Settlement Looks Good For Huber

by Brad Jackson | Apr 10, 2017 | News, Update

Settlement Looks Good For Huber

Huber Engineered Woods LLC (HEW) reports it has “achieved” a negotiated settlement with Georgia-Pacific Wood Products LLC in the patent infringement lawsuit filed by HEW in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.

The lawsuit, filed in June 2016 by the Charlotte, NC-headquartered manufacturer of OSB, alleged that GP’s ForceField products infringed HEW’s patents for its ZIP System sheathing and tape products. The settlement includes a license under HEW’s patents granted to GP to cover sales of GP’s ForceField products, as well as a payment by GP to Huber of an undisclosed upfront amount and ongoing royalties paid to Huber.

“For more than two decades, Huber Engineered Woods has provided innovative, premium products to our customers,” says HEW President Brian Carlson. “Investing in the continued development and protection of our intellectual property portfolio is central to our company’s strategy and success. We are pleased to resolve this issue with GP and will continue to be vigilant in the defense and protection of our brands and intellectual property.”

Introduced in 2006, ZIP System sheathing and tape is an innovative exterior wall and roof system consisting of a high-performance engineered wood panel with a built-in, water-resistive barrier that eliminates the need for housewrap or felt, Huber states. Completed with taped panel seams using advanced, acrylic-based ZIP System tape, the system helps achieve quick rough dry-in, while providing a continuous air barrier to protect against unwanted air leakage.

Huber Engineered Woods has manufacturing operations in Maine, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee and Oklahoma, as well as research and development facilities in Georgia.

Specifically, Huber alleged that the ForceField products marketed by Georgia-Pacific infringed two patents when used to sheath the walls of homes during construction; that the use of multiple ForceField panels to sheath the wall of a home, when sealed together with water-resistant tape such as GP’s ForceField Seam Tape, created a panel system that infringed the two Huber patents.

At the time of the lawsuit, Georgia-Pacific stated: “Georgia-Pacific remains confident that ForceField does not violate the intellectual property rights of others, including those of Huber. ”

The Huber lawsuit stated that Huber’s inventions were the result of years of research and development, culminating with initial sales of Huber ZIP System sheathing in 2007. “The inventions represent a leap forward in roof and/or wall structural sheathing system technology, solving several problems exhibited by other sheathing systems that rely upon house wrap or felt paper that is used with structural wood panels as part of the weatherization of buildings,” Huber had stated.

The lawsuit stated that GP introduced its ForceField System in January 2016 as a competitor to Huber, and that “rather than put in the time and resources necessary to independently develop a sheathing product like HEW did, GP instead chose to take advantage of the innovative development work done by HEW.”

According to the lawsuit, GP hired a former Huber employee to help GP develop its product—the same person who is a named inventor of the Huber patents, and that this person was subsequently a named inventor on GP’s patent application for similar technology.

TP&EE Hosts Mass Timber Developments

The biennial Timber Processing & Energy Expo, following a pandemic-induced cancellation in 2020, returns this September 28-30 to the Portland Exposition Center in Portland, Ore. Hatton-Brown Expositions, an affiliate of Panel World magazine, has hosed the event since 2010.

“It’s hard to believe it has been four years since TP&EE was held, and what a strange trip it has been,” comments Rich Donnell, TP&EE Show Director and Editor-in-Chief of Panel World. “The important thing is that we’re back face-to-face. ‘Virtual’ is okay, but it’s not like being there.”

RoyOMartin Adds Natalie Monroe To Executive Leadership Team

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Softwood Board, FS Announce Mass Timber Awards

The Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) and USDA Forest Service recently awarded $2 million total to six projects that highlight innovative architectural design and mass timber’s significant role in carbon reduction. According to SLB officials, lessons learned from each project will be shared with the construction community to help support future projects, including cost analyses, life cycle assessments and other research results…

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Kronospan Expands With $200 Million Investment, Creates 120 Jobs

by Web Editor | Apr 10, 2017 | News

Kronospan, an international manufacturer of wood panel products, will invest $200 million in the expansion of its mills in Belarus – creating 120 new jobs in 2017 and 2018.

Kronospan announced the expansion March 21 when Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko visited one of the company’s OSB plants in Belarus, reported BelTA news.

Since 2010, Kronospan has invested nearly $1 billion in its Belarus operations, and has created over a thousand jobs in the country. Plants in Belarus manufacture laminated and non-laminated particleboard, MDF, impregnated paper, and floor pavement. Kronospan alone accounts for nearly 30 percent of Belarus’ annual woodworking industry output.

Last year, Kronospan invested $362 million in its Alabama plant, adding 160 jobs. It has invested $650 million in total in the plant, with its workforce numbering 270 people.

From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/wood/panel-supply/kronospan-expands-200-million-investment-belarus-creates-120-jobs?ss=news,news,woodworking_industry_news,news,almanac_market_data,news,canadian_news

Winston Plywood & Veneer Hosts Ribbon-Cutting In Mississippi

by Web Editor | Apr 7, 2017 | News

Winston Plywood & Veneer Hosts Ribbon-Cutting In Mississippi

Joined by federal, state and local leaders, company associates and members of the community, Winston Plywood & Veneer hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new plywood mill in Louisville, Miss. in April 2017. The location was once home to a shuttered mill that was destroyed when an F4 tornado struck three years ago. Today in its place stands a state-of-the-art plywood facility that employs more than 300 and is expected to generate tens of millions in annual economic activity for the region.

“Today is a great day for all of us who work at WP&V,” commented Winton Plywood & Veneer President Jon Pierce. “We could not be more thankful for the collaboration and support we’ve had from Mayor Hill, Governor Bryant, the Mississippi Development Authority and those across our community. Everyone has stood with us as we worked together to make this mill a reality.”

“The grand opening of Winston Plywood & Veneer is a momentous occasion for this community and for our great State, showing what can be done when business partners with government at all levels to create jobs and spur economic growth,” Gov. Bryant said. “I am thrilled to be back here, standing with these newly hired workers and this company, to celebrate the official launch of this outstanding manufacturing business in Mississippi.”

“When we broke ground here two years ago, in the aftermath of a devastating storm, we said we would stay the course until we delivered and opened the finest plywood mill in North America. I am very proud to say today that we have kept that commitment, and that the future for this business is bright,” said Andrew Bursky, Chairman and Co-Founder of Atlas Holdings LLC, the parent company of New Wood Resources LLC. Winston Plywood & Veneer is an operating company of New Wood Resources.

“This occasion is to celebrate hard work, partnerships, community, and most of all hope. Our community has experienced the great recession, plant closures, and a devastating natural disaster in recent years. Winston Plywood & Veneer’s commitment after the storm forged a storybook partnership, giving hope to a community in need,” said Louisville Mayor Will Hill.

Winston Plywood & Veneer is well positioned for sustained success in the marketplace. The company’s leadership team collectively brings nearly a century of direct industry experience and expertise; overall, the team includes 304 professionals, nearly two-thirds of whom are residents of the local community. Each associate has participated in extensive skills development training relevant to their job function and completed a comprehensive, mandatory workplace safety curriculum executed by WP&V.

The first such plywood mill constructed in the United States in more than two decades, the WP&V facility boasts 287,000 square feet and is more than 765 feet in length. The company sells structural and industrial plywood and veneer, procuring its logs from sources within 60 miles of the facility.

The company began shipping production this past November.

TP&EE Hosts Mass Timber Developments

The biennial Timber Processing & Energy Expo, following a pandemic-induced cancellation in 2020, returns this September 28-30 to the Portland Exposition Center in Portland, Ore. Hatton-Brown Expositions, an affiliate of Panel World magazine, has hosed the event since 2010.

“It’s hard to believe it has been four years since TP&EE was held, and what a strange trip it has been,” comments Rich Donnell, TP&EE Show Director and Editor-in-Chief of Panel World. “The important thing is that we’re back face-to-face. ‘Virtual’ is okay, but it’s not like being there.”

RoyOMartin Adds Natalie Monroe To Executive Leadership Team

RoyOMartin has named Natalie Martin Monroe Vice President of Environmental, Safety, and Sustainability Operations. She will also serve as a member of the Strategic Action Leadership Team (SALT) and the Corporate Secretary for the Martin Sustainable Resources (MSR) Board of Directors…

Softwood Board, FS Announce Mass Timber Awards

The Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) and USDA Forest Service recently awarded $2 million total to six projects that highlight innovative architectural design and mass timber’s significant role in carbon reduction. According to SLB officials, lessons learned from each project will be shared with the construction community to help support future projects, including cost analyses, life cycle assessments and other research results…

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Vaagen Timbers Gets Into CLT

by Web Editor | Apr 7, 2017 | News

Vaagen Timbers Gets Into CLT

Sawmillers have formed Vaagen Timbers, which will construct a mass timber facility in Colville, Wash. The new business will produce cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue laminated beams (glulam).

Vaagen Timbers is partnering with Vaagen Bros. Lumber, Inc. for the supply of lumber to the new facility, which will be adjacent the Vaagen Bros. Lumber sawmill in Colville.

“Although the entities will be operated separately, this connection will add value to both businesses,” comments Russ Vaagen. “This will allow Vaagen Bros. and Vaagen Timbers to tell the small log story from the forest to better buildings.”

The state-of-the-art facility will be designed to produce multiple sizes of straight glulam beams up to 60 ft. long. CLT production will be up to 12 in. thick, 4 ft. wide, and 60 ft. long. Operations are scheduled to begin in 2018.

Production capacity numbers are still being tested, but forecasted capacity on two shifts for two press lines will consume approximately 50MMBF per year. Once Vaagen Timbers develops market demand, plans for a second 8 ft. press will provide a more diversified product offering.

“This is exciting for all involved including the forest, the community, and the future of eco-friendly buildings in North America,” Vaagen adds.

Bert and Bud Vaagen founded Vaagen Brothers Lumber in the early 1950s and the business has not only been a sawmilling mainstay in the Northwest since then, but is recognized as one of the leaders of the industry. Current President Duane Vaagen was Timber Processing’s Man of the Year in 1989.

Kerwood Joins Hansen-Rice

Hansen-Rice, Inc. (HRI) announced that Terry Kerwood and Matt Peerboom have joined their heavy industrial team as a business manager and director, respectively. Kerwood’s role is owner/ client advocate and liaison. As director, Peerboom…

Boise Cascade Operation At Elgin Is Up In Air

Boise Cascade has issued a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice to its employees at its operations in Elgin, Ore. “We issued the notice in order to ensure that all employees are aware it is…

Westmill Industries Moves Headquarters

Westmill Industries has moved headquarters to a new, larger facility located in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Can. With more than five times more office, warehouse and shop space, and more than 10 times more yard and covered…

CalPlant Gears Up For First Board

CalPlant I, the new rice straw-based MDF plant in Willows, Calif., is starting up and commissioning all areas of the mill. This includes the straw preparation…

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U.S. Forest Service: Build Better, Stronger, Faster With CLT

by Web Editor | Apr 5, 2017 | News

The U.S. Forest Service is working to build markets for innovative forest products. One of these products, cross-laminated timber, also known as CLT, offers an opportunity for raising tall buildings with wood, opening up a completely new market for wood products.

And there’s tremendous opportunity to increase the market share for wood-based construction. Because of its high strength, CLT is an advantageous alternative to traditional building materials such as concrete, masonry, and steel. Because CLT panels resist compression, they are well-suited for building multistory structures, especially mid-rise buildings. Made from layers of dried lumber boards, stacked in alternating direction at 90-degree angles, glued and pressed to form solid panels, CLT has exceptional strength and stability and can be used as walls, roofs, and floors.

Additionally, CLT is highly resilient to fire, earthquakes, and even explosions. In fact in a recent series of live blast tests, CLT passed with flying colors. An examination of the results showed that the CLT structures suffered less degradation than expected and might outlast concrete and steel.

In terms of fire, CLT is like using a large log to start a campfire—it doesn’t ignite easily. And when it does burn, a char layer forms on the outside, protecting the inside and allowing the wood panel to maintain its structural integrity during fire scenarios.

Researchers have conducted extensive seismic testing on CLT and found that the panels perform exceptionally well in multi-story applications. When a seven-story CLT building was tested on the world’s largest shake table in Japan, it survived 14 consecutive earthquake simulations with almost no damage.

From the USDA: https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/04/04/build-better-stronger-faster-clt

Raute Corporation Acquires Metriguard Inc.

by Web Editor | Apr 3, 2017 | News

Raute Corporation and the owners of Metriguard, Inc. have agreed on the purchase of the business of Metriguard Inc., Pullman, Washington, USA.

Metriguard, established in 1972, is the world leader in high speed strength grading technology for lumber and veneer. Metriguard sells and provides services for its equipment globally, with installations in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Metriguard’s products and technology are complementary to Raute’s current product offerings. Over the years, Metriguard’s products have been integrated into dozens of Raute’s deliveries. Metriguard’s net sales were USD 4.6 million in 2016, with an EBIT of USD 0.8 million, and it employs 26 people.

Metriguard’s business will continue by a newly established Raute’s subsidiary Metriguard Technologies, Inc. Its financials will be reported as part of Raute’s wood products technology segment. The acquisition is deemed to have a positive effect on Raute’s net sales in 2017 and on its financial results starting from 2018.

The acquisition is made as an asset purchase. Intangible assets, working capital and fixed assets, except real estate, are acquired. Metriguard’s personnel will transfer in along with the acquisition. The purchase price, estimated at USD 4.5 million, is paid in two installments. A base purchase price of USD 3.1 million is paid at closing, additionally there will be an earn-out payment based on net sales for a 12-month period following closing of the transaction.

For more information visit https://www.raute.com/.