Our Mission Statement
As a responsible partner TP delivers to clients, employees and the industries we serve the confidence to drive value through the effective use of our diverse professional team.
TIMBER PRODUCTS June HT Newsletter Volume: 06/27/2017
Online Newsletter
Matt McGowan - WPM Program Manager
mmcgowan@tpinspection.com
mmcgowan@tpinspection.com
Office: 770.785.4769
Mobile: 678.480.2451
Mobile: 678.480.2451
For more information on the IPPC program
Please contact:
Matt McGowan
WPM Program Manager
Conyers GA
Office 770.785.4769
Mobile 678.480.2451
mmcgowan@tpinspection.com
The unauthorized and/or fraudulent use of the TP IPPC mark is illegal and a situation we take seriously. Anyone with information regarding the misuse of IPPC marks should contact TP's WPM Manager immediately. Thank you for helping to protect the integrity of the ISPM 15 program which is vital to our business and economy.
Business Notes
FACTORY ORDERS DECLINED IN APRIL
According to a new Census Bureau report, they decreased 0.2%. That marked their first month-over-month retreat of 2017. The 0.2% gain for March factory orders, however, was revised up to 1.0%. Orders increased by an average of 0.7% per month in the first quarter.1
ABUNDANT SUPPLY HURTS OIL
WTI crude lost 3.8% during June 5-9, tumbling to a $45.83 settlement on the NYMEX Friday. The U.S. rig count rose again last week, as it has every week for the past five months. While OPEC has vowed to reduce production by 1.2 million barrels per day, daily American oil output has increased by almost 600,000 barrels, so far, this year.2
Citations
1 - briefing.com/Investor/Calendars/ Economic/Releases/facord.htm [6/5/17]
2 - marketwatch.com/story/oil-prices-pinned-down-by-strong-dollar-supply-worries-2017-06-09 [6/9/17]
Mark Management
According to the American Lumber Standard Committee, Incorporated Wood Packaging Material Enforcement Regulations of November 7, 2014, Section 5.6.12 states:
“Each accredited agency shall be responsible for the control of its quality marks. Quality marks shall only be used at facilities or by personnel authorized by accredited agencies. Accredited agencies shall require a participating facility to provide care and security of the agency quality marks. An accredited agency shall retain on file a facsimile of each quality mark issued, require worn out or discarded quality marks to be destroyed, and require missing or stolen quality marks be reported to the agency. An accredited agency shall have an ongoing practice of reporting and reviewing stamp inventories, generally monthly, to ensure reconciliation in agency records regarding the types and number of stamps issued to each facility."
To summarize this section:
- TP is responsible for the control of marks it licenses facilities to use.
- Marks are facility specific, can only be used by authorized personnel and cannot be taken off site.
- Facilities must take care of their marks and make sure they are always secured onsite.
- TP must maintain a proof of all marks at each facility in our program.
- TP must be able to reconcile the quantities of each mark type a facility has onsite.
When a facility first enters the IPPC program with TP, the qualifying inspector will initiate the first stamp order. From there the facility can place future orders directly with our stamp shop or other approved mark manufacturers. When doing so, it is important to remember:
- Every mark order (stamps, brands, stencils, etc.) must be approved by the TP Program Manager so that we can ensure the integrity of the mark format and know the number of each type of mark ordered. Regardless of how recent any previous orders were, all mark orders by outside stamp manufacturers must receive approval from the TP Program Manager before being produced.
- It is the responsibility of the facility to make sure the mark manufacturer is getting approval from TP to produce their mark.
- Only a reasonable number of marks will be approved in order to maintain proper accountability for these quantities at a facility.
- Any stamps that are worn out or no longer in use must be kept and given to a TP inspector during their visit. This retrieval of marks allows us to maintain an accurate inventory at the facility.
A list of approved shops that produce marks can be provided upon request.
Stamp Care
Routine care is required to extend stamp life and make sure a legible mark is consistently being made on WPM that conforms to ALSC regulations. The TP stamp shop recommends cleaning stamps using mild soap and water and a soft-bristled brush (like a tooth brush). Place the brush in the soapy water and gently wash the stamp rinsing it with water once you have finished cleaning it. Soaking stamps is not recommended. If the stamp cannot produce a legible mark after cleaning, it should be removed from service and held for retrieval by your TP inspector.