Timber Bulletin May/Jun - Minnesota Forest Industries

their mills, as well as expectationsof market factors in their individualsectors in a panel discussiontitled “Outlooks, Trends, andConsiderations in Wood Markets.”In his presentation, Aube says thecompany has survived the worstdepression in the history of thelumber industry, which was cut inhalf over the past several years. Hesaid housing and related marketsare improving, with the US on theway to building 1.4 million homesper year. Aube said there will bevolatility, but that Minnesota iswell-positioned to survive it.“The winners in the recoverywill be the ones with trees,” Aubesaid, referring to geographic areassuch as British Columbia, Quebec,the Southeast U.S., etc. “We havethe trees here, which is a positive.Trees in Minnesota can create ahigh-quality stud, and we’re excitedabout that.”Aube also announced the millis adding a fourth kiln, which willallow the company to continue tobuy balsam saw bolts. Aube saidthe company has already receivedthe appropriate permits from thestate of Minnesota, and he thankedthe mill’s parent company forproviding funding.Lt. Col. Eric Chandler of the Duluth-based 148th Fighter Wing speaks at the TPAAnnual Banquet about his life as an F-16 fighter pilot through tours of duty inIraq and Afghanistan, and how lessons learned on executing a plan can apply inthe business world.“This is good news for Potlatchand for our loggers,” Aube said.Erickson discussed Sappi’sconversion to specialized cellulose,which was completed in May.Sappi is already the world’s largestsupplier of specialized cellulose,a high growth and high marginbusiness, which speaks well for thefuture of the Cloquet mill. Sappiexpects to use roughly the sametotal volume of wood, with aspenand maple being the major species.Richards also talkedoptimistically, citing improvementsin U.S. housing markets. He saidNorbord corporate is also showingconfidence in Minnesota’s timberTimber Bulletin May/June 2013 15