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issue 103 | 23.11.09 | Page 1
Ready to jump? Engineered wood industry has the goods for a return to better economic conditions THE timber industry must focus on preparing for an inevitable upturn in the economy or risk losing market share, says Simon Dorries, general manager of the Engineered Woods Products Association of Australasia. “The industry must be ready to act on competitive products, including timber imports; as they also emerge from the downturn they won’t be putting as much pressure on our markets,” he said. “Forest and wood products businesses that are agile and prepared for the next cycle will steal the march on their competitors.” The EWPAA held its annual general meeting on the Gold Coast last week, which followed the association’s conference and dinner attended by more
Ben Sawley .. engineered wood prepared for upturn in economy.
than 100 members and special guests (pictures Page 4 and 10). This meeting saw the election of a new president for the EWPAA, Ben Sawley. He succeeds Rene
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de Vries of Carter Holt Harvey. “The conference reflected a powerful, united association that has grown and strengthened with the merger earlier this year of the EWPAA and the Australian Wood Panels Association,” Mr Sawley said. “The association now speaks for a notable proportion of the timber industry. The EWPAA represents plywood, LVL, particleboard and MDF manufacturers and services an industry in Australia and New Zealand valued at well over $1 billion, supporting more than 5000 jobs on both sides of the Tasman.” Mr Sawley, who is general manger of Boral Timber’s plywood division, said the Cont Page 2
This Issue • National winner of Australian Timber Design Awards • Forestry solution to emissions from agriculture sector
EWPAA Trophy goes to Tasmania • John Mc Namara elected chairman of Timber Quennsland • AFG forms partnership with TreeSmart • TDA’s timber office fit-out a ‘labour of love’ • Four new Gottstein Fellowships
Coveted
issue 103 | 23.11.09 | Page 1