Wood that looks better and lasts longer

Viance is a pioneer in wood preservation technology, offering a full line of AWPA standardized, treated wood solutions engineered for high performance and environmental sustainability. By providing tough, long-lasting protection against the elements - whether its watel decay termites, or fire - Viance enables builders to work with creativity and a healthy peace of mind.

Stabi ized Weather- Resistant Wood

EcoliferM Stabillzed Weather-Resistant Wood is AWPA standardlzed for above ground applications and is listed as a Green Approved Product by the NAHB Research Center, allowing you to build creatively and responsibly with the natural beauty of realwood. Ecolife's advanced built'in weathering protection and stabilizing properties dramatically reduce cracking, warping and splitting for enhanced beauty and fuwer callbacks.

Preserve@ ACQ@ is an AWPA standardized soluble copper wood preservative for above ground and ground contact that provides longterm protection from decay and termites for a wide variety of residential, commercial and industrial applications. Backed by more than 20 years of severe weather testing, Preserve@ remains a proven performance choice for treated lumber used in decking, fencing and outdoor projects

ProBuild Opens in Sacto

ProBuild Holdings, Denver, Co., has opened its first store in Sacramento, Ca., creating 20 new positions.

"We already know the Sacramento market very well, as we have been serving it from other locations for quite some time," said c.e.o. Paul Hylbert. "By combining the power of our nationwide resources with the expertise of strong people familiar with this market, we are confident about our ability to serve Sacramento and surrounding communities at an even higher level."

SPI Juggles Mill Production

Siena Pacific Industries, Anderson, Ca, will reopen its small-log sawmill located in Quincy, Ca., in early May, but will cut one of two shifts at the complex's large-log mill.

"We are pleased that we can restart the small-log mill, but are disappointed that we must reduce the capacity of the large log mill by half," said area manager Matt Taborski. "The market for framing lumber has improved, but we are still operating under a cloud of uncertainty brought about by environmental litisation."

The company closed the small log mill in May 2009 due to weak markets and the lack of available timber due to lawsuits by environmental activists at the Center for Biological Diversity.

"We would like to rehire every laid-off worker," said spokesperson Mark Pawlicki. "However, these lawsuits could put a roadblock in our log supply and cause us to refrain from opening the plants even as the market for lumber improves."

The company's mills in Camino and Sonora, Ca., were also closed last year. In Sonora, SPI is seeking approval to develop 306 residential lots on 600 acres next to the mill. One roadblock to approval is that SPI would have to spend about $1 million to cut emissions from the mill, if it ever re-opens. "If we don't restart the mill, we don't have to install it," said Pawlicki.

Silo Fire Hits Roseburg

A Feb. 12 explosion at Roseburg Forest Products' plant in Dillard, Or., sent one firefighter to the hospital with first-degree facial burns. A second firefighter was treated for minor burns and released.

The explosion occurred in a silo where chipped wood is stored as fuel for the powerhouse that generates electricity for the plant.

According to firefighters, the sprinkler system was not working and the large amount of sawdust in the air ignited with explosive force.

"The nature ofthis facility creates a lot of sawdust that ends up settling on everything," said fire captain Rand Dickson.

Green Product Group Forms

The Green RoundtableA.,lEXUS has launched a new international Green Product Association, the "first inclusive platform to represent the entire life-cycle of products from construction through operations."

GPA's mission is to lead an industry-wide market transformation so that building products meet a continuously increasing level of sustainability throughout their life cycle.

GPA hopes that in time all building products will be green, and that their performance criteria and metrics will be visible to all.

Founding participants include Bostik, CBC Flooring, and UL Environment.