Feb 9 2010
Principia Partners announces its seventh annual executive conference on WOOD-PLASTIC and NATURAL FIBER COMPOSITES 2010 at Charlotte Marriott City Center in Charlotte, NC on October 4 and 5, 2010.
Principia’s Conference has become the premier wood-plastic composites industry event over the past seven years. The conference has grown on its informative commercial and market developments, interactive panel discussions on industry trends, technical advances, and in-depth global perspectives. Jim Morton, Senior Partner, says “We are excited to have selected “Managing the Business: 2010 and Beyond” as the main theme for this year’s event.
This industry has changed significantly due to the four straight years of decline in residential construction. Supplier and channel consolidation, cost cutting, product demand shifts, and changes in consumer needs and priorities have forced companies to restructure and rethink business strategies. WPC 2010 will examine these critical issues and provide insight and perspective of how these changes will affect business beyond 2010.
Mr. Morton says "We look to feature leading industry experts presenting the latest information on important topics on a market by market basis, and provide input and perspective from each sector of the value chain, including raw material suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, pro dealers, home improvement centers and contractors.”
Examples of what attendees can expect from WPC 2010 from the following end-use segments and issues specific to each segment include:
Decking
- Growth of the ultra low maintenance category and the fight for share between cellular PVC and capped WPCs
- Growing use of hardscapes and the decline in average deck size
- Status of the wood-synthetic decking adoption curve
- New deck codes and expected impact on industry
- Green issue in decking related to end of life recycling and recycled raw materials
Railing
- Mixed material railing systems and trends
- Wood vs. vinyl vs. composites vs. metal
- Ease of installation, trends, issues
Fence
- WPC fence adoption curve vs. vinyl and wood
- Barriers to WPC market penetration
- Product performance vs. price point vs. aesthetics and consumer acceptance
Siding
- Latest product advances
- Adoption and penetration of WPC siding
- Barriers to use when competing against vinyl siding and fiber cement
Industrial and Commercial
- New applications
- Technical performance
- End user unmet needs
- Capability of existing and emerging manufacturers
Distribution channels have also undergone significant changes. The conference will include presentations and panel discussions about such important issues, as reduced inventory throughout the supply chain, growing pressure for reduced SKU count, and the growing role of wholesale distributors in supplying products to both the home improvement centers and specialty one-step distributors. We will also explore the presence and influence of the home improvement centers vs. the pro dealers and the impact of material flow through the distribution channel.
Principia's unique forum continues to be an outstanding way for attendees to learn and network with others from around the world. The event will offer the industry an opportunity to collaborate, build and enhance strategic partnerships and alliances while broadening the traditional scope of the building products industry.
In addition, companies including raw materials, equipment, and processing leaders will exhibit their latest product and service offerings aimed at the wood-plastic and natural fiber composites industry. The exhibition gives attendees an opportunity to discuss first-hand their specific needs and interests with these various suppliers.
A call for papers has been issued for presentations on any of the aforementioned themes. The deadline for offering a presentation abstract is March 31, 2010. Please send speaker details, a title and short summary to Steve Van Kouteren.
Source: http://www.principiaconsulting.com/