Insect-resistant roof trusses

Date: 30-06-2000 Author: Hew Sue-Len

WOODLANDOR Holdings Bhd's wholly-owned subsidiary Woodlandor Roof Systems Sdn Bhd is projecting a RM5 million increase in turnover representing a 30 per cent growth for its next financial year. Director Teh Hooi Hong said the subsidiary, which contributed to about one-third of the turnover of Woodlandor Holdings, was expecting its market share of roof trusses to increase from its current 25 per cent to about 35 per cent. Woodlandor Roof Systems's market share growth was due to a new product launched yesterday, roof trusses with added protection, Teh said in an interview in Petaling Jaya. The new trusses are different as they are treated with a solvent called Protim Permethrin Water Repellant which contains an insecticide. According to Teh, in Malaysia, conventional timber roof trusses were treated with copper chrome arsenic where the kiln drying process was eliminated. This process results in high moisture content in the trusses making treatment difficult and inconsistent. Also the crosscut section is exposed and left untreated allowing termites to easily attack. With the added protection treatment, the trusses are first treated the conventional way followed by the Protim PWR which provides double protection. With the new treatment, the warranty on the trusses has been extended from two to five years. To ensure the product was genuine, he asked that the customers first look for the PWR sticker on the pre-fabricated roof trusses. The PWR chemical will also be retailed as Trussguard, which will be distributed via Woodlandor Chemicals. It will be available in small retail packs as well as in industrial size drums, making it accesible to both do-it-yourself homeowners as well as contractors. It is to be used with most hardwoods, softwoods and panel products and is not corrosive to metals. Woodlandor Roof Systems' products are patented and licensed by Gang Nail Australia Ltd. In 1997, Woodlandor Roof Systems was the first company in the timber roof truss industry to be accredited the ISO 9002 standard. Teh estimated that the annual damage caused by termites and other wood boring insects in Malaysia amounted to over RM70 million. (END) Source : New Straits Times

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