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Latest Wood Based Panels Blog Update

Investment and growth continues
26 June, 2018
Judging by the amount of investment and expansion news we have in this issue, the buoyancy in the global panels industry continues unabated.
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Innovation drives industry
Thursday, March 01, 2018 In wood we have a material that lends itself to innovation.
WBPI -- the voice of the global panel industry
Wednesday, July 13, 2016 Sadly for me, this is the last issue of WBPI for which I will be fully responsible.
WBPI: the voice of the global panel industry
Monday, May 16, 2016 The knock-on effects of the slowdown in the Chinese economy have taken some of the gloss off more positive figures for the panel industry seen in the last year or so.
WBPI - the voice of the global panel industry
Thursday, March 03, 2016 Welcome to the first edition of WBPI in its brand new clothing.
Year of progress to be followed by year of cautious optimism
Monday, December 21, 2015 So, we have come to the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016, in the same issue of WBPI! The year 2015 was obviously over-shadowed by the ongoing economic problems of the Eurozone. Meanwhile, the United States continued its slow climb out of recession; and a resultant increase in the activity of the housing market. Unfortunately, this rebound was not as strong, or as smooth, as many predicted but at least it has continued to move in the right direction.
Difficult economic times but particleboard keeps on growing
Tuesday, November 03, 2015 Unfortunately, there does not seem to be much improvement in the global economy since my last column in the August/September 2015 issue of WBPI. The economic problems facing much of Europe, South America and China have certainly not gone away and show little signs of improvement in the short-term.
Economic woes in some areas a cause for concern?
Thursday, August 13, 2015 One of the major editorial sections in this issue of WBPI is of course the second part of our survey of the World MDF industry – the countries outside Europe and North America. Written by acknowledged MDF industry expert Geoff Rhodes, it makes for very interesting reading, not least for his conclusions at the end of the article about total global MDF capacity. Geoff points out that the world’s MDF capacity looks set to go over the one million cubic metre mark in the not-too-distant future!
Looking forward to the biennial show season
Wednesday, May 13, 2015 Finally, I am back at my desk, if only for short periods at a time, but I have been able to relieve Stephen Powney of his additional duties on WBPI and I take this opportunity to thank him most sincerely for acting as full-time editor, as well as carrying out his duties as editor of sister journal TTJ, during my prolonged and unforeseeable absence due to illness.
The road to recovery and New Year hopes
Monday, December 15, 2014 In my comment column in the last issue, I ended by saying that I would be away from day-to-day work for about four to six weeks. Unfortunately, this turned out to be a rather optimistic forecast on my behalf.
Global market can lead to local uncertainty
Thursday, November 06, 2014
‘Woodbox’ and ‘toilet’ join the campaign trail
Thursday, September 04, 2014 An important upcoming event was announced at the European Panel Federation’s (EPF) Annual meeting in Bruges in June. The federation, and its co-organisers EOS and CEI-Bois, need your cooperation and support for this event, if you are a European panel maker.
OSB is growing fast, wherever you look
Thursday, May 15, 2014 Our first survey of production capacities in the global panel industry appears in this issue and it concerns OSB in North America and 'the rest of the world'. That means that we kick off our series of annual surveys (MDF and particleboard are next) with a very positive story all round.
A bed time story for our first issue of 2014
Friday, February 28, 2014 In considering recently the many things that we believe because we are told to, I started to wonder how many of our readers are familiar with the children’s story of The Emperor’s new clothes by Hans Christian Anderson. I came to pondering this question because it has seemed to me for a long time that this story should be essential reading for all adults, so that they are less likely to believe everything they are told.
Still looking for stability in global markets
Friday, November 22, 2013 A major part of this issue is given over to part one of our survey of particleboard mills, covering Europe and North America. Nobody will be surprised to hear that new capacity is not planned in North America, while western Europe has just four capacity increases planned – two of which are from Swedspan.
It’s true - things really are looking better!
Wednesday, September 25, 2013 Continuing the theme of my Comment columns in the last two issues, it seems that there really is good news out there as we pass the halfway stage in 2013. Improvements in the market in North America have continued, thus far at least, and most commentators seem to think that will continue.
Good news is out there if you look for it
Wednesday, July 03, 2013 In my Comment column in the last issue, I said that I was looking forward to Ligna and believed that it was going to be blessed with a good number of both exhibitors and visitors. The good news is that I was right.
Reasons to be cheerful as Ligna opens its doors
Thursday, May 02, 2013 This is an odd-numbered year and this is the April/May edition of WBPI, so a large part of this magazine is, of course, dedicated to the exhibition which the industry is eagerly anticipating – the big, biennial, show for the world’s woodworking industries called Ligna. It will be held in Hannover, Germany, from May 6-10.
With a bit of luck and a following wind.....
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 In some countries, including the UK, the number 13 is regarded as an unlucky number by the superstitious. I always joke: “I’m not superstitious, it’s unlucky!” But I’m sure that 2013 will bring no such bad omens and that everything will be great. Well, in truth, I am hopeful rather than sure, but we must be positive!
Obstacles ahead need the Olympic spirit
Monday, January 21, 2013 Suddenly, another year is almost over and we have reached the issue of WBPI which both sees out 2012 and sees in 2013. A chance to consider what has been and what is still to come, then.

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