IWPA Announces 2012 IWPA Excellence Award Winners

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The International Wood Products Association (IWPA) announced the 2012 IWPA Excellence Award winners on the opening day of the 56th Annual Convention, March 28-30, 2012 in Indian Wells, California. Winners were announced in three categories: Environmental Excellence, Aesthetic Design and Innovative Excellence.

Alan McIlvain, Jr., IWPA 2011/2012 President, “This awards program recognizes the innovation, environmental stewardship and best in corporate social responsibility conducted globally by IWPA members. We are constantly humbled by the submissions annually received for this program and welcome the opportunity to recognize these companies for some outstanding achievements.”

Aesthetic Design Winner: Interwood Forest Products for incorporating multiple exotic species in the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. From wenge to santos rosewood to kawazinga and figured maple, 290,000 m2 of these fine wood veneers were used to decorate all 899 residences in the tower as well as in all the hallways, lift lobbies, sky lounges and amenity levels.

Innovative Design Winner: Columbia Forest Products for their PureBond Formaldehyde-Free Technology. This EPA-award winning technology uses soy protein for decorative hardwood plywood assembly instead of traditional urea formaldehyde-based resins, which has allowed Columbia to produce no-added formaldehyde decorative plywood panels with domestic and imported materials.

Environmental Excellence Winner: UCS Forest Group for distribution of Urufor's Red Grandis (hardwood species). The Urufor mill in Uruguay is almost a perfect example of how to create and manage a forest ecosystem with a sustainably grown product. The UCS Forest Group of Companies is committed to sourcing environmentally responsible products and proudly distributes the product throughout North America.

IWPA Awards Program voting was conducted by the Association’s active membership from over 30 countries.

Source: International Wood Products Association

Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.