The U.S. construction industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the increasing demand for sustainable building materials and offsite construction technologies. Rosboro, a leading producer of glue-laminated (glulam) timber, has announced a $120 million investment to expand its campus in Springfield, Oregon. This investment represents a substantial commitment to modernizing production facilities, enhancing capacity, and driving innovation in the engineered lumber sector. At the same time, it highlights the growing importance of glulam and cross-laminated timber (CLT) in the U.S. construction market.
all photos – Rosboro Building
The U.S. Glue-Laminated and CLT Lumber Markets: An Overview
Glulam and CLT are among the most prominent engineered wood products being adopted in the construction of multi-family, commercial, and institutional buildings. These products offer exceptional strength, versatility, and environmental benefits, making them popular in sustainable construction projects. While glulam has been a mainstay of heavy timber construction for decades, CLT is a relatively new addition to the U.S. market, where its adoption is still accelerating.
Rosboro’s investment signals not only the company’s confidence in the future of the glulam market but also a larger shift towards mass timber products as a sustainable alternative to steel and concrete. This investment aligns with broader trends in the construction industry, where there is a growing demand for more environmentally friendly building materials that can support offsite and modular construction methods.
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Rosboro’s Expansion: A Strategic Move to Meet Growing Demand
Rosboro’s $120 million investment is set to modernize its operations at the Springfield campus, equipping the facility with advanced manufacturing technologies designed to improve the efficiency and quality of its glulam products. This expansion will increase production capacity to meet the rising demand from construction projects that prioritize sustainability, speed of assembly, and aesthetic appeal.
By expanding its glulam production capacity, Rosboro is positioning itself as a key player in the U.S. mass timber market. Glulam has become a staple in the construction of exposed wood structures, offering both architectural beauty and structural strength. With this significant investment, Rosboro is ensuring it can supply enough product to satisfy growing market demands, particularly from the West Coast, where sustainable construction practices are becoming more ingrained.
The Rise of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)
Though Rosboro’s expansion focuses on glulam, the U.S. market for CLT is also experiencing rapid growth. CLT is particularly well-suited for offsite construction and modular building systems due to its panelized nature, allowing for faster assembly and reduced construction waste. These features make CLT an attractive material for developers and contractors seeking to streamline construction timelines and lower carbon footprints.
CLT’s adoption has been slower in the U.S. compared to Europe, where it has been in use for decades. However, recent changes in U.S. building codes and increased awareness of the material’s benefits have led to a surge in interest. With cities such as Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, at the forefront of mass timber adoption, the Pacific Northwest has become a critical region for the CLT market. These cities are pioneering the use of CLT in mid- to high-rise buildings, setting the stage for wider use across the country.
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Addressing the Supply Chain Challenges
One of the challenges facing the U.S. mass timber market is the supply chain. While there are a growing number of CLT and glulam manufacturers in North America, including Rosboro, the infrastructure required to produce and transport these materials is still developing. This has led to capacity constraints in certain regions, particularly as demand continues to grow.
Rosboro’s investment will help alleviate some of these supply chain challenges by boosting the availability of glulam products. However, the market for CLT is still catching up. To fully realize the potential of mass timber construction in the U.S., more investment will be needed in CLT production facilities, transportation infrastructure, and skilled labor. The integration of these factors will be key to scaling up the industry and meeting the ambitious goals set by developers, architects, and city planners.
Sustainability and the Push for Mass Timber
Sustainability is a key driver behind the growing popularity of glulam and CLT in the U.S. construction market. Both materials are made from renewable resources and have a lower carbon footprint than traditional building materials like steel and concrete. Glulam, in particular, is prized for its ability to be manufactured from smaller pieces of lumber, reducing waste and maximizing the use of forest resources.
CLT’s environmental benefits are also significant. The production process sequesters carbon, and the material itself is lighter than steel and concrete, reducing the need for heavy foundations and minimizing transportation emissions. For developers and contractors looking to meet stricter environmental regulations, mass timber products like glulam and CLT offer a compelling solution.
Furthermore, mass timber buildings tend to have a smaller ecological footprint during their lifecycle, as wood can be easily recycled or repurposed at the end of a building’s use. These environmental benefits are becoming increasingly important as cities and states across the U.S. implement more stringent building codes aimed at reducing carbon emissions and encouraging the use of renewable materials.
Market Opportunities and Future Growth
The U.S. market for glulam and CLT is expected to continue growing as more architects, developers, and builders become aware of the benefits of mass timber construction. With increased production capacity, companies like Rosboro are poised to meet the demand for these materials, particularly in the western U.S., where green building practices are more widely embraced.
In addition to Rosboro’s expansion, other companies are also ramping up their investments in mass timber production. Firms like SmartLam, and Structurlam are expanding their CLT manufacturing capabilities, while industry partnerships are helping to drive innovation in product design and construction techniques. This collaborative approach will be essential in overcoming the challenges facing the mass timber industry, from building code acceptance to supply chain optimization.
The Role of Offsite Construction in Mass Timber Adoption
Offsite construction is playing a critical role in the adoption of glulam and CLT. The modular and prefabrication industries are increasingly looking to mass timber products as a way to reduce construction timelines and costs while maintaining high-quality standards. Both glulam and CLT are well-suited for offsite construction due to their precision-manufactured nature, allowing for exacting tolerances and easy assembly on-site.
The marriage of mass timber and offsite construction represents a significant shift in how buildings are designed and built in the U.S. The speed and efficiency offered by offsite construction, combined with the sustainability and aesthetic benefits of glulam and CLT, make for a powerful combination that could reshape the construction industry in the coming decades.
Modcoach Note
Rosboro’s $120 million investment in its Springfield campus marks a turning point for the U.S. glue-laminated timber market. As demand for sustainable building materials continues to rise, the need for greater production capacity and innovation becomes clear. Rosboro’s commitment to expanding its glulam production capabilities is just one example of how the mass timber industry is preparing to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.
Meanwhile, the U.S. market for CLT is set to follow a similar growth trajectory. With new building codes and a growing awareness of the environmental benefits of mass timber, the stage is set for CLT to become a mainstream building material across the country. As more companies invest in production facilities and as offsite construction methods continue to gain traction, the U.S. construction industry is on the cusp of a mass timber revolution.
The combination of glulam, CLT, and offsite construction has the potential to transform how buildings are designed, built, and experienced. Rosboro’s investment is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting new chapter for the U.S. construction market.
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