VERNON, BC, June 1, 2011 – Tolko Industries, Ltd. has begun distributing T-Grade, a new, re-engineered oriented strand board flooring for the residential market. T-Grade is the company’s first product introduction following its recent adoption of innovative new manufacturing processes and technology advances. Tolko’s $3.2 million upgrade to its Meadow Lake OSB Limited Partnership facility is evidence of the company’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and product innovation.
T-Grade is moisture resistant and edge-coated with Tolko’s recognizable blue proprietary edge sealant; it repels warping and stays true. T-Grade’s panel surfaces are skip-sanded to provide a tight tongue-and-groove fit, and a smooth floor surface between panels. T-Grade panels are certified for guaranteed consistency standards by APA-The Engineered Wood Association, and are backed by a 25-year limited warranty.
T-Grade product has been engineered for additional benefits, including:
An 11.8 percent increase in the internal bond, for greater strength and resistance to shearing between panel surfaces.
A 25.1 percent increase in panel strength and a 17.3 percent increase in panel stiffness, for improved durability and less deflection when the panel is walked on.
An 18.3 percent increase in moisture durability, for improved retention of panel strength and stability when exposed to moisture.
Michael Sivucha, Tolko’s manager of strand based marketing and sales, said: “We asked our customers how we could help them be more successful and T-Grade is the result. Builders tell us they’re looking for reliable, versatile products for use in custom, semi-custom and production homes. T-Grade meets their needs, reflects a company-wide commitment to maintaining consistent product quality, and embodies Tolko’s 55 years of industry experience.”
Competitively-priced T-Grade is available now through Tolko dealers and distributors across the U.S. and Canada.
Tolko Industries, Ltd. is a private, Canadian-owned forest products company based in Vernon, British Columbia. With more than 3,000 employees, Tolko is a major producer and marketer of lumber, veneer, plywood, oriented strand board and kraft papers, with manufacturing operations across western Canada. The company’s woodlands operations have been recognized with third-party certification of its sustainable forest management systems. Tolko’s Meadow Lake OSB Limited Partnership facility in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada, is a unique venture including Tolko Industries, Ltd.; Northwest Community Holdings, Ltd.; Meadow Lake Tribal Council Resource Development, Inc. and CIC OSB Products, Inc. For more information, visit www.tolko.com.
Contact
Lisa Heathman HMH
(503) 295-1922
