The 2-day Wood Preservation 2012 conference run by the Forest Industries Engineering Association (FIEA), which is being held in Melbourne and was held recently in Rotorua, New Zealand, is bringing together the industry and covering more than just processes and technologies. Source: Timberbiz
While processes and new technologies are on the agenda along with new products, it is the discussions surrounding trends and industry issues that are the putting participants in the picture.
Projections for building and housing, timber pricing, standards and marketing are the basis on which the industry should base its development.
On day one of the conference two speakers outside of the mainstay provided projections for the future. Together they described the future for what influences the Australian industry the most – basically the housing and construction sector.
Andrew Harvey, a senior economist with the HIA discussed Australia’s economic outlook with projections for building and housing starts and its implications for local wood producers.
His talk was followed by one presented by Duncan MacLeod, Senior Consultant – Market and Economic Analysis URS. MacLeod works within the company’s Australian forest group specializing in the analysis of forest product markets, new investments, sales and marketing processes and strategic planning.
Day two features Alan Preston, former president of the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) speaking on how the AWPA operates and what worked well and what could potentially be adopted by local associations in Australia.
To conclude the event David Marlay former general manager corporate marketing for Hyne will speak about the marketing and selling of wood protection and how to bridge the void between distributors, specifiers and end-users.
