PLYWOOD 



Presently five plywood plants are in operation in Western 

 Montana and consideration is being given to activating a sixth 

 one. 



Consumption of plywood has increased tenfold in the past 

 fifty years. In 1966 alone, consumption was 6 percent over 

 that used in 1965 . Much of this very rapid growth in use is 

 attributed to the substitution of softwood plywood for lumber, 

 particularly for sheathing and subflooring in residential 

 construction as well as in concrete formwork in non-residen- 

 tial construction. Recent studies indicate that most of the 

 potential substitution has taken place and suggests that the 

 high rate of increase in consumption is likely to slack off 

 in the next few years. Total use, however, of softwood ply- 

 wood is expected to continue to rise, but to be more in line 

 with increases in construction and manufacturing. 



Prices of peeler logs have shown an upward trend since 

 1962. These price increases and the rapid growth of plywood 

 and veneer imports suggest that the veneer and plywood 

 industries are experiencing difficulty in obtaining veneer 

 logs of the kinds and quantities needed. 



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