North American Production of Engineered Wood Products Growing

is continuing to grow, according to APA The Engineered Wood Association. Total 1997 production of engineered panel products, including plywood, oriented-strand board, and structural composite boards, grew to 36.93 billion square feet (3.43 billion m²), ³⁄₈” basis, a 2.7% increase over 1996. Even faster growth occurred with other engineered wood products. Production of wood I-joists grew 26% to 627 million linear feet (194 million m), and production of laminated veneer lumber grew 20% to 37.7 million cubic feet (1.07 million m³). Continued growth is expected at roughly these levels, according to APA. In fact, the market share of I-joists is expected to increase from roughly 33% today to more than 50% in five to seven years.