Forest Products Industry

VicForests is seeking markets for approximately 837,000 tonnes per annum of residual log material, available from Victoria's commercial native forest estate.

Timber Communities Australia has issued an invitation to attend the ‘Native forest biomass for bio-energy forum; social, environmental and economic considerations’ on 7 March.

The Australian Government will be holding public information sessions around the country to inform industry and other interested parties on the Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill 2011 that was introduced into Parliament on 23 November 2011.

The Future Fund is helping to finance a move by United States timber investment manager The Campbell Group in a A$600 million offer for South Australian forestry assets.

THE ANZ Bank and nine other banks have extended Gunns Limited's $340 million senior debt and $200 million working capital facility until December 31, 2012, according to Nick Clark writing in The Mercury.

On a more positive note, we are pleased to advise that the sale of the softwood joint venture plantations was finalised today. The Deputy Premier Bryan Green and Forestry Tasmania's chairman Adrian Kloeden announced back in early December that Taswood Growers had reached agreement to sell rights to the plantation estate to Sydney based firm New Forests for $156m. The sale process, which included Foreign Investment Review Board approval, was finalised today, and our share of the proceeds will be used to retire debt.

McKay's Timber, the largest family-owned sawmill in Tasmania’s south, has stood down 30 of its workers - about a third its staff.

Forestry Tasmania has come out swinging in the latest round of the fight with anti-forestry activists. FT managing director Bob Gordon landed some heavy blows when he released a report entitled Forest management in Tasmania - the Truth.

Jim Snetsinger, British Columbia’s Chief Forester, told a convention of the Western Silviculture Contractors’ Association this week that the historic mountain pine beetle infestation in interior B.C. wasn’t as destructive as first feared.

“In 2006, we were projecting a mountain pine beetle kill of 80 per cent of pine by 2013,” Jim Snetsinger said. “Our 2011 models . . . now tell us mountain pine beetle will kill about 61 per cent of susceptible pine by 2021.”

Unfortunately the news isn’t all good. Snetsinger said the mountain pine beetle continues to kill large numbers of lodgepole pine. More than half of merchantable pine in the Interior has been lost to date, even though the mortality peaked in 2004-05.

Read more:
Pine beetle kill less than projected, says chief forester – Industry forester forecasts ‘golden era’ for sector (Kamloops The Daily News)

BC’s Chief Forester says pine beetle kill wasn’t as destructive as first feared is a post from: ForestTalk.com

Weyerhaeuser has reported net earnings of $65 million in their fourth quarter on net sales of $1.6 billion.

This can be compared to Weyerhaeuser’s net earnings of $171 million on net sales of $1.5 billion for the same period last year.

For the full year 2011, Weyerhaeuser reported net earnings of $331 million on net sales from continuing operations of $6.2 billion. This compares with net earnings of $1.281 billion on net sales from continuing operations of $6.0 billion for the full year 2010. Earnings for the full year 2010 include $1.064 billion from income tax adjustments related to Weyerhaeuser’s conversion to a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

“In 2011 we took full advantage of opportunities to improve our performance in a weaker than expected US housing market,” said Dan Fulton, president and chief executive officer. “In Timberlands, we used our long term competitive strength in the Asian export markets to capitalize on emerging Chinese demand. Cellulose Fibers leveraged strong customer relationships and excellent operational performance to deliver a second consecutive year of record financial results. Our Real Estate business maintained profitability despite challenging market conditions, and Wood Products generated improved results. Through the sale of our hardwoods and Westwood Shipping Lines businesses we sharpened our strategic direction, and we remain focused on improving performance to generate superior sustainable returns for our shareholders in 2012.”

Read full results

Weyerhaeuser reports quarterly net earnings of $65 million is a post from: ForestTalk.com

The UK OSB sector is faring better than its European counterpart

A veneer made from banana plant fibre and promoted strongly on its environmental benefits will make its UK debut at the Surfaces Design Show in London in February.

The Thanet branch of independent merchant Chandlers Building Supplies has trebled its stock of timber products to entice builders to purchase wood, as well as heavyside products

Training provider Didac has issued an urgent message to the timber industry – it must use a new tranche of government money for training, or risk losing more in the future.

Chinese plywood continues to dominate the UK market

Amid the economic gloom there is some good news for the UK timber industry

MONTREAL, Feb. 3, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - AbitibiBowater Inc. (NYSE: ABH) (TSX: ABH), doing business as Resolute Forest Products, plans to issue its annual financial results on February 9, 2012, in a press release to

OTTAWA, Feb. 3, 2012 /CNW/ - The decision announced today that US Caterpillar Corporation will close its Electro-Motive plant in London instead of negotiating with the Canadian Autoworkers Union requires an

MIRAMICHI, NB, Feb. 3, 2012 /CNW/ - The union representing forestry workers in New Brunswick says the provincial government's financial package for Arbec Forest Products is a welcome sign of confidence in

Fibrek Inc. announced today that a proposal has emerged from its strategic alternatives review process, which was initiated by Fibrek’s Board following the unsolicited insider bid made by AbitibiBowater Inc. (carrying on business as Resolute Forest Products) on December 15, 2011.

The Board of Directors and Management are currently in negotiations with a number of third parties in response to the Insider Bid.

While it is impossible at this stage to predict whether any other competing offers will emerge, the Board expects to receive alternative proposals from such third parties.

Third parties have until 5:00 p.m. today, February 3, 2012 to submit their proposals.

Fibrek will update the market as appropriate as this process continues, but there can be no assurance that a transaction will take place.

As previously disclosed, Fibrek is currently in proceedings before the Bureau de révision et décision (Québec) following the application made by Abitibi and one of its affiliate for an order cease trading Fibrek’s shareholder rights plan. Fibrek is issuing this press release in response to a request made by the Bureau during the course of the proceedings to provide an update regarding any proposals having emerged to date.

The Board has determined that disclosure with respect to any negotiation, and the possible terms of, any transactions or proposals of the type referred to in the preceding paragraphs might jeopardize any discussions or negotiations that Fibrek may conduct.

The Board’s ongoing strategic alternatives review process continues and Fibrek will review the terms of any proposals received. Fibrek will remain in compliance with its obligations with respect to timely disclosure of information and, as applicable, disclose the terms of any transaction or proposal in the event that an agreement relating thereto has been reached.

Source: Fibrek

Fibrek expects to receive 3rd party proposals today is a post from: ForestTalk.com