Hardwood Floors E-News: September 20, 2010

Indonesia Outlaws Illegal Timber Exports

The government of Indonesia earlier this month began implementing a ban on illegally harvested wood product exports, according to The Jakarta Post. The move comes on the heels of a July decision by the European Union (EU) to ban the import of illegally harvested timber products; about 33 percent of Indonesia's timber exports are sent to market in the EU each year. The government made it mandatory for forestry companies to obtain official certificates to show that timber has been legally sourced without damaging forests. The policy has been deemed necessary since, according to official statistics, illegal logging activities have been destroying more than 1 million hectares of forests each year. The exact date of the full implementation of Indonesia's ban was not given, however, it will most likely coincide with the EU's plan to fully implement its import ban by 2013. Indonesia's ban was closely coordinated with EU input; the EU is currently negotiating similar agreements with "a number of other countries, including Malaysia." (Photo courtesy of Neil Franklin)

EU Plan Could Hurt Thai Wood Exporters

Wood exporters in Thailand could experience a sales hit as the country's leaders grapple with a European Union (EU) plan to ban the import of illegally harvested timber products, according to BangkokPost.com. Thailand annually exports nearly $310 million in timber that ends up in the EU, either directly or by way of China. The EU ban will take effect in 2013. The EU's Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade plan is similar to the United States' Lacey Act, requiring due diligence to ensure wood is legally sourced, all the way down the supply chain. "Thai manufacturers still have no idea what it's all about, while nothing has been endorsed by the government that would support us in meeting the requirements," Jirawat Tangkijngamwong, secretary-general of the Thai Furniture Industries Association, told the Bangkok Post. What's more, Thailand annually imports about 11 million cubic meters of timber from neighboring countries like Laos, Burma and Malaysia; for this product to reach the EU market, Thai exporters must be able to prove the products are legally sourced. Malaysia and Indonesia are currently negotiating with the EU to comply with the plan.

Nydree Flooring Consolidates Factory Operations

Nydree Flooring (Forest, Va.) will close its Forest, Va., manufacturing facility and consolidate those operations in its Karthaus, Pa., plant; the company's headquarters will remain in Virginia, with sales offices in New York and Atlanta. "The consolidation of both plants is a very strategic move designed to increase efficiencies, decrease lead times, improve overall quality, and reduce our environmental impact from transporting material between two plants," said Vice President of Manufacturing Rob Wilson. Nydree will outfit the consolidated plant with new production equipment and energy-efficient lighting; many of its products will be locally sourced.

Harris Buyer Q.E.P. Sees Sales Jump

Q.E.P. Co. Inc. (Boca Raton, Fla.) reported net sales of $60.6 million during the second quarter; this figure is up 18.4 percent from $51.2 million during the same period in 2009. This performance gave the company a net profit of about $2 million, or 58 cents per share, according to a Q.E.P. release. Lewis Gould, chairman of Q.E.P.'s board of directors, attributed his company's performance to its acquisition of the Harris Wood operations in February.

NWFA Hosts Basics School for 41 Students

The NWFA held a Wood Flooring Basics School in St. Louis Sept. 14-17; 41 students attended the school. Led by NWFA's Frank Kroupa and Powernail Company's Daniel Boone, volunteer instructors included: Jim Schumacher (3M), Johannes Boonstra (Synteko Floor Finishes), Bob Sponamore (All Type Hardwood Flooring), Mark Mukosiej (Arboritec USA Inc.), Josh Neuberger (Basic Coatings), Dave Erickson (Bona US), William Costello (Dura Seal), Daniel Racareanu (Flooring Contractor Inc.), Roger Barker (Fortifiber Building Systems Group), Mark Lamanno (Franklin International), Gene Jarka (Powernail Company Inc.), Mike Kearns (Primatech Inc.), Mark Long (Real Wood Floors), Todd Goodridge (Robbins Inc.), Rick Jones (Swiff-Train Co.), and Adam Martin (Woodwise/Design Hardwood Products Inc.).

Wood Floor Crew Starts House Fire

A wood flooring company started a house fire Tuesday when a blowtorch they were using sparked a fire, fueled by a 5-gallon propane tank, according to TheLeafChronicle.com. Workers were removing a tile floor in Clarksville, Tenn., and preparing to install a new floor. "It's possible the tank may have had a leak," said Fire Marshall Ray Williams. "We had a spark and the room flashed; it didn't explode. Those people were very fortunate to get out." The fire spread to the attic, and firefighters cut a whole in the roof with a buzz saw and ax to ventilate the home and allow gases to escape, Williams said. The home was deemed a total loss; it was vacant at the time.

HF Launches Website

Hardwood Floors has a new website at www.woodfloorbusiness.com. The website features a wood flooring discussion forum; blogs on daily contractor life, green issues and inspections; breaking news; technical articles; thousands of industry contacts and products in the online Resource Book of NWFA members; classifieds for jobs and used equipment; an events calendar; new products and more.

Manufacturer News

Bona US has opened a Midwest Regional Training Center at 5500 West Touhy, Unit K, Skokie, Ill 60077. The company will hold a grand opening celebration Oct. 6 from 2-7 p.m. At the center, Bona offers a 2,000 square foot training area, hands-on demonstrations, its complete product lineup and a classroom area. Bona Territory Managers Matt Thrane (303/887-0848) and Matt Casey (720/224-8624) are overseeing the training center. Thrane oversees Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa; Casey oversees Illinois, Michigan and Indiana. People in those areas can contact Thrane and Casey about attending the open house or arranging use of the center.

Carlisle Wide Plank Floors (Stoddard, N.H.) has partnered with Dovetail Designs (Damariscotta, Maine), a kitchen and bath remodel design company. Purchasers can receive designer expertise on Carlisle's products at Dovetail's Damariscotta showroom, or a Dovetail designer can visit their job site anywhere in Maine. Dovetail offers design services for other areas of the home as well.

Ireland-based Intelligence-Market has released a report detailing abrasive products and their applications. The 327-page report, written by Dr. Stuart Nailer, presents a technical review of the current and potential new developments in the field of abrasives, according to a release. The report costs €2,750; to order contact John Caldwell at [email protected].

Mannington Mills (Salem, N.J.), in an effort to promote wellness throughout its organization, is sponsoring a "Walk Around the World in Eight Days" event Oct. 1-9. The company is urging all of its employees, associates and their families to walk just 3/4 mile each day for a total goal of 25,000 miles. The effort is part of Mannington's Wellness Program. "Mannington's ongoing wellness initiatives have not only improved the health of our associates and their families, but they've reduced our overall healthcare costs, as well," said Betsy Amoroso, director of corporate communications at Mannington Mills.

People News

Erickson's Flooring & Supply has named Matt Sprague branch manager of its Indianapolis location. Sprague brings with him many years of sales and operational experience in both distribution and manufacturing; he can be reached at 800/225-9663, ext. 1503.

MAPEI Corporation (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) has named Real Bourdage strategic marketing director for MAPEI Americas. Bourdage will promote the company's marketing and sales goals. Bourdage comes to MAPEI with more than 30 years of experience in the flooring industry. He has held senior management positions throughout Canada and the U.S., working with H.B. Fuller, TEC Specialty Products (a division of H.B. Fuller), Aqua Mix Inc. and Custom Building Products.

By the Numbers

Mark Your Calendar

Roy Reichow of National Wood Floor Consultants Inc. (Cedar, Minn.) will hold a Wood Floor Problems, Causes and Cures seminar Oct. 7 from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the Freeman Center, 1024 Hazel St. N., in St. Paul, Minn. Reichow, along with co-presenter Galen Fitzel of 3M (St. Paul), will present ideas about common wood floor sanding mistakes and finish preparation problems; there will also be an opportunity for a hands-on demo. To register, call 763/413-7897; the cost is $35 and includes breakfast.

This week on the HF Blogs:

Contractor Blog: A homeowner gets involved.

Green Blog: Elizabeth explains VOCs.

Inspector Blog: Craig checks out a freezing job.

NWFA Member Services

When you must put your customers on hold, why not use their wait time to promote your company? Audio Advantage offers affordable telephone advertising programs to NWFA members. Make the wait time for your customers more pleasant for them, and more profitable for you, with targeted on-hold services. Messages can be updated monthly, quarterly or seasonally. For more information, call Tom Tramposh with Audio Advantage at 800/664-6531 or 949/551-4200, or e-mail [email protected].