by Web Editor | Apr 6, 2015 | News
A gradual increase in housing starts across the U.S. and better timber prices are two factors behind Plum Creek Timber Co.’s decision to invest $10 million in plant improvements at its Northwest Montana manufacturing plants.
“We’re optimistic overall for another good year,” said Tom Ray, Plum Creek’s vice president of northwest resources and manufacturing. “The largest single concern is the lack of raw materials, but we’re hoping Congress will address that.”
One of the largest landowners in the U.S., Plum Creek had a strong year in 2014, reporting earnings of $214 million on $1.48 billion in revenues. Harvest numbers were 13 percent over 2013. But timber resources in Northwest Montana can be a concern. Last year, Plum Creek cut back hours for workers at the Columbia Falls sawmill from 40 hours per week to 36 after a federal court ruling blocked several timber sales on state forest land. “We had a decline there, but once we get past breakup and into early summer, we’re hopeful to go back to a regular schedule,” Ray said.
Plum Creek plans to invest $6 million at its medium-density fiberboard plant in Columbia Falls. The No. 1 line, which was built in 1974 and manufactures panels up to 1 1/4 inches thick, will see $1.6 million for improvements to reliability and efficiency. Another $300,000 will be spent on computer equipment and monitoring cameras.
The company also plans to spend $2 million on the MDF plant’s No. 2 line, which was built in 2001 at a cost of $80 million and produces thin panels one-tenth of an inch thick. The furniture industry is a major customer, but other businesses now use MDF products.
From Hungry Horse News: https://www.flatheadnewsgroup.com/hungryhorsenews/plum-creek-to-invest-mil-in-local-plants/article_e8e443a2-d883-11e4-ad41-cfbdb6471aba.html
by Web Editor | Mar 2, 2015 | News
Composite panel consumption is projected to grow in North America through 2016, buoyed in part by the strengthening of the U.S. housing market and positive indicators of improvement in the furniture and related industries. Figures from Resource Information Systems, Inc. (RISI) project particleboard consumption to rise 10 percent in 2015, to 3.29 billion square feet, and grow 11 percent in 2016, to 3.64 billion square feet. Similarly, MDF is projected to hit 2.97 billion square feet in 2015, a rise of 9 percent, and jump to 3.28 billion square feet in 2016, up 10 percent.
Panel producers are gearing up, with already two companies announcing multi-million plant investments this year.
Uniboard announced Feb. 5 that it will invest more than $53 million at its Val-d’Or particleboard and thermally fused laminate (TFL) facility as part of its plan to increase productivity and upgrade key production areas. The company produces particleboard, MDF and TFL from mills in Val-d’Or, Sayabec, Mont-Laurier and Laval, Canada.
Uniboard President and CEO James N. Hogg said the project will enable the company to enhance its engineered wood and value-added product offerings. “Over recent years, Uniboard has invested heavily into product development, launching new color collections including North America’s first registered embossed thermofused laminate panels as well as expanding our successful NU Green range of low and no-formaldehyde products,” he added.
This followed the Jan. 26 news from Arauco that it will invest $30 million to grow the particleboard and TFL capacity at its mill in Bennettsville, SC. The new technology is expected to be in place by the fourth quarter. Arauco said increased dryer capacity will help it to improve its particleboard production by 60 million ft2, on a 3/4-inch basis annually. Arauco also will add a high-tech fast-cycle press for TFL production.
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/wood/panel-supply/Composite-Panel-Market-Grows-Consumption-to-Hit-10-in-2015-294396371.html#sthash.7iZYxiAW.dpbs
