osB 2012

L0UISIANA-PAClFlC, Nashville, Tn., attributed shong sales of OSB from its 14 mills worldwide for driving the company's total earnings up 18% in the second quarter.

'Higher OSB prices and volume and continued volume growth in our siding business were the primary drivers for the improvement in our results," said c.e.o. Curt Stevens.

Sales for the company's OSB mills in Chile and Brazil totaled $43 billion for the second quarter, an increase of 8%,

"Going into the second half of the year, we remain cautiously optimistic," said Stevens. "Though it appears that the general economy may be slowing, housing activity continues to imorove."

NORBORD, Toronto, Ont., also reported higher secondquarter sales for its 11 0SB mills*$272 million compared to $241 million in the same period last year.

"We are finally seeing a more sustainable U.S. housing market recovery, and this is flowing through to our bottom line," said c.e.o. BarTie Shineton.

WEYERHAEUSER, Federal Way, Wa., added new equipment to its OSB mill in Edson, Alb., and started producing energy-efficient radiant barrier sheathing at its OSB mill in Hudson Bay, Sask. The new machinery will produce drainage grooves on the company's Edge Gold flooring panels.

AINSWORTH, Vancouver, 8.C., marked one year of no recordable injuries at its OSB mills in Grande Prairie, Alb., and Barwick, Ont.

"Our philosophy here is that every employee needs to go home to their family safe and sound every day," says Randy Johnson, site manager in Grande Prairie. "Safety isn't a sometime thing; it has to be an all-the-time thing."

GEORGIA-PACIFIC continues operations at five OSB mills in the Southeast.

HUBER ENGINEERED WOOD, charlotte, N.c., introduced new ZIP System R sheathing, structural wall sheathing with continuous foam insulation.

"We have enhanced our ZIP System sheathing with rigid foam insulation to eliminate the hassles of installing multiple systems on the jobsite," said Brent Flotkoetter, product director of ZIP System. 'This provides builders with five layers in one installation step."

ROYOMARTIN, Alexandria, La., is moving into its fifth year of operations at its OSB facilig in Oakdale, La.

"Emphasis has been placed on translating our Eclipse radiant barrier product from a singular roof decking application to a wall sheathing application, which replaces traditional housewrap," said Tony Rocha, senior field sales and business development representative.

T0LKO, Vernon, B.C., lost nearly a month of OSB production at its mill in Meadow Lake, Sask., in late June, due to severe storms. Power was not restored until July 16, and full production was restored 10 days later.

LANGBOARD continues to produce 0SB at its mill in Quitman. Ga.

By Chris Degnan, Weyerhaeuser