New App Speeds Up Treated Wood Sales

Western Wood Preservers Institute has introduced a free new app to streamline the sales and building process for treated wood specifiers, suppliers, users and inspectors.

The app allows users to look up the commodity, application and exposure environment for treated wood products to find out the retention required by AWPA and the CheckMark third party inspection details on the end tag.

Users can also look up:

. the Treated Wood Council's life cycle assessments comparing treated wood to substitutes, as published by different peer-reviewed joumals ; seryices provided by treated wood suppliers

. frequently asked questions about treated lumber, and

. information on various WWPI programs, EPA-approved preservatives, fire retardants, and proper handling of treated wood.

In effect, this app allows architects and engineers to research and specify the proper AWPA use category for a designed application, considering the exposure and location of the treated wood. Contractors can look up the use category and get quotes from the lumberyard on specific preservatives that meet the proper retention. Building officials and code inspectors can verify that end tags on treated lumber and plywood meet the proper standards and show them to contractors.

The app is available for all tablet and smartphone operating systems.

Millwork Producer on the Way

Mike Lewis, formerly of Middle Tennessee Lumber, Burns, Tn., is purchasing 16.2 acres in Dickson County, Tn., to open a hardwood flooring and moulding manufacturing plant.

Lewis expects to begin production at the $4.5-million, 50,000-sq. ft. facility in November.

Lord Baltimore Trading Co., Baltimore, Md., has been shuttered, with the retirement of owner Tom Wedge.

Sprenger Midwest will build a larger, modern office to house its sales and support staff in Sioux Falls, S.D., replacing its 70-year-old structure.

The new two-story, wood-frame office will feature twice the floor soace and showcase many of the wood and composite products Sprenger sells. lt will sit at the opposite end of its yard, allowing the present office to remain in use until its replacement is completed, ideally by spring of 2014.

Building Products Inc.,

Waterloo, la., has opened a new millwork division, FinishCraft

Operating from a new, state-of-theart showroom, FinishCraft provides dealers and their customers with mouldings, doors, stair systems, cabinets, vanities and countertops (J.J. Robson, general mgr.).

L&R Lumber, McAlisterville, Pa., saw its sawmill destroyed in a May 31 early morning blaze that started in the generator room. Damage is estimated at $'1.1 million.

Boehm-Madisen Lumber Co., Pewaukee, Wi., has purchased a new building for its Brookfield, Wi., DC.

Masonite International,

Tampa, Fl,, agreed to acquire the door manufacturing operations of Masisa S.A. tor roughly $12.5 million.

The deal includes door comoonent operations in Cabrero, Chile, and a door assembly factory in Chillan, Chile.

GertainTeed will invest $24 million to restart its ceiling tile manufacturing plant in Meridian, Ms. ldled since 2009, the facility is expected to resume production during second quarter 2014.

CertainTeed also added colors to two of its vinyl siding lines: four to Main Street and six to American Legend.

TAMKO Building Products added a new color to its StoneCrest Slate line of MetalWorks steel shinoles.

Railing Dynamics Inc., egg Harbor Township, N.J., launched a new mobile website at www.rdirail.com.