National Hardwood Magazine - October 2020

MUELLER BROTHERS TIMBER,

MUELLER BROTHERS TIMBER, INC. Tracey Mueller, Log Procurement; Kevin Mueller, Mill Manager; and Randy Mueller, Sales SAWMILL AND TWIN BAND RESAW Manufacturers of: 4/4 - 8/4 Grade Lumber SPECIALIZING IN PLAIN SAWN: • WALNUT • COTTONWOOD • SYCAMORE • HICKORY • RED OAK • WHITE OAK• SOFT MAPLE • HARD MAPLE • ASH 400,000’ DRY KILN CAPACITY 1,000,000’ DRY STORAGE PLANER STRAIGHT LINE RIP GANG RIPPING DOUBLE END TRIM EXPORT PACKAGING CONTAINER LOADING Grooved sticks used on all whitewoods and White Oak. P.O. BOX 175 OLD MONROE, MO 63369 PHONE: 636-665-5193 FAX: 636-665-5812 Email: randy@muellerbros.com www.muellerbros.com NHLA QUEBEC Continued tive preliminary injury determination regarding decorative and other non-structural plywood exported from China. This represents an important first step for domestic producers. At the time of this writing, if the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) issues a preliminary determination of dumping and subsidizing, provisional duties could be in force as early as September 9, 2020. In exceptional circumstances, the Special Import Measures Act also allows for the imposition of anti-dumping duties retroactively to June 2020. If the CBSA issues a positive final determination on December 8, 2020, and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal finds that these imports have injured or threaten to injure domestic producers of decorative plywood, duties will be in force for an initial period of five years as of early 2021. This was good news for the Canadian Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association (CHPVA) members who manufacture rotary, sliced and spliced Hardwood veneers and decorative Hardwood panels for use in furniture, wall paneling, cabinets, doors, shelving and other products. The rise in home sales and new home construction has not just occurred in the U.S., but also in Canada. Home sales hit a record high in July, causing inventory constraints across the country with starts in Canada climbing to a two-and-a-half year high. Also, the renovation market has skyrocketed due to consumers staying home and completing renovations to their homes instead of spending on travel for vacations. The Bank of Canada announced “lower for longer” interest rates for at least two years, and cut the qualifying rate for the mortgage stress test for the second time this year. It also lowered its five-year conventional mortgage rate from 4.94 percent to 4.79 percent, the second rate cut since May. The reduction lowers the qualifying rate under the mortgage stress test—which all buyers must qualify for—but is far above actual lending rates that have plunged to among the lowest levels in Canadian history. The top six banks reduced their lending rates, but other banks and mortgage brokers are offering even lower lending rates, with as little as five percent down. The Bank of Canada Governor, Tiff Macklem said in mid-August that the Bank will not raise rates until inflation hits its 2 percent target on a sustainable basis, which he estimates will take at least two years. This is in the hopes that the economy will pick up as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, and employment rate increases as people go back to work across the country. Many businessmen and economists say this will not happen until next year. n 60 OCTOBER 2020 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE

AHEC REPORT Continued from page 18 With the collaboration of top experts in their field, AHEC’s Oak REDefined incorporates a number of different ‘moments’, from a hotdesk to a dedicated relaxation zone to a playable puzzle in the form of a tangram table. Council Oceania, says of the collaboration “We want designers able to make an informed choice about the materials that they use and take this opportunity to share the capabilities and strong positive environmental profile of the most abundant American Hardwood species with the Australian design and architectural communities. Given the increasing number of research studies that point to the positive effects of wood in our built environment on wellbeing and productivity, it made sense to provide a space at Denfair, which allows visitors to experience this for themselves.” n NEWS DEVELOPMENTS Continued from page 15 both legs and was confined to a hospital bed for three months during his recovery,” said NWFA President and CEO Michael Martin. “Doctors initially were able to save both his legs, but eventually had to amputate his left leg above the knee due to the extent of his injuries. His right leg remains in severe pain, but he is hopeful no further damage will occur. We’re honored to partner with Metropolitan Hardwood and Epic Hardwood Floors to provide flooring for his new home.” In addition to the 46 homes already completed, NWFA currently is working with its members to source wood flooring for 16 additional R.I.S.E. homes in various stages of planning and construction. Currently, 139 NWFA member companies have donated prod- Please turn the page OCTOBER 2020 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 61