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Dieffenbacher supplies MDF plant to Wisewoods


material for its MDF boards. “Before processing


Above: The CPS+ continuous press, the centrepiece of the new Dieffenbacher MDF plant for Wisewoods in Khao Yoi, Phetchaburi, Thailand, is currently under construction


Thai MDF producer Wisewoods Co Ltd has commissioned Dieffenbacher to supply a CEBRO MDF plant to expand its production capacity at the company’s headquarters in Khao Yoi in the province of Phetchaburi, Thailand.


Plant assembly has been underway since January


2024, with the first board production scheduled for Q3, 2024.


The new plant will use


Z-Sifter technology and the PROjet glue-saving system to help Wisewoods achieve operational excellence, one of CEBRO’s four pillars. Wisewoods uses


rubberwood fibres as the raw


rubberwood, it’s important that the latex components are eliminated from the raw material,” says Visarut Palarit, deputy director at Wisewoods. “The unique Z-Sifter technology was a key reason we chose Dieffenbacher for our new MDF plant, he added. Holger Ries, area sales


director at Dieffenbacher said the Z-shaped sifting stages of the Dieffenbacher Z-Sifter provided a sharp separation line, making the separation of lighter rubberwood particles possible.


Mr Ries said the Z-Sifter also efficiently eliminated other contaminants such as wood residues, glue lumps, fibre deposits, minerals and metals from the fibre flow.


Garnica boosts US operation with new warehouse Spanish plywood


Garnica.


manufacturer Garnica has announced a significant stride in its North American customer service with the launch of its inaugural US- based warehouse in Savannah, Georgia, in May. David Smith, president of


Garnica’s North American division, stated that the ExpressShip warehouse marks a significant milestone for


He said the goal was


to give customers better access to high-demand stock products and shorter lead times. He added that this expansion signifies a crucial step in realizing Garnica’s ambitious growth plan in the forthcoming years. “ExpressShip promises


to completely revolutionize the way we move products


LP agrees nationwide supply deal with leading


US builder LP Building Solutions (LP), a leading manufacturer of engineered wood products, has announced a nationwide supply agreement with Lennar Corporation, one of leading homebuilders in the US. Under the agreement,


throughout the US,” added Garnica North American logistics manager Jorge Farulla.


In addition to the


warehouse launch, Garnica has appointed two key leaders to its North American team - Thomas Tornillo, joining as product management & claims manager, and Jack Naish, assuming the role of inside sales manager.


Dieffenbacher mourns the death of Alfred H Schenkmann


Alfred H Schenkmann, founding partner and co- eponym of Schenkmann & Piel Verfahrenstechnik GmbH & Co KG, passed away on April 12 at the age of 87. From its foundation in 1977 until his retirement on November 1, 2001, Mr Schenkmann was managing director of Schenkmann & Piel Verfahrenstechnik in


Leverkusen for a period of 24 years. Even after the takeover


by Dieffenbacher in 2003, he remained closely associated with the company and was always available to provide wise counsel.


Mr Schenkmann travelled


to more than 80 countries during his career, making connections in the global


wood-based panels industry and becoming an expert respected worldwide. I In 1997, he was inducted


into the Wood Composites Hall of Fame at Washington State University, an honour he shared with some industry giants and wood-based panel pioneers such as the likes of Wilhelm Klauditz and Fred Fahrni.


Lennar will expand its utilization of LP’s engineered wood building products, including LP SmartSide Trim & Siding, LP Structural Solutions sheathing, sub-flooring, and oriented strand board (OSB). “Integrating LP’s innovative building materials into our projects enables us to further our dedication to constructing high-quality homes that meet the diverse needs of homeowners,” said Lennar senior vice president of supply chain Kemp Gillis. “Our collaboration expands the market reach of LP SmartSide and LP Structural Solutions products, enhancing the accessibility of high- performance, carbon-negative solutions for homebuyers,” said LP chair and CEO Brad Southern.


Hunstman reports Q1 net loss


Chemicals giant Hunstman has posted a Q1 2024 US$37m net loss, primarily due to unfavourable supply and demand dynamics and lower MDI average selling prices. The company, whose I-BOND range of MDI resins serves the composite wood products industry, had reported a net income of US$153m at the same stage last year. Revenues for Q1 2024 were US$1.47bn. Hunstman said lower


average MDI selling prices were offset by higher sales volumes. Sales volumes rose due to modestly improved demand in certain markets.


www.wbpionline.com | April/May 2024 | WBPI


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