Lights! Camera! OSB!

Ainsworth has released a series of short, educational videos on working with engineered wood products.

"Today's builders are certainly knowledgeable, and to some, these tips may come as refreshers," said Robert Fouquet, vice president of marketing and sales at Ainsworth. "There's always value in looking at essential tips that can ensure a successful installation. Our goal is to share some valuable how-to information that can save builders time and money."

Hosted by John Wagner, a nationally recognized green building expert, the six short videos are designed for all levels, from beginners to seasoned pros.

, The Tightest F/oors: Irps for Framing with Rim Board

So/rd Subf/oors; Iips lo Reduce Callbacks

, Prepping for Pefection: UnderlaymentTips &Techniques

OSB 101 : Irps for Successful Wall Sheafhing

Rough Openings: Tipsto Make Them Accurate Every Time

, Stair Master: Tips for Building Sfars Rrght the First Time casts for production, while the rate of growth for consumption of OSB is lower than forecasts for production. This suggests that there may be an undersupply of plywood and an excess supply of OSB, which will likely result in considerable substitution of OSB in place of plywood.

The entire series is available online at www. ainsworthengineered.com/tips-videos or on YouTube's Ainsworth Engineered channel. Smartphone users can also download the videos by scanning QR codes found in Ainsworth print ads.

"Builders and contractors are increasingly using portable technology in the field, and we expect this trend to continue," said Fouquet. "These videos will be available to viewers on the jobsite-right when and where they're needed."

Production of plywood is projected to increase from 2.5 billion cubic ft. in 2010 to2.97 billion cubic ft. in 2015. and OSB from 636 million cubic ft. to 989 million cubic ft. respectively, based on cunent expansion plans and estimated capacity utilization rates. By 20 15, North Asia will be producing 547o of the world's plywood, down marginally from 567o in 2010, and North America will be producing 77o/o of the OSB.

"However, Asia is facing a shortage of forest resources, which will only become more severe over the forecast period, and this will eventually have a negative impact on the production of plywood in the region," says Neufeld. "As resource supply tightens, there will be an opportunity for producers of resource-efficient engineered wood products, such as OSB, to export to North Asia, or to establish OSB production facilities in that region as a substitute for plywood.

"On the other hand, Russia has a huge potential resource of logs, which have traditionally been exported to North Asia and, to some extent, Europe. This supply will dwindle as Russia implements strategies to add value to its forest resources by taxing the export of logs. This will also present opportunities for establishing plywood and OSB production facilities in Russia with a view to supplying domestic and export markets."

BIS Shrapnel Forestry is forecasting strong growth in prices as the global economy moves into an upward phase. Over the five years, from 20l l to 20 l5, plywood prices are expected to increase by an annual average of between 67o and87o, and OSB prices between ll%o and 127o. The price increases will be driven by much stronger demand in all regions. OSB producers could be caught short when housing construction moves into a stronger upward phase over the forecast period, considering the many plant closures in North America over the past five years.

"Upward pressure on prices is also expected to come from rising input costs as companies voluntarily, or are forced to, shift to more stringent emissions standards," says Neufeld.

The key plywood importing regions are North America (mainly United States and Mexico), Europe and Australasia. Although Japan and South Korea are net importing countries, China is a major exporter, and North Asia as a region is a net exporter. South Asia is also a major net exporting region, although India and Vietnam are net importers. These patterns are not expected to change significantly over the forecast period, although production in Africa may increase as a result of taxation on the export of logs, which will enhance export capacity.

The increased production of softwood radiata pine plywood in South America and Australasia will have a positive impact on future supply to importing regions. North America has been a small net exporting region of OSB over the past five years, but is expected to revert to a net importer over the forecast period, as the capacity that has been closed will not be brought back into production quickly enough to meet rising demand.

There is also expected to be a shortage in Europe and North Asia, based on BIS Shrapnel's production and consumption forecasts.