Import/Export Wood Purchasing News - June/July 2024

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Vol.50 No.6 Serving Forest Products Buyers Worldwide JUNE/JULY 2024 

IWPA’s 2024 World Of Wood Convention 

Hailed As A Success 

281 Registrants from 24 Countries Attend 68th 

Annual Meeting In San Diego 

Photos By Paul Miller Jr. 

Another Record-Breaking Year For The Montréal 

Wood Convention 

Photos By Terry Miller 

Angelina Rouget, Malaysian Timber Council, Houston, TX; Lee Robinson, Overseas 

Hardwoods Company, Mobile, AL; and Lai Mei Theng, Malaysian Timber Council 

Additional photos on page 6 

The International Wood Products Association (IWPA), based in Alexandria, 

VA, declared the 68th World of Wood Convention a success. The annual event 

was held recently at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego, CA and brought together 

281 professionals from over 24 countries, showcasing a rich exchange of industry 

knowledge, market intelligence, and regulatory expertise. 

“This year’s World of Wood was another big success, offering vital networking 

opportunities and expert insights into the evolving landscape of the globally 

sourced wood products industry,” said IWPA Executive Director Ashley Amidon. 

“Participants gained invaluable perspectives on regulatory compliance, corporate 

leadership, and the latest design trends and technological tools.” 

The convention featured a diverse lineup of speakers and panel discussions, 

providing attendees with forward-thinking strategies and practices: 

• "Powered Productivity" and "Tech Tools for Serious Self Care" by Beth 

Ziesenis, Founder of YourNerdyBestFriend.com 

• “New Trends in Design” by Tatiana Machado-Rosas, Senior Interior Designer, 

Qualcraft Construction, Inc. 

• “U.S. Customs & Border Protection – An Introduction to Wood Products 

Classification” by Laurel Duvall, National Import Specialist with Customs and 

Border Protection 

• Update sessions on Homeland Security Wood Investigations, Overseas Perspectives 

on EUDR, Lacey Act and Formaldehyde Regulations 

Six IWPA board members were reappointed for another term including Jim 

Continued on page 18 

Yvon Millette, Vexco Inc., Plessisville, QC; Peter Lovett, King City Northway Forwarding 

Ltd., Montreal, QC; and Eric Vigneault, Vexco Inc. 


The Montréal Wood Convention (MWC) 2024, the premier event for the wood 

industry in North America and the largest of its kind in Canada, drew over 1150 

participants from across the globe with 112 booths showcasing the latest trends, 

technologies, and products by the biggest companies in the industry. This marked 

back-to-back record-breaker years for the MWC. 

The MWC took place at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montréal and featured 

series of seminars, discussions, and panel sessions featuring leading industry experts. 

One of the highlights of the event was the keynote speech by tech titan Michelle 

Romanov where she opened up about her own entrepreneurial experiences 

and offered valuable tips applicable to the wood industry and beyond. Benjamin 

Tal’s perspectives on economy was also very popular among the participants. 

According to Sven Gustavsson, the Event Director, the Montréal Wood Convention 

2024 was a great success on many fronts. “The event was a success because 


CHB Wraps Up Another Spring Meeting; Sets 

Sights On October Gathering 


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Chad Johnson, Baillie Lumber Co., Hamburg, NY; Chris Castano, Maine Woods Company 

LLC, Portage Lake, ME; Greg Patenaude, Retired, Laval, QC; and Scott Rossi, Rossi 

Group, Cromwell, CT 


The spring 2024 meeting of the Canadian Hardwood Bureau (CHB) was held 

recently in Montreal, QC, at the Double Tree by Hilton Montreal, with almost 100 

delegates in attendance. The event provided those in the hardwood industry with 

the opportunity to get together, learn and network. 

Chairman Shaun Rowe, of Quality Hardwoods, presided over the meeting and 

updated members on CHB’s activities and plans for grading courses, hardwood 

promotions and meetings/events. The meeting featured a variety of excellent 

Continued on page 18

The Rossi Group 

recently announced the 

addition of David Olah 

to its sales team. Olah 

has been in the hardwood 

business for over 

20 years and embraces 

the daily challenges it 

brings. After graduating 

from Virgina Tech in 

2000 he started his forest 

products career with 

David Olah Georgia Pacific. When 

he is not hard at work 

selling lumber, he enjoys spending time with his 

family (wife of 20 years, Laurie, and kids Maggie, 

Melissa and Daniel). He coaches baseball and likes 

following sports. He is an avid outdoorsman that 

enjoys hunting, fishing and snowboarding. 

Rossi Group, headquartered in Cromwell, CT, 

is a manufacturer, wholesaler and distributor that 

sells all over the world. Its affiliates – Emporium 

and Bradford – sawmills produce a combined 61 

million board feet annually, while their kiln capacity 

is a combined 3 million board feet. The company 

stocks over 8 million board feet of Red and White 

Oak, Cherry, Hard and Soft Maple and Ash (No. 3 

Common through FAS in 4/4 through 12/4 thicknesses). 

Emporium Hardwoods is FSC certified and has 

company owned trucks to help ensure a fast turnaround 

time. 

Who’s Who in Import/Exports 

Mathieu Lussier 

is in charge of sales 

for U.S. and Western 

Canada for Simon 

Lussier Lteé, located 

in Blainville, Quebec. 

Simon Lussier 

Lteé. is a third-generation 

family-owned 

business, wholesaler, 

distributor and 

Mathieu Lussier exporter of Yellow 

and White Birch, 

Hard and Soft Maple, Aspen, Red and White Oak, 

Walnut and Yellow Poplar (4/4 to 13/4 thicknesses, 

No. 2 Common and Better). The company annually 

purchases a total of 15 million board feet of green 

and kiln-dried lumber. Approximately 70 percent 

is purchased green and the remaining 30 percent is 

purchased kiln-dried. 

Simon Lussier Lteé. offers S2S and pull-to-width 

services. They are specialized in mix loads and 

programs for their customer’s inventory efficiency 

needs. In Mirabel, Quebec, the company has 

400,000 board feet of kiln capacity and two high 

tech grading chains that help their customers to 

know for example the percentage of 1 white, 2 

white and sap 1 face in each bundle. 

Lussier’s first job in the forest products industry 

Wesley Boles is vice 

president and a member 

of the sales team at 

Hermitage Hardwood 

Lumber Sales Inc., 

located in Cookeville, 

TN. 


is a manufacturer 

of Appalachian 

hardwoods, including 

Wesley Boles Poplar, Red and White 

Oak, Ash, Walnut, 

Hickory, Cherry, Basswood and Hard and Soft 

Maple, offering domestic and export shipments. The 

company specializes in high grades, including FAS 

and No. 1 Common, with width sorts and customized 

surfacing offered upon request. 

Boles graduated from the University of Tennessee, 

located in Knoxville, TN, with a degree in 

marketing and a minor in logistics. He also graduated 

from the 161st class of the National Hardwood 

Lumber Association’s Inspector Grading School. 

Boles’ responsibilities include expanding new 

customer bases in locations across the United States 

and export markets. He is also involved in daily 

production and kiln planning. 

Hermitage Hardwood Lumber Sales is a member 

of the American Hardwood Export Council, Hard- 

Table of Contents 

Table of Contents 

FEATURES: 

FEATURES: 

Tecno Mueble ........................... 1 

IWPA AWFS World Fair.................................... of Wood................... 1 

Montréal Classic American Wood Convention........ Hdwds ........... 14 

CHB 

Rainey 

Spring 

Millworks 

Meeting.................... 

........................ 

1 

5 

Cole Hardwood............................ 4 

The DEPARTMENTS: 

Mantel Shoppe...................... 5 

Who's Who in Import/Exports ... 2 

DEPARTMENTS: 

AHEC Column ............................. 2 

Who's IWPA Column Who in Import/Exports.... .............................. 23 

AHEC Washington Column.............................. Scene 26 

IWPA Business Column............................... Trends USA ................ 27 

SEC 

Canadian 

Column................................. 

Trends....................... 14 

3 

Business Trends USA............... 14 

Business Trends Abroad ..........16 

Canadian Trends........................16 

Memoriam...................................25 

Business Trends Abroad...........17 

Stock Exchange ...................27-28 

Stock Exchange....................28-29 

Newswires ..................................29 

Newswires...................................32 

Index of Advertisers ................. 34 

Index of Advertisers.................. 38 

IMPORT/EXPORT 

A Busy (Policy) Fall for the Industry 

If Softwood there are two constant Export refrains Council IWPA Trade hears from Missions the industry, Generate it’s about increases International in delays they 

are experiencing at our ports of Sales entry and For GSP. U.S Both Suppliers 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 Ashley 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 

CAE 

Executive Director being reauthorized retroactively. This is repeated in a frustrating cycle that leaves businesses with 

By Rose International Braden 

money they hope to receive but can’t count on. IWPA has always been a proponent of GSP, and 

President Wood Products 

now during the longest lapse in the program’s history, we continue to ask Congress to take this 

Softwood Association Export 

important issue up. Our hope is that by the time this article goes to print, Congress will have settled 

Council Alexandria, VA 

(703)820-7807 (c) 

with priorities they will deal with in end-of-year packages and that GSP is among them. 

Portland, OR 

www.iwpawood.org The second issue is more complicated. IWPA staff receives frequent calls from companies who 

www.softwood.org 

are frustrated with extended Lacey Act holds at ports. While the delays, which extend for several 

Members of the Mexico mission visit a leading softwood lumber importer and wholesaler. 

weeks or often months at a time, are frustrating enough on their own, too often they result in costly 

Trade missions are one of the demurrage most effective fees that ways eat into for U.S. or eliminate suppliers any to connect profit the with importer buyers could and improve hope to book their on understanding a shipment 

of international markets. In 2023 of wood alone, products. SEC trade Importers missions are resulted bounced in between over $5 agencies million in as reported they seek sales. to learn SEC the missions nature have of the 

been effective in both developing opportunities in emerging markets and new opportunities in established markets. In 2023, 




APHIS Lacey Office Recognizes 

Importance Of Industry Training With Grant 

By: Ashley Amidon CAE 

Executive Director 

International Wood Products Association 

Alexandria, VA 

(703) 820-7807 (c) 

www.iwpawood.org 

Hopefully by this point all Import/Export Wood Purchasing 

News readers are familiar with IWPA’s Due Dil- 

Ashley Amidon 

igence Training courses. Created in 2015 by the industry 

for the industry, they are constantly evolving to provide 

participants with the latest information and resources to 

tailor compliance plans for their company. 

Last September, those years of hard work and expertise 

were recognized by the Lacey Act Program Office at 

the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

(APHIS) with a significant grant to broaden the courses to new industries. With the 

publication of Phase VII of the Lacey Act Declaration expected in the Federal Register 

by the time this publication goes to print, this grant allows IWPA to share our 

knowledge with every single company and industry covered by the Lacey Act, at 0 

cost to the participants. This grant is a testament to IWPA's longstanding commitment 

to promoting sustainable and legal trade practices within the wood products 

industry, as well as a desire to ensure our members receive the best in education. 

This APHIS grant signals the agency’s recognition of the critical role of knowledge-sharing 

in achieving compliance with the Lacey Act. This funding will allow 

us to significantly expand our educational outreach, building on our existing 

compliance and due diligence training programs to ensure that businesses across 

various industries have the knowledge and resources they need to comply with the 

law and contribute to global environmental sustainability. 

The APHIS grant has supported the creation and dissemination of on-demand 

online education modules, including a comprehensive Lacey Act Due Diligence 

Course consisting of five modules aimed at equipping industry professionals with 

the knowledge and tools necessary for legal business operations, available for free 



Michael Snow 

By: Michael Snow 

Executive Director American Hardwood 

Export Council Sterling, VA 

703-435-2900 

www.ahec.org 


AHEC Brings Maple To Milan With 

The Class Of ’24 

Giles Tettey Nartey And Parti Create 

Furniture Inspired By Food And Fabric 

For the American Hardwood Export Council, Milan 

Design Week is a crucial date on the calendar. The April 

event provides an unparalleled opportunity not only to 

showcase the design possibilities of sustainable hardwoods, 

but also to provide a platform for creative collaborations 

with extraordinary emerging and established talents. 

At this year’s Salone del Mobile, AHEC shines the spotlight on Maple – a valuable 

yet underused hardwood with a delicate color and a beautiful fine grain. Two 

UK studios participating in the Wallpaper ‘Class of ’24’ exhibition at the Triennale 

have been commissioned to create new work in Maple: the artist and architect 

Giles Tettey Nartey, and Parti, the interdisciplinary studio founded in 2015 by 

Eleanor Hill and Tom Leahy. 

“We take immense joy in collaborating with creatives due to the unique opportunities 

it offers us as an organization representing both an industry and a precious 

natural resource. Over the past two decades, we've cultivated fruitful collaborations 

with architects and designers to showcase the diverse possibilities of the 

sustainable timbers we represent," commented David Venables, European director, 

American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC). 

Supported by AHEC and Jan Hendzel Studio, each has used Maple as a material 

springboard to explore and experiment, creating two very different bodies of work 

from a common starting point. 

“For us, it's about balancing traditional joinery methods with pushing the capabilities 

of digital machining. In these projects, we are celebrating the use of 

American Maple, a beautiful creamy white, very hard, dense-grained timber, with 

an almost illustrative grain patterning. The challenge for us is in mastering how far 


Page 2 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News n June/July 2024 

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Import/Export Wood Purchasing News n October/November 2023 Page 3 

Import/Export Wood Purchasing News n June/July 2024 Page 3

Custom Hardwood Fireplace Mantels at The Mantel Shoppe 

By Michelle Keller 

“We are a one-stop source for beautiful custom fireplace 

mantels. For more than two decades, our team has been 

creating custom wood fireplace mantels for homeowners 

across the country.” 

~ Nick Leopard, owner, The Mantel Shoppe 

Cole Hardwood, located in Logansport, IN, has three company trucks for making local deliveries. 

Generational Shifts: The Future of Cole Hardwood Inc. 

Cole Hardwood Inc., based in Logansport, IN, is a leading Indiana hardwood 

lumber processor and distributor. Producing about 15 million board feet annually, 

species available include North American Ash, Beech, Cherry, Hickory, Hard and 

Soft Maple, Red and White Oak, Poplar and Walnut (4/4 through 8/4 with thicker 

stocks available in certain species up to 16/4). 

With a rich history spanning more than three decades, Cole Hardwood has 

earned a renowned reputation for quality and excellence in hardwoods. According 

to Brian Gibson, the sales manager, this reputation originated with the founder, 

Milt Cole. "Milt understood that the key to success is having the right people 

in the right positions," he remarked. Indeed, the success of any business often 

hinges upon the caliber of individuals comprising its organization, he explained. 

Gibson shares, “We have a revitalized workforce coming into Cole Hardwood 

learning from our experienced employees who have been here for many years. 

Chris Plaugher, a lumber inspector, has taken a “quality control” position to assure lumber 

meets Cole Hardwood’s quality requirements for their customers. 

By Chris Fehr 

"The beauty of the mill and its attribute to our success is still the size of our inventory, and Milt always believed in keeping a large 

inventory to where if someone needs it, you have it. And we still hold to that!" 

~ Brian Gibson, Sales Manager, Cole Hardwood Inc. 

Cole Hardwood produces about 15 million board feet annually, species available include 

North American Ash, Beech, Cherry, Hickory, Hard and Soft Maple, Red and White Oak, Poplar 

and Walnut (4/4 through 8/4 with thicker stocks available in certain species up to 16/4). 

It’s critical to get the right people set in place to continue the legacy and values 

of Cole Hardwood that Milt Cole instilled. Our core values are focused on ‘The 

People’, ‘The Product’ and ‘The Pride’. We take these key values and make them 

part of our daily work for how we interact with vendors, customers, employees 

and product delivery. This revitalized workforce includes some of Milt Cole’s 

family, which adds a generational family dynamic.” 

Gibson adds, “We have also added to our sales team to help broaden our reach 

in the United States. It’s been an exciting period seeing these team members that 

not only fit the role but bring a great deal of experience to help take Cole Hardwood 

to the next level. The beauty of the mill and its attribute to our success is 

still the size of our inventory, and Milt always believed in keeping a large inven- 


Pictured is the Chicago fireplace mantel in Maple, one of the many designs that The 

Mantel Shoppe offers. 

The Mantel Shoppe, based in 

Trussville, AL, manufactures solid 

hardwood fireplace mantels, wood 

mantel shelves, and interior and 

exterior columns. Special items are 

also built on request and include 

cabinets, bedroom furniture and 

church pews. The company purchases 

150,000 board feet annually 

in 5/4 and 8/4 Antique Heart Pine, 

Mahogany, Poplar, Cherry, Red 

and White Oak, quarter-sewn Oak, 

Walnut, Maple, Alder and Pine. 

The Mantel Shoppe was created 

by Ronald Leopard in 1988 in 

Springville, AL. It was officially 

named The Mantel Shoppe by 

1990. The first few fireplace mantels 

were built in a spare room in 

his home for friends. His business 

grew quickly and he moved into 

a garage where it remained for a 

couple of years. As demand grew, 

The Mantel Shoppe was forced 

to expand into a full wood shop 

rather quickly. “We were crowded 

in that shop, but it didn’t keep us 

from turning out an average of 400 

fireplace mantels per month,” Ronald’s 

son, and the current owner, 

Nick Leopard said. “When we 

reached 600 fireplace mantels per 

month, it was time to move again.” 

Working in the family business 

since he was 12 years old, Nick 

said his father found a place that 

would provide them space to 

continue to expand. “Our current 

shop is four times as big as the 

previous one and about 40 times as 

big as the original room where my 

dad built his first fireplace mantel,” 

he offered. “We tell you this not to 

boast but to explain that we have 

grown steadily from the beginning 

by repeatedly giving our customers 

products and services they can 

depend on. In return, we are very 

fortunate to have been surrounded 

by great customers, great homebuilders 

and great distributors that 

have sparked our growth.” 

As for the company's strong points, Nick said, “The quality and design of our 

product is something very unique. Our turnaround time is very quick. We have 

stayed consistent in getting our products to our customers on time. We’re easy to 

deal with and our prices are fair.” 

The Mantel Shoppe products can be found in some pretty interesting places. 

“We’ve manufactured mantels for some pretty key players in this area and also 




IWPA – Continued from page 1 

Giovanna Nágem, Timber REX ApS, Holbaek, Denmark; 

Stewart and Trish Sexton, AHC Import Lumber, Cleveland, 

GA; and Jacob Boje Larsen, Timber REX ApS 

Jeevan Manhas, Canusa Wood Products Ltd., Vancouver, 

BC; Rob Wilson, Robert Weed Corporation, Bristol, IN; 

Chris Battin, Benchmark International LLC, Eugene, OR; 

and Jim Bennett, Canusa Wood Products Ltd. 

Vadim Retter, Julie Lumber LLC, West 

New York, NJ; Thomas Cummings, 

GWP Wood, Rocky Point, NC; and Jim 

Canter, NWH, Erie, PA 

Jasper Bach, Baillie Lumber Company, Hamburg, NY; 

Robbie Weich, Tradelink Wood Products Ltd., London, England; 

and Aurelien Lemoigne and Henrik Stenshoj, A/S 

Global Timber, Aarhus, Denmark 

Adam Shockley, Canusa Wood Products Ltd., Vancouver, BC; Deonn 

DeFord and Dana Bassett, Ganahl Lumber Company, Anaheim, CA; 

and Jeevan Manhas and Ross McLaren, Canusa Wood Products Ltd. 

Tim Karsten, F.W. Barth & Co. GmbH, Hamburg, Germany; 

Chris Skibba, California Timberline Inc., Chino, CA; 

Edoardo Givone, Aries Timber Exports Limited, Edgeware, 

UK; and Delyan Zhelyazkov, TimberBase/UFP International 

LLC, Miami, FL 

Guy Goodwin, NHG Timber Ltd., Surrey 

South Croydon, England; Jim 

Schrubbe, Diversified Wood Crafts, 

Suring, WI; and Michael Snow, AHEC, 

Sterling, VA 

Ian Barry, Griffin Global Resources, Santa Barbara, CA; 

Michelle Buckland, and Seppo Virtanen, Miro Forestry and 

Timber Products, London, UK; Stephanie Rodrigue, IWPA, 

Alexandria, VA; and Charles Barry, Griffin Global Resources, 

Santa Barbara, CA 

Joe O’Donnell, IWPA, Alexandria, VA; Colin Miller, Clarke Veneers and Plywood, Jackson, MS; Jason 

and Jennifer Loveland, Rukert Terminals Corporation, Baltimore, MD; and Brendan Dugan, 

South Jersey Port Corporation, Camden, NJ 

Lindsey DiGangi, PLMI, Philadelphia, PA; Liz Wellborn, 

Skyline Cabinetry Inc., Farmers Branch, TX; Michelle 

Meincke, Metropolitan Floors, Vancouver, BC; and Michael 

McCullough, Masterbrand Cabinets Inc., Jasper, IN 

Kyle Blakaitis, Central American Timber Inc., Seaside 

Park, NJ; Ben Horn, Global Lumber LLC, Olympia, WA; 

Chris Strang, Alan McIlvain Co., Marcus Hook, PA; Andy 

Johnson, Hardwood Market Report, Cordova, TN; and Lan 

McIlvain, Alan McIlvain Co. 

Budi Hermawan, International Wood 

Products Inc., Holly Springs, NC; Lee 

Robinson, Overseas Hardwoods Company, 

Mobile, AL; and Makmur Buniadi, 

APKINDO-Indonesian Wood Panel 

Association, Jakarta, Indonesia 

(Front row, from left) Hunter MacMaster and Mason MacMaster; (back row, 

from left) Ryan MacMaster, Robert MacMaster, Kenny MacMaster and Brittany 

MacMaster, Argo Fine Imports, New Orleans, LA 

Andy Popp and Steve Popp, Popp Forest Products Inc., Lake Oswego, OR; Dan 

Lennon, Robinson Lumber Company, New Orleans, LA; and Gillian McIlvain, 

Jackson McIlvain and Jordan McIlvain, Alan McIlvain Co., Marcus Hook, PA 


Page 6 Import/Export Wood Purchasing News n June/July 2024

IWPA – Continued from page 6 

David Reed, Rowdy Male and Adam Chavez, Timber Products 

Company, Springfield, OR 

Jeremy Howard, Nyle Dry Kilns, Brewer, ME; 

Sparsh Kejriwal, Winksy International FZC, Ajman, 

UAE; and Thom Tardiff, Nyle Dry Kilns 

Cindy Newman, Newman Lumber Company, 

Gulfport, MS; and Paul Miller Jr., Import/Export 

Wood Purchasing News, Memphis, TN 

MWC – Continued from page 1 

Terry Miller, Import/Export Wood Purchasing 

News, Memphis, TN; Nate Jones, Ron Jones 

Hardwood Sales Inc., Union City, PA; and 

Judd Johnson, HMR, Memphis, TN 

Sven Gustavsson, Montreal Wood Convention, Quebec 

City, QC; Neill Gibson, USNR, Levis, QC; Martin Vaillancourt, 

USNR, Plessisville, QC; and Etienne St-Hilaire, 

USNR, Levis, QC 

Isaac Dalpe, Anisa Gjoka, and Peter Lovett, King City 

Northway Forwarding Ltd., Montreal, QC 

Adam Connolly, J.D. Irving Limited, Saint 

John, NB; Drew Kennedy, Boscus Canada 

Inc., Toronto, ON; and Ed McNulty, J.D. Irving 

Limited 

Grant Gibbons, Phoenix Building Components, Toronto, 

ON; and Todd Bengert, Ian Gotobed, and Jeff Law, 

Tolko Marketing & Sales Ltd., Vernon, BC 

Mario Tremblay, Dannik Labranche, and Pascal 

Labranche, Cardinal Equipment, Angliers, QC 

Denis Dube, J.D. Irving Limited, Saint John, 

NB; and Joel Fournier, GreenFirst Forest 

Products Inc., Timmins, ON 

Doug Race, Carter Forest Products, Calgary, AB; Steve Lavallee, Charles Jobin, and Robert Guy, Goodfellow 

Inc., Delson, QC; Daniel Comeau, Bois Aise de Montreal Inc., Levis, QC 

Justin Smith and Bradley Deluliis, Tampa 

International Forest Products LLC, Tampa, 

FL; Trevor Pochurko, Western Forest Products 

Inc., Vancouver, BC; and Sam Barranco, 

Tampa International Forest Products 

LLC 

L.T. Gibson, U.S. LBM, Atlanta, GA; Amar Doman, 

Doman Building Materials Group Ltd., Vancouver, BC; 

Steve Rhone, Weston Forest Products Inc., Mississauga, 

ON; Ian Fillinger, Interfor, Burnaby, BC 

Allen Lam, Western Coast Enterprise Ltd., Richmond, 

BC; Soulemane Ngouh, Global Trade Logistics Canada 

Inc., Laval, QC; Jenny Qian, Western Coast Enterprise 

Ltd.; Ousmanou Ngam, Global Trade Logistics Canada 

Inc.; and Scott Buchholz, KP Wood Ltd., Vancouver, BC 

Alex Fortin, Montreal Wood Convention, Quebec City, 

QC; Frederic Jacques, Quebec Wood Export Bureau, 

Quebec City, QC; Nathalie Houde and Sven Gustavsson, 

Montreal Wood Convention; Alain Boulet, and Sylvain 

Labbe, Quebec Wood Export Bureau 


CHB – Continued from page 1 

Fabrice Beaulieu, Bégin-Bégin Inc., Lots-Renversés, QC; Marc Legros, Prolam, 

Cap-Saint-Ignace, QC; Alain Poirier and Marc-Andre Gaboury, Boa-Franc G.P./ 

Mirage Hardwood Floors, St. George, QC; and Serge Robichaud, C. A. Spencer 

Inc., Laval, QC 

Eric Desjardins and Denis Dube, J.D. Irving Limited, Clair, NB; and Pierre 

Champeau and Dany Gendron-Fortin, Champeau Inc., Saint-Malo, QC 

Don Etmanskie, Peter D. Cybulski Sales Inc., Bancroft, ON; Brian Guilbeault and 

Steven Menard, Quality Hardwoods Ltd., Powassan, ON; and Marc Chouinard, 

HUB International, Ottawa, ON 

Jean-David Alder, St-Armand Forest Products Inc., St-Armand, QC; Guillaume 

Genest, Primewood, Drummondville, QC; Paul-Eric Tremblay, Scierie GVL 

Inc., Wotton, QC; Shaun Rowe, Quality Hardwoods Ltd., Powassan, ON; and 

Jean-Francois Audet, Primewood 

Alain Thibeault and Annie Fournier, Preverco Inc., Daveluyville, QC; and Geoffrey 

Lavallee, Viet Can Woods Inc., Saint-Jerome, QC 

René Richard, Forex Wood Canada Inc., Princeville, QC; Gaétan Bouchard 

and Joanie Bouchard, T.L.B. Forest Products Inc., Lachenaie, QC; and Louis-Carl 

Leduc, Goodfellow Inc., Delson, QC 

Terry Miller, Import/Export Wood Purchasing News, Memphis, TN; Dave Wiliams, 

Retired, Champlain Hardwoods Inc., Essex Junction, VT; Jean-Paul Lupien, MK- 

MQC Inc., Mascouche, QC; and Marco Morin, Gigiére & Morin Inc., Saint-Félixde-Kingsey, 

QC 

James Hodder, Weston Premium Woods Inc., Mississauga, ON; Mike Caruso, 

Matson Lumber Company, Brookville, PA; Patrice Carrier, HUB International, 

Montreal, QC; Richard Lipman, Canadian Hardwood Bureau, Ottawa, ON; and 

Judd Johnson, Hardwood Market Report, Memphis, TN 



SFPA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

CHB – Continued from page 10 

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Max Cadrin, C. A. Spencer Inc., Laval, QC; Brian Johnson, Falcon Lumber Ltd., 

Toronto, ON; Allison DeFord, North American Forest Foundation, Collierville, 

TN; Wally Klubek, Baillie Lumber Co., Hamburg, NY; Anthony Raspa, Quality 

Hardwoods Ltd., Powassan, ON; and Brin Langmuir, Falcon Lumber Ltd. 

Isaac Dalpe and Peter Lovett, King City Northway Forwarding Ltd., Montreal, 

QC; Yi Mou, BMJ Forest Products Inc., Montreal, QC; and Lloyd Lovett, King 

City Forwarding USA Inc., Chesapeake, VA 

Vol.50 No.6 Serving Forest Products Buyers Worldwide JUNE/JULY 2024 

IWPA’s 2024 World Of Wood Convention 

Hailed As A Success 

281 Registrants from 24 Countries Attend 68th 

Annual Meeting In San Diego 

Photos By Paul Miller Jr. 

Another Record-Breaking Year For The Montréal 

Wood Convention 


Angelina Rouget, Malaysian Timber Council, Houston, TX; Lee Robinson, Overseas 

Hardwoods Company, Mobile, AL; and Lai Mei Theng, Malaysian Timber Council 


The International Wood Products Association (IWPA), based in Alexandria, 

VA, declared the 68th World of Wood Convention a success. The annual event 

was held recently at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego, CA and brought together 

281 professionals from over 24 countries, showcasing a rich exchange of industry 

knowledge, market intelligence, and regulatory expertise. 

“This year’s World of Wood was another big success, offering vital networking 

opportunities and expert insights into the evolving landscape of the globally 

sourced wood products industry,” said IWPA Executive Director Ashley Amidon. 

“Participants gained invaluable perspectives on regulatory compliance, corporate 

leadership, and the latest design trends and technological tools.” 

The convention featured a diverse lineup of speakers and panel discussions, 

providing attendees with forward-thinking strategies and practices: 

• "Powered Productivity" and "Tech Tools for Serious Self Care" by Beth 

Ziesenis, Founder of YourNerdyBestFriend.com 

• “New Trends in Design” by Tatiana Machado-Rosas, Senior Interior Designer, 

Qualcraft Construction, Inc. 

• “U.S. Customs & Border Protection – An Introduction to Wood Products 

Classification” by Laurel Duvall, National Import Specialist with Customs and 

Border Protection 

• Update sessions on Homeland Security Wood Investigations, Overseas Perspectives 

on EUDR, Lacey Act and Formaldehyde Regulations 

Six IWPA board members were reappointed for another term including Jim 


Yvon Millette, Vexco Inc., Plessisville, QC; Peter Lovett, King City Northway Forwarding 

Ltd., Montreal, QC; and Eric Vigneault, Vexco Inc. 


The Montréal Wood Convention (MWC) 2024, the premier event for the wood 

industry in North America and the largest of its kind in Canada, drew over 1150 

participants from across the globe with 112 booths showcasing the latest trends, 

technologies, and products by the biggest companies in the industry. This marked 

back-to-back record-breaker years for the MWC. 

The MWC took place at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montréal and featured 

series of seminars, discussions, and panel sessions featuring leading industry experts. 

One of the highlights of the event was the keynote speech by tech titan Michelle 

Romanov where she opened up about her own entrepreneurial experiences 

and offered valuable tips applicable to the wood industry and beyond. Benjamin 

Tal’s perspectives on economy was also very popular among the participants. 

According to Sven Gustavsson, the Event Director, the Montréal Wood Convention 

2024 was a great success on many fronts. “The event was a success because 


CHB Wraps Up Another Spring Meeting; Sets 

Sights On October Gathering 


Chad Johnson, Baillie Lumber Co., Hamburg, NY; Chris Castano, Maine Woods Company 

LLC, Portage Lake, ME; Greg Patenaude, Retired, Laval, QC; and Scott Rossi, Rossi 

Group, Cromwell, CT 


Terry Miller, Import/Export Wood Purchasing News, Memphis, TN; Nate Jones, 

Ron Jones Hardwood Sales Inc., Union City, PA; and Judd Johnson, HMR, Memphis, 

TN 

Yvon Millette, Vexco Inc., Plessisville, QC; Peter Lovett, King City Northway 

Forwarding Ltd., Montreal, QC; and Eric Vigneault, Vexco Inc. 

PRSRT STD 


JEFFERSON CITY, MO 

PERMIT NO. 303 



P.O. Box 34908 

Memphis, TN 38184-0908 

The spring 2024 meeting of the Canadian Hardwood Bureau (CHB) was held 

recently in Montreal, QC, at the Double Tree by Hilton Montreal, with almost 100 

delegates in attendance. The event provided those in the hardwood industry with 

the opportunity to get together, learn and network. 

Chairman Shaun Rowe, of Quality Hardwoods, presided over the meeting and 

updated members on CHB’s activities and plans for grading courses, hardwood 

promotions and meetings/events. The meeting featured a variety of excellent 


HOCKEY PHOTOS – Continued from page 10 

Check out these other titles 

you may like as well. 

(Kneeling, from left) Eric Vigneault, Vexco Inc., Plessisville, QC; Frédérick Coté, Séchoir Mec Dry Kiln, Victoriaville, QC; Émilie Carrier, HUB International, 

Montreal, QC; Vincent Caron, Jean-Francois Martel, Groupe Savoie Inc., St-Quentin, NB; and Jean-Paul Lupien, MKMQC Inc., Mascouche, QC; and (standing, 

from left) Richard Davis, Referee, Montreal, QC, John-William Day, PG Hardwood Flooring Inc., St-Édouard-de-Lotbiniére, QC; Mike Harper, King City Northway 

Forwarding Ltd., Montreal, QC; Marco Vachon, Les Bois Poulin Inc., Shawinigan, QC; Wally Klubek, Baillie Lumber Co., Hamburg, NY; Mathieu Labrie, Groupe 

Savoie Inc., St-Quentin, NB; Brin Langmuir, Falcon Lumber Ltd., Toronto, ON; Jason Somers, Groupe Savoie Inc., St-Quentin, NB and Claude Morin, Referee, 

Montreal, QC 

The 

Forest Products 

www.softwoodbuyer.com 

Scan QR code to sign up 

for each digital issue 

Vol. 39 No. 3 The Softwood Industry’s Only Newspaper...Now Reaching 36,187 firms (20,000 per issue) May/June 2024 

Industry Decision Makers Convened In Tucson At 

NAWLA Leadership Summit 


LMC Dealers Explore The Next Frontier At The LMC 

Annual In Houston, TX 

Photos By Zach Miller 

Bobby and Lori Byrd, RoyOMartin Lumber Co. LLC, Alexandria, LA; Peter Keyes, 

International Forest Products LLC, Vancouver, BC; and Karli and Davis McGinnis, 

The McGinnis Lumber Company Inc., Meridian, MS 

The North American Wholesale Lumber Association (NAWLA) recently 

welcomed members and guests to its annual Leadership Summit in Tucson, AZ 

at the El Conquistador Spa and Resort. The event helped kickoff a year in which 

NAWLA celebrates its 130th anniversary. 

The recent three-day Leadership Summit focused on relevant management 

topics and key trends, including a look at future economic considerations and 


Robbie Temple and Holly Bridwell, LaSalle Lumber Company LLC, Ruston, LA; 

and Kyle Martinez and Josh Garcie, Interstate Building Materials Inc., Many, LA 


The LMC Dealers recently traveled to one of the most anticipated LBM 

events of the year, the 89th LMC Annual in Houston, Texas. This premier event 

provides LMC's dealers with a three-day platform to connect and collaborate 

with industry peers nationwide. At the Annual, attendees can expect valuable 

industry insights through high-quality education sessions, as well as exclusive 

access to innovative products from suppliers at the forefront of the market. 

Fitting the host city of Houston, the 2024 event theme was The Next Frontier. 

Throughout the span of three days, LMC dealers sharpened their knowledge 

with educational sessions focused on the future of marketing, advancements 

in technology, multifamily construction, market fluctuation, regulations, and 


John Murphy Jr., Murphy Company, Eugene, OR; Sam Sanregret, Capital Lumber 

Company, Phoenix, AZ; Bethany Doss, Capital Lumber Company, Healdsburg, 

CA; and Hal Mitchell, AHC Hardwood Group, Mableton, GA 


Montreal Teams Up With NAWLA For 

Regional Meeting 


(Kneeling, from left) Dominic Beauchamp, Goodfellow Inc., Delson, QC; Jean Francois Dion, Scierie Dion & Fils Inc., Saint-Raymond, QC; Jeff Allard, Retired 

Montreal Firefighter, Montreal, QC; Sam Bouchard, Isaac Dalpe, Peter Lovett, King City Northway Forwarding Ltd., Montreal, QC; and Anthony Raspa, Quality 

Hardwoods Ltd., Powassan, ON; and (standing, from left) Claude Morin, Referee, Montreal, QC; Jean-Francois Dion, Scierie Dion & Fils Inc., Saint-Raymond, 

QC; Dany Houde, Les Planchers PG Inc., Saint-Édouard-de-Lotbiniére, QC; Mathieu Sioui, Premontex, Wendake, QC; Patrick Goodfellow, Goodfellow Inc., 

Delson, QC; Pete Van Amelsfoort, Quality Hardwoods Ltd., Powassan, ON; Maxime Lebel, Victoriaville & Co., Victoriaville, QC; Patrick Gagne, Primewood, 

Drummondville, QC; Maxime Cadrin, C.A. Spencer Inc., Laval, QC; Lloyd Lovett, King City Forwarding USA Inc., Chesapeake, VA; and Richard Davis, Referee, 

Montreal, QC 


RED OAK CHERRY SOFT MAPLE BASSWOOD CEDAR HICKORY HARD MAPLE POPLAR ASH WHITE OAK WALNUT 

Fine Appalachian Hardwood Since 1979 

PRSRT STD 


DALLAS,TX 

PERMIT 3886 


The Softwood Forest Products Buyer 

P.O. Box 34908 

Memphis, TN 38184-0908 

Alden Robbins, Robbins Lumber Inc., Searsmont, ME; Rob Latham, Tri-State Forest 

Products Inc., Springfield, OH; Steve Rustja, Weston Forest Products Inc., Mississauga, 

ON; Morgan Wellens, Nicholson & Cates Limited, Burlington, ON; Curt 

Stuckey, Wholesale Wood Products Inc., Birmingham, AL; and Kent Beveridge, 

Skana Forest Products Ltd., Vancouver, BC 


Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth in Montreal, QC was the recent site of a North 

American Wholesale Lumber Association (NAWLA) regional meeting. 

The afternoon meeting included networking opportunities and a presentation 

that addressed the integration of technology and automation in the lumber 

industry. Speakers included Louis-Philippe Poirier, of Nordic Structures, David 

Gourde, of BID Group and Tony Gerber, of Flash Freight Systems. Their pre- 



Business Trends U.S.A. 

Business Trends U.S.A. 

Lake States 

Northeast 

Southeast 

West Coast 

Across the Lake States region lumber sources varied, with one source stating 

that while his sales are average, it does depend heavily on which species is being 

sold. 

In Michigan a lumber spokesperson said that his sales were doing OK at the 

time of this writing. “We were doing well six months ago, but I think that we are 

going to be down this month,” he noted. “The demand just isn’t as strong for us 

as it has been over the past few months.” 

His company offers all domestic hardwood species in mostly upper grades, with 

some No. 1 Common, and in thicknesses of 4/4 through 8/4. He mentioned that 

White Oak and Walnut are his company’s best-selling species. 

He mainly sells to cabinet and moulding manufacturers. He mentioned that 

his customers have not offered any comments as to how their sales have been 

recently. 

“We don’t have very many issues with transportation since we have our own 

fleet of trucks, but it is difficult to keep truck drivers on staff,” he added. 

In Idaho a lumberman said that his market is currently soft. When asked if his 

company’s sales were doing better or worse than they were six months ago, he 

noted that they are doing a little bit better than they were. 

His company offers all domestic hardwood species in grades No. 1 and 2 Common 

and in thicknesses of 4/4 through 8/4. “Walnut would have to be our best 

seller right now,” he remarked. 

He sells to remanufacturers and said that he has not heard any comments from 

them as to how their sales are doing. 

A lumber salesman in Illinois said that his sales are average, and that he has 

noticed some of his items are doing far better than others. “Poplar, Hard and Soft 

Maple and Red Oak are not doing well, while Ash, Walnut and White Oak are 

doing well,” he said. “White Oak is driven by the stave mills and the popularity 

that it has among end users. Walnut is a good dark wood that our customers 

In the Northeast market, forest products industry contacts we spoke with all 

agreed that their business was steady but were split on whether they expect the 

market to improve or suffer over the next six months. Optimism about the health 

of the market can be credited to a steady growth in demand, while each industry 

professional we spoke with expressed concern about the availability of logs and 

certain lumber. 

White Oak, Walnut and Poplar are selling well, with other hardwoods, such as 

Red Oak, are experiencing a dip in popularity. Because of this demand, regional 

lumber yards reported a strong supply of Red Oak while anticipating a shortage of 

Walnut and green lumber over the next six months. 

“I think it’s better as far as customers wanting to buy lumber,” said a spokesperson 

from a Pennsylvania yard, “but worse as far as logs and supply.” He added 

that transportation is not affecting his business currently and, despite its effect on 

other industries in the region, the Baltimore Key bridge collapse has not created 

any issues because most of his containers come through ports in New York City, 

NY. 

Dealing largely in No.1 Common and Better and No. 2 Common Walnut, he 

lauded the rate at which No. 2 Common is selling but worried “that mills are running 

out of logs” and said that this makes it difficult to forecast where the market 

will be six months from now. 

In Massachusetts, a lumber yard representative voiced similar optimism about 

his business and credits the loyalty of his customers. He, however, honored 

concerns that certain customers — end users; mainly contractors — conveyed 

about the lack of business they expect to have leading into the summer. 

Operating mainly in industrial lumber and pallets, his main customers are end 

use manufacturers, but said that he also retails to hobbyists and contractors. This 

range in customer type requires that he always has a variety of species on his 

yard: “All New England species: Oak, Ash, Cherry, Maple, whatever you want; if 

Throughout the Southeast region lumber sources that were contacted, at the 

time of this writing, agreed that their sales are heavily dependent on the species 

being sold. 

In Louisiana a lumberman said that overall, his sales are tough. “It’s hard to 

make money on Red Oak right now, but of course White Oak is moving well.” 

He also noted that in order to supplement his sales he has started cutting Cypress 

and Pine. 

When asked if he is doing better or worse than he was six months ago he said, 

“We are making it, but we are doing worse.” 

His company offers Red and White Oak in grades FAS, Nos. 1 and 2 Common 

and switch ties, with Red Oak available in thicknesses of 4/4 and 5/4 and White 

Oak available in 4/4, 5/4 and 6/4. He noted that they offer Cypress and Pine in 

4/4 thickness. 

He sells mostly to end users and occasionally to some sawmills. “There is 

one sawmill that I sell to that is a hardwood mill, but he is currently cutting 70 

percent Pine. So, I supply him with Red Oak,” he told us. 

He noted that he does not have issues with transportation as he works with a 

dedicated trucking company that makes sure that they are constantly able to haul 

the lumber off the yard. 

“Right now, you have to be creative and be able to switch your selling tactics 

at a moment’s notice to be able to sell all of your products for the month,” he 

added. 

A lumber sales representative in Kentucky said that while he is able to sell 

lumber out of his warehouse, he had to shut his sawmill down for a month due to 

a lack of logs. 

He mentioned that his sales have been steady over the course of the last eight 

months. 

His company offers Red and White Oak and Poplar in grades No. 2 Common 

Hardwood suppliers on the West Coast mostly accounted for positive activity. 

One contact in California mentioned activity was back to pre-covid “normal” 

levels. “Our business along with our customers is back to a steady pace,” he explained. 

“The customers that we had that were steady are back to that pace and the 

ones that were sporadic are also back to normal,” he laughed. 

Handling all domestic hardwoods in mostly 4/4 through 8/4, the supplier said 

some items are offered in thicker stocks up to 12/4. “Our best moving item is 4/4 

Rift White Oak currently,” he said. “The slowest items we have are probably Ash 

and Cherry.” 

As for what he attributes to the improved market activity the contact said, “Los 

Angeles is a dynamic market and building is huge in this area right now.” He 

expects hardwood activity to continue to improve in the months ahead. 

In Oregon a hardwood supplier who handles most domestic hardwoods in 4/4 

and 5/4 said his activity has also been strong. He offered, “Our hardwood activity 

is importing and exporting hardwood lumber. Most of the activity is steady.” 

Also supplying components manufactured from 4/4 and 8/4 hardwoods, he said 

specialty items in Hard Maple are moving the best for his operation at this time. 

He also mentioned that his online markets are somewhat slower. “We do some 

internet sales and those markets have slowed down a bit,” he explained. “That all 

started around tax season and it hasn’t picked back up much.” 

When asked about transportation he said, “We aren’t having any transportation 

issues. We attribute that to doing good business and building relationships with the 

ones we have.” 

As for the next few months, he said, “I expect we’ll continue to see improvement 

in our sales.” 

Another California hardwood supplier said, “Our hardwood markets have been 

order to order. The orders are there, but you have to work for them. Business is 

still decent although we haven’t seen much change since the beginning of the 





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Canadian Business Trends 

Business Trends Abroad 

Ontario 

Contacts noted prices had risen for kiln-dried lumber as recently as March 

compared to a year ago for Basswood, Red Oak, Hard and Soft Maple. The species 

that were reported to be doing well during early spring were Hard and Soft 

Maple, White Oak and Walnut. Aspen, Basswood, Beech, and to a latter extent 

Birch were said to not be performing as well. 

Lack of supply for certain species is driving demand for Soft and Hard Maple 

rather than a robust demand. Walnut and White Oak were said to have a solid 

consumer driven push. Thus, prices are rising for these. Prices, meanwhile, are 

heading down noted contacts, for Aspen, Beech and Basswood. Cabinet manufacturers 

were utilizing MDF instead of hardwoods, and not the only sector 

either reported to be using alternative materials. Industrial markets appear to be 

faring better. The pallet and container industry are absorbing cant production. 

Aspen sales are rather lackluster. Sawmills are not processing this species as 

much as a result, and supplies are still sufficient to meet market demand. 

Ash demand appears to be steady, but at a slow pace. Exports were down 

slightly compared to 2023 rates, with China being the largest export market, and 

Canada increasing its imports of this species by 1 percent from the U.S. No. 1 

Common and Better grades’ inventories, which are thin due to demand. Kilndried 

prices are noted to be firming up. 

Basswood for most suppliers and wholesalers is only being purchased on a 

replacement basis, and export markets are not great either. Business for No. 

1 Common and No. 2A is much slower than for the upper grades, noted some 

contacts. 

Certain wholesalers and secondary manufacturers have been increasing their 

inventories, and with the Hard Maple production gains, it was easier to do so. 

As we approach warmer weather, businesses are concerned about the risk of 

staining. Prices have risen over time for green stock. Kiln-dried inventories are 

reported as low, particularly for the upper grades. 

Sales for Soft Maple remained strong, although not as strong now as earlier 

this year, and developing supplies increased, easing price pressures for green 

stock. Soft Maple needs are more balanced. 

Color sorted Birch has been selling well since there was a shortage of Maple. 

Off-colors, however, are challenging to sell. Prices are based on color, sorts, 

width and lengths, noted contacts. 

Beech has been directly affected by domestic secondary manufacturers using 

more MDF, plywood, and non-wood materials instead. Production is exceeding 

demand, resulting in downward price pressure. 

With the priority to produce Whitewoods over other species less susceptible to 

stain, Red Oak is sufficient to meet demand. Demand is for the No. 1 Common 

and Better grades rather than for No. 2A and No. 3A. Kiln-dried inventories are 

reported to be thin. 

There is strong competition for White Oak logs which is limiting available 

volume for certain mills to process. Green lumber production is low, and demand 

for No. 1 Common and Better is strong, while decent from other grades. Kilndried 

inventories are noted as thin for all grades. Domestic and overseas markets 

are solid. 

The National Wood Flooring Association Expo provided an opportunity for 

those in the hardwood flooring industry, from manufacturers, distributors, to 

dealers and installers, to meet and discuss their concerns about the direction of 

business for hardwood flooring. They, too, as most hardwood businesses, have 

issues and concerns about risks to lumber supplies and its health, and the erosion 

of market share by competition from other products, from engineered flooring to 

tiles, ceramics, plastics and more. Production efficiencies are a top priority for 

all to remain in business, as is being able to sell their products. Despite all these 

issues, there are signs of improved activity for Oak strip flooring sales, as well as 

of opportunities for wood flooring moving forward. 

On April 16 the Liberal government delivered its federal budget, with a focus 

on housing and homes. Finance Minister Crystia Freeland said, “We are moving 

with purpose to help build more homes, faster. We are making life cost less. We 

are driving the kind of economic growth that will ensure every generation of 

Canadians can reach their full potential.” 

Net new spending in this budget is at $39.2 billion. It promises to build 3.87 

million new homes by 2031 – two million more than the current expected pace – 

with measures and funding to scale up the pace of new home construction. 

It makes more federal land available for homebuilding and accelerate flows 

of workers into the construction industry, and announces changes for hopeful 

homebuyers. First-time homebuyers purchasing new builds can extend their 

mortgage amortizations to 30 years, up from the traditional 25, and raises the 

limit for withdrawals via the RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan to $60,000, an increase 

Quebec 

Heading into summer, businesses are busy ramping up their inventories for 

the anticipated season. There were concerns of lower log decks in late spring for 

certain areas, as well as along the U.S. border states, and also of potential lost 

production during that time. 

Some sawmill contacts stated getting Ash logs was a challenge at times, but for 

others Ash itself is moving well. Green and kiln-dried No. 1 Common and Better 

Ash is moving steadily. Concentration yards are purchasing fair volumes of green 

No. 2A to dry and resell to customers, but demand, they note, is not as strong as 

for No. 1 Common and Better. 

The regionally important Hard Maple continues to be in steady demand both 

from sawmills and sales operations. No. 1 and 2 White and good colored Unselected 

Hard Maple are readily moving. Some report having ample inventories and 

so are controlling purchases. For mills, there are ample outlets to ship the lumber. 

Demand for Soft Maple is making it hard for mills and yards to keep up with 

the demand for green FAS1F and kiln-dried FAS, which are the strong sellers on 

the market. Sales of Unselected No. 1 Common and color selections of No. 2A 

Soft Maple are weak. There has been a slight improvement in Sap and Better No. 

1 Common, but it is not strong. 

Shutter and blind manufacturers have reduced their purchases of Basswood, as 

stocks are plenty. The moulding and millwork sector has also reduced its usage 

of this species, as Poplar was readily available, as has been the case for the last 

several months. 

Cherry demand is low. Sales of No.1 Common and Better are fair noted 

contacts. Sales of this species are based on color specifications. Cherry exports 

were down compared to last year’s figures, yet remain steady at this new level. 

Other export markets are also helping keep kiln-dried inventories in check. 

Hickory sales are also down, and for some it is seen as their slowest seller. 

Sales of the upper grades are doing better than the common grades currently. 

Red Oak demand for kiln-dried supplies is seeing orders to export and domestic 

markets. Some are having difficulty moving No. 2A, and prices firm for No. 1 

Common and Better, but flat for lower No. 2A. Drying operations were limiting 

purchases as weather warmed during the past few months. 

Markets are absorbing supplies of White Oak for most grades and thicknesses, 

and the demand is steady. 

Poplar interest to the U.S. is steady as to some export markets such as to 

Vietnam, mostly for the common grades. Supply and demand are noted to be in 

balance. Moulding and millwork producers noted decent finished goods sales and 

are processing good volumes of this species. Most are well stocked at the moment 

and demand is less than earlier in the year. 

Walnut sales are moving well both on domestic and international markets. Sawmills 

are able to sell developing green lumber to various outlets. 

According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the total 

monthly seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of housing starts for all areas 

in Canada decreased 7 percent in March (242,195 units) compared to February 

(260,047). 

The six-month trend in housing starts decreased 1.6 percent from 247,971 units 

in February to 243,957 units in March. The trend measure is a six-month moving 

average of the SAAR of total housing starts for all areas in Canada. 

The actual number of housing starts across Canada in urban centers of 10,000 

population and over was up 16 percent to 17,052 units in March compared to 

14,756 units in March 2023. The year-over-year increase was driven by higher 

multi-unit starts, up 19 percent and higher single-detached starts, up 2 percent. 

March’s actual housing starts were 10 percent and 15 percent higher yearover-year 

in Toronto and Vancouver, respectively, because of higher multi-unit 

starts, while single-detached starts decreased. Montreal’s actual starts decreased 1 

percent, dragged down by lower multi-unit starts. 

The monthly SAAR of total urban (centres 10,000 population and over) housing 

starts decreased 7 percent, with 220,743 units recorded. Multi-unit urban 

starts decreased 8 percent to 180,229 units, while single-detached urban starts 

decreased 4 percent to 40,514 units. 

The rural starts monthly SAAR estimate was 21,452 units. 

Total SAAR housing starts were up 27 percent in Vancouver, driven by an 

increase in multi-unit starts. Toronto and Montreal declined 26 percent and 5 

percent, respectively due to decreases in multi-unit starts. n 

Indonesia – In anticipation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), 

officials are releasing comprehensive forest cover data, according to Minister 

Siti Nurbaya Bakar. The data was generated by the National Forest Monitoring 

System, also known as the “Simontana”. 

“From now on — until the end of this year — it is important to correct the 

EUFO map so that Indonesia’s country risk assessment claim can be in the low 

category and the origin of commodities will not be included in the category of 

deforestation and land degradation areas,” Minister Bakar said. 

While speaking during a focus group — “Deepening Sectoral Legality and Sustainability 

in Forest Areas in the Context of a Deforestation-Free Supply Chain” 

— the minister stressed the importance of presenting accurate forestry data if 

Indonesia is to contribute to deforestation solutions on a global scale. 

She announced that the ministry was also able to amend inaccurate deforestation 

data that was released by the World Resources Institute. 

India - According to Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep 

Singh Puri, India is poised to become the third-largest construction market in 

the world within the next year, trailing only the U.S. and China. Accounting for 

nine percent of the country’s gross domestic product, the construction industry is 

India’s second-largest employer. 

The boom led to the best quarter the Indian market has experienced in nearly a 

year-and-a-half. 

The construction industry encompasses two main branches: real estate and urban 

development. The real estate segment includes residential, office, retail, hotel 

and leisure projects, while the urban branch develops infrastructure: sanitation, 

public transportation, utilities, schools and hospitals. 

The July to September 2023 quarter saw construction grow by 13 percent yearover-year 

and it is estimated that industry output could reach US$1.4 trillion by 

2025. Fordaq reports that this growth is anchored by a housing shortage in major 

real estate markets, higher incomes, rising population and the government’s 

recent focus on infrastructure development. 

The October to December 2023 quarter saw the GDP climb by 8.4 percent and 

the government updated its GDP growth forecast for the year— ending in March 

2024 —from 7.3 percent to 7.6 percent. 

Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman recently announced that the 2024- 

2025 budget will include an increase for infrastructure development worth 3.4 

percent of the GDP. 

Germany - The wood industry continued its decline with reported sales 

showing a 7.8 percent drop in February (the latest data available at press time) 

compared to the same month last year. This decrease contributes to a 10.1 

percent overall drop in sales in the first two months of 2024 compared to the 

same period last year. 

The drop in the market is represented by losses in multiple sectors: the sawmill 

industry saw a 15.4 percent decline, wood-based materials dipped by 15 percent 

and the wood packaging industry recorded a 17.8 percent decrease in nationwide 

sales. 

The furniture industry took a 7.8 percent dive, and the construction-related 

area of the wood industry is reported to be 6.2 percent below the mark set by the 

previous year. 

Africa – At the time of this writing, heavy rains affected timber workers ability 

to harvest in Gabon. 

Mills are reporting a decrease in logs; especially Okoume. Although there has 

been an increase in demand from Asian markets, producers are also reporting a 

short supply of sawmill-grade logs. 

Asian demand, especially in China, is represented by increased sales of Bilinga, 

Avous, Okan, Movingui, Sapelli and Okoume. The Philippines also show a 

notable increase in demand. 

In Northern Congo, heavy rains present logistical challenges that are ultimately 

affecting harvesting operations. 

Counter to these challenges, Okoume harvesting has resumed in an effort to 

keep up with the increase in Chinese demand. 

Cameroon, however, is experiencing an extended dry period that is expected to 





IWPA - Continued from page 1 

Canter, NWH; Jordan McIlvain, Alan McIlvain Company; Colin Miller, Clarke 

Veneers and Plywood; Paul Platts, PRS Guitars; Alan Futscher, CDC Distributors; 

and Hugh Reitz, UCS Forest Group. Darren Thomas of Double Helix Tracking 

Technologies Pte Ltd. was selected to join the Board as an Associate Director. 

IWPA concluded its annual gathering with a passing of the gavel where outgoing 

IWPA President Jordan McIlvain of Alan McIlvain Company closed his 

term and handed off leadership of the association to incoming President Colin 

Miller, Clarke Veneers and Plywood. In other IWPA board moves, Bryan Courtney, 

Genesis Products moved from Treasurer to Vice President and Colin Hotalen, 

Rex Lumber Company has moved into the Treasurer role. 

“We are thrilled with the outcome of this year’s event and the positive feedback 

from participants and thank all our attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, and the San 

Diego’s Gaslamp District for making the 2024 World of Wood a success. We 

look forward to gearing up for next year’s World of Wood gathering March 26–28, 

2025 in New Orleans, LA, with details to be announced later this year,” added 

Amidon. 

Established in 1956, the International Wood Products Association is the leading 

international trade association for the North American imported wood products 

industry, representing 170 companies and trade associations engaged in the import 

of hardwoods and softwoods from sustainably managed forests. Association 

members consist of three key groups involved in the import process: U.S. importers 

and consuming industries, offshore manufacturers and the service providers 

that facilitate trade. 

Visit www.IWPAwood.org to learn more. n 

MWC - Continued from page 1 

we were again able to bring the wood industry together. The networking opportunities 

along with the learning sessions with our great set of speakers are always a 

good mix to provide participants a value-added experience. This annual meeting 

is important for the wood industry in North America and worldwide and the 

presence of key industry players is always a sign of our relevancy, which we are 

always aiming to.” 

Julie Gravel, organizing committee member and North American Commodities 

Sales Manager at GreenFirst Forest, reaffirmed the convention's significance as a 

key hub for everyone involved in the wood industry. “The event is important to 

learn about not only your specified field of work, but also to learn about the new 

trends along the whole wood industry chain. We are all interconnected, whether 

it’s wood product producers, wholesalers, retailers or equipment companies, and 

the MWC reflects that reality in a way other events cannot replicate.” 

The MWC importance is paired with the importance of the forest industry for 

the Canadian economy. It represents a contribution to GDP of over $20 billion, 

representing 8 percent of the Canadian manufacturing sector. With exports of over 

$38 billion in 2023, the sector boasts a solid positive trade balance (nearly $22 

billion). As for lumber, Canada remains the 2nd largest producer, and in 2022, 

became, once again, the world's largest exporter. In 2022, the forestry industry 

accounted for over 200,000 direct jobs (foresters, scientists, engineers, computer 

specialists, technicians, and skilled workers), and remains a pillar of economic 

development for many municipalities from coast to coast. 

The event, which has its roots in the Canadian Lumbermen’s Association 

Convention, first held in 1908, was revamped and restarted in 2013 by four industry 

associations in Eastern Canada, the Maritime Lumber Bureau, the Ontario 

Forest Industry Association, the Québec Forest Industry Council and the Québec 

Wood Export Bureau. 

Learn more at www.montrealwoodconvention.com. n 

CHB - Continued from page 1 

presentations, including Wood You from Allison DeFord, executive director of the 

North American Forest Foundation. 

The keynote address was by Judd Johnson, editor of Hardwood Market Report, 

entitled Trends in North American Hardwood Markets. The Sawmill Symposium 

was presented by Benji Richards, industry services sales manager of National 

Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA). 

The first day wrapped up with the CHB reception, sponsored by HUB International. 

The Wednesday breakfast was sponsored by Stella-Jones Inc. and featured 

an informative presentation by Gilles Pelletier, president and director general of 

Quebec Furniture Manufacturers Association. 

Another successful and hard-fought industry hockey game was played nearby 

at the CNN Complexe Sportif in Brossard, QC, between the Blue and the White 

team. In the end, the White team took the win, 10-8. CHB thanked Jean Paul 

Lupien for organizing the hockey game. 

The CHB's next meeting is in St. Louis at the NHLA Convention, October 4, 

2024. 

For more information, visit www.canadianhardwoodbureau.com. n 

WHO'S WHO - OLAH - Continued from page 2 

Rossi Group is a member of National Hardwood Lumber Association, Indiana 

Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, Hardwood Distributors Association, 

Western Hardwood Association, Penn-York Lumbermen’s Club, New England 

Lumbermen’s Association, American Hardwood Export Council, Canadian Hardwood 

Bureau and Appalachian Lumbermen’s Club. 

For more information visit www.rossilumber.com. n 

WHO'S WHO - LUSSIER - Continued from page 2 

was piling lumber during summertime when he was 15. He studied music after 

graduating from high school. After a few years at college, he went on to graduate 

from the lumber grading school in Quebec (Ecole de Foresterie et de Technologie 

du Bois de Duchesnay) and finished first in his class of 2002. Then he worked 

for two years as a lumber grader. Other positions he has held include night shift 

foreman, dispatch/customer service office and pallet stock/squares salesman. In 

2009, Simon Lussier Lteé. expanded export sales, and Lussier took on the role of 

export sales coordinator. Lussier was officially promoted to export sales manager 

in 2015. Since April 2024, he is now focused on hardwood lumber sales in the 

USA and western Canada. 

Simon Lussier Lteé. is a member of the National Hardwood Lumber Association, 

Penn-York Lumbermen’s Club, New England Lumbermen’s Association and 

the Quebec Wood Export Bureau. 

In his spare time, Lussier enjoys music, fishing, hunting, golf and hockey. He is 

the happy father of two, Lea is 16 and Nathan 7. 

More information can be found at www.simonlussier.com. n 

WHO'S WHO - BOLES - Continued from page 2 

wood Manufacturers Association, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc., and 

the National Hardwood Lumber Association. 

In his spare time, Boles enjoys spending time with friends and family and 

sports, including golf and tennis. He is married to Chelsea and they have three 

daughters. 

For more information, visit www.hermitagehardwood.com. n 

Keep Up With 

The Latest 

Industry News 

woodpurchasingnews.com 

IWPA COLUMN - Continued from page 2 

on our website. IWPA will also host a series of online interactive hybrid discussions 

and in-person learning sessions, facilitated by industry experts, to provide a 

platform for real-time engagement and learning. These discussions are designed to 

foster a deeper understanding of the Lacey Act requirements, offering participants 

the opportunity to explore the practical implications of compliance in their daily 

operations. Through the new funding stream, IWPA will reach an estimated 1,400 

individuals through direct training, with hundreds more benefiting from online discussions 

and thousands from presentations at industry gatherings. 

If you have not yet taken IWPA’s Due Diligence Training courses or are looking 

for a refresher, the grant ensures this training is available to you free of charge. Simply 

visit our website or reach out to our office directly to get registered. Attendees 

who successfully complete our training are even eligible to receive CCS/CES credits 

from the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Associations of America’s 

Educational Institute (NEI). 

This grant-funded project reflects IWPA's commitment to a broad-based approach 

to compliance education. By enhancing the availability and accessibility of compliance 

training, IWPA aims to foster an industry-wide culture of due diligence and 

legal trade practices, benefiting businesses, consumers, and the global ecosystem. 

More than that, it demonstrates that our industry is better when we unite for a 

common purpose. IWPA’s education is built on the collective knowledge of almost 

10 years of annual educational offerings, and we are so proud of all that we have 

accomplished, and incredibly excited about reaching out to every industry covered 

by the Lacey Act. 

Learn more at www.iwpawood.org. n 


AHEC COLUMN - Continued from page 2 

we can push it," said Jan Hendzel, founder, Jan Hendzel Studio. 

Communion By Giles Tettey Nartey 

Making his Milan debut, the British-Ghanaian designer Giles Tettey Nartey used 

the commission as an opportunity to explore culture, culinary tradition, and the 

rituals of domestic life in Ghana. 

Created from Maple, which is dense and durable, Communion is a table designed 

for the making of fufu – a West African staple food, which is made by pounding 

cassava into a dough. Nartey’s table reimagines this practice as a communal performance, 

in which everyone comes together in the shared act of making food. 

His design features an outer table equipped with dents, grooves, bowls, and 

bumps to enhance the preparation and cooking process, while a central table is 

dedicated to serving and communal dining. Included within the design are mortars 

(woduro) and pestles (woma) for grinding cassava, along with seating inspired by 

both traditional Ashanti stools and typical kitchen stools found in Ghana. 

Through its form, Communion aims to elevate the act of pounding cassava to 

the level of performance, one person pounding, another turning the mixture in a 

choreographed fusion of movement and sound akin to a dance. 

“Communion focuses on the rituals that bring to life the objects in our homes, 

presenting them not just as lifeless items filling our spaces but as artifacts rich with 

emotional and spiritual meaning, animated through our daily routines. For me it’s 

also a question of functionality, and whose functionality we admire and give space 

to. The piece celebrates a practice that is so local to West Africa presented in a 

new way which gives emphasis to the ‘communal’ by allowing multiple people 

to participate in the process of making fufu. The everyday local ritual is therefore 

transformed into performance, exposing the beauty I have always seen in everyday 

Ghanaian life," stated Giles Tettey Nartey, creative. 

Pirouette By Parti 

Inspired by the fluid movement of fabric and the childlike joy of spinning around, 

Parti’s Pirouette collection is a range of timber furniture that explores complex 

geometric forms. 




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Translating the folds and creases of twisting and billowing fabric into the solid 

forms of seats and tables is a demanding and complicated process, usually associated 

with sculpture and the highest levels of craftsmanship. Collaborating with 

Jan Hendzel Studio, Parti has embarked on a journey of experimentation, pushing 

the boundaries of a three-axis CNC machine to sculpt the wood and develop the 

furniture. 

“Hand-sculpting fabric out of heavy materials is something we’ve seen throughout 

history. At Parti, however, we are interested in utilizing new technologies and 

processes, and pushing them to the limit. As a result, the making process is integral 

to the design, informing its boundaries. The final design is achieved through a process 

of negotiation between the expression of the piece and the process of making 

it. Although it would be easier to design a one-off, hand-crafted object, we wanted 

to push the limits of new technology to create a feasibly manufactured product," 

said Eleanor Hill, director, Parti. 

Maple’s density makes it especially suited to the creation of sculptural shapes 

through CNC cutting. Because the CNC machine cuts only one side of the wood, 

the forms are simplified, with each piece constructed from a series of complex 

shapes connected together, with top and bottom elements acting as ‘keys’ to lock 

everything together and sustain the furniture’s structure. 

Running diagonal across the twisting timber ‘skirt’, the wood’s silky grain contributes 

to a sense of fluidity and motion within the pieces, which are tactile and 

dynamic, reminiscent of dancers frozen in the moment. Despite Pirouette’s intricate 

appearance, meticulous attention to detail ensures that the manufacturing process 

remains streamlined and efficient, allowing for a seamless blend of complexity and 

simplicity in each piece. 

A Call For Material Diversity 

For AHEC, the principal goal of these collaborations is to bridge the gap between 

the design industry and the naturally regenerating forests that supply American 

hardwoods, and to call for a sustainable material-first design approach that is led by 

resource availability rather than trends. 

“The relentless pursuit of ever-changing trends has led to overexploitation of 

certain wood species, disregarding the rich diversity of natural resources available. 

Moreover, trends that prioritize flawless, uniform appearances incentivize practices 

that may compromise the integrity and resilience of forests and ecosystems," explained 

Rocio Perez-Inigo, director of communications, AHEC. 

To truly embrace sustainability, AHEC believes the design industry must shift 

its paradigm towards a more holistic understanding of materials. This begins with 

integrating material choice into the initial stages of the design process, prioritizing 

responsibly sourced, renewable natural materials and investing time and effort in 

learning and understanding their unique characteristics and potential. Rather than 

treating natural materials as like-for-like substitutes for man-made equivalents, design 

must recognize and celebrate their inherent qualities and imperfections as part 

of their charm and authenticity. By adopting this mindset and approach – as Parti 

and Giles Tettey Nartey have in this project – we can foster a more sustainable design 

ethos that respects and preserves the natural world while meeting the needs of 

contemporary design aesthetics. 

For more information about Class of ’24 please contact ahec@zetteler.co.uk. n 

SEC COLUMN - Continued from page 3 

Visits to manufacturers and wholesalers are an important way to understand local 

production and competition from other international suppliers. 

SEC led trade missions to Mexico, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan and it is gearing 

up to lead two in 2024. 

In May 2023, a group of 13 U.S. softwood lumber suppliers and trade asso- 

U.S. suppliers reported over $400,000 in sales that resulted from SEC’s seminar 

and networking events in Vietnam in September 2023. 

ciation representatives traveled to Monterrey and Tijuana where the group met 

with pallet and packaging producers and importers during visits to manufacturing 

facilities and distribution yards. Over 65 importers and manufacturers attended 

seminars and receptions where speakers discussed U.S. softwood lumber grades 

and trends affecting U.S. softwood lumber availability and competitiveness in 

Mexico. Mission participants rated the mission highly and within one month of 

the mission, they reported $670,000 in new sales. Within nine months of the trip, 

participants reported $3.4 million in new sales and a number of new customers as 

a result of their participation. 

The Mexico missions have now become an annual event. In April 2024, SEC 

led its second annual Mexico mission to Mexico. Nine U.S. softwood lumber 

suppliers met with key softwood lumber importers and pallet manufacturers during 

roundtable discussions and visits to manufacturing facilities in Mexico City 

and Queretaro. Networking receptions provided additional time for the delegation 

to develop relationships. 

In September, as part of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s (FAS) 

Emerging Markets Program, SEC organized a mini mission in conjunction with 

the Vietnam Wood Show. With help from FAS-Ho Chi Minh City and Handicraft 

and Wood Industry Association (HAWA), SEC led a roundtable discussion where 

U.S. suppliers and key importers and designers discussed opportunities for hybrid 

construction and interest in U.S. softwoods as a way of differentiating furniture 

and millwork produced in Vietnam. Over 34 importers and architectural design 

professionals attended a dinner where SEC speakers, including a professional 

furniture designer, presented information about how to incorporate U.S. softwoods 

into furniture production. Networking at the event was exceptionally 

lively and U.S. suppliers reported finalizing over $400,000 in sales and several 

trial orders within a month of the trip. 

The following month, SEC and APA-The Engineered Wood Association, led a 

group of nine softwood suppliers and association representatives on a mission to 

Seoul, Korea. As one of a handful of Asia countries where wood frame housing 

is an established segment, the group met with long standing SEC contacts in the 

construction industry during visits to wood frame home projects and lumber distribution 

yards. Over 40 construction industry professionals and lumber importers 

attended an SEC hosted dinner where the group developed new contacts and 

renewed existing relationships. 

SEC ended 2023 with its annual Japan mission. Now in its 34th year, the mission 

has been a key event for U.S. softwood suppliers to develop and maintain 

relationships with large Japanese importers and pre-cutters. As the market has 

changed with a decline in housing starts, SEC is adapting the event to identify 

new opportunities. Over 100 industry representatives attended a conference that 

featured Japanese and U.S. speakers who shared information about Softwood 

applications in non-residential construction, U.S. forest sustainability, and the 

growing Japan market for imported wood pellets. The conference was followed 

by a well-attended reception. During the week, mission members also met with 

architects and builders to learn more about opportunities in non-residential 

construction and agricultural buildings. 

In 2024, SEC will continue to update the format of the winter Japan mission. 

This year, the mission will be held during the week of November 5 in Osaka, and 

will include project site visits, meetings with importers and end-users, a reception, 

and participation in the Osaka Residential and Non-Residential trade show. 

SEC’s 2024 calendar is available on our website at www.softwood.org. n 

COLE HARDWOOD - Continued from page 4 

“Cole Hardwood’s kiln capacity is about 1.3 million board feet. We have 20 different 

kilns, a Walnut steamer and two Hurst boilers. We were designed for about 

100,000 feet in and 100,000 feet out a day,” said Brian Gibson, sales manager, 

Cole Hardwood. 

tory to where if someone needs it, you have it. And we still hold to that!” 

The company inventories about 9 million board feet. All of Cole Hardwood’s 

lumber is National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) inspected, end-trimmed 

and coated and kiln-dried to strict tolerances of 6 percent to 8 percent 

moisture content. Gibson said, “Cole Hardwood’s kiln capacity is about 1.3 

million board feet. We have 20 different kilns, a Walnut steamer and two Hurst 

boilers. When Cole Hardwood was built back after the fire in the late nineties, it 

was designed for about 100,000 feet in and 100,000 feet out a day.” 

With most of the lumber sourced from Indiana and surrounding areas of Ohio, 

Illinois, and Michigan, Gibson said the region is an important factor for Cole 

Hardwood. “We provide a Northern Appalachian product, and that’s important 

for us due to the consistency of the product we are putting out there and how we 

market. We are in a premium hardwood region. If a truckload of lumber works 

for a customer now, it is going to work for them next time because the regions 

CLARK LUMBER COMPANY 

• 6 sawmills producing 48,000,000’ of Appalachian Hardwoods 4/4 - 8/4 

• 900,000’ drying capacity 

552 Public Well Road • Red Boiling Springs, TN 37150 

Office: (615) 699-3497 

• 2,500,000’ kiln dried Lumber Inventory 

• Species: Red & White Oak, Hard & Soft Maple, Poplar, Ash, Cherry, Hickory, 

Walnut and Aromatic Red Cedar 

• Export prep & container loading 

• A team of over 130 employees manufacturing Appalachian Hardwoods 

we are pulling out of are very similar in color and specifications. The consistency 

requirement of hardwood lumber is way more specific today than it might have 

been 20 or 30 years ago, and having that same color and consistent quality of our 

product is of great value.” 

When asked about the processes in place to assure a consistent, quality product, 

Gibson offered, “A big part of controlling quality is the thickness of the 

lumber. (Akins) Control Systems installed scanner bars into our green and our 

kiln dry lines so we are scanning the thickness of every board, across the board 

to where we can detect miscut. That is the first step. If there is anything that is 

not standard it's detected before kiln drying. It is critical for us to control that 

quality.” The company is also able to offer surfacing and straight-line rip 1 edge 

services. “We have also integrated one of our inspectors into a quality control position, 

to where he is looking over lumber after being surfaced and making sure 

the lumber is up to the standard we believe our customers deserve.” 

Green lumber inspector, Brian Beck, is grading green lumber from one of Cole 

Hardwood’s valued supplies. 

Jeff Thomas, Mill Manager, Clark Lumber Company, Lafayette, TN; Jeff 

Shoulders, Procurement Manager, Joseph Draper, Sales, Brandon Clark, 

Vice President, Hugh Clark, President, Tony Presley, Kiln Operator, 

Parrish Wright, Log Procurement/Logistics, Scotty Dyer, Yard Foreman, 

Clark Lumber Company, Red Boiling Springs, TN 

“From our Forest to your Facility” 

Brandon Clark 

bclark@clarklumbercompany.com 

Joseph Draper 

jdraper@clarklumbercompany.com 


www.clarklumbercompany.com 



COLE HARDWOOD - Continued from page 23 

MANTEL SHOPPE - Continued from page 5 

Pictured here is Cole Hardwood’s air-dried inventory. 

excellence as their “standard”, Cole Hardwood is also active in their hometown 

community. Cole places priority on giving back by making donations to various 

organizations to help those in need and elevate those around them. Cole Hardwood 

is a member of the National Hardwood Lumber Association, Indiana Hardwood 

Lumbermen's Association, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc., 

Hardwood Distributors Association, Kentucky Forest Industries Association, 

Lake States Lumber Association, and the American Hardwood Export Council. 

Cole Hardwood is also proud to support and contribute to the Real American 

Hardwood Coalition. 

For more information visit www.colehardwood.com. n 

The Mantel Shoppe has a quick turnaround time on all of their 

products, including the craftsman fireplace mantel, pictured 

here. 

some celebrities,” 

Nick explained. “We 

made one for Whoopi 

Goldberg. We’ve 

done some work 

in school buildings 

that were turned into 

condominiums. We 

also redid the fireplaces 

at Dartmouth 

college.” 

He continued, 

“We are a one-stop 

source for beautiful 

custom fireplace 

mantels. For more 

than two decades, 

our team has been 

creating custom 

wood fireplace 

mantels for homeowners across the country. And when I say team, I really mean 

team. Four of us have been here over 20 years. Chad Thrasher has been with 

us for 20 years, Ben Saint for 28 years and Billy Johnson and I would probably 

need to check with the local historical society. If anyone has built more fireplace 

mantels in their life than Billy it would be hard to fathom. We have created more 

than 100,000 mantels for home fireplaces. We have a team dedicated to working 

with the customer throughout every step of the process to ensure the end result 

is a fireplace mantel that they can be proud of. We custom-build our mantels and 

mantel shelves to the customers specifications, including the exact size, wood 

type and finish they prefer. One of our focus points is custom because customization 

leads to comfort.” 

They design and construct all of the custom fireplace mantels and mantel 

shelves at the location in Trussville, AL. “Because we are a locally owned and 

The Mantel Shoppe is a one-stop source for custom fireplaces like their Gastonia 

fireplace mantel pictured above. 

operated business, we strive to keep our costs low, meaning we offer our wood 

fireplace mantel designs at an affordable price,” he explained. The Mantel Shoppe 

also offers fast shipping on every order. 

Nick said the turn-around time is rapid. “If you live in the Birmingham or 

Huntsville, AL, areas, it typically takes a matter of days to receive your mantel after 

the order is placed,” he explained. “For those of you looking to place an order 


From left to right, Sarah Cole, administration, Tom Oilar, president and Tori Wagoner, 

administration. 

As for what sets them apart from others in the industry, Gibson offered, “At 

Cole Hardwood, our motivation is how quickly can we put a load of lumber 

together of a mixed variety of species and thicknesses and get it out the door 

so that the customer can fulfill that job and capitalize on that job by having the 

product there when they need it. So, we are making sure that we are positioning 

ourselves to pull lumber, get it milled as quickly as possible to meet those 

customers’ needs all while delivering a product of high quality. We are taking 

a much more customer-centered approach. We strive to find out what the customers' 

needs are and how we can fulfill that need in ‘X’ amount of time, which 

is currently less than it ever has been.” They also have three company trucks for 

making local deliveries which play a critical role in ensuring customers get the 

material they need when they need it. 

Cole Hardwood uses U-C Coatings for all their paint and end-sealer needs. 

As for how the lumber moves through the facility, he explained, “We are buying 

green lumber and we run it across a chain and the first grading process happens. 

From there it moves to the stacker and gets put into our air-dry yard where a time 

is allocated that it needs to adapt to a relative humidity level and then it moves 

into our kilns and gets graded again from that point. We also offer surfacing 

based on the customer’s request and then we put it on the truck for delivery.” 

Cole Hardwood’s customer base is about 75 percent domestic and 25 percent 

international. “Our sales are generated into different areas and some of our 

product is going into China, Canada, Vietnam, the Middle East and into Mexico, 

but then, obviously, the majority of our valuable customers are here in the United 

States. Our message to our customers and our future customers is that we are 

here and we are growing, we want to grow with hardwood consumers and supply 

them with a quality hardwood lumber product.” 

With 60 employees, key personnel include: President, Tom Oilar; Yard Manager, 

Brett Nichols; Administration, Tori Cole-Wagoner; Tyler Cole; Sarah Cole; 

Sales Manager, Brian Gibson; Salesmen, Joel Horling and Sam Ryan. Milt Cole 

founded Cole Hardwood in 1986 with a firm commitment to excellence. With 

Connecting North American 

Forest Products Globally 

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POKU@BAYSTATEINDUSTRIES.COM or visit WWW.BAYSTATEINDUSTRIES.COM. 

Kiln Dried SPANISH CEDAR ready for export 

Fresh color BLACK LIMBA lumber out of kilns 

and ready for grading 



MANTEL SHOPPE - Continued from page 25 

LAKE STATES BUSINESS TRENDS - Continued from page 14 

want, but I think that the demand for Ash is driven more by the lack of supply 

more than anything.” 

He noted that his sales are better than they were six months ago and this is due 

to his company taking a stronger position on the lumber species that are selling 

well. 

The main species that his company offers are Cherry, Red and White Oak, Hard 

and Soft Maple, Walnut and Poplar. They offer these species in grades No. 2 

Common and Better and in thicknesses of 4/4 through 8/4. 

“I sell mainly to distribution yards. They like the 2W’s, Walnut and White Oak. 

Everything else that I sell to them is consumed on a replacement basis,” he said. 

“I have not noticed any inventory building, with most customers strictly buying 

when they need it.” 

He noted that while it is still hard to find good employees that he has been able 

to retain them by paying them well. n 

WOOD TRADE PUBLICATIONS 

EST 1927 

The Mantel Shoppe designs and constructs all of the custom fireplace mantels 

and mantel shelves at the location in Trussville, AL. 

“We custom-build our mantels and mantel shelves to the customers specifications, 

including the exact size, wood type and finish they prefer,” said Nick Leopard, 

owner, The Mantel Shoppe. 

out of state, the time frame depends on how far the order must be shipped. Once 

the custom dimensions are confirmed, and the order is placed, it typically takes 

about two weeks or less for your mantel to arrive.” 

The mantels may require some assembly before installation. “These are not 

complicated assembly designs,” said Nick. “They are made for quick and easy 

assembly. We placed holes in the mantel's breast and ‘dominoes' in the legs that 

will insert into the breast. They are fully crated in plywood on all four sides to 

ensure they arrive safely.” 

With over 100 possible configurations, each of the styles are packaged a little 

differently to maximize shipping efficiency. “Most of the time, the first thing you 

will see when you open the crate is the breast (the large upper part) of the mantel 

and two legs,” Nick said. “Shelf-style mantels without legs will be fully assembled 

and ready to install after removal from the crate.” 

As for the future, Nick said The Mantel Shoppe is looking forward to building 

new customers on a national basis through advertising and the company’s recently 

remodeled website. 

The Mantel Shoppe is a member of the Home Builder’s of Alabama Association 

and the St. Clair County Homebuilder’s Association. For more information 

visit www.emantelshoppe.com. n 

The Mantel Shoppe has created more than 100,000 mantels for home fireplaces 

and purchases 150,000 board feet annually in 5/4 and 8/4 Antique Heart Pine, 

Mahogany, Poplar, Cherry, Red and White Oak, quarter-sewn Oak, Walnut, Maple, 

Alder and Pine. 




Import/Export Timber Products' Stock Exchange 

NORTHERN WHITE BIRCH 

4/4, SEL/BTR, REGULAR, KD, RL/RW – 2 T/L 

4/4, SEL/BTR, SAP/BTR, KD, RL/RW – 1 T/L 

4/4, #1 COM, SAP/BTR, KD, RL/RW – 3 T/L 

4/4, #2&3A COM, UNS, KD, RL/RW – 1 T/L 

NORTHERN CHERRY 

8/4, SEL/BTR, 90/70+, KD, RL/RW – 1 T/L 

NORTHERN WHITE OAK 

4/4, SEL/BTR, RL/RW, KD – 3 T/L 


5/4, #1 COM, RL/RW, KD – 1 T/L 



NORTHERN RED OAK 


4/4, #1 COM, RL/RW, KD – 2 T/L 


NORTHERN HARD MAPLE 

4/4, SEL/BTR, REGULAR, RL/RW, KD – 2 T/L 

4/4, SEL/BTR, SAP/BTR, RL/RW, KD – 3 T/L 

4/4, SEL/BTR, SAP 1 FACE, RL/RW KD – 1 T/L 

4/4, #1 COM, SAP 1 FACE, RL/RW, KD – 2 T/L 

4/4, #2A COM, SAP OR REG, RL/RW, KD – 1 T/L 

5/4, SEL/BTR, SAP/BTR, RL/RW, KD – 1 T/L 

5/4, #1 COM, SAP/BTR, RL/RW, KD – 2 T/L 

EUROPEAN BEECH 

8/4, SEL/BTR UNS, RL/RW, KD – 1 T/L 

NORTHERN YELLOW BIRCH 

4/4, SEL/BTR, UNS, ALSO SAP/B OR REG, KD– 2 T/L 

4/4, #1 COM, UNS, ALSO SAP/B, KD – 1 T/L 

5/4, SEL/BTR, UNS, ALSO SAP/B OR REG, KD – 2 T/L 

5/4, #2A COM, SAP/BTR, RL/RW, KD – 1 T/L 

6/4, SEL/BTR, UNS, RL/RW, KD – 3 T/L 

6/4, #1 COM, UNS, RL/RW, KD – 2 T/L 

6/4, #2A COM, UNS, RL/RW, KD – 1 T/L 


8/4, #1 COM, UNS, ALSO SAP/B, KD – 1 T/L 

NORTHERN SOFT MAPLE 

4/4, SEL/BTR, UNS, ALSO, SAP/B, KD – 1 T/L 

4/4, #1 COM & BTR, WORMY, RL/RW, KD – 1 T/L 

5/4, SEL/BTR, UNS, ALSO SAP/B, KD – 1 T/L 


NORTHERN ASPEN 


800-361-8667 

info@simonlussier.com 

FOR SALE 

Cole Hardwood Inc. 

P. O. Box 568 

Logansport, Indiana 46947 

574-753-3151 Fax: 574-753-2525 

5 8/4 S&B Basswood 

5 6/4 S&B Poplar 

5 4/4 2 Com Beech 


6 6/4 S&B Beech 


5 6/4 1 Com Beech 


5 4/4 S&B Unsel. Hard Maple 

5 7/4 2 Com Red Oak 

5 6/4 1 Com Unsel. Hard Maple 

5 4/4 2 Com Soft Maple 

5 8/4 S&B Unsel. Hard Maple 

5 6/4 S&B Soft Maple 

5 5/4 1 Com Hickory 

5 6/4 1 Com Soft Maple 



5 6/4 S&B Hickory 




5 5/4 2 Com Poplar 

5 4/4 1 Com White Oak 

E-mail at: brian@colehardwood.com 

Home page: www.colehardwood.com 

KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS 

millerwoodtradepub.com 

LOG SALES 

Veneer Logs 3 & 4 sides clear, Rotary Logs, and Saw Logs 

White Oak • Walnut • Hickory • Red Oak • Hard Maple • Cherry • Yellow Poplar 

Loads Built to Customer Specifications 

Contact: Kasey Chaney, Director of Export Sales 

E-Mail: KASEYC@YODERLUMBER.COM 

Address: Rolling Ridge Woods, LTD 

10095 Emerson Ave, Parkersburg, WV 26104 

(304) 464-4980 

FOR SALE 

GENUINE MAHOGANY 

CEREJEIRA 

SPANISH CEDAR 

SANTOS MAHOGANY 

AFRICAN MAHOGANY 

JATOBA 

TORNILLO / MARA MACHO 

GENUINE MAHOGANY FLOORING 

JEQUITIBA 

NEWMAN LUMBER COMPANY 

Gulfport Sales Staff: Bill, 

Doug & Pam 

Phone: 1-800-647-9547 or 

(228) 831-1149 

Website: newmanlumber.com 

Mailing Address: 

PO Box 2580 - Gulport , MS 

39505-2580 

Follow us on 

Hermitage Hardwood Lumber Sales, Inc. 

105 Ridgedale Drive 

Cookeville, TN 38501 U.S.A. 

P.O. Box 698 • Cookeville, TN 38503 U.S.A. 

931-526-6832 • 931-526-4769 Fax 

E-mail: info@hermitagehardwood.com 

lawson@hermitagehardwood.com 

Website: www.hermitagehardwood.com 

Contact: Parker Boles, Adam Moran, 

Steve Gunderson 

Lawson Maury - Export 

ASH 

4/4 FAS W1F 15/16 8m’ 

5/4 FAS 6m’ 

6/4 FAS 15m’ 

8/4 FAS 15m’ 

BASSWOOD 

4/4 FAS 13m’ 

5/4 FAS 15m’ 

CHERRY 

4/4 FAS 8.5” wider 20m’ 

5/4 FAS 18m’ 

HICKORY 

4/4 FAS 5” 20m’ 

4/4 FAS 7.5” wider 18m’ 

WHITE OAK 

4/4 FAS 40m’ 

4/4 FAS R2E 4.5” 6m’ 

4/4 FAS R2E 5” 10m’ 

4/4 FAS R2E 5.5” 8m’ 

4/4 FAS R2E 6” 4m’ 

5/4 FAS 55m’ 

6/4 FAS 60m’ 

6/4 FAS 5-6” 12m’ 

6/4 FAS 6-7” 11m’ 

8/4 FAS 12m’ 

FOR SALE 

Import/Export Timber Products' Stock Exchange 

POPLAR 

4/4 FAS 17m’ 

4/4 FAS 15/16 15m’ 

5/4 FAS 17m’ 

6/4 FAS 20m’ 

7/4 FAS 40m’ 

7/4 FAS 12” wider 22m’ 

8/4 FAS 50m’ 

8/4 FAS 12” wider 23m’ 

9/4 FAS 14m’ 

10/4 FAS 8m’ 

10/4 FAS 12” wider 14m’ 

RED OAK 

4/4 FAS 7.5” wider 15m’ 

4/4 FAS 10” wider 30m’ 

5/4 FAS 10” wider 18m’ 

6/4 FAS 50m’ 

6/4 FAS 10” wider 35m’ 

7/4 FAS 20m’ 

7/4 FAS 10” wider 15m’ 

8/4 FAS 50m’ 

8/4 FAS 10” wider 20m’ 

WALNUT 

4/4 FAS 12m’ 

6/4 FAS 15m’ 

FOR SALE 

PENN-SYLVAN INTERNATIONAL 

Spartansburg, Pennsylvania U.S.A. 

Phone: 814-654-7111 

Fax: 814-654-7155 

Email: pennsylvan@gmail.com 

www.lumber12.com 

Northern Appalachian Lumber 

Kiln Dried 

2 x 40ʼ 3/4 Ash Uns. FAS (prime), 

#1 Com, #2 Com 

2 x 40ʼ 4/4 Ash Unselected FAS 

2 x 40ʼ 4/4 Ash Unselected #1 Com 

2 x 40ʼ 7/4 Ash FAS 

2 x 40ʼ 4/4 Cherry FAS (prime) 

and #1 Com 

2 x 40ʼ 4/4 Hard Maple 

FAS (prime) #1+2 white 

2 x 40ʼ 4/4 Hard Maple 

#1 Com sap & better 

2 x 40ʼ 3/4 Red Oak FAS (prime), 

#1 Com, #2 Com 

2 x 40ʼ 4/4 Red Oak FAS (prime) 

and #1 Com 

Shipping Dry Lumber 

Inquiries Welcome 

Scan this QR Code to Receive a 

Free Digital Copy of Import/Export 

Wood Purchasing News - All 6 Issues! 

4/4 ASH 

FAS, 1COM, 2COM 

6/4 ASH 


4/4 HARD MAPLE 


4/4 HICKORY 


5/4 HICKORY 


FOR SALE 

CLARK LUMBER COMPANY INC. 

Specializing In 

APPALACHIAN HARDWOOD LUMBER 

www.clarklumbercompany.com 

552 PUBLIC WELL ROAD 

RED BOILING SPRINGS, TN 37150 

PHONE: 615-699-3497 

EMAIL: info@clarklumbercompany.com 

Call or Email: Brandon Clark: bclark@clarklumbercompany.com 

Joseph Draper: jdraper@clarklumbercompany.com 

“FROM OUR FOREST TO YOUR FACILITY” 

KD ITEMS AVAILABLE 

4/4 POPLAR 


6/4 POPLAR 

FAS, 1COM 

8/4 POPLAR 

FAS, 1COM 

4/4 RED OAK 


6/4 RED OAK 

FAS, 1COM 

8/4 RED OAK 

FAS, 1COM 

3 SAWMILL LOCATIONS 

5,000,000 BF INVENTORY 

800,000’ KILN CAPACITY 

Read our current and past 

issues online at 

4/4 SOFT MAPLE 


4/4 WALNUT 


4/4 WHITE OAK 


6/4 FAS WHITE OAK 


OTHER ITEMS 

PALLET CANTS 

CROSS TIES 

Miller 

P.O. Box 34908 Memphis, TN 38184-0908 

Phone: (800) 844-1280 or (901) 372-8280 

Fax: (901) 373-6180 

Miller Wood Trade Publications proudly serves the 

Forest Products Industry with the following 

publications and online directories 

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www.nationalhardwoodmag.com 

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www.hardwoodpurchasinghdbk.com 

Greenbook’s Hardwood Marketing Directory 


Greenbook’s Softwood Marketing Directory (online 

only) 


Forest Products Export Directory 

www.forestproductsexport.com 

Imported Wood Purchasing Guide 

www.importedwoodpurchasing.com 






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NORTHEAST BUSINESS TRENDS - Continued from page 14 

it’s New England, we’ve got it.” He added that kiln-dried is also available and is 

selling well among local hobbyists and contractors. 

Despite the demand, he alluded to manpower being an issue. When asked if 

he could pinpoint anything specific that may affect the business in his state over 

the next six months, he simply said, “Absolutely, the answer to that question is 

labor.” 

Our New York contact told us that the market in his state is “fairly good”. 

Echoing other industry professionals in his region, he insisted that, yes, the industry 

is in a better place than it was six months ago and that he anticipates that it 

will remain steady over the coming months. 

Working with distribution yards, end users and exporters, and selling Red Oak 

and White Oak in sizes 4/4 through 8/4 in all grades, he said that White Oak is 

outselling Red Oak, reenforcing what we heard from other states. 

Industry contacts expressed appreciation for the availability of trucks in their 

region and do not anticipate any issues receiving shipments and/or containers in 

the coming months. n 

He sells to flooring and furniture manufacturers mainly. “Red Oak is trending 

down for a lot of my customers. The flooring companies are moving to the vinyl 

flooring planks, and that is continuing to hurt our sales.” n 

WEST COAST BUSINESS TRENDS - Continued from page 15 

year.” 

The contact offers Walnut, Hickory and White Oak in 4/4 thickness and in 

grades FAS, Nos. 1 and 2. “Right now White Oak is moving very well. Our 

slowest moving item is Hickory,” he noted. 

He mentioned his customers' markets are not as busy as they were but they 

aren’t complaining. “Everybody is looking for just-in-time inventory right now. 

Nobody’s ready to commit to anything, but when they call you better be ready to 

go. If you don’t have inventory then you’re not going to be making sales. I bring 

the same products in on a regular basis that these guys use on a regular basis and 

everybody’s happy with the 30 days or less situation.” 

Going forward he said, “Interest rates are making things difficult for everybody 

right now. In California the prices of houses are a joke. People aren’t 

moving. What they are doing is remodeling their houses instead of moving. They 

have the equity but they're not going anywhere so there’s not a lot of houses on 

the market. I think with the interest rates as they are and the upcoming election 

everything is going to be idle for the next few months.” n 

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on social media! 

@millerwoodtradepub 

ONTARIO BUSINESS TRENDS - Continued from page 16 

from $35,000. 

It plans to introduce a Canadian Renters’ Bill of Rights to crack down on 

“unfair practices” in the rental market and changes that would see monthly rent 

payments count towards building a credit score, as a way to “restore generational 

fairness in the housing market for younger Canadians.” 

Economists say the “ambitious” efforts to rapidly increase housing supply in 

Canada could give the government a “fighting shot” at eventually restoring affordability, 

but would not provide a short-term fix for those who are currently boxed 

out of the housing market. As to making it easier for Canadians to make a down 

payment and afford monthly mortgage costs, these changes could inadvertently 

drive home values higher by growing the pool of buyers vying for the low supply 

in the market. 

For students, it extends an existing increase in loans and grants available for an 

additional year. It also proposes to create a new youth mental health fund of $500 

million. 

One way government plans to pay for new spending is with revenues tied to 

changes to how capital gains are taxed. The budget proposes raising the inclusion 

rate on returns from sales to two-thirds, up from the current regime of 50 percent, 

for any individual’s gains that exceed $250,000. For corporations and trusts, the 

66.7 percent inclusion rate would apply to all capital gains for tax purposes. It is 

expected an additional $18 billion in tax revenues over the next six years will be 

generated from these capital gains changes. 

Capital investment in Canada is already low, say economists, and timing of 

hiking capital gains tax could discourage businesses from putting more money 

into the economy at a time when growth is already stagnant. Lack of business 

investment can bring down productivity growth and overall quality of living 

standards in Canada. 

The budget expects that the annual rate of inflation, which ticked up 0.1 

percentage point to 2.9 percent in March, is expected to decline back to the Bank 

of Canada’s 2 percent target by the end of 2024. 

While some price pressures showed signs of easing and the Bank of Canada 

has opened the door to possible interest rate cuts in the months ahead, high shelter 

costs are what most Canadians are facing. Reining in inflation and setting the 

stage for rate cuts is therefore a significant way to make life more affordable, say 

economists. n 

BUSINESS TRENDS ABROAD - Continued from page 17 

SOUTHEAST BUSINESS TRENDS - Continued from page 15 

and Better and in 4/4 thickness. “Of course, White Oak is selling the best, I can’t 

keep it in the yard.” 

He sells to distribution centers and end users. When asked if they had offered 

any comments as to how their sales were doing, he said that they think that their 

markets are continuing to prove to be competitive. 

In Alabama a lumber spokesperson said sales depend on the species he is cutting. 

“If I am cutting Red Oak, then that market has dropped off and that is due to 

the exports and the companies that we usually sell it to slowing way down. White 

Oak is doing well, and I don’t have a problem selling it, and it’s the same for us 

with Poplar.” 

He noted that he offers Red and White Oak and Poplar in all grades and in 4/4 

thickness. 

He mentioned that they are definitely doing better than they were six months ago. 

clear the way for unrestricted harvesting until June. Fordaq reports that regional 

stock has approached “normal levels with approximately two months required in 

readiness for the upcoming rain season.” 

In further response to Chinese demand, Cameroonian producers report growing 

interest in Bilinga, Padouk, Iroko, Movingui and Sapelli. 

Thanks to improved weather conditions in the region, both trucking and 

railway networks are working unimpeded, and no disruptions have been reported 

at Doula Port. 

Timber sourced from Northern Congo and the Central African Republic is also 

reporting minimum interruption in shipping. 

Europe – Fordaq and Global Traceability Solutions have announced the release 

of their new EUDR compliance digital platform Radix Tree. 

Radix Tree is a resource for workers in the forest products industry that will 

assist in the implementation of supply chain management — including tracing 

forest products back to their source — and help them better comply with the 

EUDR. 

“Global Traceability has a long experience serving the EUTR needs of importers 

of wood products. The new Radix Tree Platform provides all the features 

needed to document supply chains, mitigate risks and provide the traceability 

information needed for EUDR. We have reviewed a large part of the solutions 

on the market and are confident of our choice to work with Global Traceability. 

We hope that together we will be able to serve the needs of our clients to comply 

with EUDR,” said Benoit Nieuwenhuys, CEO of Fordaq SA. n 



NEWSWIRES 

Baillie Lumber Co. Introduces 

Ryan Brunner 

Baillie Lumber Co., located in Hamburg, NY, recently 

announced Ryan Brunner as one of the company’s new 

sales representatives in its ripping division. 

Brunner has been with Baillie for over six years, 

where he started in the industry as a sales assistant and 

then went on to hold the position of ripping division sales 

Ryan Brunner 

coordinator, before recently transitioning to the role of 

sales representative. 

Brunner attended Hamburg High School in Hamburg, NY, from 2004-2008, he 

then attended Canisius College in Buffalo, NY, from 2008-2014, where he earned 

a Bachelor’s of Science degree in health and physical education and a Master’s of 

Science degree in sports administration. 

In his free time, Brunner enjoys spending time with his wife, Missy, and their 

growing family. They have a one-and-a-half-year-old son and are expecting a 

baby girl in June. When time allows, he also enjoys playing golf, softball and 

basketball and is an avid Buffalo Bills fan. 

Baillie is a member of the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermens Association, 

Hardwood Manufacturers Association, National Hardwood Lumber Association, 

Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc., and The North American Wholesale 

Lumber Association. 

For more information, call 716-912-3764 or visit www.baillie.com. 

RAM Forest Products Welcomes 

Gerry VanVeenendaal 

Gerry VanVeenendaal recently joined the sales team 

of RAM Forest Products, a manufacturer of high-quality 

Northern Appalachian Hardwoods located in Shinglehouse, 

PA. 

RAM Forest Products produces over 25 million board 

feet annually in all grades in Hard and Soft Maple, Ash, 

Gerry VanVeenendaal 

Red and White Oak, Cherry and Poplar from their sawmill 

and has a drying capacity of 1.5 million board feet. 

The company is a member of the National Hardwood Lumber Association, 

Hardwood Manufacturers Association, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers 

Inc., and The Appalachian Lumbermen’s Club. 

VanVeenendaal grew up in New York’s Hudson Valley until his family moved 

to Central Pennsylvania. His father held various positions at different hardwood 

companies exposing VanVeenendaal to the industry at an early age. While he 

has been in the forest products industry in one form or another his entire life, he 

joined AWP’s sales group in 2014 and recently joined RAM Forest Products sales 

team in 2024. 

VanVeenendaal and his wife Lisa live in Holidaysburg, PA, and they have one 

daughter. He enjoys spending time with his family and fishing. 

For more information, visit www.ramforestproducts.com. 

Boise Cascade Announces Troy 

Little As New Executive 

Vice President 

Boise Cascade Company, located in Boise, ID, recently 

announced Troy Little as their new executive vice president 

of the Wood Products division. Little started in the 

forest products industry at Boise Cascade as an internal 

Troy Little auditor in 1990, he has since spent the last 33 years with 

the company gaining a broad range of experience on both 

the financial side and the operational side, including serving as regional manager 

for six manufacturing facilities in Oregon. He became division controller in 

2016, financial manager in 2018, and added commodity sales to his responsibilities 

in 2021. He was promoted to executive vice president at the beginning of 

2024. 

Before joining Boise Cascade, Little graduated from Bishop Kelly High 

School, in Boise, ID, and earned a degree in Business Administration from the 

College of Idaho. Little serves on the Bishop Kelly High School Foundation and 

is a member of the Western Wood Products Association. 

Boise Cascade Company is one of the largest producers of engineered wood 

products and plywood in North America and a leading U.S. wholesale distributor 

of building products. For more information, please visit our website at www. 

bc.com. 

Irving Forest Products Acquires Mill Service’s 

Value-Added Operation in Cobleskill 

Irving Forest Products (IFP), which operates sawmills in Ashland and Dixfield, 

ME, recently announced the acquisition of Mill Services, Inc’s Value-Added 

operation in Cobleskill, NY. The mill boasts a 100,000 square foot facility on a 

15-acre plot, with warehouses to protect products from the elements. The building 

has supported the community for 140 years through a variety of businesses, 

including the agricultural industry, refrigeration modernization, window, skylight 

and door furnishing and supporting the war efforts of World War II. For the past 

20 years, Mill Services, Inc. has worked with low-grade Pine lumber and offered 

quality products with the help of The Home Depot to homeowners and contractors 

throughout the Northeast. 

Cobleskill Value-Added transforms low-grade Pine into several products, including 

primed finger joints for use in interior and exterior applications, bevel siding 

(primed and unprimed), barnwood siding and other niche products. These value-added 

products come in a variety of paint finish options from latex to oil base. 

Cobleskill Value-Added currently employs 65 people, with an intention to grow 

the workforce in the coming years. IFP will also be investigating opportunities to 

maximize mill capacity and eventually expand. 

“The acquisition by Irving Forest Products not only provides our current 

employees with a fantastic opportunity to join a world-class organization, but 

also ensures that the facility here on MacArthur Ave will continue to be a partner 

of the local community for years to come,” said Leonard Lilly, mill manager at 

Cobleskill Value-Added. 

Irving Forest Products looks forward to growing their relationship with the 

new team in Cobleskill and strengthening the current relationship with The Home 

Depot. 

For more information, visit www.jdirving.com. 

Robbins Lumber Inc. Promotes 

John Ritz And James Webb 

Robbins Lumber Inc., located in Searsmont, ME, 

recently promoted John Ritz from outside sales to distribution 

sales manager and James Webb to wholesale sales 

manager. 

Ritz will be managing distribution throughout the state 

of Maine. He has been with the company for 13 years and 

John Ritz 

was with Richardson-Dana Co., of Portland, ME, which 

was acquired by Hood Industries, for 15 years, prior to joining Robbins. He 

initially started in the forest products industry as a stocker for Wilson Lumber in 

Concord, MA, in 1980, eventually working his way up to salesperson. 

Ritz graduated high school in 1983 from Lawrence Academy, in Groton, MA, 

and attended Kenyon College, in Gambier, OH. 

In his spare time, Ritz enjoys spending time with his family at camp and watching 

his twin 15-year-old girls play sports. He has been married to Kara Ritz for 

31 years. 

Webb has been with Robbins for 16 years and has held a variety of positions, 

including, machine operator, floor supervisor, assistant 

production manager, production manager and inside sales 

representative. 

Webb attended Biddeford Adult Education, in Biddeford, 

ME, where he acquired his GED. 

Webb serves on the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers 

Association’s Marketing Committee and the North American 

Wholesale Lumber Association’s Northeast Regional 

Committee. 

James Webb In his free time, Webb enjoys fishing, gold panning, 

firearms and craft beer. 

For more information call 207-342-5221 or visit www.rlco.com. 

Timber Products Transitions 

Sales Leadership 

Timber Products, located in Springfield, 

OR, is pleased to announce that David Smith 

has been promoted to VP of Panel Sales in 

preparation of current VP of Sales, Pat Lynch’s 

retirement at the end of the year. 

David Smith, formerly VP of composites, has been with Timber Products since 

2017, overseeing the composite sales and operations teams during his time with 

the company. Smith is looking forward to this new role and will be working closely 

with Lynch over the next several months to ensure a smooth transition. 

In conjunction with this transition, current Sales Managers Kevin Smith and 

Davis Edwards have been promoted to director of Western plywood sales, and 

director of Eastern plywood sales, respectively. 

Former Director of Compliance and Marketing, Chris Knowles, has been 

promoted to director of international sales, a division previously overseen by Pat 

Lynch. Kendall Conroy, marketing manager, has been promoted to the director of 

marketing role. 

With these transitions of sales leadership Timber Products is confident their 

customers will continue to receive the same top-of-class customer service from 

their sales team. “I have no doubt that David Smith and the sales team will continue 

to grow and prosper in the business,” said Lynch. 

Founded in 1918, Timber Products Company produces a wide range of diversified 

wood products. Best known for its hardwood plywood, the company is 

committed to customer service, environmental sustainability and offers a fully 

integrated approach to manufacturing with eight manufacturing facilities, an 

international division and a nationwide transportation division. Learn more at 

www.timberproducts.com. 

Sawmill MD Makes Installations At 

Hart County Hardwoods 

Sawmill MD, located in Crestview, FL, announced 

that Hart County Hardwoods in Munfordville, KY, has 

recently started up two SiCam ResawX Scanning systems 

to maximize the efficiency and yield from their Horizontal 

Resaw systems. 

The ResawX systems provide Hart County Hardwoods 

Mike Ballard 

cant sizing detail and recommended sawing solutions to 

the operator via a 10-inch touch screen quickly and accurately. The ResawX 

system will improve both Resaws operating results by reducing wasted lines 

and measurably reducing shims. ResawX allows the management to set sawing 

pattern recommendations based on size and grade, which improves the ability to 

maximize the output of desired products based on current requirements. 

The start-up was completed in less than two working days with minimal interruption 

of production. After a few minor adjustments and calibration the ResawX 

was scanning quickly and accurately providing size and sawing solutions to the 

operator. 

When Paul Byler or any of the Hart County team visited Sawmill MD’s booth 

at the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association convention in February, the 

comments were exemplary, said Mike Ballard. Comments about saving time, 

improved production of ties, and the accuracy of the ResawX system were the 

normal comments from the team. 

The brother that runs one of the Resaws came by and said, “I do not know how 

we ran without this system in the past.” 

Contact Mike Ballard or Duncan Ferguson at SawmillMD@mindspring.com 

for more information on the SiCam ResawX Scanning System or visit www. 

SawmillMD.com to see videos of the ResawX System and additional Sawmill 

MD videos. 


TS Manufacturing Makes Installations At 

Meherrin River Forest Products 

TS Manufacturing’s hands free infeed with auto centering roll case. 

TS Manufacturing, headquartered in Lindsay, ON, announced that Meherrin 

River Forest Products recently started up a new lineal edger system at their Weldon, 

NC facility. The new edger line replaces their existing manual edger in their 

green sawmill. 

The project consisted of a new three saw lineal edger system: hands free infeed 

with auto centering roll case, infeed belt, articulating saw box, outfeed belt and 

edging separator. The installation included various material handling pieces, 

transfer deck, belt conveyors and vibrating conveyors, to get material to and from 

the new edger. The project also included an A&E 3D geometric optimizer and 

scanner frame and a TS AccuTally software package for production reporting. 

Working with the customer through several different mill layouts, TS was able 

to position the edger line in an area of the mill that allowed the new machine to 

be installed and commissioned while the mill was running, with just a small shut 

down to tie in some of the material handling pieces. 

TS Manufacturing offers a complete line of machinery, controls and software 

to fit their customers mill and is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. For 

more information on their complete line of sawmill and planer mill offerings, 

contact them at sales@tsman.com or (705) 324-3762. 

Nyle Dry Kilns Welcomes 

Mark Metzger 

Nyle Dry Kilns, located in Brewer, ME, a manufacturer 

known for its high-quality and efficient dry kilns, recently 

announced the hiring of Mark Metzger as their new sales 

manager in the United States. Metzger joins the team with 

an extensive background in the forest products industry, 

accumulating over 30 years of experience. 

Mark Metzger 

Throughout his career, Mark has garnered extensive 

experience as an account manager and sales representative for a variety of esteemed 

hardwood lumber companies, including Northwest Hardwoods, Weyerhaeuser, 

Legacy Lumber, and American Lumber. His most recent role involved 

wood protection products, where he served as the Northeast representative for 

U-C Coatings. His comprehensive understanding of both the buying and selling 

aspects of kiln-dried lumber, coupled with his experience in selling protective 

products, provides him with unique insights into the specific needs of kiln-drying 

customers. 

Metzger's educational background includes an associate's degree in Wildlife 

Technology from Penn State University - DuBois and a bachelor's degree in 

Business Administration from Edinboro University. His strong commitment to 

delivering a customer experience rooted in honesty and integrity aligns perfectly 

with Nyle Dry Kilns' values. Metzger is passionate about collaborating with 

customers to enhance their businesses, and his addition to the team is anticipated 

to bring valuable perspectives and drive further success. 

Nyle Dry Kilns is thrilled to have Mark Metzger on board and looks forward to 

the contributions he will bring to the company and its clients. 

For more information visit www.nyle.com. 



CHECK IT OUT! 

NEWSWIRES 

User friendly features. More content. 

Up-to-date information. 


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Cleereman Industries Installs 

New Sawmill 

Cleereman Industries, headquartered in Newald, WI, 

along with Cleereman Controls, recently completed 

the start-up of the new E-Pallet operation in Byesville, 

OH, that produces grade lumber, as well as pallet lumber. 

This was a new ground up sawmill that Cleereman 

Industries engineering team designed for E-Pallet. 

Paul Cleereman 

The new mill consists of a several Cleereman products 

including their 848 debarker, two LP-42 linear carriages, Cleereman 

Controls 3-D scanning systems, two 100-horse-powered Hydrostatic carriage 

drives, modular track frames with dual air bag cable tensioners, sawyers’ cabs, 

completely wired with Cleereman Controls dispatch and optimization packages. 

The new Cleereman sawmill also consists of drop belts, a headrig roll cases, 

a 654 optimized combination/gang edger, a landing table, an unscrambler, a 

trimmer and a green chain. Cleereman included a precision 58-inch chipper 

and precision vibrating conveyors, as well as three Cleereman dual overhead 

truck loading systems. Cleereman Industries also supplied all the electrical 

cabinets for E-pallet. 

Cleereman engineering staff went over their design drawings with Erv Byler 

the project manager for E-Pallet. After a few minor changes the engineering 

department completed the tradition 2-D build drawing and a 3-D model that 

allowed the customer to see the entire mill. 

Byler said, “The whole Cleereman team was professional, respectful and 

went the extra mile to make sure we were happy with everything. I really 

appreciate their enthusiasm, hard work and attention to detail.” 

The concrete embedment plans were also completed so the foundation work 

could be completed before building arrived. Once the building was done, 

equipment started shipping in the order that they needed for the setting plan. 

Cleereman supplied all the sub-steel as a pre-engineered solution that included 

all the platforms and catwalks and stairs. This allowed for the mill to be bolted 

together very quickly and set all elevations to correct height. 

Cleereman Industries is providing pre-engineered solutions for new sawmill 

construction. “The pre-engineered solutions that we offer have saved 

our customers a lot of valuable time and money on these bigger projects. We 

also are doing the same type of pre-engineered solution to existing mills that 

are looking to upgrade. This service sets Cleereman apart from a lot of other 

manufacturers,” said Paul Cleereman, vice president of Cleereman Industries. 

For more information, visit www.cleereman.com. 

DMSi Announces New Log Mobile App 

DMSi, headquartered in Omaha, NE, recently launched the DMSi Log 

System, a modern timber and log app and desktop system. The app primarily 

focuses on log scaling but also handles various aspects of log procurement and 

timber bid management, including receiving, transfers, movements, consumption, 

automated split payment, freight rate changes and log row audits. 

DMSi specializes in developing and supporting inventory and order management 

software for the building materials industry. They offer several solutions 

specifically designed for hardwood businesses, such as eLIMBS, Simply 

Computing software, TallyExpress and Neural Grader. The DMSi Log app is 

their newest hardwood-specific offering. 

Over the years, DMSi has acquired multiple legacy hardwood software 

companies with log and lumber systems. This allowed them to consolidate 

industry expertise and transform these systems into modern technology platforms. 

DMSi's approach involved rewriting these systems using a modern tech 

stack, which significantly reduces manual effort. With the DMSi Log app, 

information automatically syncs to the desktop system when connected to 

Wi-Fi. Even when working offline, data syncs automatically once reconnected 

to Wi-Fi. According to a company spokesperson, the app boasts an intuitive 

and user-friendly interface, ensuring users can start using it right away without 

extensive training. For more information, please visit www.dmsi.com. 

Arxada Introduces AntiBlu® M3 And Thriving 

Partnership With ICONX And Zee Water 

And Energy 

AntiBlu® M3, part of the AntiBlu® product line from Arxada, headquartered 

in Basel, Switzerland, is now available in Canada. It offers a one pack, 

blended formulation with three active ingredients to provide superior protection 

for control of sapstain, mold, and decay fungi on freshly sawn lumber 

and other wood products. This robust formulation is intended for the entire 

Canadian market and is ideal for both softwood and hardwood mills seeking 

superior, longer-term protection from a single, service-oriented supplier. 

The ingredients IPBC, propiconazole and DDAC quat have a wide range 

of mold and fungal control applications across numerous industries but the 

combination of these actives for the anti-sapstain market is only available in 

AntiBlu M3®. 

The AntiBlu® product line, including Mycostat®, encompasses many 

product options, each intended for specific conditions and applications. For 

more information, reach out at wolmanizedwoodinfo@arxada.com or visit 

antiblu.com. 

In other news, Arxada partnered with ICONX and Zee Water and Energy 

to promote and sell anti-sapstain products into the sawmill industry. Since its 

initial pairing, in 2023, the team reviewed the market and its needs and has 

developed a strategy to meet demands and expectations with each partner providing 

either logistical or product support. The partners recognized the need to 

better reach the industry to provide wood protection products, especially in the 

Southeast and Northeast. The product offering, manufactured by Arxada for 

the protection of freshly sawn and seasoned logs, poles, posts, and lumber for 

decades, helps with the control of sapstain, mold, and decay fungi, allowing 

Having freightmares 

about forest products? 

TALK WITH A 

SPECIALIST 

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MADE EASY 

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RAM 

Forest Products, Inc. 

Manufacturers and Exporters of 

Quality Manufacturers Pennsylvania and Exporters Hardwoods of 

Producing Quality Pennsylvania 25,000,000 BF Hardwoods annually 

Producing 25,000,000 BF annually 

1,250,000 MBF of Kiln capacity 

1,250,000 1,500,000 MBF of Kiln capacity 

Specializing in Ash • Red Oak • Hard Maple • Soft Maple • Cherry 

Specializing in Ash Hardwood • Red Oak Lumber • Hard Maple and Logs • Soft Maple • Cherry 

Export Hardwood Packaging Lumber and Container and Logs Loading 

Export Packaging Band Sawn and Lumber Container at Loading 

Shinglehouse, Band Pennsylvania Sawn Lumber (U.S.A.) at location. 

Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania (U.S.A.) location. 

Log Sales - Bob Mallery Lumber Sales - Andy Nuffer 

Ph: 814-697-6576 Lumber Sales - Mike Ph: Tarbell, 336-813-1512 Sales Manager 

FAX: 814-697-6637 Lumber Sales - Mike Rus FAX: Gustin Tarbell, 336-939-5414 Sales Manager 

escott@ramforestproducts.com 

Phone: 814-697-7185 Rus anuffer@ramforestproducts.com 

Gustin FAX: 814-697-7190 

E-Mail: Phone: 814-697-7185 mtarbell@ramforestproducts.com 

FAX: 814-697-7190 

Lumber Sales 

E-Mail: 

- Rus 

mtarbell@ramforestproducts.com 

Gustin Lumber Sales - Gerry VanVeenendaal 

Ph: 814-697-7185 

Ph: 814-330-5848 

Log Sales - Bob Mallery 

FAX: 814-697-7190 

FAX: 814-697-7190 

Phone: 814-697-6576 Log Sales - Bob FAX: Mallery 

rgustin@ramforestproducts.com gerryvan@ramforestproducts.com 

814-697-6637 

Phone: 814-697-6576 FAX: 814-697-6637 

1716 Honeoye Rd. 

Shinglehouse, 1716 Honeoye Pennsylvania Rd. 16748 

Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania 16748 




WHEELAND LUMBER CO., INC. • FORESTRY PARTNERSHIPS • WHEELAND LUMBER CO., INC • FORESTRY PARTNERSHIPS • 

NEWSWIRES Continued from page 35 

• Forest Managed Timber 

• Veneer Logs and #1 Saw Logs 

• Lumber: 

• Ash 

• Basswood 

• Beech 

• Cherry 

• Maples 

• Red and 

White Oak 

• Poplar 

• Clear Strips 

• Solid Dimensions 

• Band Headrig and Band Resaw Mill 

• 500,000 BF of Dry Kilns - 1,500,000 of Dry Storage 

• Grading to Overseas Standards 

Phone: (570) 324-6042 • Fax (570) 324-2127 

Contact: Derek Wheeland, Sales • derek@wheelandlumber.com 

Bill Baker, Sales • bill@wheelandlumber.com 

Damen Wheeland, Log Sales • damen@wheelandlumber.com 

Sean Karzynski, Lumber Sales • sean@wheelandlumber.com 

Website: www.wheelandlumber.com 

sawmills to ship clean and bright wood to wood treaters, jobsites, and lumberyards. 

ICONX and Zee work directly with buyers to determine what products 

from within the anti-sapstain line will work best for that buyer. To learn more, 

reach out to us: Brian Delbrueck (brian.delbrueck@arxada.com); Miles 

Stoffer (miles@iconxchemicals.com); or Scott Bookout (scott.bookout@ 

vincitgroup.com). Or visit antiblu.com. 

cellence. Her extensive knowledge spans supply chain management, customs 

compliance, and domestic logistics, she also has certifications in Lean Six 

Sigma, Dangerous Goods IATA and IMDG, and Certified Customs Specialist 

(CCS). Crowe is also a US Licensed Customs Broker. Beyond her professional 

achievements, Crowe is actively involved in industry organizations such as 

the Rhode Island Export District Council, where she contributes her expertise 

and works towards further certifications including the Master Export Specialist 

Certification (MES). Her commitment to continuous learning and improvement 

reflects her dedication to providing top-tier service to clients. 

Outside of work, Crowe is passionate about travel, spending time with 

family and is an avid New England sports fan. Her entrepreneurial spirit also 

shines through her philanthropic endeavors, having founded an international 

nonprofit organization at a young age to empower students to create positive 

change in their local and international communities. For more information, 

contact Ashleigh Crowe and The AGL Group by email, Import@theaglgroup.com, 

phone, 781-544-3970 or visit their website, www.theaglgroup. 

com. 

REAL 

AMERICAN 

HARDWOOD 

Ask for our FSC ® certifi ed products. 

The AGL Group Welcomes 

Ashleigh Crowe 

www.Penn-Sylvan.com 

Is your company prepared 

for Lacey Act Phase VII? 

ARE YOU COMPLIANT? 

The Lacey Act. The Law. 

Your Responsibility. 

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Compliance Training 

• On-Demand Training 

• In-Person Training 

• Online Panel Discussions 

IWPA, an industry leader in Lacey Act compliance training for 

the wood products industry, is now sharing their expertise with 

other affected industries. 

Register Free Today at: 

https://www.iwpawood.org/page/LaceyActComplianceTraining 

As a result of a generous grant from the Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service (APHIS), free training will be available through 

September 4, 2024 or until grant funds are exhausted, whichever 

occurs sooner. 

Ashleigh Crowe is the Director of Imports at The 

AGL Group. Founded in 2013, The AGL Group is a 

leading freight forwarder specializing in the forest 

products industry. With a strong focus on importing, 

exporting, and domestic transportation, The AGL 

Ashleigh Crowe Group offers comprehensive logistical solutions tailored 

to clients' ever-changing business needs, while 

delivering seamless solutions with integrity and efficiency. The AGL Group’s 

expertise lies in efficiently managing the movement of goods while ensuring 

compliance with all relevant regulations. Headquartered in Weymouth, MA, 

The AGL Group's mission is to make clients lives easier through simplifying 

their supply chains. 

As Director of Imports, Crowe brings over 16 years of experience to her 

role, leading the import operations team with a keen eye for operational ex- 

READ 

EVERY 

ISSUE 

ONLINE 


Import/Export Calendar of Events 

JUNE 

Sylva Wood, American Hardwood Export Council hardwood 

pavilion, Shanghai, China. www.sylvawoodexpo.com. 

June 24-26. 

AUGUST 

International Woodworking Fair, Georgia World Congress 

Center, Atlanta, GA. www.iwfatlanta.com. Aug. 6-9. 

TechnoMueble, American Hardwood Export Council 

hardwood pavilion, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. 

www.tecnomueble.com.mx. Aug. 14-17. 

SEPTEMBER 

21st Annual Global Buyers Mission, Whistler, BC. 

www.globalbuyersmission.com. Sept. 5-7. 

Celebrating 225 years of serving 

you, our valuable customer... 

since 1798! 



A guide to 

U.S./CANADIAN SOFTWOOD FOREST PRODUCT EXPORT SUPPLIERS 

A guide to 

U.S./CANADIAN SOFTWOOD FOREST PRODUCT EXPORT SUPPLIERS 

ADS IN THIS SECTION OF THE IMPORT/EXPORT WOOD 

PURCHASING NEWS ARE FREE WITH A QUALIFYING AD PROGRAM IN 

THE SOFTWOOD FOREST PRODUCTS BUYER 

Engineered to 

Your Needs. 

QUALITY PEOPLE CREATING 

QUALITY WOOD PRODUCTS 

Richardson Timbers 

1011 DENTON DRIVE - DALLAS, TX 75220 

#1 & Btr GREEN DOUGLAS FIR* 

sizes up tp 20” x 20” 

Lengths to 40’ 

NOW STOCKING: DOUGLAS FIR TRUE-DRY TIMBERS 

EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTORS FOR: LA, OK, TX 

#1 & Btr. WESTERN RED CEDAR* 

sizes up to 16” x 16” 

Lengths to 32’ 

OAK TIMBERS* 

sizes up to 12” x 12” 

Lenghts to 20’ 

*Larger sizes available upon request 

For Sales Call: (214) 358-2314 

Toll Free: (877) 318-5261 

Fax: (214) 358-2383 

Web site: richardsontimbers.com 

SERVING THE SOUTH SINCE 1949 

WHEN APPEARANCE ISN’T 

IMPORTANT, SAVE YOUR BUILDERS MONEY 

WITH OUR FRAMING GRADE GLULAM 

WHEN APPEARANCE IS IMPORTANT, YOUR 

CUSTOMERS WILL PREFER OUR 

www.Roseburg.com 

AUTHENTIC APPEARANCE GRADE 

Skana Forest Products Ltd. 

specializes in wholesale softwood 

lumber, plywood, fencing and 

the manufacturing of specialty 

Western Red Cedar 

B.C. 1.604.273.5441 

Florida 1.954.202.1001 

Quebec 1.450.281.1971 

503-631-4408 

www.bowersfp.com 

Softwood Drying Solutions 

WWW.GATESMILLING.COM 

End Tally with 

ARTIFICIAL 

INTELLIGENCE 

AW STILES 2X2.indd 1 

1/11/19 3:42 PM 

www.bc.com/ewp 

www.woodwayproducts.com 

Sales: Jeff@bowersfp.com 

HUMBOLDT’S FINEST 

Humboldt Sawmill is your 

source for top-quality 

Redwood and Douglas-fir 

dimensional lumber, 

timbers, and uppers. 

www.nyle.com - kilnsales@nyle.com - (800) 777-6953 

tallyexpress.com 

neiman enterprises.com 

866-466-5254 

Phil Hsieh +1 (778) 999-9587 

Aspen Pacific Industries Inc. phil@aspenpacific.ca 

Manufacturers of 

Lumber, Plywood & 

Engineered Wood Products 

www.bc.com/international-marketing 

SISKIYOU 2X2 2019.indd 1 

info@siskiyouforestproducts.com 

www.siskiyouforestproducts.com 

800.427.8253 • 6175 Hwy 273 

Anderson, CA 96007 

Fir/Larch, SPF, Hem-Fir, Cedar 

2x4; 2x6; 2x8 

Stud Mill-Usk, WA 

Random Mill - Colville, WA 

Random Mill-Midway, B.C. 

Ponderosa Pine 

Rough Green Mill - Eager, AZ 

4x4 - 7x9, 8ʼ-16ʼ 

(509) 604-5071 

www.vaagenbros.com 

Vaagen 

Brothers Lumber 


Your Source for Quality 

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 

AGL Group, The......................... 35 

AHEC (Amer. Hard. Export Council)............................................... 

34 

Baillie Lumber Co....................... 15 

Baystate Industries, Inc.............. 25 

Bingaman & Son Lumber, Inc......... 

Cardin Forest Products.................. 

Clark Lumber.............................. 23 

1/28/19 3:33 PM 

Cole Hardwood, Inc.....................40 

Elephant Lumber Company.......... 5 

Fitzpatrick & Weller......................... 

Global Trade Logistics Canada Inc. 

................................................... 27 

Hermitage Hardwood Lumber 

Sales Inc..................................... 19 

HHP, Inc.......................................... 

IWPA (Int’l. Wood Products Assoc.) 

................................................... 36 

Kretz Lumber Co., Inc.................... 

Lawrence Lumber Co., Inc............. 

McIlvain, Alan Company............. 37 

NAFF (N. Amer. Forest Foundation)................................................ 

Neff Lumber Mills, Inc..................... 

Newman Lumber Co.................... 3 

Penn-Sylvan International, Inc... 37 

Primewood..................................... 

RAM Forest Products, Inc.......... 35 

Rolling Ridge Woods Ltd................ 

Roy Anderson Lumber Co.......... 14 

SFPA (So. Forest Prodts. Assoc.)... 

....................................................11 

Simon Lussier Ltee..................... 17 

TMX Shipping Company, Inc.......... 

Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods........................................... 

9 

Transit King City/Northway Forw. 

Ltd................................................ 7 

Wheeland Lumber Co., Inc......... 36 

White, Harold, Lumber, Inc............. 

WOODBOX.................................... 

Yoder Lumber................................. 

www.siidrykilns.com 

800-545-6379 

Continuous wood 

drying greatness 

www.valutec.ca 

Producing 20 MBF Annually 

Manufacturing Eastern White Pine 

in 4/4, 5/4 and 6/4 Kiln Dried 

1-800-330-8467 • 1-603-473-2314 

Fax: 1-603-473-8531 

Rte. 153 & King’s Hwy. 

Middleton, NH 03887 

jmoulton@lavalleys.com 

www.dipriziopine.com 

MANUFACTURER OF 

QUALITY SOFTWOODS 

208.377.3000 

www.idahotimber.com 

EASTERN WHITE PINE. 

THE POSSIBLITIES ARE ENDLESS. 

Robbins Lumber Inc. 

• 2x10 Premium T&G “Loft Flooring” 

• 5/4x6 Standard WP4 • Timbers 

• 2” D& Btr. S4S Glued and Shaped Threads, 

Rails & Balusters • 5/4 D&Btr. Select Trim 

• 1x8 Premium D&Btr. T&G “Nickel Gap” 

• 20” Wide Pine Flooring 

PRODUCING SOME OF THE 

HIGHEST QUALITY WOOD PRODUCTS 

IN NORTH AMERICA SINCE 1927 

J.H. HUSCROFT LTD. 

–Est. 1927 – 

www.jhhuscroft.com 250-428-3713 

Douglas Fir/Larch boards and pattern stock: 1x4–1x12 

ESLP boards and pattern stock:1x4–1x12 

Douglas Fir/Larch lam stock: 2x4–2x12 

RESERVED FOR ADVERTISERS WITH 

IDAHO TIMBER 2X2.indd 1 

1/18/19 10:24 AM 

QUALIFYING AD PROGRAMS IN THE SOFTWOOD 

FOREST PRODUCTS BUYER

Import/Export Wood Purchasing News - June/July 2024

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