| 
| 
|
Industry News
|
Here are two links to the Virginia Tech - U.S. Forest Service housing market commentaries for December 2015. These files contain in-depth data and comments on the U.S. housing market.
Part 1: Main (http://woodproducts.sbio.vt.edu/housing-report/casa-2015-12a-december-main.pdf) Part 2: Economic conditions (http://woodproducts.sbio.vt.edu/housing-report/casa-2015-12b-december-econ-cond.pdf) The housing report is a free service of Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and the U.S. Forest Service. The reports are intended to help gauge future business activity. All past housing reports are archived at: http://woodproducts.sbio.vt.edu/housing-report/. Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wvf-nwl/articles/?aid=362779&issueID=47322 to view the full article online. |
|
FEDERAL WAY, Wash., Feb. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE: WY) today announced the completion of the merger with Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. Shareholders of both companies approved the transaction at separate special meetings of shareholders held on Feb. 12, 2016. The combined company retains the Weyerhaeuser name and continues to be traded under the WY ticker symbol on the New York Stock Exchange. The combined company owns more than 13 million acres of diverse and productive timberlands and operates 38 wood products manufacturing facilities across the country.
"This is an exciting day for Weyerhaeuser as we bring together the best assets and talent in the industry," said Doyle R. Simons, president and CEO. "In the coming months, we will be relentlessly focused on creating value for our shareholders by capturing cost synergies, leveraging our scale, sharing best practices, delivering the most value from every acre and driving operational excellence. I look forward to being part of this outstanding team as we work together to be the world's premier timber, land and forest products company." Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wvf-nwl/articles/?aid=363307&issueID=47322 to view the full article online. |
|
On Saturday, the House Finance Committee, at the direction of Chairman Eric Nelson, amended S.B. 419 (the Governors WC/budget bill) in a favorable way. The amendment reduces the rate to 1.5 percent and eliminates the tax in three years. The amendment and the bill have to be approved by the full House and then the Senate must vote on House's version. The Governor wants the bill but not the timber severance tax portion.
The Finance Committee passed the bill without a dissenting vote, amidst their heartfelt remarks on WV industries that have historically been promised reductions and/or eliminations without realizing them even after those industries had done more than their parts to fund state government. This Committee stood by those promises. Please take a moment to thank members of the House Finance Committee. Visit http://www.legis.state.wv.us/committees/house/HouseCommittee.cfm?Chart=fin to view the full article online. |
WVFA Events
|
Ben Spong writes:
"Some of the things have changed since I went through the training a number of years ago. The biggest one is that you have to take an online quick recertification test every two years to keep certified. This is in addition to teaching a course every two years, too. I think this is a newer policy, or I might have just been unaware of the test portion – regardless we need to make sure everyone knows about it.
Instructors should be able to log in to their account at this link: http://classes.redcross.org and check current certifications, and under the My Learning tab – take any updates necessary. Also of note is that after July 31, Red Cross will require us to use their "NEW" material to teach the class. This will probably mean updating the books and videos later this year and all of our trainers will probably need to do the update training."
|
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
|
ASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. received a national award from the National Wild Turkey Federation for promoting responsible forest management and wood procurement and manufacturing practices for the benefit of the nation’s forests, wildlife and people. Paul Trianosky, SFI chief conservation officer, accepted the Land Stewardship award during the 40th annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show. RAM is the official show sponsor.
"It is an absolute pleasure to receive the NWTF Land Stewardship Award. SFI, and the natural resource managers that utilize the SFI Standards, understand the importance of collaboration in achieving shared goals of habitat management and conservation. Our partnership with NWTF exemplifies the best of such partnerships, and illustrates SFI’s commitment to balance environmental, social and economic interests to meet the needs of wildlife, forests and the communities that rely on them," Trianosky said. Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wvf-nwl/articles/?aid=363243&issueID=47322 to view the full article online. |
Other
|
A friend of the WV industry requests a "pickup load or less" of sawn walnut and/or cherry wood. Please call the WVFA office, if you can help out. He offers to pay.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wvf-nwl/articles/?aid=362560&issueID=47322 to view the full article online. |