Why Knot Hold On?
I love my job. But I’ll be honest, it just got harder.
The hardwood industry is riding a tariff rollercoaster, and the track ahead is uncertain. We don’t know what the next three months will bring, let alone the next three years. And if there’s one thing that kills business, it’s uncertainty.
Uncertainty paralyzes decision-making. And if you’re not frozen, you’re forced to make high-stakes decisions with limited information and high risk. You can’t just “go for it” and hope the bottom doesn’t drop out without risking everything. It takes study. It takes analysis. It takes support.
I hate rollercoasters. Especially the drop. That gut-in-your-throat moment where you lose your breath, that’s not fun. But the speed, the twists, the upside-down rush? That I can handle. The problem is, we’re not climbing anymore. We’re still dropping, lower and faster.
So, what is NHLA doing to support you through this ride?
We’re not just holding on, we’re working to stabilize and lift the entire hardwood industry. Our strategy is rooted in promotion, advocacy, education, and, new for the first time in years, product development.
Promotion
The NHLA contributes 5 percent of its dues to the Real American Hardwood Coalition (RAHC). Last year alone, we gave $100,000 in cash, accounting for about a third of all association contributions and 15 percent of RAHC’s total revenue.
We’re going beyond funding. We’re leveraging staff time and NHLA resources to match USDA Forest Service grants aimed at reaching designers and architects. We even brought on a Hardwood Technical Design Director to help drive these efforts. Projects are already underway that prove our influence is working, and RAHC is on the rise.
Advocacy
The NHLA is the backbone of the Hardwood Federation, contributing 10 percent of our dues and making up roughly a third of their budget last year. Without NHLA’s support, their work in D.C. wouldn’t happen.
Just last month, the Hardwood Federation held its annual fly-in, where NHLA members helped push for tariff relief and a 30 percent tax credit for hardwood flooring in homes, a member-driven idea now being championed on Capitol Hill.
Education
Since 1948, the NHLA Inspector Training School (ITS) has been a launchpad for careers and a lifeline for companies seeking consistent, high-quality grading standards. ITS is one of the most trusted sources of hands-on, hardwood-specific education in the industry. Whether you’re training the next generation or sharpening your team’s edge, NHLA’s educational programs—including ITS and continuing education—are designed to build knowledge, boost confidence, and support long-term success. And with exciting updates on the horizon, there’s never been a better time to take a closer look.
Product Development
We’re investing in innovation. NHLA recently hired a Director of Research and Development to grow the thermal modification market, support structural hardwood research, and introduce new, labor-efficient hardwood products, particularly for exterior and interior applications. It’s a bold move. But we’re not here to play it safe, we’re here to lead.
Operational Support
This doesn’t even include how we help you run more efficiently. Whether it’s through inspections, grading training, kiln drying expertise, or our export programs, NHLA is built to keep your costs down. We’re also expanding corporate partnerships to help you save on the products and services you use every day.
Yes, the industry is on a wild ride. But NHLA is your seatbelt, your steering wheel, and your brake pedal. We’re working to reduce your risk while we take on some of our own, so you don’t have to go it alone.
We’re running at peak performance to lift you out of this downturn and put you back on the path to growth. Now is not the time to drop your NHLA membership. It’s the lifeline designed to pull you back up.
I might not like the drop, but I’ll ride it with you. Because I want to stop the fall just as much as you do. And I know we can rise again, together.
So why knot hold on?
