by Web Editor | Sep 9, 2016 | News
Michael Mordell, a senior executive of Universal Forest Products, Inc., was named Executive VP of International Operations to lead a new international division, UFP Global Holdings, Ltd., based in the United Kingdom.
Mordell will be responsible for sales, production, and distribution for operations outside of the U.S., and, growing sales in the international arena. Mordell joined Universal in 1993 as a lumber buyer, and has held leadership positions in purchasing as well as in operations. In 2009, he was named executive vice president of purchasing. He will begin his new role on Oct. 1.
“Expanding internationally has been among our stated strategies, as we seek to constantly attain new levels of sales and profitability,” said UFPI CEO Matthew J. Missad. “I have great confidence we’ll achieve that with Mike at the helm of the international division. He is a bold and creative leader who has had years of experience and success in our industries and at our company.”
“This is an exciting venture and a great time to be at Universal Forest Products as we seek new avenues to build on our success,” Mordell said. “I look forward to building the UFP Global organization and team, and to developing and successfully implementing strategies for growth with them.”
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/universal-forest-products-will-expanded-internationally?ss=news,news,woodworking_industry_news,news,almanac_market_data,news
by Web Editor | May 9, 2016 | News
A new bill from Congress would establish performance driven research for advancing tall wood building construction in the U.S.
The “Timber Innovation Act” would:
· Authorize the Tall Wood Building Prize Competition through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) annually for the next five years
· Create federal grants to support state, local, university and private sector education, outreach, research and development, including education and assistance for architects and builders, that will accelerate the use of wood in tall buildings
· Authorize technical assistance for USDA, in cooperation with state foresters and state extension directors (or equivalent state officials), to implement a program of education and technical assistance for mass timber applications
Recent advances in technology, engineering and safety have made it possible to build taller wooden buildings using newly-developed mass timber products, like cross-laminated timber. In the last five years, 17 buildings between seven and 14 stories have been built using heavy timber construction globally. Canada, Norway, Australia, the United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden and France all have constructed and occupied multiple tall-wood buildings.
Other countries have already been considering wooden skyscrapers. Researchers presented the Mayor of London with plans for an 80-story wooden building just a few weeks ago.
Multiple organizations in the U.S. wood industry, including The American Wood Council (AWC), American Forest Foundation (AFF), Binational Softwood Lumber Council (BSLC) and Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (SLMA), have all announced strong support for the bill.
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/new-bill-would-push-research-timber-building-construction-us?utm_source=WIT050616&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=WeekInTrees
