Import/Export Wood Purchasing News - December 2023/January 2024

Kelly Hostetter
has joined the leadership
team at Kamps
Hardwoods, located in
Dutton, MI as the Chief
Business Development
Officer where he will
focus on new business
avenues and sales.
Kamps Hardwoods is
a sawmill and concentration
yard that sells
Kelly Hostetter
globally. The company
offers Walnut, Hard and Soft Maple, Red and White
Oak, Cherry, Ash, Hickory and Poplar, among others.
The company also offers S2S, ripping, width sorts,
color sorts, sap/heart sorts.
Hostetter has been the Chief Business Development
Officer since September 2023. He has been in
the forest products industry for 25 years, where he
started in lumber sales. He has served in various positions
throughout his tenure in the industry, including
operations, general management and purchasing.
He has been married to Ale for 30 years and has
one son and one daughter. In his spare time he enjoys
fishing, golf and traveling with his friends and family.
Kamps Hardwoods is a member of the National
Hardwood Lumber Association, American Hardwood
Export Council, Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s
Who’s Who in Import/Exports
Continued on page 23
CITES Sausage Making Isn’t
Limited To CoPs
By: Ashley Amidon CAE
Executive Director American International
Wood Products Association
Alexandria, VA
(703) 820-7807 (c)
www.iwpawood.org
Samantha Keenan
is the AGL Group’s
Director of International
Operations.
The AGL Group is an
international logistics
firm, specializing
in forest products
shipping over 31,000
loads annually. AGL
is headquartered in
Samantha Keenan Weymouth, MA with
offices in Jacksonville,
FL, Barranquilla, Colombia and a 52,000
square foot warehouse in Blakeslee, PA.
Keenan has been an integral member of AGL
going on five years, almost half of the company’s
existence. Keenan started in the export documentation
department as a representative before becoming
the export documentation manager in 2021.
Within the last three months Keenan has been
promoted to the Director of International Operations.
She is responsible for AGL’s Export, Import
and Warehousing divisions, leading a team of 52.
Keenan is currently working on an internal roll out
of a new software system that will create efficiencies
within the organization and offer its clients
new services the forwarding industry is yet to see.
When Keenan isn’t at the office she can be
Years ago, compliance with the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
Ashley Amidon
and Flora (CITES) was limited to a relatively small number
of traders who recognized that their particular market
niche required specialized knowledge about requirements
and processes that was largely unfamiliar to suppliers of
other international wood species. Since 2016, however,
hundreds of additional species, including whole genera
such as Cedrela and Dalbergia and widely traded species like Khaya and - coming
in 2024 - Ipe and Cumaru, have been added to the CITES appendices, adding
significant permitting requirements for a much larger cohort of industry members.
IWPA staff is working diligently to advocate for our industry at CITES meetings,
including at the meeting of the CITES Standing Committee that occurred
in early November. While the species proposals considered every three years at
Conferences of the Parties (CoPs) garner the most attention, in the years between
CoPs Parties and stakeholder Observer organizations like IWPA debate policy proposals
that fundamentally impact the way CITES functions. IWPA staff has been
particularly active in the consideration of movement towards a new programmatic
focus on “CITES and Forests.” Some Parties, and the CITES Secretariat itself, argue
that CITES should move from a species-focused paradigm to instead focus on
ecosystems such as forests more generally. Certainly, our industry is focused on the
health of the global forests where the species our members source are found. But
movement to ecosystem-based trade restrictions is not contemplated in the text of
the Convention, and many Parties, including the United States, agree.
Additionally, the Standing Committee is considering a proposal asking CITES
Secretariat staff to develop draft guidance and best practices related to the peri-
Continued on page 27
Continued on page 23
Tony Pescaglia is the
sales manager at MO
PAC Lumber Company,
located in Fayette,
MO. MO PAC is a
furniture grade sawmill
specializing in American
Black Walnut. For
over 40 years, MO PAC
has consistently offered
quality kiln-dried
Tony Pescaglia lumber to customers
both domestically and
around the world.
MO PAC produces four million board feet per
year and offers American Black Walnut in 4/4-
16/4 thicknesses and in grades No. 2 Common and
Better, Silverleaf Soft Maple in thicknesses 4/4-16/4
and Ash and White Oak in 4/4 thickness.
MO PAC’s mill is NHLA grade certified and
offers 10-inch and wider width sorts in thicknesses
of 4/4-16/4 in Walnut. They also offer straight line
ripping and surfacing, available upon request, as
well as mixed containers. MO PAC has an experienced
staff that handles all of the export documentation
and logistics.
Pescaglia is fourth generation lumberman, whose
grandfather often says that sawdust runs in his family’s
veins. He has been with MO PAC since 2011
By: Michael Snow
Executive Director American Hardwood
Export Council Sterling, VA
703-435-2900
www.ahec.org
Continued on page 23
AHEC Strategy In 2024
In challenging markets, effective promotion and communication
is more vital than ever. The long-term strate-
Michael Snow
gy employed by the American Hardwood Export Council
encompasses a diversified approach in global target
markets to create a positive environment for the U.S.
hardwood industry to promote their businesses and make
sales. Thanks to our network and FAS funding, AHEC
is able to provide support in ways that may not be easy or possible for individual
companies. Activities like influencing world fashion, responding to environmental
policies and developments, creating promotional tools, developing new technologies,
and anticipating market developments are some of what AHEC does every
day to support a healthy hardwood industry in America.
One of our most important focuses is the outreach to the “specifiers”, who are
architects, designers, furniture makers, and those who have the freedom to select
what material to use in a project. While not direct customers of our industry, their
influence on how materials are chosen and used is vital for sustained growth in
our industry. The AHEC program strategy for outreach to these groups is achieved
through a wide range of creative activities and by generating significant levels of
media publicity, thus keeping the U.S. hardwood industry and American hardwood
as a material constantly in the public eye. Year on year we have demonstrated that
this tactic works to deliver new demand. Some of these messages have remained
constant, such as the variety of species available and the strong environmental
credentials. What changes annually are the specific details of the messages and the
methods of delivery.
AHEC programs are based on a combination of activities to pull demand
through the “wood chain” with designers and manufacturers, while also working
to push information into the “wood chain” by working with, and targeting, timber
Continued on page 27
Table of Contents
FEATURES:
AHEC/NHLA Convention.................... Tecno Mueble ........................... 1
VietnamWood...................................... 1
AHEC AWFS SE Fair.................................... Asia Convention................ 1
HHP...................................................... Classic American Hdwds 4
Houston Hardwoods.......................... Rainey Millworks ........................ 5
Lumber Forecasts for 2024............... 6
CHB Education................................... 7
DEPARTMENTS:
BC Wood's GBM................................. 8
Who's Who in Import/Exports ... 2
DEPARTMENTS:
AHEC Column ............................. 2
Who's IWPA Who Column in Import/Exports........... .............................. 23
AHEC Column..................................... 2
Washington Scene ..................... 6
IWPA Column...................................... 2
SEC Business Column........................................ Trends USA 37
Washington Canadian Trends....................... Scene............................. 14 9
Business Trends USA...................... 15
Business Trends Abroad ..........16
Canadian Trends.............................. 19
Business
Memoriam...................................25
Trends Abroad..................21
Memoriam..........................................35
Stock Exchange ...................27-28
Stock Newswires Exchange........................... ..................................29 38-39
Newswires..........................................41
Index of Advertisers ................. 34
Index of Advertisers......................... 46
IMPORT/EXPORT
A
Bi-Monthly
Bi-Monthly
Newspaper
Newspaper
Serving
Serving
the
the
International
International
Wood
Wood
Trade.
Trade.
Published
Published
by
by
International
International
Wood
Wood
Trade
Trade
Publications,
Publications,
Inc.
Inc.
P.
P.
O.
O.
Box
Box
34908
34908
Memphis,
Memphis,
TN
TN
38184
38184
Tel.
Tel.
(901)
(901)
372-8280
372-8280
FAX
FAX
(901)
(901)
373-6180
373-6180
Web
Web
Site:
Site:
www.woodpurchasingnews.com
www.woodpurchasingnews.com
E-Mail
E-Mail
Addresses:
Addresses:
Advertising:
Advertising:
wpn@millerwoodtradepub.com
wpn@millerwoodtradepub.com
Editorial:
Editorial:
editor@millerwoodtradepub.com
editor@millerwoodtradepub.com
Subscriptions:
Subscriptions:
circ@millerwoodtradepub.com
circ@millerwoodtradepub.com
Paul
Paul
Miller,
Miller,
Jr.
Jr.
-
-
President/Editor
President/Editor
Terry
Terry
Miller
Miller
-
-
Vice
Vice
President/Associate
President/Associate
Editor
Editor
-
-
Secretary/Treasurer
Secretary/Treasurer
Zach
Zach
Miller
Miller
-
-
Vice
Vice
President
President
Chris
Chris
Fehr
Fehr
-
-
Sales
Sales
Representative
Representative
Sue
Sue
Putnam
Putnam
-
-
Editorial
Editorial
Director
Director
Cadance
Cadance
Hanson
Hanson
-
-
Staff
Staff
Writer
Writer
& Who's Who
rfCoordinator
Rachael Stokes - Graphic Artist
Graham
Camille
Sweeney
Campbell
-
-
Staff
Graphic
Writer
Artist
Rachael
Apryll Cosby
Stokes
- Advertising
- Graphic Artist
Manager
Camille
Lisa Carpenter
Campbell
- Circulation
- Graphic Artist
Manager
Apryll Cosby - Advertising Manager
Lisa U.S. Carpenter Correspondents: - Circulation Chicago, Manager Ill., Grand Rapids,
Mich., High Point, N.C., Los Angeles, Calif., Portland,
Ore., Memphis, Tenn.
U.S. Correspondents: Chicago, Ill., Grand Rapids,
Mich., High Point, N.C., Los Angeles, Calif., Portland,
Ore., Memphis, Tenn.
Canadian Correspondents: Toronto
Foreign Correspondents: Brazil, Philippines, Malaysia,
Chile, Bangkok, Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand.
Canadian Correspondents: Toronto
Foreign Correspondents: Brazil, Philippines, Malaysia,
Chile, Bangkok, Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand.
The Import/Export Wood Purchasing News is the
product of a company and its affiliates that have been in
The Import/Export Wood Purchasing News is the
the publishing business for over 94 years.
product of a company and its affiliates that have been in
Other publications edited for specialized markets and
the publishing business for over 94 years.
distributed worldwide include:
Other publications edited for specialized markets and
Forest Products Export Directory • Hardwood Purchasing
Handbook • National Hardwood Magazine • Green
distributed worldwide include:
Forest Products Export Directory • Hardwood Purchasing
Handbook • National Hardwood Magazine • Green
Book’s Hardwood Marketing Directory • Green Book’s
Softwood Marketing Directory • The Softwood Forest
Book’s Hardwood Marketing Directory • Green Book’s
Softwood Annual subscription Marketing rates Directory - 6 bi-monthly • The Softwood issues Forest
Annual U.S. $75 subscription - 1 year; $90 rates - 2 - years; 6 bi-monthly $100 - issues 3 years;
U.S. $75 - 1 year; $90 - 2 years; $100 - 3 years;
Canadian & Foreign orders Must be paid by check
Canadian drawn on & U.S. Foreign Bank, orders Credit Must Card, be or paid by wire by check Transfer
drawn on U.S. Bank, Credit Card, or by wire Transfer
Canada $90 (U.S. dollars) - 1 year; $105 - 2 years;
Canada $130- 3 $90 years; (U.S. dollars) - 1 year; $105 - 2 years;
$130- 3 years;
Foreign (airmail) $140 - 1 year; $224 - 2 years (U.S.
Foreign dollars) (airmail) $140 - 1 year; $224 - 2 years (U.S.
dollars)
Send address changes to: to:
Import/Export Wood Purchasing News
P.O. P.O. Box Box 34908, Memphis, TN TN 38184-0908
The The Publisher reserves the the right to to accept
or or reject editorial content and and Advertisements
at at the the staff staff ’s ’s discretion.
A Busy (Policy) Fall for the Industry
U.S. Softwood Lumber Exports To Mexico Reach Record High
If there are two constant refrains IWPA hears from the industry, it’s about increases in delays they
are experiencing at our ports of entry and GSP. Both issues tie back to Congress - although in
different ways.
GSP is perhaps the simplest problem because it already has an easy solution. The Generalized
System of Preferences (GSP)–established in 1974, it promotes economic development by eliminating
duties on thousands of products when imported from designated beneficiary countries and
territories. It also benefits American companies and consumers, as it allows businesses to receive
a duty-free rate on specific products which then undergo further manufacturing here in the United
By By Rose Ashley Braden Amidon, States, providing jobs to Americans, and ensuring that consumers have the best choices. Unfortunately
for many years GSP has been in a cycle of expiring, having to wait a year or more before
President
CAE
Softwood Export
Executive Director
Council
being Suppliers reauthorized and buyers retroactively. from 13 countries This is participated repeated in in a the frustrating 2023 NWPCA cycle Guadalajara that leaves pallet businesses convention. with
International
Portland, OR money In 2022, they U.S. hope softwood to receive lumber but can’t exports count to on. Mexico IWPA reached has always an all-time been a high, proponent totaling of $282 GSP, and
www.softwood.org
Wood Products
Association million, now during and the nearly longest double lapse 2020 in the sales program’s figures. Mexico history, is we now continue the number to ask one Congress international to take market this
Alexandria, VA for important U.S. softwood issue up. lumber, Our hope unseating is that by China the in time 2018 this following article goes a 25 to percent print, Congress U.S. tariff will on have wood settled
products (703)820-7807 from China. (c) January with to priorities August they 2023 will exports deal ($171 with in million) end-of-year are down packages slightly and from that GSP the same is among period them. in 2022, ($195
million), www.iwpawood.org
yet analysts expect The end second of year issue totals is to more be almost complicated. on par with IWPA 2022 staff figures. receives frequent calls from companies who
Demand for U.S. softwood are frustrated lumber in with Mexico extended is increasing Lacey Act at an holds unprecedented at ports. While rate for the a delays, number which of reasons, extend including for several
limited domestic supply of weeks quality or lumber, often months positive at impacts a time, are of the frustrating US-Mexico enough Canada on their Agreement own, too (USMCA), often they and result the in costly
logistical advantages of a demurrage shared border. fees Cartel that eat related into or violence eliminate has any further profit constrained the importer access could to hope Mexico’s to book domestic on a shipment timber.
of wood products. Importers are bounced between agencies as they seek to learn the nature of the
Continued
Continued
on
on
page
page
27
18
Quality Everything
We strive every day to be on the forefront of our industry by offering
first class products and excellent service to our customers.
Building relationships around the world.
bankshardwoods.com
Page 2 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News n December 2023/January 2024
Import/Export Import/Export Wood Wood Purchasing Purchasing News News n December October/November 2023/January 20232024 Page Page 3