US softwood focus

American Softwoods, the umbrella name for the two major US softwood trade associations, the Southern Pine Council and the Softwood Export Council, exhibited in the Timber Zone but was disappointed with the number of visitors and exhibitors.

“Where are the major UK timber companies, such as International Timber and Timbmet?” said director, European marketing, Eddie Pearce. “We’ve picked up some contacts, but not at the volumes that we would expect,” he added.

Generic promotion of American softwood lumber and products included information on Boozerbeam, a high strength structural glulam beam made from southern yellow pine.

“The manufacturer is just dipping his toe in the UK market,” said Mr Pearce.