Small clear specimens from living balsam fir and from spruce budworm-killed balsam fir dead 3 months, 12 months, and 22 months were tested in bending and compression perpendicular to the grain. Results indicated that modulus of rupture (MOR) of specimens from budworm-killed trees dead 3 months or more was significantly lower than MOR of specimens from living trees. Modulus of elasticity (MOE) appeared to be less sensitive to changes in budworm-killed material than MOR. Stress at the proportional limit for compression perpendicular to the grain was significantly lower for specimens from trees dead 22 months than for specimens from living trees. Both MOE and MOR in bending were determined for visually graded nominal 2- by 4-inch lumber from living and spruce budworm-killed balsam fir dead 12 months and 22 months. Average MOE values for living balsam fir were 1.274 x 10 6 psi, 1.217 x 10 6 psi, and 1.175 x 10 6 psi for Construction, Standard and Utility grades, respectively. Average MOR values for the same grades of living material were 4,699 psi, 4,684 psi, and 4,352 psi, respectively. Average MOE and MOR for Utility grade lumber from both spruce budworm-killed categories were not significantly different from the average MOE and MOR for living balsam fir. Statistical analyses of the MOE and MOR data for Construction and Standard grades of budworm-killed lumber were not performed due to the small sample sizes.

This study determined the influence of product and supplier attributes on hardwood lumber purchases by wood furniture manufacturers and investigated differences across manufacturer type, geographic region, firm size, and kiln ownership. Professional lumber buyers rated the importance and difference across suppliers of various attributes. Purchase influence scores were calculated for each attribute based on importance and difference ratings. MANOVA, Tukey’s tests, and Bonferroni t-tests detected if differences existed between purchase influence scores across manufacturer type, geographic region, firm size or kiln ownership. Load-to-bad Consistency, Accurate Grading, No Warp, Crook and Bow, Accurate Moisture Content, and Quote Competitive Price were the attributes that most influenced the purchase decisions of respondents. No differences were detected between purchase influence scores across geographic regions. However, differences were detected based on furniture manufacturer type, firm size, and kiln ownership. Manufacturers of wood office and wood household furniture were more influenced by appearance attributes (No Stain, No Surface Checks, and No Chipped Grain) than were upholstered furniture manufacturers. Larger firms’ purchases were more influenced by attributes related to production scheduling and efficiency (Correct Tally, Desirable Width Mix, Stacking of

The use of multiple attributes to measure attitudes and predisposition to certain behavior in marketing was developed in the 1970s in studies aimed at identifying determinant attributes. Rising concerns over quality in the 1980s saw similar use of attributes to define quality. Some authors of these latter studies infer that quality and determinant attributes are one and the same; however, no studies were found that directly examined this relationship. This study was undertaken to examine the determinant attribute/quality attribute relationship in office furniture. More than 260 purchasing executives nationwide participated in rating 26 product and dealer/manufacturer attributes on the basis of their influence on purchase decisions and on the basis of their use in assessing quality. Respondents rated attributes on importance and on the degree of difference in a particular attribute among the products and services available to them,The three most important attributes respondents used to rate quality were: (1) absence of defects, (2) delivery on schedule, and (3) structural integrity. The three most important attributes influencing purchase decisions were: (1) absence of defects, (2) structural integrity, and (3) reliability.Results indicate a very high correlation between purchase decisions and quality assessment in the relative rankings of the 26 attributes. However, the results suggest that purchasing executives place more importance on attributes in the purchase decision but may perceive bigger differences in the attributes when assessing quality.

United States' wood household, upholstered, and wood office furniture manufacturers were sampled to assess the volumes of several raw materials used in wood furniture in 1990, and to predict the volumes to be used in 1991 and 1992. Total hardwood lumber used in wood furniture was estimated at over 2.4 billion board feet in 1990. Use was expected to increase 13 percent from 1990 to 1992. Softwood lumber used in wood furniture in 1990 was estimated at over 839 million board feet. A 6 percent increase in softwood lumber use was expected from 1990 to 1992. Red oak was the most commonly used hardwood species and southern pine was the most used softwood. Wood furniture manufacturers consumed over 1.2 billion ft.2 of particleboard (3/4-in. basis) in 1990, 248 million ft.2 of medium density fiberboard (MDF) (3/4-in. basis), 125 million ft.2 of hardboard (1/8-in. basis), and 318 million ft.2 of OSB/softwood plywood (7/8-in. basis). Furniture manufacturers expected a decrease in particleboard and MDF use, and an increase in hardboard and OSB/softwood plywood use from 1990 to 1992.

A national sample of purchasing executives was asked to rate 26 product and dealer/manufacturer attributes on the basis of their importance in assessing office furniture quality. Attributes were selected a priori to represent eight quality dimensions-performance, features, reliability, conformance, durability, serviceability, aesthetics and perceived quality. Results of confirmatory factor analysis failed to support the eight dimensional structure. However, subsequent exploratory factor analysis utilizing raw and transformed rating scores supported the existence of most dimensions. Results also suggest the combining of performance and feature dimensions, adding an economic (price/value) dimension, and the existence of a strong association between service and perception of overall quality.

A sample of 347 wood household furniture manufacturers (SIC 2511) was surveyed to profile the variety of products produced and channels of distribution used. Overall, bedroom, dining room, and occasional furniture were produced by greater than 50 percent of the respondents. More than 47 percent of all respondents manufactured living room furniture and entertainment centers. Solid hardwood furniture was the most frequently produced type among seven common types of furniture construction. Among various retail outlets, the largest volumes of respondents' sales were through traditional free-standing furniture stores (29.8%). Over 60 percent of sales were handled by manufacturers' representatives.

Determinant attribute analysis was employed to identify the physical product characteristics most crucial in the purchase decision process for office furniture substrate materials. Fastener withdrawal strength, surface smoothness, flatness, stiffness (MOE), and edgebanding capability had the most effect on selection decisions. These results were then viewed in terms of the development of a new substrate product and the opportunities that could arise from achieving a superior competitive advantage based on those characteristics. The importance of recognizing customer needs in the new product development process is central to the analysis, and the potential of determinant attribute analysis as a powerful tool for this process is demonstrated.

A model of strategies and firm profitability was developed and tested for the North American wood building products industry. Five strategic variables (adoption of process technology, grade sector focus, investment intensity, forward integration, relative market share) were used to predict firm profitability as measured by return on sales for the largest producers of wood building products in North America. Adoption of process technologies, grade sector focus (i.e., product quality), and investment intensity all had significant positive impacts on return on sales. From a managerial perspective, this research shows no advantage in larger market share beyond a minimal efficient scale. However, superior firm profitability was linked to the application of new process technologies, investment intensity, and the production of higher grade products. For. Sci. 38(4):786-805.

Wood household, upholstered, and wood office furniture manufacturing locations in the U.S. were sampled to provide an assessment of wood materials use. Total hardwood lumber used in 1989 was estimated at over 2.3 billion board feet. Softwood lumber consumption was estimated at 865 million board feet and over 1.3 billion square feet of particleboard (3/4-in. basis) was consumed. By geographic region, the South was the largest consumer of most wood materials. The most common hardwood species used was red oak, representing 27 percent of hardwood lumber use in 1989.

The adoption of continuous, new, processing technologies has frequently been discussed in business theory; however, its impact on firm performance has rarely been empirically examined. This study examines its importance for manufacturers of standard industrial products by using the wood building products industry as a representative industry. Firms are grouped, based on their level of adoption, using a hierarchical clustering technique. These groups are then profiled using descriptive statistics. Results provided a measure of empirical evidence that increased adoption of new, continuous, processing technologies was linked to superior performance as measured by profitability and changes in relative market share. Firm size, investment intensity, and degree of forward vertical integration had little bearing on whether a firm adopted these processing technologies. These results suggest that firms operating in standardized industrial product-markets should consider the adoption of new, continuous, processing technologies as part of their business strategy.

Competition in the U.S. hardwood lumber industry was investigated through interviews with company executives. The largest and smallest companies in the industry were found to be the most production oriented. When the competitive strategies of the companies were categorized using Porter’s (21) strategic typology, Overall Cost Leadership strategies were found to be the most common. Focus strategies were found only as part of a dual Overall Cost Leadership/Focus strategy. The majority of companies compete for customers based on quality, customer service, and price. Proprietary grading is an important competitive tool for a few larger companies. The most frequently reported trends in the industry were shortened distribution channels, increased specialization in the products sought by lumber buyers, and movement of the inventory carrying function back to the lumber supplier.

On identifie les attributs du produit et du fournisseur qui sont les plus determinants dans les decisions d'achat de bois feuillus, et qui sont par consequent a optimiser pour une compagnie. Ces attributs sont: la precision du classement, l'absence de fentes superficielles, la regularite de l'epaisseur, la reputation du fournisseur et des prix competitifs

Older consumers hold an increasing portion of the disposable income in the U.S., and marketers must increasingly recognize the buying power of this group. Ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture has already captured a strong share of the furniture market in Europe and is experiencing strong growth in the United States. The goal of this study is to compare the attitudes and buying behaviors of older U.S. consumers to younger consumers concerning RTA furniture. Data were collected from nearly 1,500 households in the United States, and older consumers as a group were found to be more negatively disposed toward RTA furniture. They were more inclined to view price as a surrogate for quality and were much less inclined to assemble their own furniture to save money. The older consumers were not a homogeneous group; however, to appeal to them, good quality and convenience are important.

Implementation of state-of-the-art technologies is one strategy to increase a firm's competitive position. Innovative manufacturing technologies have the potential to improve product quality, reduce manufacturing costs, and/or provide better customer service. The U.S. wood household furniture industry currently faces stiff competition from abroad. In 1986, imports claimed 22.6 percent of consumption. U.S. furniture producers have been criticized for failing to implement new processing technologies that have the potential to improve their competitive situation. This paper evaluates the technological situation within this industry through primary data collection on technology adoption and equipment purchase plans. Respondents listed recent finish machining equipment purchases as providing them with the most important benefits of increased efficiency and product quality. Almost 50 percent of this equipment was numerically controlled (NC) or computer numerically controlled (CNC). The functional areas of finish machining and the roughmill will receive the majority of new equipment over the next 5 years with NC and CNC equipment increasing in importance over time. Foreign suppliers were listed as the most likely source for this type of equipment.

Previous articles have suggested that during the 1970s U.S. forest products companies were increasing their levels of forward vertical integration. In order to determine if this trend continued throughout the 1980s, selected North American wood products firms were surveyed to determine their level of forward vertical integration. Results showed that from 1983 to 1987, U.S. forest products firms decreased the annual use of controlled distribution for structural panels by 2.5 percent at the wholesale level and 15.1 percent at the retail level. Use of controlled distributors for softwood lumber decreased at the wholesale level by 12.6 percent and by 15.8 percent at the retail level. In Canada, the use of controlled wholesalers decreased from 1983 to 1987 at the annual rate of 3.1 percent for panels and 1.9 percent for lumber. Predictions for 1990 indicated a continuing decline in the use of controlled distribution channels and a shift away from forward vertical integration by the producers of softwood lumber and structural panels in North America.

On etudie les utilisations et le marche aux Etats-Unis des bois d'œuvre traites par des agents chrome-cuivre-arsenic

On utilise des donnees industrielles reelles pour examiner trois aspects de l'adoption de technologies nouvelles par les firmes produisant du bois d'œuvre et du contreplaque de resineux: 1) caracteristiques des firmes les plus aptes a l'adoption de ces technologies; 2) differences de performances entre les firmes ayant adopte ou non ces technologies; 3) strategies associees a l'adoption des technologies

This research examines risk, an important determinant of consumer decision-making, as a function of product awareness and physical risk perceptions. Specifically, this study addresses the risk from treated lumber products that professional and do-it-yourself retail customers perceive. In September 1985 a settlement agreement between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the wood-preserving industry regarding the use and sale of wood-treating chemicals was signed. One aspect of this agreement involved the education of consumers as to the proper use, handling and disposal of the preservative-treated lumber products. Consumer Information Sheets, the backbone of the Consumer Awareness Program, were employed to disseminate these basic safety precautions. This study measures the effectiveness of the Consumer Awareness Program by evaluating consumer awareness of the Consumer Information Sheets and evaluates the knowledge, awareness, and physical risk perceptions that retail customers have regarding treated lumber products.

Determinant attribute analysis, a technique that isolates critical product attributes, can be a useful managerial tool in old line industries hoping to penetrate new markets with commodity-like products. This article uses residential siding materials as an example. A nationwide mail survey was used to collect primary data from professional end users of siding products. The dual question method was used to calculate determinance scores for 23 siding attributes and multiple discriminant analysis was used to highlight differences between four builder type market segments.