International Paper has admitted that on a particular tract in South Carolina it offered the same stumpage price to all Quality Suppliers, but defended itself by claiming that on any tract, Quality Suppliers had the option of declining IP’s offer and purchasing timber to sell to another mill or on the spot market.

December 31 isn’t far away. That’s the deadline the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set for the last production of pressure-treated wood using chromated copper arsenate (CCA) for residential use. Since the February 2002 EPA announcement that set the wood treating industry on its ear, some wood treating plants have completed the conversion process to copper-based “new generation” chemicals.

On February 12, 2002, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made an announcement that was a bombshell to most wood treaters using Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA): The treating industry would be moving consumer use of treated lumber products for residential applications away from pressure-treated wood that contains arsenic in favor of wood treated with “new alternative wood preservatives.”

First full week of production following the installation of a Hi-Tech Comact double-length infeed (DLI) and quad bandmill tallied a company record 3.2MMBF at Bean Lumber Co.’s southern pine operation here. “That’s more than the old mill had ever cut in one week’s operation,” President Curt Bean reports with a broad smile. The March 2002 startup began with a single shift operation, but went so smoothly they were able to bring in the night shift on the fourth night.

Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau (PLIB) celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2003. PLIB has provided grading and mill inspection service to lumber producers in the Pacific Northwest continuously since it began in 1903. PLIB’s region has grown to include Oregon, Washington, Idaho, northern California and British Columbia. Currently PLIB provides inspection services for 33 softwood lumber manufacturers representing 46 mills in the Pacific Northwest.

La-Co Industries Inc./Markal Co. introduces Markal Pro-EX lumber crayons—contractor grade lumber crayons made to handle wet, dry, rough or smooth surfaces. Markal Pro-EX is an extruded lumber crayon for marking on wood, concrete, rubber, cardboard or masonry. Crayons make a long-lasting, economical mark; provide sharp point for precise lines; and are available in 6 highly visible colors.