The team of Consultants undertook site visits to leading operators and manufacturers of the above compressed wood products, took samples at a range of points along the value chain of most of the product lines and conducted interviews with operators and manufacturers of the equipment. Overseas manufacturers were contacted telephonically and per e-mail. Drawings, workshop manuals and proposalsto reduce wear were discussed at length. Applicable wood meal samples were screened into various sizing fractions, weighed on-site and checked against operating instructions of the equipment suppliers.