38 Years Strong: Forest Products EXPO Convenes In Nashville
The Music City Center in Nashville, TN, recently welcomed attendees to the 38th Forest Products EXPO. The Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) hosts the biennial event.
This year, over 240 exhibitors from 34 states and nine countries were expected to showcase their products, representing 184 different categories, according to information provided by the EXPO pre-show. The exhibitors’ hall encompassed approximately 61,000 square feet.
From raw material handling to crane operations, metal detection and scanning technologies, log optimization, drying, grading, sorting, packaging and distribution – all aspects of the industry were represented.
Additionally, the Women’s Leadership Summit was held and Sawmill Safety Awards and Summit were presented.
In the Women’s Leadership Summit, led by moderator Donna Whitaker, former vice president with Interfor (and former board chair with SFPA), three trailblazers shared actionable strategies and real-world insights. Dr. Heidi Adams, associate professor and Frank Merritt, endowed professor of forestry at Louisiana Tech University, spoke about mentorship, education and advancing women in the industry. Heidi Danbrook, sales manager with Gilbert, addressed sales and marketing excellence, and Kim Drew, APR, spoke about strategic communications and public relations.
The Sawmill Safety Summit gives mill representatives an opportunity to discuss safety culture, how it achieved zero incidents in 2024 and advice for mills looking to improve their safety records.
SFPA lumber manufacturing members in three divisions were recognized with the 2024 John Edgar Rhodes Sawmill Safety Excellence Awards.
Companies honored were Almond Brothers Lumber Co., Weyerhaeuser, West Fraser and Lampe & Malphrus Lumber Co.
To learn more about the next Forest Products EXPO, go to sfpaexpo.com.
