SmartLam cross laminated timber receives ANSI/APA certification
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COLUMBIA FALLS, Mont.  – SmartLam Technologies Group, the first manufacturer of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) products in the United States, today announced it is now certified under the American National Standards Institute approved ANSI/APA PRG 320-2012 Standard for Performance-rated Cross-Laminated Timber.
 SmartLam Cross Laminated Timber is an engineered wood building system made from several layers of solid lumber boards, stacked crosswise to each other and bonded together with a non-VOC and formaldehyde free adhesive. This provides dimensional stability, strength and rigidity, making the product a viable alternative to concrete, masonry and steel in many applications. The standard adopted by ANSI details the manufacturing and performance requirements for quality assurance.


 “The validation of this certification is a point of pride among our employees, but more importantly a verification for our customers,” said Casey Malmquist, president and general manager, SmartLam. “As CLT use continues to grow across the United States, certification underscores the viability of this material as a future mainstream construction practice.”
 First developed in Austria more than 25 years ago, CLT has a documented track record supporting its widespread use across Europe. Adoption of this construction method has grown with the green building movement. With careful, yet conventional planning and engineering considerations, the service life of a CLT building can last as long as buildings constructed from other materials like concrete or steel. Unlike concrete and steel, CLT is made entirely from wood, the only renewable building material.
 In addition to this certification standard for manufacturing and performance requirements, application standards are also being adopted: the use of CLT was incorporated into the 2015 edition of the International Building Code (IBC) as well as the 2015 edition of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 5000 Building Construction and Safety Code.
“With our wide range of products and services, we provide unmatched support to a wide variety of markets,” said Malmquist. “We continuously update and improve our processes to keep pace with developing codes and standards, today and in the future.”
 he first manufacturer of Cross Laminated Timber products in the United States, SmartLam produces more than1 million board feet of Cross Laminated Timber each month. Headquartered in Montana, the company sources wood for its manufacturing processes from regional forest vendors within 200 miles of SmartLam’s zero-waste production plant. For more information visit smartlam.com.
 

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Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.