by Web Editor | Feb 25, 2019 | News
Freres Lumber Named One Of 2019’s Most Innovative Companies
Freres Lumber Company has been named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2019, ranking as the fifth on the Most Innovative Company List in the Urban Development/Real Estate category.
The list honors the businesses making the most profound impact on both industry and culture, showcasing a variety of ways to thrive in today’s volatile world. Half of the companies on this year’s MIC 50 list are appearing for the first time.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award and to be recognized for the innovation and application of our invention of Mass Plywood Panel (MPP),” said Rob Freres, president of Freres Lumber.
Freres Lumber’s MPP brings new innovation to the mass timber market, and was recently acknowledged for its revolutionary product with the awards of two new patents in the U.S. and Canada. MPP is the first and only mass timber panel constructed entirely out of Structural Composite Lumber (SCL) worldwide, which means it uses approximately 20 percent less wood, costs less, and is as strong as and lighter weight than competing products.
Fast Company’s editors and writers sought out groundbreaking businesses across 35 industries and every region. They also judged nominations received through their application process.
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PANEL WORLD SEPTEMBER 2020
FRERES HAS TAIHEI HORIZONTAL PRESS GOING
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by Web Editor | Feb 18, 2019 | News
CalAg Rice Straw MDF Plant
The monthly Panel World Industry Newsletter reaches over 3,000 who represent primary panel production operations.
Panel World is delivered six times per year to North American and international professionals, who represent primary panel production operations. Subscriptions are FREE to qualified individuals.
Complete the online form so we can direct you to the appropriate Sales Representative. Contact us today!
by Web Editor | Jan 31, 2019 | News
The Milwaukee, Wisconsin city planning commission recently approved rezoning for a project many believe will be the tallest mass timber structure in the U.S., though the project must still be approved by a neighborhood zoning committee. Called the Ascent residential tower, the mixed-use structure would use cast-in concrete for the first five stories and concrete shafts from top to bottom, and would be topped by a 15-story exposed mass timber system that uses steel connectors. The building will include 205 residential units, plus floors dedicated to commercial space, enclosed parking and amenities.
by Web Editor | Jan 23, 2019 | News
The Wood Industry Summit will be in its third season at LIGNA 2019, which runs from May 27-31 in Hannover, Germany. Staged in Hall 26 with the theme “Access to Resources and Technology,” the summit is a well-established showcase for the forestry and wood industries. It is organized by Deutsche Messe in conjunction with the German Forestry Council (KWF) and comprises a forum, lounge and exhibition area.
New Group Pavilion
The summit is attuned to the future, and in 2019 it includes an all-new group pavilion that explores the implications of the German government’s “Charter for Wood 2.0” policy direction. Titled “Future Workshop for Wood & Forestry under the Charter for Wood 2.0,” the pavilion is a showcase for international startups, a hub where young, innovative companies can present their ideas and visions for the future of the forestry and wood industries. The new group pavilion is produced and run by the organizers of LIGNA in partnership with the German Sawmilling and Wood Industry Association (DeSH), Germany’s Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR), the Ministry for Environment, Agriculture, Conservation and Consumer Protection of the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MULNV) and the German Forestry Council (KWF).
“Our aim in establishing this new showcase is to secure the ongoing international competitiveness of the forestry and wood industries and to facilitate networking and relationships between industry startups and industry incumbents,” explained Christian Pfeiffer, Deutsche Messe’s Global Director LIGNA & Woodworking Events. “Ultimately, the objective is to support the early identification of new opportunities. The new showcase will do this by facilitating practically focused dialogue among key decision-makers and by delivering thought-provoking technical presentations on a wide range of topic areas,” he added.
Achieving Germany’s Climate Targets
The Charter for Wood 2.0 is part of the “Climate Action Plan 2050” that Germany’s federal government adopted in November 2016. The Charter for Wood 2.0 is in fact named in the action plan as a milestone along the road to achieving Germany’s climate targets. Its primary objectives are as follows: to boost the wood and forestry contribution to climate protection through sustainable forest management and wood utilization; to maintain and grow the value added and competitiveness of the German forestry and wood industry; and to conserve finite natural resources through sustainable and efficient forest and wood use.
Future of the Industry
The Wood Industry Summit itself is dedicated to the future of the forestry and wood industry. Among much else, its focus is on ways of optimizing the entire forest-wood-logistics value chain – from standing trees through to final processing in the factory – as well as on protecting forests from biotic and abiotic damage, and on climate and environmentally friendly harvesting processes. Other key themes include digitization in forestry, data protection and data integrity, forest firefighting, forestry infrastructure, road networks and logistics. Of all of these themes, digitization will be at the forefront, both in the summit’s discussion forums and in its exhibition area.
In 2019, the Wood Industry Summit will once again feature delegations from the timber-rich regions Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Germany, Finland, Canada, Columbia, Romania, Russia, Ukraine and the USA. To put that in perspective: the 2017 summit resulted in contracts worth over 30 million euros.
by Web Editor | Dec 12, 2018 | News
When Hurricane Florence slammed into North Carolina on September 14, 2018, as a category 1 rainmaker, it was clear that damage to the already rain-soaked state would be immense. As the state continues the recovery process, two groups – the Carolina Loggers Association’s Logs for the Cause and NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation’s United2gether – have joined forces with the St. Bernard Project (SBP) to help first responders and veterans impacted by the storm get one step closer to a Home for the Holidays.
“Every gift given through both the Logs for the Cause and United2gether campaigns between now and January 31, 2019, will go toward SBP’s efforts to rebuild homes for first responders and veterans throughout North Carolina who were impacted by Hurricane Florence,” said Ewell Smith, executive director of the Carolina Loggers Association. “While those affected have long since returned to work, the impact from this storm will be felt for years to come. The logging community in NC – one that was hit especially hard by the storm – is close-knit; we believe in giving back and paying it forward, and helping to kick start the rebuilding process is the perfect place to start.”
“Recovery is a collaborative effort,” noted SBP co-founder and CEO Zack Rosenburg. “Through this partnership, SBP will be able to provide a predictable path home for disaster-impacted families of veterans and first responders in North Carolina. This is a great example of Americans rallying together for other citizens during times of great need. We believe that this partnership is an example of the seldom discussed, but ever-present ties that bind us together.”
“Growing up in Eastern North Carolina and seeing first-hand the devastation of Hurricane Florence was heartbreaking,” commented Paige Keselowski. “Immediately following the storm, we created the United2gether campaign to support first responders in affected areas. Teaming up with the Carolina Loggers Association and SBP USA on the Home for the Holidays program is a great way for us to continue our support of first responders and veterans that are still dealing with the impact of the storm.”
The Home for the Holidays program is actively seeking building products partners to assist in the rebuilding efforts. Please invite interested readers to contact Carolina Loggers Association executive director Ewell Smith at [email protected] for more information.