SFPA’s 34th Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Exposition – Expo 2017 – was a spectacular showcase for the wood products industry last week in Atlanta. For three days, 186 exhibitors displayed the latest equipment, technology and services available. Featuring a floor plan that was larger than the 2015 event with nearly 2,000 exhibitors and visitors in attendance, Expo 2017 covered more than 55,000 square feet in two halls of the Georgia World Congress Centre. Across the show floor, tabletop placards noted the SFPA associate membership of 53 exhibitors. And the growth of the show was evidenced by the list of 35 first-time exhibitors. Click here to see a collection of photos from the show.
“Once again, quality attendance wins,” remarked exposition director Eric Gee. “Exhibitors were pleased seeing decision-makers who were ready to upgrade their hardwood and softwood sawmill operations,” he added.
Exhibitors were impressed with the quality crowd, commenting: “The right people came here with purchasing power.” “Face-to-face time here with mill owners is invaluable to the growth of our business.” “We enjoyed focused visits with decision-makers.”
For the first time, Expo held a Q&A chat on the Expo Twitter page (@forestprodexpo) during the show. It was an opportunity to create a conversation between Expo and the wonderful exhibitors. The twitter chat gave exhibitors the opportunity to promote their companies and products. A special thanks goes to @Taylor_Machine, @JoeScan, @WebsterChain, @Lucidyne, @Opticomtech, @lmi3d, @FasterAtMaster and @FinScanInc for participating.
The Twitter chat also gave Expo staff an opportunity to hear what exhibitors think of the show. Webster Industries tweeted “The Expo has increased our brand awareness by introducing our products and services to potential customers, as well as establishing new relationships.” The best part of the Expo Q&A is that the entire conversation is saved on Twitter and can be read again by searching #FPEXPO17Chat at the top of your Twitter page. Timber Processing Magazine’s editor, Dan Shell, was able to capture the exhibitors thoughts on Expo 2017 and the Forest Products Industry. Click here to view the video interview of a few of Expo’s exhibitors.
Once again, the INNOTECH program brought the educational element to the show, providing two full days of more than 20 presentations covering advances in sawmill technologies, project planning, mill upgrades and market research.
Next steps include a meeting of SFPA’s Expo Advisory Committee to assess the show’s success and begin the planning phase for Expo 2019. For questions or comments about the show, please e-mail Eric at egee@sfpa.org.
Safety Awards Presented
During a Welcome Reception for lumber manufacturers at Expo 2017, seven SFPA member sawmills were recognized for perfect safety records during 2016. Mills are recognized in three divisions, according to their annual production. Division I mills producing under 50 million board feet annually, Division II mills produce 51-150 million board feet, and Division III mills produce more than 150 million board feet.
SFPA Chairman Kerlin Drake accepted awards for the Canfor Southern Pine mills at Jackson, Alabama (Division II) and Graham, North Carolina (Division III); Neal Shunk and Jamey Ramer accepted awards for the Weyerhaeuser mills at Zwolle, Louisiana (Division I), Holden, Louisiana and Millport, Alabama (Division II), plus Bruce, Mississippi and Dodson, Louisiana (Division III). SFPA Executive Director Tami Kessler assisted with the presentations.
In presenting the awards, Chairman Drake remarked, “When it comes to operating a sawmill, the safety of our workers remains our number one concern. On behalf of all SFPA members, I want to recognize these seven mills that have made safety in the workplace a top priority.”
The reception was sponsored by the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau and the Southern Pine Council.
SP News for Dealers in BPD
The current issue of Building Products Digest devotes five pages to an update on SFPA resources for lumber dealers and distributors. From the online tools provided on the SouthernPine.com website to the value of using pressure-treated southern pine lumber, the article reinforces the message that the Southern Pine industry is navigating a promising future. From marine projects and decks to interior flooring and patterns, the article convinces dealers that Southern Pine materials are ideal for a wide range of applications. Readers are also introduced to SFPA as the social influencer of SP materials. With SFPA’s goal to deliver the latest information and benefits of using southern pine as a building product, social media resources like the SFPA Twitter (@Southern_Pine) and Instagram (@SouthernPineLumber_SFPA) pages make it easier for dealers to receive updates. Readers are also encouraged to sign-up for the SFPA newsletter online at this convenient link.
An additional two pages are dedicated to inspiring DIYers to tackle weekend projects. Lumber retailers find that customer education is an effective method of increasing sales of materials, tools and hardware to build outdoor projects.
“The special feature in this key trade magazine is one of Southern Pine’s annual opportunities to inform lumber dealers about the information and resources SFPA makes available online,” says Richard Wallace, SFPA’s vice president of communications.
Click here to read the June issue online; SFPA’s Southern Pine feature begins on page 34. Building Products Digest is read by some 20,000 dealers and distributors in 37 states.
International Monthly Update
The status of the Southern Pine Council’s international program activities is summarized in the latest report covering May. This 12-page update lists activities undertaken by country, plus the constraints or opportunities faced in each market along with a brief description of actions taken. Any changes that have occurred since the last report are highlighted.
SFPA members can access this update within the Members Only section of SFPA.org, listed under “Market Reports”.
