International Wood International Wood 2006 | Page 36

It’s a high-end product with a perceived value that makes it worth the investment for any homeowner wanting superior quality and style in his or her home. The look of wood blends beautifully with other home materials, making it a viable option in nearly any room. The manufactured housing industry has long been one of the wood paneling industry’s largest customers. The lightweight, tight-grain, smooth surface of wood paneling makes it easy to groove and to laminate any design a customer might want. Today, use of wood paneling in manufactured homes is holding steady and is showing gains in traditional site-built construction as well. John Redding of Chesapeake Hardwood Products, Inc., a manufac- turer of wall paneling in Chesapeake, Virginia, explains that imported woods procured in Indonesia and Malaysia make up the substrates of their panels. Chesapeake uses lauan or meranti for use in printed or laminated products as well as some Chinese birch for veneer ap- plications. Though traditional wood paneling designs are still the company’s bread and butter, the market is evolving to welcome more modern groove patterns. “We are looking ahead to do more sophisticated things with imported hardwood species,” Redding says. “There are opportunities to use panels in upscale applications such as in libraries, etc.” Other manufacturers and importers concur. “Our association’s members are increasingly sharing with us the growth they are seeing in this market,” states Brent McClendon, executive vice president of the International Wood Products Association (IWPA). IWPA represents more than 220 U.S. manufacturers, importers, overseas manufacturers, and the service providers that help facilitate trade. One reason for the growing popularity of residential wood paneling is the desire of American homeowners for natural home materials. In this age of high technology and warp-speed lifestyles, we are turning to our residences to fi nd respite and gain a sense of balance and harmony. AMERICAN PACIFIC PLYWOOD INC. IMPORTERS OF HIGH QUALITY PANEL PRODUCTS EXPORTER OF HIGH QUALITY LOGS PLYWOOD SPECIES AVAILABLE: • AYOUS • OBECHE • BEECH • OKOUME • BIRCH • POPLAR • CATIVO • RED OAK • CHERRY • RUSSIAN PINE • HICKORY • WALNUT • KNOTTY PINE • WESTERN ALDER • MAHOGANY • WHITE ASH • MAPLE • WHITE OAK • MERANTI/LAUAN (available in pre-fi nish UV coating) OTHER PRODUCTS: • BENDING PLYWOOD • CONCRETE FORM FILM FACE PLYWOOD (slick pour 240tm) e-mail: PO BOX 8 SOLVANG, CA 93464 tel: (800) 829 7909 (805) 688 7919 FaX: (805) 688 2956 [email protected] • CONTAINER FLOORING • WHITE LINER BOARD DELIVERY TO USA • MEXICO • CARIBBEAN PORTS • DIRECT TO CUSTOMER’S LOCATION 36 i m p o r t e d w o o d AMERICAN PACIFIC PLYWOOD SUPPORTS LEGAL LOGGING AND SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT. FSC/SCS CHAIN OF CUSTODY. MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOOD PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION.