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StickTrade.Com is a plywood,
OSB, MDF & panel exchange. Choose a region below to place or
view ads for to buy or sell softwood plywood, hardwood plywood, OSB, MDF,
& panel products. Central & South
America |
Market Report Summary
(Japan plywood & panel market)
The major advantage of pre-lumber in Japan is reduced job site labor. The limited
supply of carpenters in Japan has lead to extremely high labor costs. Additionally,
Japan's construction labor force is aging with over half of the construction
workers over the age of 45 in 2003. Economic theory states that capital is a
substitute for labor and the Japanese housing market is an excellent example
of principal. Capital, in the form of pre-cutting machines, is replacing job
site labor.
Demand for OSB in Japan has been
very soft . Oriented strand board in Japan is used only on a limited basis for
subfloor, roofing, and wall panels. One reason for the soft demand is that a
majority of panels used in Japan are for concrete forms rather than for panels
in residential construction. Japan prefers south sea hardwood plywood for
concrete forms.
To download the full report on Japan pre-cut softwood lumber click
here.