DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING OF SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE SHAKES - POTENTIALFOR EXPANSION

Manufacturers and distribution intermediaries were sampled to collect and analyze marketing information related to the feasibility of manufa cturing southern yellow pine (SYP) shakes. A nonprobability research d esign was used to collect qualitative information on the distribution system and the general marketing strategies currently employed by comp anies marketing SYP shakes. Manufacturers and distributors feel the de mand for SYP shakes is much greater than current manufacturing facilit ies can produce. Additionally, they predict this demand will increase because many companies have found very little consumer resistance in t he high-end roofing market. The limited supply of SYP shakes has restr icted marketing efforts to increase distribution. Distribution interme diaries expect the demand for SYP shakes to increase as a substitute f or cedar shakes due to the limited availability of suitable western re d cedar timber in the western United States, the better durability of treated southern pine products in the harsh southeastern climate, and the reduction of waste with SYP shakes during the installation process .