Remember when companies and associations maintained multiple websites with vanity URLs to broaden online informational reach? Times have changed.
The Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (NELMA) has launched a brand-new, completely redone website that clearly and concisely encapsulates all interests for all NELMA audiences. The new NELMA.org launched in late summer 2021.
“The new NELMA.org offers a one-stop shop approach,” commented Jeff Easterling president of Maine-based NELMA. “Our audiences – retailers, architects, builders, contractors, students, and consumers – have been asking for this; this what our members need, too.
“We’re bucking the old trend of vanity websites for separate products and programs,” continued Easterling. “Retailers need to know product information that helps them sell more wood easily and clearly. Consumers want instant inspiration. Builders and contractors need help from one source. Architects don’t want to search and hop around the internet. With the new NELMA.org, it’s all in one place in a clearer, cleaner, more educational format.”
For You, the Retailer
Whatever you used from NELMA4Retailers.org has made the journey over to the new NELMA.org. The NELMA Retailer section focuses on sales tools and tips specifically for selling Eastern White Pine and SPFs; whether it’s tech info, span details, the popular grade swatch – it’s all in one place.
The NELMA Retailer Directory is still an important part of the website to provide that connection between the product they want with where to buy it locally! One easy and free registration later and you’re part of the NELMA database for builders, contractors, and consumers to search.
Consumer Interface
Number one on a consumer’s list: inspiration. How best to use Eastern White Pine and SPFs? Beautiful images of timely, trendy possibilities for the home and commercial environments. Tutorials on how to handle and use lumber to achieve the desired effect. Research material, in the form of the new “Profiles in Pine” book, which provides a new way of getting beautiful case study information directly into the hands of consumers.
When it’s time to purchase, consumers can click over to the NELMA Retailer Directory to find the closest Eastern White Pine and SPFs dealer near them.
Calling All Architects
Architects love reading and learning more about how wood has been used in the past from the White Pine Monographs; don’t worry, they’re still around! These unique case studies, highlighting multiple wood uses from Revolutionary-era homes and projects to current day, are a staple of architect-facing education.
Speaking of education: easy access to NELMA’s AEC Daily class, “Eastern White Pine: Sustainable Versatility” may be found at the click of a button on the new NELMA.org.
NELMA Members
With the combination of all NELMA information sources into one location, a giant library of marketing materials is at the disposal of all NELMA members.
Two years ago, NELMA members asked their Association for help in recruiting talent for jobs in the lumber industry. The NELMA Jobs program was born, and it’s still going strong. Members list job openings within their mill and, with support from their Association, these listings are shared far and wide to hopefully bring new and much-needed employees into member mills.
Architecture Students, This Contest is for You!
Back in 2012 NELMA launched the industry’s first-ever student design competition with the Sustainable Versatility Design Award. Over the years, the Association has awarded both cash and publicity to budding architects who have accepted the annual challenge of specifying a unique project centered around Eastern White Pine or SPFs.
While the contest wasn’t held in 2020 or 2021, it will come roaring back in the fall of 2022 with all-new challenges leading to all-new inspiration.
And all contest information will be located on the new NELMA.org.
NELMA.Org in a Nutshell
The new website is easy-to-use, with a beautiful, easily navigated interface. It represents a visual branding evolution from the previous pages, with all open encouragement to all visitors to explore and learn from other audiences represented on the website.
The first look at NELMA.org exposes the visitor to inspiring, beautiful pictures of current projects from around the country. A sort of visual “this is what’s possible with Eastern White Pine and SPFs” statement. Following this immediate hit of inspiration, users are invited to find their home within the website.
More project photos, more information, easily cross-referenced data and knowledge – it’s all there, topped off with a touch of the simplicity needed when attacking complex challenges like bringing multiple audiences with multiple needs together under one virtual roof.
“The industry as a whole is a holistic ecosystem of education with tools that can translate from one audience to another,” concluded Easterling. “With the new NELMA.org, we’ve created that necessary central portal for all things northeastern and great lakes Softwood products.”
