Providing technical resources, leading promotional efforts, identifying and developing new markets, and collaborating with other like-minded organizations is key to keeping Southern Pine lumber in front of building professionals.
That’s where the Southern Forest Products Association comes in. SFPA is a nonprofit trade association that was founded during the golden age of sawmilling in 1915 – advocating for standardized grading, sustainable forest management, and proper use of Southern Pine lumber.
For more than 100 years, SFPA has focused on its founding principle – Service. Through strategic programs and activities, SFPA serves the Southern Pine lumber community with technical publications, industry data and reports, international market development, and trade events that showcase the latest in lumber processing technology. SFPA also represents Southern Pine products and services around the globe, managing a comprehensive product promotion program.
So, what are SFPA’s Southern Pine lumber main resources available to building professionals and their customers?
KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER
SFPA recently launched a completely redesigned website to create a one-stop-shop for everything Southern Pine lumber-related that brought six separate websites under one unified brand – SouthernPine.com.
This newly restructured resource has everything builders and other Southern Pine lumber end users need, including:
- Why Southern Pine, which has information on the species itself, pressure-treated lumber, design values, Southern Pine’s versatility, and sustainability in the industry.
- Using Southern Pine, which includes technical guidance on floors, ceilings, and roof joists and rafters, headers and beams, decks and porches, raised wood floor foundations, permanent wood foundations, maritime use, bridges and noise barriers, pallets and crates, and post-frame construction.
- Resources, including span tables, specification guidelines, sizing and seasoning requirements, and lumber grading with descriptions, methods, and an intro to grade and quality marks.
- Southern Pine Global, which offers a purchase inquiry portal, exporter directory, and other information to promote Southern Pine lumber among the international community.
“The SFPA team put a lot of thought into the design and functionality of the site, focusing on how users like design professionals, builders, and DIYers would access the valuable information that supports the Southern Pine lumber community,” said Eric Gee, SFPA’s executive director. “The end result is a more unified and user-friendly experience for all, with the goal to further reinforce SFPA as the resource for all things Southern Pine lumber.”
SFPA also maintains a technical resource and reference library specific for Southern Pine lumber. The professional design community has access to more than 40 publications in 12 languages to share with customers and end-users.
INTERNATIONAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT
For more than 35 years, SFPA has facilitated international trade of Southern Pine lumber by issuing verified trade leads and contact information for builders, architects, importers, and other Southern Pine end users to its network of associate members experienced in lumber exports.
SFPA leverages annual USDA funding from the Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) Market Development Programs to build and support commercial export markets for U.S. commodity products. Supported activities include hosted reverse trade missions, sponsored tradeshows, events, seminars, and market research.
SFPA, its members, and partner organizations APA – The Engineered Wood Association and the Softwood Export Council will attend more than 16 international events in 2024 alone to promote Southern Pine lumber under the American Softwoods brand.
In fact, SFPA members have access to more than 150+ international event recaps going back to 2012 SouthernPine.com with literally thousands of potential contacts looking to import Southern Pine.
HOW IS ALL THIS POSSIBLE?
Outside of FAS funding for international efforts, it’s the support, participation, and feedback from SFPA’s lumber manufacturing (which make up about 50 percent of Southern Pine lumber produced each year) and associate members that elevates the Southern Pine lumber community.
SFPA members are visionary industry leaders who understand the power of community. Connections built through SFPA activities, which center around networking, resources, intelligence, and recognition, drive significant growth for the entire Southern Pine lumber industry from start to finish in six main categories:
- sawmills
- lumber exporters, dealers, and distributors
- machinery and equipment manufacturers
- pressure-treated lumber or wood preservers
- remanufacturing, truss, and components producers
- service providers (insurance, finance, association, technology, etc.)
SFPA also collaborates with a variety of allied organizations to accomplish mutually beneficial objectives and maximize staff resources that include, but is not limited to: - American Forest and Paper Association
- American Wood Council
- APA – The Engineered Wood Association
- Society of American Foresters
- Softwood Export Council
- Softwood Lumber Board
- Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association
- Treated Wood Council
- Western Wood Preservers Institute
- WoodWorks
SFPA’s effort to communicate the benefits and sustainability of Southern Pine products is just one example of what happens when multiple groups work together to succeed. This is why we always say We’re Stronger Together.
Learn more today at SouthernPine.com.
