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April 16, 2010

Housing Numbers Continue to Improve

Permits for privately owned housing units in March were at a seasonally adjusted rate of 685,000, a 7.5% increase over the revised February rate of 637,000 and 34.1% above the March 2009 estimate of 511,000, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. Single-family permits were at a rate of 543,000, up 5.6% from the revised February figure of 514,000 and 50.8% above March of last year.

Meanwhile, March housing starts were at a seasonally adjusted rate of 626,000, which is 1.6% above the revised February estimate of 616,000 and 20.2% above the March 2009 rate of 521,000. Single-family starts were at a rate of 531,000, down 0.9% from the revised February figure of 536,000, but up 47.1% over March 2009. Click here to read the Census Bureau’s report and find a full statistical breakdown.

Time to Prepare for Future

Our industry has changed dramatically thanks to the historic downturns that slammed the nation’s housing market and economy in late 2008 and 2009. A slow, but steady recovery appears to be in sight, however, so now is the time to start looking ahead by attending SFPA’s Midyear Meeting to hear status reports on several major initiatives that will affect our industry in the coming years.

The meeting is May 26-27 at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans. Speakers include Carlton Owen of the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities; Bob Glowinski of the American Wood Council with Joe Patton of Westervelt Lumber and Marc Brinkmeyer of the Idaho Forest Group; Steve Lovett of the Blue Ribbon Commission for Check-off; and Cees de Jager of the Binational Softwood Lumber Council. Hotel rooms must be reserved no later than April 26 to obtain SFPA’s special rate. Click here for a meeting agenda and details about how to register. And if you have questions, contact Linda Patch, program administrator, at 504/443-4464, ext. 231, or by e-mail at lpatch@sfpa.org.

If you want to mix a little pleasure with business while in New Orleans that week, you might want to take in the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience. One of the most prestigious festivals of its kind, the event – set for May 25-29 – brings together world-renowned winemakers and celebrated chefs. Visit www.nowfe.com for details. 

Let’s Not Forget Wood on Earth Day

Earth Day – happening April 22 – started 40 years ago as a way to celebrate the Earth and promote awareness about protecting our environment. Earth Day is also a perfect time to remind people that wood is one of the most environmentally friendly building materials available. If your company or organization is involved in local Earth Day activities next week, please feel free to use SFPA’s “Wood Facts” sheet to help get the message out (click here to download a copy). The two-sided sheet illustrates the life cycle of wood building products; explains the role of Life Cycle Assessment in comparing environmental impacts of various materials; shows how wood products help reduce carbon emissions; and looks at the significance of certification programs.

Several industry publications and related associations have already helped spread the word. “Wood Facts” and SFPA’s environmental message were mentioned in Texas Forestry, Building Online’s eUpdate, the LBM Alert, the Florida Building Material Association’s e-Blueprint,  BC Wood News & Updates and the Business Innovation Partnership’s Web site. The North American Wholesale Lumber Association included a link to “Wood Facts” in their March newsletter and reported that out of 30 links included in the newsletter, “Wood Facts” attracted the second highest number of clicks. If you have questions, contact Georgiann Gullett, SFPA’s communications manager, at 504/443-4464, ext. 216, or by e-mail at ggullett@sfpa.org.

SFPA Seeking Safety Award Candidates

If your company runs a safe mill, SFPA wants to hear about it. The association sent forms to member mills last month for reporting employee hours worked and recordable cases of loss-time injuries and illnesses during 2009. The confidential results will be tabulated to determine the recipients of the 2009 Sawmill Safety Award presented annually by SFPA. If you are an SFPA Active or Affiliate member and did not receive a form, please contact Richard Wallace, SFPA’s vice president of communications, at 504/443-4464, ext. 236, or by e-mail at rwallace@sfpa.org. The deadline for submitting completed forms is April 28.

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