Georgia-Pacific Wood Products and Sherwood Lumber Co. have announced a new distribution agreement involving GP's full line of engineered wood products (EWP). The two companies have finalized terms that will provide for Sherwood Lumber to supply its dealers with a complete line of Georgia-Pacific engineered wood products, including Wood I Beam joists, GP Lam laminated veneer lumber (LVL), FiberStrong rim board and laminated beams.

The Washington, D.C.-based Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) forest certification program is inviting applications for its Conservation and Community Partnerships Grants program. 

The program is now in its third year and continues to support research and outreach on responsible forestry.

Demand for wood-plastic composite and plastic lumber, used in decking, railing, trim and other building materials, is projected to rise 13% per year until 2015, according to a report from The Freedonia Group.

Plum Creek Timber Co. has announced revenues of $315 million for its fourth quarter, an 11.5% decrease over revenues of $356 million for the same quarter of 2010. Net earnings for the quarter, which ended Dec. 31, 2010, were $61 million, compared to $59 million a year old.

In year-end figures, Plum Creek reported revenues of $1.16 billion for fiscal 2011, a 2.5% decrease over $1.19 billion in 2010. Net income for the Seattle-based company was $193 million, compared to $213 million for fiscal 2010.

Maine Governor Paul LePage has decreed that equal recognition be given to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard (SFI), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), American Tree Farm System, and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification systems when incorporating green building standards into any new or expanded state buildings.

A price index of lumber and panels used in actual construction for Nov. 18, 2011

*Western - regional species perimeter foundation; Southern - regional species slab construction.

A subsidiary of Great Southern Wood Preserving acquired a wood treating plant in Mansura, La., formerly owned by Elder Wood Preserving.

Great Southern CEO Jimmy Rane said the two companies have similar cultures. "Our involvement will simply enable that plant to bring more products and more resources to its customers than ever before while allowing us to expand our footprint," he said. 

Elder Wood has been an industry leader for more than 30 years, he added.

A story on homechannelnews.com about potential design value changes for Southern Pine lumber products generated comments, including one from the Southern Forest Products Association, explaining its role. 

Gaithersburg, Md.-based pro dealer TW Perry is promoting understanding of green building and environmentally friendly materials with a back-to-basics educational program.

The six-unit TW Perry has received chain-of-custody certification by both the Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and it recently hosted its third annual Green Building Workshop. According to CEO Michael Cassidy, as the company's green education programs grow, they will focus on product application.

On the value of FSC certification


“It is pay to play. Consumers have bought into the deal. If you fill out forms, pay fees to an offshore entity in Europe, you are good to go.”
 — Todd Wilfong 
M4L Inc.
 Hershey, Pa.



“I do not know of any customers asking about any wood certification of any kind. If selling FSC lumber were the only way that I could sell lumber, I’d switch to plastic!” 
 — Seth Arluck
 New Hampton Lumber Co.


ForestEthics, a hard-hitting environmental group that is running a campaign to protect endangered forests, has kept the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) organization in its crosshairs for the last several years. The forest industry’s largest certification program for wood products even has its own tab on the ForestEthics Web page: Viewers can click on “Stop SFI GreenWash” and read a critique of the group’s certification process, its membership, its nonprofit status and even its logo.