CANADA – Building on the success of the recent Microwave project with a CAD 7 million investment in 2016, Uniboard announces an CAD 18 million investment to further modernize and expand its plant at Mont Laurier.

MEXICO – Sales in the 4Q-2018 of Proteak, a leading Mexican manufacturer of MDF wood panels and teak wood products, reached MXN 312 million, 50 percent more than in 4Q-2017 and 6 percent more than the 3Q of 2018.

CHILE – With the aim of strengthening and boosting Masisa’s new commercial strategy, with a focus on the Pacific and the end customer, the Board of Directors agreed to initiate an open and competitive process for the sale of the forest assets that Masisa owns in Chile and Argentina.

GERMANY – Consolidated sales of Pfleiderer, the wood-based materials specialist, rose by 5.6 percent in 2018 to EUR 1,062.5 million.

CHILE – Masisa, a Chilean manufacturer of wooden panels with industrial operations in Chile and Mexico, published its results for the fourth quarter of 2018 in which it recognizes the negative effects of the deconsolidation of its operations in Venezuela for USD -284.5 million net of taxes.

PORTUGAL – Consolidated sales of Sonae Industria reached 220.2 million euros in 2018, a reduction of 10.8 million euros (-4.7%) vs. 2017, driven by lower sales volumes in the Laminates and Components business (particularly to the Nordic markets) and by the depreciation of the Canadian Dollar vs. the Euro, leading to a reduction of sales in euros from their North American business, despite the increase in local currency sales.

BRAZIL – Eucatex, one of the largest manufacturers of wood boards in Brazil, reported sales for the fourth quarter (4Q) of 2018 of BRL 335.3 million, compared to BRL 318.3 million in 4Q17, which represented a growth of 5.4 percent. For the year 2018, total sales grew 4.7 percent, going from BRL 1,205.4 million in 2017 to BRL 1,262.3 million in 2018.

BRAZIL – Seeking to act in an increasingly innovative way in the market, Duratex invested 2% of its revenue in technology and innovation in the year 2018.

ECUADOR – With a strong growth of 21.5% compared to the previous year, Ecuadorian exports of particleboard (PB / MDP) in 2018 exceeded USD 118.5 million.

BRAZIL – Berneck, one of the largest producers of wood panels in Brazil and a top exporter in the industry, confirmed its presence in the 14th edition of FIMMA to be held from March 26 to 29, in the Bento Gonçalves Events Park (RS).

CHILE – Arauco sales revenues in 2018 reached USD 5,954.8 million, an increase of 13.7% compared to the USD 5,238.3 million in 2017.

COLOMBIA – Duratex Colombia is inviting the virtual forum “Trends in Interior Design 2019” to be held on March 20 at 4:00 pm Colombian time.