The North American lumber market is poised to take-off due to recovering U.S. housing starts, improving repair and remodelling activity, and surging demand in China reports WOOD Markets Group.

Sawlog costs for many sawmills around the world went up during 2010, and the Global Sawlog Price Index reached the highest level in over two years in the 3Q/10, according to the Wood Resource Quarterly.

Final year-end statistics show that China’s imports of logs and lumber have soared to new heights in 2010 as compared to 2009. reports International WOOD Markets Group.

Mitsui & Co has acquired all shares in Hansol PI Pty Ltd. (”HPI”), which processes and exports woodchips in Western Australia, and Great Southern Timber Holdings Pty Limited (”GSTH”), which is involved in forestry projects, through its Melbourne-based Australian subsidiary Mitsui Bussan Woodchip Oceania Pty. Ltd. (”MWO”).

Tigercat Industries Inc. have  announced that Alex Chornyy has been appointed to the position of District Manager for Russian effective immediately.

Deere Reports Record First-Quarter Earnings of $514 million: