In doing reseach for my search engine I stumble upon some very usefull web site.  Here is some information on two of those sites:

www.DoingBusiness.org

Here is a quick blurb on what they do: “Doing Business provides a quantitative measure of regulations for starting a business, dealing with construction permits, employing workers, registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and closing a business - as they apply to domestic small and medium-size enterprises.”

One of the things I found interesting on their site was that it is easier to do business in Singapore (#1) thasn it was to do business in the United States (#3).

If you did need to figure out how to start a business in a foreign country there is a lot of great information for you on who to call, what agency to contact (online vs in person), how long the process will take to complete and what any associated costs would be.  There are also some great notes that go along w/ each procedure to help you on your way.

I highly recommend checking out this site if you have your eyes set on starting a new company (or expanding) into a new country.

www.ReedConstructionData.com

Here is a quick blurb on what they do: “Reed Construction Data’s portfolio of products and services includes national, regional and local construction data, building product information, construction cost data, market analytics and advertising channels to construction industry professionals in the US and Canada.”

One of the great features of this site is it’s Building Code information.  They go state by state (including the major US cities) giving you contact information and applicable code info for: structural building codes, plumbing building codes, mechanical building codes, electrical building codes, civil building codes, accessibility building codes, zoning boards, planning boards, public works departments, the Fire Marshal and Parks and Recreation.

If you are having problems getting started with a project and don’t know who to call check out there buidling code section… it could save you a lot of time (www.reedconstructiondata.com/building-codes).

We were lucky enough to recently talk to another great Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified company.   Panel Source International Inc. has been FSC certified since 2003 (SCS-COC-00569).  They have always provided Buttolph Lumber (parent company of Lute Lumber) with great service and they always have a lot of material in stock.

Panel Source International, Inc. focuses exclusively on the manufacturing and distribution of environmental forest products including products that are FSC Certified, Urea-Formaldehyde free, and manufactured with rapidly renewable or recycled fiber contents.

These products include:

1. Lumber - Hem Fir, Doug Fir, Spruce Pine Fir (SPF), Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) and Western Red Cedar (WRC)

2. Softwood and Hardwood Plywood

3. Particleboard, MDF, Door Core and Melamine Panels

4. Pressure Treated and Fire Retardant Lumber and Plywood

5. Pyroblock:  This is a proprietary product that they manufacture.   You can take any particleboard, mdf or plywood and give it a class A fire rating by applying Pyroblock to the surface. End users can then veneer or laminate to the surface, thus giving them the substrate with the environmental features required, as well as  Class A fire rated interior panel.

There are no minimum order volumes, and shipping is available to any location.  

Please contact them at: 1.877.464.7246 or check out their web site at www.PanelSource.net

Here is another company that we have done business with.  David and Colin of Altruwood helped Buttolph Lumber out with a difficult order of Fire Treated Cedar.  There were all kinds of odd sizes, dimensions and long lead times.  It all turned out beautifully.

AltruWood is a nationwide distributor of sustainable building products.  Offering FSC Certified (Chain of Custody #SGS-COC-1911), Reclaimed, and Dead Standing Douglas Fir Timbers, the AltruWood label represents quality and customer commitment. 

The main product offerings of AltruWood include:

FSC Certified: Western Red Cedar (siding, timbers, lumber),  Ipe Decking, FSC Certified Flooring

Reclaimed: Hand Hewn Timbers, Rough Sawn Douglas Fir Timbers, Reclaimed Flooring

Dead Standing: Premium Appearance Grade #1 and Better Douglas Fir Timbers

To contact AltruWood call 877-FSC-WOOD or visit them online at www.altruwood.com.