Why Knot Come And See How NHLA Is Addressing Your Challenges
Here are the top challenges I see the industry facing:
1. Increased competition for domestic logs from log exporters.
2. Shrinking domestic demand for graded hardwood lumber due to competition from substitute products.
3. A lack of skilled trade labor, along with high-cost manual labor, requiring expensive automation and operational optimization.
4. Competitiveness of hardwood lumber in nontraditional markets.
5. Residual markets for low-grade and underutilized species logs, bark, and wood waste.
It takes time to change the direction of an association, but NHLA has turned an important corner. The NHLA strategic plan opened the door to a broader understanding of the role the Association should play in supporting the industry. Grants and other funding opportunities have helped NHLA expand its operations and capabilities, and today, NHLA is actively working to address the challenges facing the hardwood industry.
1. Increased competition for domestic logs from log exporters
The Information Services Committee is focused on advocacy and working with Crossroads Strategies in Washington, D.C., to increase government procurement of hardwood products grown, milled, and manufactured in the USA, while also sustaining hardwood infrastructure markets such as ties, pallets, and matting. Increasing domestic demand will help stabilize domestic production, leading to stronger log prices and making the value of domestic manufacturing outweigh the value of shipping logs overseas.
The Lumber Services Committee is also guiding the National Inspectors’ log yield studies, funded through a USFS grant, to improve utilization and fiber recovery while demonstrating the value of processing logs domestically. If your mill hasn’t signed up for one, it needs to.
2. Shrinking domestic demand for graded hardwood lumber due to substitute products
The Information Services Committee is also focused on promotion and serves as the primary association supporting RAHC efforts to promote Real American Hardwood to design professionals. Through grants and outreach efforts, NHLA has been exhibiting, educating, and advocating for hardwood within the hospitality design industry and in major publications to push back against fake wood alternatives. RAHC is also utilizing social media to influence consumers and increase awareness of real hardwood products.
The Convention & Exhibition Committee remains focused on bringing the industry together through networking and sales opportunities that help keep supply chains open and hardwood moving throughout the world.
3. The lack of skilled trade labor and the need for operational optimization
The National Hardwood Academy & ITSEF Committee is focused on training across all aspects of sawmill trades and hardwood industry skills. The Inspector Training School continues supporting lumber graders while also pursuing grants related to AI grading and emerging technologies. Sawfiler classes and additional hardwood industry training programs continue to provide practical education that helps mills strengthen their workforce.
The Lumber Services Committee is also expanding the role of National Inspectors through in-house training and quality control services that are changing how inspectors are viewed within the industry. They are no longer utilized only for disputes. Their work on fiber utilization and operational improvement is becoming a game-changer for participating operations. As Dana Spessert often says, “Automation is not optimization,” and NHLA is helping members ensure the ROI is truly there.
4. Competitiveness of hardwood lumber in nontraditional markets
The Lumber Services Committee is working alongside other organizations to advance markets NHLA has not actively pursued in generations. Opportunities such as structural-grade lumber and radius-edge decking complement existing yield grading rules while giving mills additional outlets for 100% sound, lower-grade boards. Thermal modification is also creating opportunities to better compete with tropical imports in higher-end applications.
The Membership & Networking Services Committee is focused on collaboration with allied associations, government agencies, universities, and members to advance market research and development that strengthens the hardwood industry and enhances the member value proposition.
5. Residual markets for low-grade and underutilized material
The Market Impacts Committee is focused on creating and strengthening markets for hardwood lumber impacted by current events while also anticipating future challenges and preparing NHLA to meet them head-on. The Wood Truth Task Force, the Log & Lumber Export Task Force, and other ongoing initiatives are all centered around addressing issues that directly impact our markets and our members.
Overall, NHLA’s committees are focused on addressing the challenges facing the hardwood industry by increasing demand, improving operations, expanding markets, and strengthening the industry’s long-term competitiveness.
NHLA will be talking about all of this at the Convention this year. Want to hear how we have reoriented our efforts around the industry’s growth challenges and member outcomes? Then why knot come and see how NHLA is addressing your challenges?
See you in Cleveland!
