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CPA vaccine mandate survey shows panel industry concerns
US wood panel manufacturers have expressed concern about potential production disruption coming from President Joe Biden’s proclamation stipulating mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations for all US companies with more than 100 employees.
President Biden announced recently that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) would soon begin the development of an emergency temporary standard mandating vaccinations, with those not willing to be vaccinated needing to produce a negative Covid-19 test on a weekly basis.
In September, the
Composite Panel Association circulated a survey to
members to assess the potential impact of such a mandate on member operations.
More than 75% of responding CPA member companies do not presently have a vaccine mandate for employees, though several indicated that they have strongly encouraged employees to get vaccinated. “More than 75% of responders reported that a mandate could result in employees deciding to discontinue employment, further exacerbating ongoing labour shortages,” the CPA said. “This would also impact mill production, with several responders noting that the mandate may lead to temporary production disruptions, depending on
the ultimate impact on mill employment.” The alternative of weekly
Covid testing may not pose a significant problem, as almost 60% of responders indicated no local shortage of testing resources. OSHA continues work on the emergency standard and a number of key details remain unclear, including when the standard may be issued, how much time employers will have to implement the mandate, and whom will be responsible for weekly employee testing, if an employee elects this option in lieu of a vaccine. The CPA says it will
continue to monitor and report on this matter as the mandate’s details are released from the administration.
USNR and Wood Fiber Group announce merger
USNR and Wood Fiber Group have announced a merger in a transaction that will create a leading and comprehensive supplier of equipment, technology and essential tooling used in modern wood processing facilities. USNR is an industry-leading global supplier of sawmill and plywood mill machinery, after market parts, and technical and engineering services. Wood Fiber Group is the largest supplier of cutting
tools, filing room equipment, and critical consumable products to the wood products industry, serving the North American market with well-known brands including Simonds International, Burton Saw & Supply, BGR Saws, Global Tooling, and US Blades. This merger will create a
single company, capable of delivering complete solutions from project conception, to building/installing processing lines, to supplying the spare
parts, technical services, ancillary equipment, and custom-engineered cutting tools that customers rely on to operate their mills at peak performance, said a statement from the companies. “The complementary nature of the two businesses will give us the opportunity to offer new products and services to our customers – this will be a win for the Wood Fiber Group, a win for USNR, and a win for our customers.”
Hexion to separate into two independent companies
Hexion Holdings Corporation has announced its plan to separate into two independent companies. The two companies will be Hexion Holdings, composed of the company’s adhesives and versatic acids and derivatives product lines, and Hexion Coatings and Composites (US) Inc (HCC), composed
of Hexion Holdings’ former epoxy-based coatings and composites products. HCC will be renamed at a later date. “Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Hexion’s 122-year history, and continues our strategy of narrowing our focus, improving the company’s financial flexibility and driving
long-term value creation for our shareholders,” said Craig Rogerson, Hexion chairman, president and chief executive officer. The company believes the benefits to the standalone companies will include distinct strategic and management focus on specific operational, R&D and growth priorities.
Dongwha’s new Hanoi plant’s speedy start-up
First boards produced at Dongwha
Wood-based panels equipment supplier Siempelkamp says its customer Dongwha’s new plant in Hanoi, Vietnam is already producing 20% above the output guaranteed in the contract.
Only six weeks after the first board was produced, Siempelkamp says the plant was accepted by the customer.
The plant is the first in Vietnam to process acacia, a challenging raw material in the production process. Dongwha operates a total of three wood-based panel plants made by Siempelkamp in Vietnam, all designed for the production of MDF. While two of them were built in the south of Vietnam in the greater Saigon area together with the Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG), the new plant in Hanoi is the first direct investment of the Korean company in Vietnam. Siempelkamp says its NEO press inlet has special infeed geometry which opens up numerous advantages when processing acacia wood, including high pressing speeds. The continuous ContiRoll press is in the 8ft x 47.1m format.
www.wbpionline.com | October/November 2021 | WBPI
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