TECO eNewsletter 'Under The Roof'

It is with increasing sadness and concern that we have watched the developments in Chile during the last several weeks resulting from the earthquake that occurred in the early morning hours of February 27th (and the many aftershocks since). It is clear that Chileans have suffered much loss of life, destruction of homes, and damage to roads and other infrastructure. We have many friends and clients in Chile, and to each and every one go our thoughts and prayers. If you would like to donate to help them rebuild their country and lives, here are two outlets we recommend (click on the links):

American Red Cross - Chilean Earthquake Pledge

Georgia Helps Chile

On a more positive note, as the weather turns warmer here in Wisconsin, as the snow gives way to flowers and green grass, I'm reminded that there are seasons to many things: our climates, certainly, but also our industry. We've gone through what seems to be an unbearably long 'winter' in the home construction industry, with declines in home starts and value, production of materials, and more. But there are encouraging signs of 'spring,' as home values have stabilized in most areas, builder and consumer confidence is on the rise, as are prices of many building products.

Let's have faith that this 'spring' activity will continue and that the warmth we've started to feel will spread to all sectors of the industry, and the continent. And this time of year, who wouldn't want a little more warmth.

Steve G. Winistorfer, PE

TECO Chairman/CEO

steve.winistorfer@tecotested.com

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Welcome to New Client

RedBuilt - laminated veneer lumber (LVL) for Japan

www.redbuilt.com

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PELICE a Success

TECO was a Gold Sponsor of Panel World's Panel and Engineered Lumber International Conference and Expo, held in Atlanta, GA, on February 4-6. Over 450 people from all segments of the industry attended.

Steve Winistorfer, Chairman/CEO of TECO, started TECO's PELICE week off with clients and invited guests at a local restaurant to share ideas about emerging issues in our industry, and share a little food and drink. The venue boosted the spirits of friends and colleagues who had been weighed down by the topic on everyone's mind, the economy.

Optimistic about the future, Winistorfer focused TECO's Friday PELICE session on Emerging Issues for Engineered Wood Products and Panel Producers. TECO's experience as a certification agency with clients across the globe, as well as a Green Building Verifier and CARB certification agency, allowed Winistorfer and his panel to cover a wide range of topics, including moisture management dynamics, green building standards, structural panel standards, and the Lacey Act.

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New Green Construction Code

The International Code Council, in a recent News Release, announced the release of Public Version 1.0 of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) to regulate construction of new and existing commercial buildings. The IGCC aims to significantly reduce energy usage and greenhouse gasses, and was launched in 2009 with Cooperating Sponsors AIA and ASTM International.

To learn more visit the IGCC Website >>

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TECO Green Verified Partners with Capitol Heights 'Green' Community

TECO's Green Buiilding Verification program has been named the preferred verifier of what is purported to be the very first completely green community in the nation. Capitol Heights in Fitchburg, WI, (a suburb of Madison) is a 35-home development where both the community and all homes will be certified to the NAHB's National Green Building Standard. Never before has a single development required green certification of all homes and the development itself to the NAHB National Green Building Standard.

TECO is helping the developer and builders understand the green building process, and is listed in the Capitol Heights Deed Restrictions as the Preferred Green Building Verifier.

Visit Capitol Heights website or TECO's Green Verified website for more information.

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U of Tennessee SPC Courses

Dr. Timothy M. Young and The Forest Products Center at The University of Tennessee have scheduled two training courses to maintain a focus on providing leading practical education to aide your company in achieving highly productive operations.

Course Dates:

Design of Experiments
-April 27, 28 & 29, 2010
(Two Session Course)

Advanced Statistical Methods and Data Mining
-May 11, 12, 13 & 14, 2010

To register, or for more information, Click This Link.

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PS 2 Update

The Standing Committee for PS 2 released a revised draft of PS 2-04 that incorporates all previously approved changes. The draft (PS 2-10) has been reviewed and all recommended changes/corrections are being routed to the Standing Committee, and a webinar or meeting will be scheduled if needed to resolve any substantial issues. If only minor corrections are needed, it will proceed to Standing Committee balloting. For more information, contact Greg Dupuis at TECO, a member of the PS 2 Standing Committee, at (608) 837-2790 or via email at greg.dupuis@tecotested.com.

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TECO | 2902 Terra Court | Sun Prairie, WI | 53590 | USA

Phone: 608/837-2790 Fax: 608/837-2830

www.tecotested.com