Export Development Canada (EDC) is bullish on lumber. That is evident in new forecasts that anticipate positive growth of 12 per cent for the U.S. economy in 2015. In concert with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) assessment of pent-up demand for U.S. housing, the chief economist of EDC, Peter Hall, declares here “The days of America’s housing surplus is over.”

How this demand will be met invites closer scrutiny of B.C lumber supply in the face of fibre supply constraints facing B.C. sawmills. Hall is quoted here in today’s Vancouver Sun: “In terms of fibre we have (in B.C.).. the intelligence we’re getting from B.C. companies is that this is the year it is first going to hurt.”

~Sawdust~

The NAWLA Traders Market last week in Chicago was a resounding success according to representatives from Dakeryn who attended. By all reports Keynote Speaker Scott Burrows delivered a powerful presentation. As described here at NAWLA, Scott “has transcended his circumstances to become an expert on transformational changes as well as an in-demand inspirational speaker all over the world. Employing his paralysis as a visual metaphor, Scott encourages his audiences to stand up to their challenges – regardless of circumstances – using the dynamic principles of Vision, Mindset and Grit.”