The Hardwood Industry’s Evolution
This June, the Hardwood Manufacturers Association (HMA) is transforming the “Marble City” into the “Hardwood City.” Will you be there, Wednesday-Friday, June 11-13? We’ll be convening at the Marriott Downtown Knoxville and across the street at the Knoxville Convention Center. The industry’s most anticipated event will provide plenty of in-demand learning sessions; sold out exhibit space; and networking opportunities to mix, mingle, and share knowledge with industry colleagues—old and new.
This year’s theme is Evolution and our learning sessions are designed to help you lead your company into the future and beyond. Here’s a preview of what’s on the docket.
Transforming An Industry
A historic industry filled with generational family businesses and legacies, that was once king of American agricultural production in its sector, has been infiltrated by lookalike products. Real vs. fake. Sound familiar? The struggle is not limited to the hardwood industry.
Farrah Newberry, VP of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs for The Dairy Alliance, will take the stage to discuss how the dairy industry paved a path for the future of milk and dairy products by investing in promotion, education, and research.
What can the hardwood industry learn from a similar industry’s strategy and success?
ForestryWorks At Work
ForestryWorks is a collaborative effort between the Forest Workforce Training Institute and various partners within the forest industry. Currently operating in eight states, the initiative educates students, parents, and teachers about career opportunities in the forest industry while providing pathways for students and job seekers to start their future career in the industry.
The Tennessee Forestry Association’s Larry Pitts, Workforce Development coordinator, and Caley Peyton, Education and Outreach coordinator, will be with us to shed some light on ForestryWorks and how the initiative is working to create a sustainable pipeline of qualified workers for the forestry and forest products industry for generations to come.
U.S. Forest Service Wood Innovations Grants
You’ve heard about the USDA Forest Service’s Wood Innovations Grant (WIG) program. You’ve read about other companies securing grants. You’ve thought about applying for a grant the next time around. How do you get started?
HMA is welcoming back Marcus Taylor, Wood Innovations coordinator for the Southern Region, to provide an overview of the WIG program, discuss how a grant can help your company improve operations and upgrade equipment, review what companies are eligible for funding, offer guidance on the application process, touch on other available funding opportunities, and answer our questions.
Let’s Talk Insurance
There are a lot of questions surrounding insurance, especially in the lumber industry. Are you covered? Do you have enough insurance? Do you have too much? What do you need to know about your current policy and risk management considerations when it’s time to renew or search for a new provider?
Three industry colleagues representing the retail, carrier and broker perspectives on insurance will sit down to discuss these questions and more.
• Corey Bounds, Risk Assessment and Claims Director of Engineering, Continental Underwriters
• Lindsey DiGangi, Vice President of Field Operations, Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company;
• Robin Little, Director of McGriff Insurance Services – National Forest Product Practice
(now a Marsh & McLennan LLC agency)
Our full schedule can be found online at HMAmembers.org.
There’s still time to register but act quickly as hotel rooms are going fast. All the details—including our full schedule and a listing of exhibitors—can be found at HMAmembers.org. And feel free to direct any questions to me at ian@hardwood.org.
Before we part ways this month, I’d like to thank the following companies for going above and beyond with their support of NatCon 2025. Your generous support is truly appreciated.
Thank you to:
• Event Sponsors:
Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company and Taylor Machine Works, Inc.
• Platinum Sponsors:
TS Manufacturing Company and USNR
• Gold Sponsors:
Frank Miller Lumber Company
• Silver:
CARBOTECH, Hurst Boiler & Welding Co Inc, and Peak North America
• Bronze Sponsors:
Continental Underwriters and DMSi.
