| The purpose of this report is to present Corporate | | | | hardwood lumber, OSB or plywood. |
| Development Associates findings and analysis about | | | | This proved to be the case with all segments of the |
| the North American Wood Products market, including | | | | business. It determined that in order to provide |
| softwood lumber, oriented strand board (OSB), | | | | vendors a full understanding of this market, we had |
| composite decking and railing, plywood and hardwood | | | | to weave together all these divergent components |
| lumber. This report is designed to assist clients in | | | | into a single business which we characterize as the |
| marketing products and services to this business by | | | | "wood products market". |
| understanding the structure and key participants, as | | | | In order to accurately analyze this market, to gauge |
| well as past trends and future projections. It also | | | | its full size and to provide a comprehensive |
| serves as means to learn about key competitors | | | | assessment of the opportunities for potential |
| with this business. To a layman the term lumber is | | | | vendors, it determined that the Canadian market, |
| somewhat misleading. Each of the aforementioned | | | | especially in terms of production, should be combined |
| sectors have separate government classifications, are | | | | with the US. Indeed, many of the leading "wood |
| treated as discreet markets by industry experts, and | | | | companies" are Canadian owned companies who own |
| have their own trade journals and trade associations. | | | | sawmills and wood production operations on both |
| For example in interviewing softwood lumber experts | | | | sides of the border. Conversely, many US owned |
| and personnel, learned that they had very limited | | | | companies have Canadian operations. |
| knowledge of other market segments such as | | | | |