GREEN BUILDING CONFERENCE AND EXPO BEGINS REGISTRATION

NAHB 2012 National Green Building Conference and Expo have announced opening registration for the edition. This year the expo will be held from April 29- May 1 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.


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AKZONOBEL'S CHEMCRAFT EXPANDS ITS DISTRIBUTOR NETWORK

Akzonobel brand Chemcraft has added Rugby Architectural Building Products to its network of North American distributors.  “We are extremely pleased to welcome Rugby Architectural Building Products to our distributor team, and are looking forward to expanding and growingboth of our businesses.” says Ray Birdsall, Chemcraft brand Business Manager. “We see Rugby as a great fit with our current network of knowledgeable and service oriented distributors.” 


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ARMSTRONG REPORTS PROFIT

Armstrong World Industries, Inc., reported an adjusted EBITDA of $51 million, up 9 per cent over the 2010 period. Fourth quarter operating income is reported to be of 21.6 million, up more than $50 million over the 2010 period. Net sales increased approximately $9 million compared to last year. Sales increased 1 per cent compared to last year while volume decrease was offset by price. Volumes decreased in Worldwide Resilient Flooring, European Building Products and Cabinets, while volumes grew in Wood Flooring and Building Products Asia. 

Operating income and net income both increased due to cost reduction actions, which resulted in lower SG&A expenses and manufacturing costs when compared to the same period last year.  


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CEU FOR ARCHITECTS AND DESIGNERS AT NWFA EXPO

Attending educational sessions on wood floors at the 2012 NWFA Wood Floor Expo can earn architects and designers continuing education units (CEUs).

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NEW-HOME SALES DECLINED IN JANUARY

Sales of newly-built, single-family homes declined by less than one percent in January from an upwardly revised number in the previous month to hit a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 321,000 units, according to data jointly released by HUD and the U.S. Commerce Department
today. 


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Interfor's Q4 Results Decline on Lower Volumes and Market Prices

INTERNATIONAL FOREST PRODUCTS LIMITED or INTERFOR reported a net loss of $6.5 million or $0.12 per share in the fourth quarter of 2011. Included in the Company's accounts in the quarter was the effect of unrecognized tax assets of $3.9 million or $0.07 per share.

Excluding the tax allowance and other one-time items, Interfor recorded a net loss of $2.5 million or $0.04 per share compared to a net loss of $0.5 million or $0.01 per share in the immediately preceding quarter and net earnings of $0.5 million or $0.01 per share in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Also included in the Company's accounts in the fourth quarter was a provision for share-based compensation of $0.9 million or $0.02 per share compared to a recovery of $0.9 million or $0.02 per share in the third quarter.


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WEST FRASER TIMBER ANNOUNCES 4Q 2011 RESULTS

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. an integrated wood products company producing lumber, wood chips, LVL, MDF, plywood, pulp and newsprint operating in western Canada and the southern United States reported profit after discontinued operations of $6 million on sales of $650 million in the 4Q 2011 and earnings after discontinued operations of $73 million, on sales of $2,762 million for 2011.

The West Fraser's Chairman, President and CEO, Hank Ketcham commented, "We are very encouraged with the results of our capital investment program as well as the continued commitment of our employees to West Fraser's long-term success."


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THE GLOBAL WOOD FIBER INDICES FOR SOFTWOOD AND HARDWOOD FIBER DECLINED

Global demand for pulp has declined and pulp prices fell during the second half of 2011. As a consequence, prices for wood fiber, the highest cost component when producing pulp, were down throughout the world, as reported by the Wood Resource Quarterly. The Global Wood Fiber Indices for softwood and hardwood fiber declined 3.5% from the 3Q/11.

Global pulp prices fell by about 20 percent from July to December last year. Weakening demand for pulp and lower product prices squeezed pulp company profit margins, so many companies tried to reduce their costs for wood fiber, which represents the largest cost component when manufacturing pulp.


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MILLER AS VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER AT PLUM CREEK

Plum Creek Timber Company announced appointment of Mark Miller as the company’s vice president and chief information officer. Miller will now will be responsible for the company’s information technology team and the services it provides to the company.


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AWMAC CONVENTION 2012 DATE AND VENUE DECLARED

The 2012 AWMAC (Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada) Convention will be held by the Ontario chapter of the association from May 31 to June 2. The convention will be held at the White Oaks Resort and Convention Centre which is in the Niagara Falls tourist region.


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ARFC: SECRETARY SALAZAR'S FAILED TIMBER POLICIES BAD FOR RURAL OREGON

American Resource Forest Council (ARFC) made public its opinion on new forest planning process for western Oregon. Ken Salazar, President Obama’s Secretary of the Interior, who visited Medford, Oregon on 21 Feb to tour the “Pilot Joe” demonstration project and hold a Town Hall meeting announced an administrative forest planning process for 2.5 million acres of western Oregon forests managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), including the Oregon & California (O&C) Grant lands.  According to ARFC this planning process is “lengthy” which “comes nearly 2 ½ years after Secretary Salazar illegally withdrew the 2008 Western Oregon Plan Revisions”.  


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AWC SUBMITS DATA FOR EPA?S BOILER MACT RULES

The American Wood Council (AWC) submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the re-proposed Boiler MACT rules, as well as on the Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration (CISWI or Incinerator) rule, Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials (NHSM) rule, and Boiler Generally Achievable Control Technology (GACT) rule.

AWC’s submitted comments address concerns over achievability, inadequate compliance time, uncertainty of classifying biomass materials as fuels, excessive costs, and the prevalence of legal uncertainty.  


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AWC UPSET AS BIOBASED MEMO EXCLUDES WOOD PRODUCTS

American Wood Council (AWC) President Robert Glowinski officially applauded the intent of President Obama’s memorandum directing the federal government to increase procurement of biobased products, however, it excludes wood product.

He said, “We applaud the intent of President Obama’s memorandum to help protect and increase rural jobs by promoting the use of agricultural products."    


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DEXTER + CHANEY TAKES AWAY AWARD FOR INNOVATIVE PRODUCT

Dexter + Chaney’s recently launched Venture™ Project Collaboration Software, has been named the Experts’ Choice winner in the Business Tools and Software category of the 2012 Most Innovative Products (MIP) Award program at World of Concrete 2012.

The MIP Award program – held annually by Hanley Wood at the World of Concrete tradeshow – is a roundup of the most innovative construction products and technologies that help increase productivity, enhance quality, and promote safety for jobsites and employees in the construction arena. The Experts’ Choice award is given to the product earning the highest ranking from a panel of construction industry experts. Nominated products were evaluated by these experts during the course of the trade show in Las Vegas from Jan. 24 – 27, 2012. Many of the experts involved in the MIP review and selection process serve on the World of Concrete Advisory Board. 


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BASF SCIENTIST FRED GOODWIN AS THE TOP THINKER

Fred Goodwin, Fellow Scientist for BASF Corporation's Construction Chemicals business, was recently named one of the Top 24 Thinkers by JPCL: The Journal of Protective Coatings & Linings. As originally announced in JPCL's sister publication, PaintSquare News, "JPCL's Top Thinkers: The Clive Hare Honors, recognizes a select group of thought leaders worldwide who have advanced the technology of protective and marine coatings in the past decade."


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IPC APEX EXPO WILL FEATURE FIVE PANELISTS

IPC APEX EXPO 2012, February 28?March 1 at the San Diego Convention Center, will feature five panelists who will provide their unique perspectives on what the game changers will be for the industry.


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TOTAL LOG EXPORTS FROM NEW ZEALAND REACHED AS HIGH AS 13 MILLION M3 IN 2011

Log exports from New Zealand in 2011 are set to reach a new record . During the first eight months, total shipments were 25 percent higher than the same period last year (54 percent higher by value) and total exports for 2011 reached as high as 13 million m3, which is more than a doubling from just three years ago. It is worth noting that almost half of the timber harvest in the 2Q was shipped overseas in log form and that almost one-third of the timber harvest in New Zealand is shipped to Chinese sawmills.


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NEW FORESTS ANNOUNCED THE LAUNCH OF FOREST CARBON PARTNERS

New Forests Inc. ("New Forests") announced the launch of Forest Carbon Partners, L.P. ? an investment vehicle for California-compliant forest carbon offset projects ? and the close of the fund?s first two transactions. Forest Carbon Partners offers forest carbon offset project finance and development services to private forest landowners nationwide. The fund manages all aspects of project evaluation, development, registration, and credit sales. Through its portfolio of projects, Forest Carbon Partners will deliver carbon market revenue to landowners and a reliable supply of high-quality offsets to California compliance buyers. 

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WEST FRASER ANNOUNCED ITS FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. reported earnings after discontinued operations of $6 million or $0.14 per share on sales of $650 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 and earnings after discontinued operations of $73 million or $1.47 per share, on sales of $2,762 million for 2011.

"We ended a challenging year with a difficult quarter as markets for our products continue to be unsettled.? said Hank Ketcham, West Fraser?s Chairman, President and CEO. ?We are very encouraged with the results of our capital investment program as well as the continued commitment of our employees to West Fraser?s long-term success."


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WOOD PELLETS GETTING ATTENTION AS A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO OTHER FUELS IN NH

Wood pellets have made the list of heating fuels tracked by the New Hampshire State Office of Energy and Planning (OEP). With growing numbers of New Hampshire homes, businesses, schools and municipalities using wood pellets for heat, OEP now lists the price of residential bulk delivered wood pellets along with the cost of the state's major heating fuels. The information is derived from a survey of five companies providing bulk pellet delivery service in NH.


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NEW FORESTS LAUNCHED FOREST CARBON INVESTMENT FUND

New Forests Inc. announced the launch of Forest Carbon Partners, L.P. - an investment vehicle for California-compliant forest carbon offset projects - and the close of the fund's first two transactions. Forest Carbon Partners offers forest carbon offset project finance and development services to private forest landowners nationwide. The fund manages all aspects of project evaluation, development, registration, and credit sales. Through its portfolio of projects, Forest Carbon Partners will deliver carbon market revenue to landowners and a reliable supply of high-quality offsets to California compliance buyers.


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PRESCOTT TO BUILD A WOOD PELLET MANUFACTURING PLANT

A Toronto-based renewable energy company is eyeing Prescott to build a wood pellet manufacturing plant that will feed a growing European market.

"European and U.K. markets are well defined (and) the Prescott area is ideally suited for a pellet facility," Protocol Biomass Corporation CEO and president Thomas Logan told The Recorder Times on Wednesday.


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IMPORT OF SOFTWOOD LOGS AND LUMBER TO CHINA INCREASED

Importation of softwood logs and lumber to China has increased continuously over the past 15 years, and in 2011 the country was the largest importer of softwood lumber and logs in the world, according to the Wood Resource Quarterly. Total import value equaled almost eight billion US dollars last year, which was an increase of 57 percent from 2010, and up from only 70 million dollars 15 years ago. Annual growth over the past five years has been almost 30 percent, and over the past 15 years, the CAGR has been as high as 36 percent.


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USGBC ANNONUCED THIRD PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR LEED 2012 FROM MAR. 1

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that the third public comment period for the proposed 2012 update to its LEED green building program will open Mar. 1, 2012. The comment period, which will close on Mar. 20, marks the start of the LEED 2012 program delivery process. LEED 2012 is the next step towards a global, performance-based application. 


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KRISTEN AS THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF WILSONART

Wilsonart International and Illinois Tool Works (ITW) chose Kristen Manos as the next President of Wilsonart. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Kris into our organization," says Jane Warner, ITW Executive Vice President. "She brings significant knowledge, industry relationships and key strategic perspective from her broad range of experience. She will be able to 'hit the ground running' and build on Wilsonart's already strong foundation."

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MARKET FOR NEW SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES ON THE RISE

Home builder confidence in the market for new single-family homes increased for the fifth consecutive month in February, rising from 25 to 29 on the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. It is the highest level the index has reached in more than four years. "Builder confidence has doubled since September as measured by the HMI," said NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg, a home builder from Gainesville, Fla.