NEWS

We were saddened to hear that DHA member Rockshield had an extensive fire at their plant in Cochrane, Ontario. We were relieved by reports that there were no injuries and pleased that there is a good chance the plant will recover.

Imports of hardwood plywood are up by 32% so far this year. Imports from Vietnam and Malaysia are more than double last year. In this atmosphere, continuing vigilance by the Department of Commerce is essential. Commerce's recent preliminary determination in its administrative reviews of the 2022 antidumping and countervailing duties is a good step.

If you have questions or comments, contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.


Keith A. Christman, President
Decorative Hardwoods Association

DHA member Rockshield's engineered plywood plant in Cochrane, Ontario, suffered extensive damage from a fire earlier this month. The president of the facility, Tom Scott, stated that there is a good chance the plant will recover. The fire and resulting damage were exacerbated by the fan powering the ventilation system, which worked to pull flames into other parts of the plant.

PHOTO © ROCKSHIELD ENGINEERED PLYWOOD PLANT 

In early August, Commerce issued its preliminary determination in the 2022 antidumping and countervailing duty administrative reviews on hardwood plywood from China. The focus of these reviews was the eligibility of certain Vietnamese companies to submit certification that their goods are not subject to the AD/CVD duties. 37 companies were denied eligibility to submit certifications as a result of the circumvention determination. In the administrative reviews, Commerce has preliminarily determined that 16 of these companies should be eligible to submit certifications. The companies that were found to remain on the "blacklist" were assigned AD margins of 89.10% and CVD margins of 100.11%.

The Hardwood Federation and American Hardwood Export Council met with the U.S. Trade Representative's office to discuss the latest developments on the EU Deforestation Regulation. Most in the wood products industry have grave concerns about how the EUDR will affect European export markets if imposed as planned in December. AHEC provided a detailed analysis of the issues hardwood exporters will face as well as possible solutions the U.S. could use to level the playing field if nothing changes.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will help create jobs in rural areas through USDA's Intermediary Relending Program. The program provides low-interest loans to local lenders who then re-lend the funds to local businesses to help grow economies in rural communities. Businesses can use these loans to buy equipment and machinery and to "acquire, build, convert, expand or repair a business."

PHOTO © GARRETT ENGLISH

The Forest Resources Association, DHA, and allied organizations encouraged USDA's support of a full range of forest products that help sustain a viable forest industry in rural communities and to take the lead in developing markets for biomass generated from actively managing forestlands. Some of the many economic and environmental benefits include supporting healthy, resilient forests for thousands of forest landowners, loggers, and industry workers.

The Hardwood Federation-supported bill that would create flexibility for heavier, six-axle trucks to move on the interstate has drawn opposition from railways and independent truckers. Those opposing say that heavier trucks would wear down critical infrastructure, especially bridges. Those in favor say that the law is needed to help untangle supply chains, still hampered by the shortage of truckers. 

In the first half of 2024, U.S. imports of hardwood plywood outpaced 2023 by 32%. Imports from Vietnam and Malaysia have more than doubled; imports from Indonesia grew by 55%. June finished slow: imports fell by 17% to 201,632 cubic meters, 21% lower than last June's volume.

U.S. imports of wooden furniture reached $10.2 billion in the first half of 2024, a 6% increase over last year. Imports from Vietnam and Malaysia grew by 18% and 9%, respectively, driving the change. Imports from Mexico and Indonesia fell by more than 5%.

The U.S. dramatically increased duties on softwood lumber imported from Canada. The final rate of 14.54%, a steep increase from the previous 8.05%, was even higher than expected. In Canada, provinces set stumpage fees for timber harvested from Crown land. Many U.S. manufacturers, forced to pay market rates, consider this an unfair subsidy.

Ayr Custom Cabinetry has been named to the list of the top 5,000 fastest-growing private U.S. companies after achieving 81% growth over three years. Ayr specializes in the design, manufacturing, and installation of fully custom cabinets for residential and commercial customers.

PHOTO © AYR CUSTOM CABINETRY

The U.S. Forest Service will provide $25 million in funding, through the hazardous fuels transportation assistance program, to reduce wildfire risk, expand and create market opportunities, and support local jobs. This program is available to local businesses and organizations that remove hazardous fuels from national forests and transport the material to be processed for wood products or services.

PHOTO © USFS

AmeriCorps and the U.S. Forest Service have launched ForestCorps, a new program that trains 18 to 26-year-olds to fight wildfires and support land restoration across the West. Participants of the already popular program receive hands-on experience in prescribed burns and reforestation. 

PHOTO © AMERICORPS AND FORESTCORPS

How did Smokey Bear celebrate his 80th birthday?

Answer: Smokey Bear, beloved wildfire prevention icon, celebrated his 80th birthday by ringing the NASDAQ Opening Bell - and with a new ad campaign. 

PHOTO © USFS