by Web Editor | Apr 7, 2017 | News
Vaagen Timbers Gets Into CLT
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1548376180744-0'); });
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.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1548375988914-0'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1589916740199-0'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1548376916922-0'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1548376961890-0'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1548377005333-0'); });
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 | 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
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/.
by Web Editor | Mar 29, 2017 | News
Over the past several years, there has been a rise in mass timber construction around the world, demonstrating the strength, stability, and design flexibility of next-generation lumber technologies. To help inform architects, engineers, developers, industry professionals, students and interested parties, reThink Wood has launched the reThink Wood Research Library to serve as the go-to industry resource for those seeking information on the latest advancements in wood’s performance and advantages in the built environment.
reThink Wood is a body of research hoping to push boundaries and shift perceptions about building with wood.
Today, mass timber technologies, including cross-laminated timber (CLT), nail laminated timber (NLT) and glued laminated timber (glulam), are gaining traction in the U.S. for mid-rise and tall wood structures. The publicly accessible and comprehensive reThink Wood Research Library will be frequently updated with the latest research on wood building products and systems worldwide, as well as demonstrate where research gaps currently exist.
“The future of mass timber in the U.S. is really starting to heat up,” said Lucas Epp, head of engineering at StructureCraft. “In the next few years, there will be considerably more mass timber buildings built than we have today. The industry is starting to see that this type of construction is fast, cost effective and sustainable.”
Advocates of CLT say it can be used to construct buildings of equal strength and fire-resistance as those made of steel and concrete. It has also fueled the passions of architects and environmentalists, who believe it to be a much greener method for housing the world’s growing population.
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/wood-research-library-advances-timber-building-construction?ss=news,news,woodworking_industry_news,news,almanac_market_data,news,canadian_news
by Web Editor | Mar 27, 2017 | News
The Coalition for Fair Trade of Hardwood Plywood has filed “critical circumstances” petitions with the Department of Commerce to stop recent shipments of Chinese hardwood plywood imports into the U.S., according to the Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association.
HPVA said that the shipments are being made in an attempt to enter the market before anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders are imposed.
If the coalition’s actions are successful, anti-dumping and countervailing duties will be imposed 90 days earlier, subjecting Chinese hardwood plywood imports to duties of up to 100 percent or more.
Commerce’s preliminary determinations in the countervailing duty case and anti-dumping case are due no later than April 17 and June 16, respectively. If critical circumstances are found, Chinese hardwood plywood imported as early as January 17 will be subject to countervailing duties, and Chinese hardwood plywood imported as early as March 16 will be subject to anti-dumping duties.
See https://www.hpva.org/ and https://hardwoodplywoodfairtrade.com/ for more information.
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/us-producers-seek-new-duties-against-chinese-plywood?ss=news,news,woodworking_industry_news,news,almanac_market_data,news,canadian_news
by Web Editor | Mar 22, 2017 | News
Brian Luoma Picked To Lead Alabama’s Westervelt Company
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1548376180744-0'); });
The Westervelt Company named Brian Luoma as President and CEO, succeeding Mike Case, who announced his retirement after more than 32 years with the company. Luoma will oversee Westervelt Lumber, Westervelt Renewable Energy, Westervelt Forest Resources, Westervelt Communities, Westervelt Ecological Services and Westervelt New Zealand.
Luoma most recently served as executive vice president and general manager, Siding, with Louisiana-Pacific Corp.
Jon Warner, Chairman of the Board at The Westervelt Co., based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, comments, “Brian’s proven leadership and vision will be essential in leading our company.”
“I am thrilled to join the Westervelt team,” Luoma says. “The company’s commitment to excellence and focus on sustainability are the driving forces behind 133 years of success.”
Since 1987, Luoma held roles of increasing responsibility with LP. Luoma graduated in Forestry from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. He worked for LP while attending college, first as an assistant log scaler at the LP stud mill in Fort Bragg, California and then in the woods as a forestry technician. After graduating he worked for Simpson Timber in Korbel for a year before rejoining LP as timberlands manager in northern California. He then became wood procurement manager for LP’s Western Region. He later led LP’s Northern operations OSB group in Hayward, Wisconsin before moving to LP headquarters as head of forestry, wood procurement and logistics.
He advanced to LP’s vice president of Engineered Wood Products before becoming executive vice president and GM over LP Siding, based at headquarters in Nashville, Tennnessee.
Westervelt operates a high production, modernized southern yellow pine sawmill at Moundville, Alabama, a large industrial wood pellet plant in Aliceville, Alabama, and owns/manages 500,000 acres of timberland.
For more information on The Westervelt Company visit westervelt.com.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1548375988914-0'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1589916740199-0'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1548376916922-0'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1548376961890-0'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1548377005333-0'); });
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!
