaks Unlimited’s computerized measurement and end talley kiln-dried grading stat- tion. Page 6 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News Gilco Lumber Becomes GILCO INTERNATIONAL LUMBER LLC By Gary Miller

A pack of Gilco’s kiln-dried lumber ready for shipment at the Roderfield operation. Gilco International Lumber LLC’s hardwood concentration lumberyard in Roderfield, W. Va. is situated on 20 acres with a one million board foot An employee grading Poplar boards on Cabin Creek Lumber’s grading capacity pre-dryer, 16 Irvington-Moore dry kilns, air-drying sheds and chain. yard with four million board feet of open air-drying capacity.

State-of-the-art Corley equipment including this line bar resaw is uti- Previous owner, James “Buck” Harless and new owner, Everett Hannah. The Roderfield, W. Va. lumberyard has two 1 million board foot dried storage warehouses. lized at Cabin Creek Lumber LLC. South Charleston, W. Va.— Gilco Lumber Co., headquartered here, recently transferred ownership, added more operations, became Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and is now known as Gilco International Lumber LLC. After 62 prospering years in the forest products industry, James “Buck” Harless is retiring. The new owner, a businessman and friend whom Harless has known for more than 20 years, is also a well-known West Virginian and lumberman, Everett Hannah. Approaching an impressive 90 years of age, Buck Harless has, throughout his career, remained dedicated to his hardwood lumber customers, vendors and employees while choosing the right proprietor for Gilco Lumber Inc. before retiring. “I’m highly honored that Mr. Harless has entrusted me to continue the excellent reputation that he has built for dependability and pro- Continued on page 21

Cabin Creek Lumber’s Red Oak and White Oak log deck. Two air-drying sheds are photographed here at Gilco International’s hardwood concentration yard in Roderfield, W. Va. October/November 2009 Page 7

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QUALITY & SERVICE WORLDWIDE

Sales Contacts: Matt Duprey 207-627-7605 (ext 3) Jack Bowen 207-627-7621 (ext 5) www.hancocklumber.com Page 8 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News REDWOOD: Behind The Designer Façade By Michael Buckley

Michael Soh, a Malaysian citizen now living in Singapore, began Redwood Redwood Interior’s professional draftsmen complete custom projects Redwood Interior’s production facilities are equipped with state-of-the- Interior Pte Ltd., in 1989, with the vision of raising standards of construction from design to implementation. art CNC woodworking machinery and technology. within the architectural sector. Singapore, Southeast Asia – One company in Southeast Asia, tural sector. He set up Redwood specif- Redwood Interior Pte Ltd, is benefiting from the continuing faith of ically to realize that vision and to developers in new high-end shopping outlets and apparently of con- become a leader in the industry. It sumers for designer products. Employing hundreds of people in required investment in the most effi- Singapore and Malaysia, Redwood is supplying custom interiors to a cient machinery, good knowledge of global tribe of high-end designers of luxurious goods such as materials, and most importantly dedi- clothes, jewelry, perfumes and accessories. Their retail interiors are cated staff to achieve the company’s equally of the finest quality, and hardwood is very much a part of the goals. Very simply, these are quality of image they create for these exclusive international retailers and workmanship and service to clients. clients. Ninety percent of the company’s output is exported. Working at this level, nothing else is In 1989, Michael Soh – a Malaysian citizen now living in Singapore acceptable to Michael Soh and to his In Redwood’s retail interiors, hardwood is very much a part of the image they create for exclusive international retailers and clients. – had a vision to raise standards of construction within the architec- management team. The reward is respect and continuing business with some of the world’s top designers. Asian developers, Capital Land and Sun Hung Kai Properties, have come up with “Ion Orchard” – a new iconic shopping landmark for Singapore, although perhaps no more outstanding than the latest dozen or so other iconic malls around the world. Despite the global recession, designer outlets con- tinue their unstoppable march along fashionable high streets and in new shopping centers, not least in Asia. Ion, just launched in Singapore’s tourist centre of Orchard Road, is billed as “Singapore’s first multi-sensory experi- ential shopping and lifestyle mall spread out over 660,000 square feet.” Even in the current financial crisis the developers are hoping it will be a mag- net to the 200,000 shoppers that visit the area each day. Some of the finest gastronomic establishments are laid out over 100,000 square feet, with 5,600 square feet devoted entirely to art and inspiration. Described as a world-class shopping mall which “will redefine the retail, fash-

Continued on page 24

North American hardwoods purchased by Redwood Interior include Oak, Walnut and Hard Maple.

Lumber Sales - Paul Dow Log Sales - Eugene A.Walters, CF Phone 001-330-893-3121 Fax 001-304-464-4988 Fax 001-330-893-3031 Phone 001-304-464-4980 [email protected] [email protected] Quincy Chen Lei Zhao Taipei Office Shanghai Office Email [email protected] Email [email protected] Phone 886-2-89145492 Phone 86-13917158857 October/November 2009 Page 9

®

® Page 10 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News

AWFS PHOTOS - Continued from page 1

Kim Evans and Efton Giles, TWC Architectural Mouldings, San Jim Ellis, Weyerhaeuser Hardwoods, Santa Clarita, Calif.; Todd Darryl Floyd, Stacy Thompson and Mike Fischer, AWMV Industrial Antonio, Texas; and Allen Wagoner, Flamex Inc., Greensboro, N.C. Kaylor, Tumac Lumber Co. Inc., Portland, Ore.; Kevin Trussell, Products, Indianapolis, Ind.; and Randy Panko, Wood-Mizer Timber Mountain Hardwoods, Garden Grove, Calif.; Nancy Arend, Products Inc., Indianapolis, Ind. Weyerhaeuser Hardwoods, Federal Way, Wash.; and Randy Brown, Weyerhaeuser Hardwoods, Erie, Pa.

Mike McNail, Adam McClanahan and Clay Hedrick, Baker Products, Todd Hammond, Sierra Forest Products, Salt Lake City, Utah; Andrew Brassard, North Cut Hardwoods LLC, New Lisbon, Wis.; Ellington, Mo. Warren Spitz, Sierra Forest Products, Mississauga, Ont.; and Bryan Lewis Reed, Somerset Hardwoods Inc., Somerset, Ky.; Dave Kuehl, Hoyt, Sierra Forest Products, Seattle, Wash. North Cut Hardwoods LLC; and Troy Jamieson, Somerset Hardwoods Inc.

Tom Quattrocchi, Angelo Di Mario and Danielle Saucedo, Cherokee Keith Finewood and Tim Girardi, Northland Corp., LaGrange, Ky.; Mike Scaletta, Industrial Timber & Lumber Corp., Beachwood, Ohio; Wood Products Inc., Upland, Calif. and Michael Henneman and John Henneman, Complete Wood Bill Fitzgerald, Industrial Timber & Lumber Corp., Southern Source LLC, Livermore, Calif. California; and Ed Armbruster, Dave Gutowski and Nathan Beary, Industrial Timber & Lumber Corp., Beachwood, Ohio

Kevin Paldino, The Collins Cos., Portland, Ore.; Mike Shuey, The Curtis Noteboom, North Pacific, Mira Loma, Calif.; Patrick Dennehy, Terry Miller, Import/Export Wood Purchasing News, Memphis, Collins Cos., Klamath Falls, Ore.; Randy Byers, The Collins Cos., North Pacific, Concord, N.H.; and Steve Daugherty, North Pacific, Tenn.; and Joe Zona, Deer Park Lumber Inc., Tunkhannock, Pa. Kane, Pa.; Leah Covington, National Hardwood Lumber Assoc., Mira Loma, Calif. Memphis, Tenn.; and Lee Jimerson, The Collins Cos., Portland, Ore.

Additional photos on page 12 October/November 2009 Page 11 What Does Egypt Hold For U.S. Hardwoods?

(Editor’s note: The following find- country. Typically, a large and export- including some , tend to be so. Hardwood flooring produced in ings are excerpts from a recent oriented furniture manufacturer will used more in doors and door frames, Egypt has been primarily for the European Market report compiled focus on the production of chairs and windows, as well as kitchen cabients domestic market, where it is in high by the American Hardwood Export tables, as well as bedroom furniture and bedroom furniture, as well as demand amongst the wealthier Council in Washington, D.C.) and floor- households and also hotel and com- cabi- ing. mercial projects. More recently, how- Egypt managed to escape any major nets, Some ever, Egyptian flooring manufacturers economic downturn as a direct result which of the have begun to look at exporting their of the global economic crisis. are also larger product to Europe and the United However, it has not shown particularly des- furni- States. stable economic conditions either in tined for ture While solid wood flooring product is in recent years. This said, after slowing hotel manu- high demand in Egypt, manufacturers sharply in 2008/09 and 2009/10, eco- interi- factur- have begun to produce engineered nomic growth is projected to strength- ors, ers also flooring products in recent years. Oak en during the next five years, to an both in is in high demand for flooring, while average of 6.5 percent, which is Egypt there is also increasing demand for slightly below the growth rates record- and out- patterned floors, where other species, ed between 2005/06 and 2007/08. side. such as Ash, Walnut and Cherry are For many years, Egypt has main- Some used in conjunction with Ekki, Jatoba tained and increased a significant of the and Sapele. import volume of European Beech larger It is difficult to predict the precise from Romania. Aside from small, but furni- long-term future of American hard- increasing volumes of other hard- ture manufacturers also produce produce hardwood flooring and this is woods in the Egyptian market. woods by Egypt is Oak. In recent hardwood flooring. a sector which has seen some signifi- However, it is possible to say that for years the volume of Oak imported has Oak and all other hardwood species, cant growth in the past five years or decreased, with Beech and Southern Continued on page 25 Yellow Pine from the U.S. being used for the vast majority of furniture and interior applications. However, anoth- er trend in recent years has been a move away from European Oak to North American Oak, and this has been mainly due to favorable North American prices, caused by the U.S. dollar/euro exchange rate and the fact that Egypt operates on a U.S. dollar economy basis. Also, while American White Oak was the favored U.S. species for awhile, the preference is now moving towards Red Oak and this is almost entirely the result of its more competitive price versus White Oak. Historically, FAS 4/4 White Oak was more competitive than FAS 4/4 Red Oak and, so, for awhile all 4/4 Oak shipped in Egypt was White, while all 6/4 and 8/4 ship- ments were Red. Now, Red Oak is more competitive across the board, with the result that shipments of White Oak are declining. During the first five months of this year, exports of U.S. Hardwood lum- ber reached a total volume of $2.2 mil- lion, which marks a 106.7 percent rise on the same period in 2008. Also, shipments of White Oak to the market almost equalled those of Red Oak, which may suggest the beginnings of a move back to this species. Although impossible to confirm, based on just five months data, it is certainly possi- ble with the changes seen in U.S. hardwood prices in recent months. In addition to Red and White Oak from the United States, demand for other American species has also picked up in recent years. There has been a consistent demand for Ash, which is often used as an alternative to Oak in interior applications, while there has been a developing interest in Tulipwood. Egypt has a very large furniture man- ufacturing sector, which makes up an important part of the economy as a whole. Centered in Damietta, Alexandria and Cairo, there are over 35,000 furniture manufacturers in the Page 12 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News

AWFS PHOTOS - Continued from page 10

Christopher Fehr, Trevor Vaughan and Steve Jones, Ron Jones Javan Mallery, Wolverine Hardwood Inc., Allegan, Mich.; Dave Patrick Hennebicque, Norm Strotman and Chris Wickersham, Hardwood Sales Inc., Union City, Pa. Segerlind, Devereaux Sawmill Inc., Pewamo, Mich.; Chris Kemp, Bradford Forest Inc., Bradford, Pa. Clear Lake Lumber Inc., Spartansburg, Pa.; and Craig Devereaux and Kevin Irwin, Devereaux Sawmill Inc.

Jim Schaeffer, Gordon Ardis and Dennis Self, The Cutting Edge, Dan Ahlem, Alexis Manufacturing Co., Grand Rapids, Mich. Spencer Lutz, Kevin Kahila and Dick Peters, Banks Hardwoods Inc., Fullerton, Calif. White Pigeon, Mich.; John Borrero, Banks Hardwoods Inc., Miami, Fla.; and Greg Ritchie, Banks Hardwoods Inc., Menominee, Wis.

Justin Sant, Sierra Forest Products, Salt Lake City, Utah; Dave Don Peterson and Curt Calhoun, Interforest Lumber Corp., Shade Mike Mallin and Gerry Vanveenendaal, Midwest Hardwood Corp., Popejoy, Titan Wood Ltd., Dallas, Texas; Philip Trafecanty, Philip Gap, Pa. Maple Grove, Minn.; and Chris Stookey, Huntwood Industries Inc., Michael, Sherman Oaks, Calif.; Gordon Clough, Sierra Forest Liberty Lake, Wash. Products, Mississauga, Ont.; and Casey Wickham, Sierra Forest Products, Vancouver, B.C.

AHMI PHOTOS - Continued from page 1

Garry Warner, Hardwood Specialty Products LP, Langley, B.C.; and Michael Snow, AHEC, Washington, D.C.; Carmen Garrido, guest, Robert Coleman, Robert S. Coleman Lumber Co. Inc., Culpeper, Tom Youdell, Foreverwood Inc., Miami, Fla. Seville, Spain; Samantha and Maribel Snow, AHEC; and Larry Va.; Galen Weaber, Weaber Inc., Lebanon, Pa.; and Kathy and Rick Randall, Tides & Times Group USA Inc., Winston-Salem, N.C. Armstrong, Homer Gregory & Co. Inc., Morehead, Ky.

Additional photos on page 14 October/November 2009 Page 13

AWFS - call 323-838-9440 or 800-946-AWFS. hardwoods in those interior cities,” he Companies seeking group certifica- Continued from page 1 added. tion will complete two forms and sub- • Also, he encouraged attendees to mit to the companies for auditing and strive toward creating niche markets then have an annual report and audit. ated. Notable was the decision of AHMI - in the future for their products. By AHMI also reported that Alyx Perry, of many among the approximate 200 Continued from page 1 diversifying and specializing in specif- Southern Forest Network, noted that vendors to rent smaller booths in ic markets, companies can anchor the eligibility for group forestland cer- order to reduce their show costs. attendance, awards were presented themselves and build profit. tification is forest area or ownership The “Greening” of the industry proved and golf and clay shooting was In addition to the collaboration with no larger than 2,470 acres or the aver- to be a hot topic among vendors and enjoyed during the annual event. China, he added that AHEC is culti- age annual harvest is no more than 20 attendees. Putting the topic into per- Michael Snow, executive director of vating relationships and monitoring percent of mean annual increment spective were various speakers, such the American Hardwood Export growth in other countries as well, such and no more than 2.2 million board as Roger Rutan, vice president of Council, addressed attendees about as Southeast Asia and Vietnam, the feet annually. To be eligible for group Timber Products, who noted that it the importance of exporting U.S. hard- Middle East, Latin America, India and chain-of-custody, companies must can prove challenging to understand woods. He noted that exports to China Europe. have not more than 15 employees the various programs that provide over the last four years amounted to Also during the AHMI Summer (including part-time and seasonal “green” certification. approximately $500 million. The key Conference, the organization staff), or gross annual income from Rutan advised companies who are to continuing to build on that prosper- announced its partnership with the wood products of no more than $1 mil- deliberating about whether to “go ous relationship in China, he said, is WoodNet Market Council and lion and no more than 25 employees green” to first consider what their cus- to look beyond its coastal cities, which Southern Forest Network to offer (including part-time and seasonal tomers’ needs truly are and whether has been the practice. Instead, he forestland and chain-of-custody staff). their suppliers can provide products said, AHEC is seeing activity in Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) To learn more about this program, that address those customers’ needs. China’s interior cities since about 15 certification. visit the AHMI website at Seminars were scheduled daily of those cities have populations in the According to AHMI, the group strate- www.appalachianhardwood.org and throughout the five day AWFS event. millions. “We won’t see the rapid gy requires landowners and compa- click on the link for Group The topics included sessions on busi- growth that we have seen along the nies to meet the same FSC criteria, Certification. ness management, /mill- coast of China in the last several but it decreases the paperwork, Additionally, during the AHMI work, software/technology, tech- years, but growth can occur for U.S. preparation time and expense. niques/applications, handcrafted fur- Continued on page 15 niture, safety and environment and going green. On the closing evening of the AWFS Fair, Anton Cabinetry of Arlington, Texas, was presented the “2009 Best of the WOOD 100” award. Anton Cabinetry, a 25-year-old com- pany, has experienced solid sales jumps in recent years, particularly from 2007 to 2008 when sales leaped 31 percent. The firm is expected to reap sales in excess of $15 million this year. Winners of the Fresh Wood Student Design Competition highlighted the AWFS awards banquet. A total of 165 projects were entered by both high school and post-secondary school students with 50 chosen as finalists. Seven categories comprised the com- petition, in which students could earn first, second, and honorable mention placement. Additionally, WoodLINKS-USA pre- sented its three annual educators’ recognition awards during the AWFS reception. Since its inception, AWFS has donated millions of dollars toward educational programs and scholar- ships. The organization is also a sup- porter of WoodLINKS-USA, which was created to revive and update vocational woodworking school pro- grams across the nation, as well as to promote the woodworking industry. Genuine Mahogany - Spanish Cedar - Sapele - Cerejeira Also, seven companies were given a FSC available upon request Sequoia Award by AWFS for product innovation and leadership in the green movement. Entries are evaluated on quality, production impact, practicality, innovation and user-friendliness. For more information contact sales staff Among the winners was The Collins Companies for leadership in Doug - Bill - Pam - Roy green/environmental components. The AWFS, with more than 400 mem- (228) 832-1899 / fax: (228) 831-1149 OC 1996 FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL bers, consists of manufacturers and SCS-COC-002027 distributors of machinery, hardware, software, tooling, lumber, compo- 1-800-647-9547 nents, wood products and supplies for the woodworking industry, including www.newmanlumber.com NEWMAN cabinet, furniture, millwork and cus- Gulfport, Mississippi USA tom woodworking manufacturers. For more information about AWFS, Page 14 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News

AHMI PHOTOS - Continued from page 12

Mark Barford, executive director, National Hardwood Lumber Matt and Danica Weaber, Weaber Inc., Lebanon, Pa.; and Jim Kathy Armstrong, Homer Gregory & Co. Inc., Morehead, Ky.; Walt Assoc., Memphis, Tenn.; John and Mary O’Dea, Augusta Lumber Hamer, Jim C. Hamer Co., Kenova, Va. Richardson, Wayne Lumber Co. Inc., Monticello, Ky.; Kim Co. Inc., Waynesboro, Va.; and Penn and Leesa Cooper, John Rock Alderman, Homer Gregory & Co. Inc., Morehead, Ky.; and Virginia Inc., Coatesville, Pa. Richardson, Wayne Lumber Co. Inc.

Scot and Kim Vidrine, CO Bank, Louisville, Ky.; and Steve Arnold, Neil and Beth Poland, Mullican Flooring, Johnson City, Tenn.; and Chris and Christine Crucitt, Pennsylvania Lumbermen’s Mutual Missouri Walnut LLC, Neosho, Mo. Mark Barford, NHLA, Memphis, Tenn. Insurance Co.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Bill Campoll, Coastal Lumber Company, Weldon, N.C.; and Becky and Robin Little, BB&T Insurance, Greenville, N.C.

Scot and Kim Vidrine, CO Bank, Louisville, Ky.; and Roy and Kim Billy and Amanda Cipriani, Edwards Wood Products Inc., Ed Dallison, Dallison Lumber Inc., Jacksonburg, W.Va.; and Cummings, Cummings Lumber Co., Inc., Troy, Pa. Marshville, N.C. Montgomery, Tony, Angela, Garland, Hamilton and Carter Honeycutt, Mullican Flooring, Johnson City, Tenn.

Paul Miller Jr., Import/ExportWood Purchasing News, Memphis, John Crites ll, Allegheny Wood Products Inc., Petersburg, W.Va.; Bradley Stovall, Stanley Furniture Co. Inc., Stanleytown, Va.; and Tenn.; and Laurie and Mike Johnston, Babcock Lumber Co., Doug and Ann Toothman, Western Pocahontas Properties Ltd., Rosemary and Tom Inman, AHMI, High Point, N.C. Pittsburgh, Pa. Huntington, W.Va.; and Jim C. Hamer, Jim C. Hamer Co., Kenova, Va.

Additional photos on page 20 October/November 2009 Page 15

AHMI - with a Danish timber company, veneer, lumber and specialty plywood WHO’S WHO - Bach Continued from page 13 International Hardwoods. He worked including KD and Green Lumber, dyed Continued from page 2 for another import company for 10 veneer, flooring veneer, Birdseye and Summer Conference, several mem- Sapele, Sipo and Genuine Mahogany: years in the U.S. before hiring on at Curly Maple, CBT, stock panel veneer bers served to lead a panel discussion about 30 to 35 imported species total. Baillie. and other specialty veneer. It also of issues relative to today’s economic On an international basis, Baillie Bach graduated from Silkeborg sells logs on an international basis. status. Participants were: Rick Lumber Company offers domestic Handelsskole in Silkeborg, Denmark, Besse Forest Products Group buys Armstrong, Homer Gregory & Co., hardwoods and tropical hardwoods earning a degree in business/eco- FSC certified logs. Inc., Morehead, Ky.; Dean Alanko, from the company’s United States nomics. The company is a member of the Allegheny Wood Products, inventory or shipped directly from its Baillie Lumber Company is a member Hardwood Plywood & Veneers Petersburg, W.Va.; Steve Seivers, CK overseas suppliers. of the Imported Wood Products Association, National Hardwood International LLC, Durham, N.C.; and Baillie Lumber Company has a large Association and every major lumber Lumber Association, Lake States Chris Ghiloni, American Woodmark, inventory of 35 to 40 species of organization in the U.S. Lumber Association, Timber Winchester, Va. domestic and imported hardwoods. It Bach is on the lumber committee of Producers, National Wood Flooring Armstrong cited the struggle of has a great sales force that covers the Imported Wood Products Association, National Association of sawmills that are experiencing capital every state in the U.S. and Canada Association. Music Merchants, International deprivation and must meet the chal- and the rest of the world, along with a In his free time, Bach enjoys spend- Association of Die Cutting and Die lenge of lack of credit-worthy cus- large support staff dedicated to pro- ing time with his two sons and his girl- Making and the Canadian Hardwood tomers. He encouraged developing viding customers with excellent serv- friend, traveling, dining and savoring Plywood Veneer Association. Besse relationships with loggers. ice. good wine. Forest Products Group also has a Alanko noted that “green” products Baillie Lumber Company has a small seat on the board of directors of Trees are showing improvement in the mar- but growing supply of certified wood. • for Tomorrow. ketplace and is meeting customer Bach has worked for Baillie Lumber Besse has worked in his current posi- demand, and he observed that 46 per- Company in his present position for WHO’S WHO - Besse tion four years. He has been involved cent of kiln-dried production is tied up three years. Continued from page 2 in the import/export industry 19 years. in the export industry. He has worked in the import/export He has worked for Besse Forest Seivers stated that he believes the industry for 16 years. His first position and international basis, this company Products Group 30 years. market has reached bottom, and bet- in the industry was as a sales trainee offers high quality northern hardwood Continued on page 16 ter days are ahead. He cited stable trucking rates as a positive factor in helping to stabilize the export market. However, he added that shipping lines face significant losses due to decrease in business. Ghiloni drew a parallel between the health of the housing industry and that of the cabinet industry, which is inex- plicably intertwined. He noted an uptick in bathroom remodeling in recent months as well as a trend toward preferring Cherry and Maple in kitchen cabinetry. Overall, there was agreement that it will be mid-2010 before significant improvements occur in the economy and the housing industry. The top golf winner was Joe Pryor, who also won low gross, and Steve Arnold finished in second place over- all. Pryor and Arnold shot 79 each. Marijo Wood won the women’s divi- sion. For more information about AHMI, call 336-885-8315. •

TECNOMUEBLE - Continued from page 1 was forced to change dates. The result of holding the shows at the same room on the same dates pre- sented an opportunity for the manu- facturers to walk the show and talk to suppliers. The overall comments were in this positive direction; not the ones from some manufacturers who expressed the opposite way. It was said that the committee will consider holding both shows together in future editions. A furniture design seminar was held as well. Close to 60 attendees were very active during the seminar. The speaker answered a variety of ques- tions regarding his designs and hard- woods species suitable for different applications. • Page 16 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News

westwalnut.com or contact 1-800- merchants. WHO’S WHO - Besse WHO’S WHO - Cook 592- 6688. McBride is a graduate of the Continued from page 15 Continued from page 2 University of Oxford where he • received his master’s degree and is Besse graduated from Escanaba transportation network that provides also an Associate of the Institute of (Mich.) High School and went on to direct delivery of materials from con- Wood Science. McBride and his wife graduate from Michigan Technological centrated areas throughout the entire WHO’S WHO - McBride of 16 years, Janette, have one daugh- University with a bachelor’s of science Midwest. Continued from page 2 ter. In his spare time he enjoys playing degree in wood science. He is on the Headquartered in Council Bluffs, music in rock/jazz bands, furniture board of directors of a bank. Iowa, the firm manufactures hard- hardwood and softwood lumber, ply- making and motorcycling. Besse was named Outstanding wood lumber in a state-of-the-art band wood, decking, semi-finished prod- For more information visit www.nhg- Alumni Award winner from Michigan mill with a current dry kiln capacity of ucts, flooring and logs are among the timber.co.uk Technological University in 1997. He more than 500,000 board feet. numerous products offered by NHG was selected to the Michigan Cook brings approximately 14 years Timber. • Technological University School of of experience, having previously McBride has specific responsibility for Forest and Wood Products Academy worked in sales and as sales manag- North American hardwood and soft- in 1998. er for North Pacific Lumber located in wood sales to markets in the U.K., AHEC - Besse and his wife of 26 years, West Plains, Mo. Ireland and the Middle East. The Continued from page 2 Diane, have a son and a daughter. A Veteran of the United States Army, heart of the company is West Africa In his free time, he enjoys reading, Cook served in the Persian Gulf War. and NHG sells a wide range of African Council (AHEC) is the leading interna- walking, boating, hockey and the out- He is a graduate of Springs hardwoods to North America and tional trade association for the U.S. doors. High School in Willow Springs, Mo. worldwide, as well as sourcing hardwood industry, representing the Cook and his wife Jamie have five domestic species. committed exporters among U.S. • children. In his spare time he enjoys McBride has been with NHG Timber hardwood companies and all major Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Fighting for 14 years and has held his current U.S. hardwood product trade associa- Read the and chute dogging. position for 12 years. His first job in tions. AHEC’s member companies Import/Export Wood For more information visit www.mid- the forest products industry was in service the growing global demand for Purchasing News 1987 for a U.K. based chain of timber U.S. hardwood and represent the full range of hardwood products. AHEC maintains offices in Japan, Europe, Southeast Asia, China, Korea and Mexico, in addition to its Washington, D.C. headquarters, to serve the needs of the global commu- nity. For additional information, please contact AHEC by phone at 202-463- 2720, by fax at 202-463-2787 or con- sult our website at www.ahec.org. •

PINE BEETLE - Continued from page 2

Poplar trees bred specifically for use as liquid biofuels. Bell said some forestlands and hydro rights-of-way could be converted to Poplar forests. The hybrid Poplar project received $7.7 million. “We are using cutting edge genome technology to re-sequence genomes to improve Poplar as a bioenergy feedstock,” UBC researcher Carl Douglas, one of the project leaders, told conference delegates. The hybrid Poplar research is aimed at using genomic sequencing to short cut the generations-long selective breeding process used traditionally in agriculture. UBC dean of forestry Jack Saddler is heading the second project – to use genomics to enhance the enzymes used in breaking down cellulose in dead Pine trees into fermentable sug- ars. The sugars can then be turned into ethanol. Genome BC has commit- ted $1.1 million to the pine beetle proj- ect. Saddler, who heads the IEA’s task force on developing liquid biofuels from biomass, said B.C. could be a global leader in liquid biofuel produc- tion from its forests. Trees are huge storehouses of energy that can be converted to liquid biofuel, Saddler said. But researchers need to identify an ideal method to produce fer-

Continued on page 17 October/November 2009 Page 17

percent assigned to other companies sales that contain transportation, contract was awarded, the maximum PINE BEETLE - during previous reviews. The duties manufacturing and retail economic amount of MRCTA that a contract may Continued from page 16 apply only to shipments made in the benefits were not included in this total. be eligible to receive is specified by calendar year 2007. Average sales value for the year the length of the normal operating mentable sugars economically. A rate of 216 percent was assigned averaged $187 per thousand board season, the 2008 Farm Bill and the “Nature designed cellulose not to be by the DOC to Orient International feet, which is a record low for recent September 10, 2008 finding of broken down easily,” he said. Holding, Shanhai Foreign Trading Co. years. Substantial Overriding Public Interest Claus Fuglsang, chief bioenergy Ltd., Dongguan Qingzi Xinyi Craft According to officials, the agency is (SOPI). researcher at Novozymes, the world’s Furniture Factory, Tianjin Sande subject to more possible cuts as state The maximum amount of MRCTA leading producer of enzymes, said Fairwood Furniture Co., Yida Co. Ltd. general fund revenues continue to time that a contract awarded prior to progress is being made on improving and Hamilton & Spill Ltd. These par- decline. However a recent uptick in January 1, 2007, may be eligible to enzymatic conversion rates and on ticular companies received the higher stumpage values may ease the DNR receive is limited to a total of four lowering enzyme costs. rate as a penalty for not providing the but the department still faces a long years but may not result in the total “With the current subsidies in place necessary documentation to the DOC winter. The economic forecast for contract length exceeding 10 years. (in the U.S.) we are down to being that would have provided eligibility for DNR remains pessimistic with On the other hand, pursuant to SOPI, comparable to $1.50 U.S. a gallon the lower rate. stumpage prices expected to remain the maximum amount of MRCTA time which is close to $80 a barrel for oil.” or at near current levels. that a contract may be eligible to However, capital costs – a commer- Update On DNR Sales Program receive is limited to a total of four cial cellulosic ethanol plant would cost Washington’s Department of Natural Market-Related Contract years and the total contract length $200 million – are still too high, Resources (DNR) recently ended Term Addition may exceed 10 years provided the Fuglsang said. Process improve- their fiscal year with sales totaling 584 For the second quarter the Market- adjusted termination date is not set ments are still needed. million board feet (mmbf) which pro- Related Contract Term Addition past December 31, 2010. “Putting $200 million U.S. in a 20-to- duced just over $90 million in rev- (MRCTA) qualified for contracts using Payment dates that have not been 30 million-gallon facility is putting a lot enues to Washington’s trust benefici- the Softwood Lumber Index. This reached when authorizing MRCTA of money at risk.” aries over the length of their contracts. makes the sixteenth consecutive may be adjusted periodically. MRCTA Weyerhaeuser chief technology offi- The positive downstream economic qualifying quarter for the Softwood is subject to limitations stated in the cer Miles Drake said he is confident impacts of DNR’s trust land product Lumber Index. A function of when the applicable MRCTA provision in each new technologies will lead to the Continued on page 18 development of commercially-viable liquid biofuels. “We know something is going to hap- pen. We know we have got to do something about it. This is a critical issue for the planet. But we are still very uncertain about what to do.” Weyerhaeuser has formed a joint venture with Chevron to develop the new fuels.

•

WASHINGTON - Continued from page 2

ers to plant trees, which take large amounts of the key global warming gas—carbon dioxide. “This forestation effort would be even larger than the one carried out by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression,” said the U.S. Forest Service’s Ralph Alig. Implemented in 1933 and continued through 1942, the CCC planted 3 bil- lion trees according to the Civilian Conservation Corps Legacy. “Not only would additional trees lower carbon dioxide levels, but they would also improve water quality, because lower levels of pesticides and fertiliz- ers would be required,” Agricultural Economist Bruce McCarl, of Texas A&M University, offered. 30 Chinese Producers Receive DOC Duty Nearly a 30 percent duty has been assigned by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) to 17 Chinese wood bedroom furniture producers as part of its 2007 administrative review process. Case goods manufacturer, Yihua Timber Ind., received a 29.98 percent rate along with 16 other manufactur- ers. Salamanca Lumber Co., Inc. PO Box 416, Salamanca, New York State 14779, USA. A large rate decrease from the pre- Phone: (1) 716-945-4810 Fax: (1) 716-945-1531 Attn: Mr. Barry Yuhas. Email: [email protected] liminary number of 124.31 percent the companies received in February, albeit still a higher rate than the 7.4 Page 18 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News selves and their employees so every wood products are really doing their vention, scheduled for April 28-30 in WASHINGTON - expense is scrutinized. homework. These consumers view Miami Beach, much the same way – it Continued from page 17 I am happy to report that our mem- associations and their publications as is their educational, networking and bers and non-member advertisers screening tools that help them identify public relations event all rolled into contract unless superseded by the bottom line value in investing in quality, ethical suppliers. We’re find- one. So, to borrow a phase, when 2008 Farm Bill or the SOPI International Wood and our advertis- ing they are increasingly turning to our you think of membership in IWPA, September 10, 2008, finding. Those ing numbers stayed strong. As one online searchable membership direc- think of it as your “easy button.” We’re who have contracts eligible to receive member said, “IWPA is my outsourced tory and our print and online versions here to staff and serve an industry that a MRCTA can contact contracting offi- staff. International Wood is our of International Wood. IWPA’s digital we’re proud to represent. Visit cers who can advise them of the pro- PR/marketing office, the IWPA PAC presence is growing by leaps and www.iwpawood.org to see the dynam- cedures for requesting the adjust- runs our government affairs office, bounds as a result. ic web portal we’ve created. ment. and the convention helps take care of Welcome aboard. • our supplier and customer relations. I But don’t forget the basics view membership and advertising with The magazine and association serve • IWPA as a core part of our cost saving as a platform to educate architects, MCLENDON - strategy.” designers, manufacturers, distributors Continued from page 3 Almost universally when we survey and consumers on the sourcing of PRS - our members about what they value, wood, forestry practices and trade in Continued from page 4 bearing down on IWPA for this year – they come back and give us their ver- international wood. There is much the economy. I approached this sion of “It’s the economy stupid” by good news about our industry that website, www.prsguitars.com. “Over year’s publishing cycle with a bit of saying “Save us money, grow our goes without notice. IWPA is the ten years we went through several apprehension due to the economy. It business and defend our interests in voice that gets this information to the renditions of body shapes, many is understandable that companies D.C.” audiences that most need to hear it designs and experiments with woods would be frugal with their advertising through legislative outreach, events and construction methods to get the Serving changing markets… in dollars in a downturn. Wood product and resources. right mix.” companies know the strong return on new ways Smith promoted his guitars to musi- investment from advertising, but at the IWPA members understand that in Join us! cians such as Carlos Santana and Al same time are trying to protect them- these challenging times consumers of Our members view their annual con- Di Meola and soon received orders for more than 50 guitars. He built two pro- totypes and began marketing on the East Coast. “After many days and many miles I came back with enough orders to start a company,” Smith said. “With support of my wife, skilled assistants, engineers, lawyers, top salesmen, artists, machinists and friends, we developed a strong team.” Embarking on their 25th anniversary PRS currently manufactures over 60 guitars per day. “We recently expand- ed our warehouse, office and produc- tion facilities,” purchasing agent Hugh Reitz said. “We also recently added new lines of electric guitars as well as began entering the markets for high- end acoustic guitars and amplifiers.” PRS purchases numerous domestic www.millerpublishing.com hardwoods and softwoods from the United States and imports many P.O. Box 34908 ~ 1235 Sycamore View species from Ghana, India, Indonesia, Memphis, TN 38184-0908 Spain, Italy, Guatemala, Mexico and many other countries. (800) 844-1280 or (901) 372-8280 Some are crafted from Mahogany Fax: (901) 373-6180 with a Maple top on the bodies of PRS guitars, and some guitars feature E-mail: [email protected] highly figured tops that include , Quilt Maple and Figured Miller Publishing proudly serves the woodworking industry with the Maple, which creates an effect of tiger stripes. The necks are usually made following publications and online directories: from Mahogany, although some mod- National Hardwood Magazine...... www.nationalhardwoodmag.com els feature Maple or Indian and Brazilian Rosewood necks; finger- Import/Export Wood Purchasing News ...... www.woodpurchasingnews.com boards are also made from Rosewood. “We use woods that Softwood Forest Products Buyer ...... www.softwoodbuyer.com enhance the sounds and beauty of our instruments,” Reitz said. Imported Wood Purchasing Guide ...... www.importedwoodpurchasing.com In an interview with Tom Wheeler, for- Forest Products Export Directory ...... www.forestproductsexport.com mer editor-in-chief of Guitar Player Magazine, Paul Reed Smith Dimension & Wood Components Buyer’s Guide...... www.dimensionwoodcomponent.com explained how different woods affect the tones and overall sound of guitars. Hardwood Purchasing Handbook ...... www.hardwoodpurchasinghdbk.com “Curly Maple’s a stress in the wood Greenbook’s Hardwood Marketing Directory...... www.millerpublishing.com you see a lot in the stumps. Turns out, the way they think it grows is that Greenbook’s Softwood Marketing Directory ...... www.millerpublishing.com when there’s a big canopy in the for- est and there’s a little tree trying to Forest Products Stock Exchange ...... www.forestproductsstockexc.com grow, trying to grow, trying to grow and struggle, struggle, struggle and a big one falls over and there’s a huge ~Please visit us online for more information about our publications~ opening with the light in the canopy and the little one starts growing and it

Continued on page 19 October/November 2009 Page 19 people have a great depth of experi- company stock include: African PRS - ence, many have worked with us 10 or Mahogany electric guitar one-piece OAKS UNLIMITED - Continued from page 18 20 years,” Reitz said. “Over 80 per- body blanks; Genuine Mahogany Continued from page 5 cent of our employees are also musi- electric guitar one-piece body blanks; goes Curly. And it’s not the seed cians. Every department is dedicated Genuine Mahogany neck blanks cut- point, the time will come when it will because they’ve planted Curly Maple and loyal. Despite producing more to-order; Genuine Mahogany acoustic be,” he said. “It’s one more service we seeds and they don’t go Curly. So, we than 60 guitars a day, in many ways sets quarter sawn; Figured Genuine can offer our customers, and I’ve think it’s from stress. the instruments are hand-made.” Mahogany acoustic sets and head been pleasantly surprised at the vol- “I don’t hear a big change in the tone Hugh Reitz is also the president of veneers flame/curly; Adirondack Red ume we’ve been able to ship since we with Curly Maple. I do think that Quilt- the company’s wholly-owned sub- classical guitar and mandolin started. With the demand for certified ed Maple sounds different than Curly. sidiary in Wilmington, Delaware, Reitz tops; Black Limba acoustic sets; products growing, we wanted to be on I can hear that. Curly, Quilted, Red Hardwoods LLC. Operating for Flame/Curly Maple Electric tops; Quilt the forefront.” Maple, Sugar Maple all sound differ- approximately one year, Reitz Maple Electric tops; Hard Maple neck Exporting is handled through the ent. By the way, German Curly Maple Hardwoods handles imported special- blanks; White Korina/Limba body and ports of Charleston, S.C., and sounds really good! And German ty lumber, musical tone woods and neck blanks; Highly Figured Sipo Wilmington, N.C. “We ship our lumber Spruce sounds good! But you don’t acts as an imported wood acoustic sets and head veneers; and throughout the world, including find many big trees in Germany,” broker/agent for imported lumber buy- East Indian Rosewood neck blanks. Europe and Asia,” Pryor said. “Our Smith said. ers in the United States and abroad. Many other specialty items are avail- customers are predominately distribu- When it comes to unusual requests, Reitz Hardwoods offers assistance in able upon request. tion yards. Because of our packaging with a custom guitar manufacturer it direct sourcing of imported hardwood Reitz Hardwoods and PRS Guitars and consistent quality, distribution goes without saying—they get them lumber and products by are committed to protecting the envi- yards have always been a good mar- all the time. “We get unusual requests container/truckloads or by the pack. ronment with sustainable practices. ket for us. The quality is consistent a lot. Especially in our Private Stock Species available include Mahogany, “We work hard to purchase wood and throughout. We take care in the detail department where we make guitars to Spanish Cedar, African Mahogany, wood products from reputable and of packaging and grading lumber order,” Reitz explained. “We can Sapele, Sipo/Utile, Peruvian Walnut, sustainable suppliers all over the strictly after kiln-drying.” spend days – even weeks – looking Santos Mahogany, Jatoba, Ipe, world,” Reitz said. “We have Oaks Unlimited is certified to carry all for that special neck or top or body Cumaru, Wenge and many others. increased our purchases of certified hardwood species, but their primary wood the customer is after.” The imported hardwoods available in materials as available and appropriate focus is selling Red and White Oak, Hugh Reitz credits the success of the stock range from specialty figured and also are expanding our use of Poplar and Cherry lumber in 4/4 company to its founder, Paul Reed woods to lumber selected for special alternative species.” through 8/4 thicknesses. According to Smith. “Paul worked very hard along grain orientation and widths. PRS Guitars and Reitz Hardwoods Pryor, certified products do offer a with many others to get the company Thicknesses offered range from 4/4 - are members of the International premium price. “There is a reasonable where it is today. Paul is the person 20/4. Several imported species in Wood Products Association (IWPA). premium for certified lumber. It’s behind the company. He drives for RWL lumber will be available soon. For more information about PRS another service, another market and perfection, pushes new ideas and is With extensive experience in sourc- Guitars visit www.prsguitars.com. there is an extra cost involved, having tireless when he wants something ing and selecting imported and For more information about to freight it a farther distance so, there done,” he said. domestic Hardwoods, the team at Reitz Hardwoods LLC, visit is a small premium,” he explained. The staff of PRS Guitars is made up Reitz Hardwoods is able to serve the www.reitzhardwoods.com or contact Pryor also commented that the of many experienced craftsmen as needs of the most selective of cus- direct at 443-248-0611. expense was not just monetary well as seasoned musicians. “Our tomers. Tonewoods offered from the • Continued on page 21

THE FINAL PIECE TO THE HARDWOOD PUZZLE

...single source solutions

Baillie has long been recognized as the trusted name in

premium North American hardwood lumber. With its

entry into the exotics market, Baillie takes that same

capability and dedication to quality, value and customer

Jesper Bach Exotic Hardwoods service and applies it to an exciting new product line. Manager Baillie now offers the most desirable species from South

America and Africa in a wide range of thicknesses and

sorts, including flat-sawn, quarter-sawn, pattern grade

and figure. And as always, Baillie prides itself on BAILLIE LUMBER CO. XOTICSExotic Sales Direct Line 252.523.0021 E 4002 Legion Drive / Hamburg, NY 14075 USA meeting any customer’s most demanding challenges phone 716.649.2850 / 800.950.2850 / fax 716.649.2811 www.baillie.com / e-mail: [email protected] with custom sorts. Page 20 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News

AHMI PHOTOS - Continued from page 14

Marijo Wood, Anne, Mike and Haley Hoover, Neff Lumber Mills, Inc., The guest panel at AHMI included: Steve Sievers, CK International Wendell and Judy Cramer, Kim and Mark Vollinger, W.M. Cramer Broadway, Va. LLC, Durham, N.C., Chris Ghiloni, American WoodMark, Winchester, Lumber Co., Hickory, N.C. Va.; Dean Alanko, Allegheny Wood Products Inc., Petersburg, W.Va. and Rick Armstrong, Homer Gregory & Co. Inc., Morehead, Ky.

Joe Pryor, Oaks Unlimited, Waynesville, N.C., winner of the AHMI Steve Arnold, Missouri Walnut LLC, Neosho, Mo., second place in Marijo Wood, Neff Lumber Mills Inc., Broadway, Va., winner of the golf tournament and low gross winner. the AHMI golf tournament, and is pictured with Tom Inman, AHMI. shooting clay competition, and is pictured with Tom Inman, AHMI.