In October, more than 50 members of the Hardwood Manufacturers Association (HMA), non-members, and industry suppliers gathered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the Association’s Fall Regional Meeting. Over three days, attendees shared knowledge, saw new technology and equipment in action, and caught up with industry colleagues—new and old.
During our time together, we were able to tour Kendrick Forest Product’s largest sawmill in Edgewood, Iowa, as well as their Forever Cabinets by Kendrick plant, Kendrick Home and Shimlee wood sign operations, and see their amazing store, The Markket—in full fall décor. We also were able to tour Bruggeman Lumber’s sawmill in Hopkinton, Iowa, as well as the Kendrick Forest Products sawmill and the HNI Corporation’s furniture manufacturing facility Muscatine, Iowa.
Extra thank yous go out to our meeting sponsors: The Baillie Group; Kendrick, Inc.; Stella-Jones Corporation; Bruggeman Lumber Inc.; and Kittrell Appraisals. Our meetings wouldn’t be possible without your above-and-beyond contributions. And I thank you for your extra support.
Earlier in the month, several HMA members were able to attend the 106th Railway Tie Association Conference at the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa in Henderson, Nevada. Working with the RTA, HMA hosted a session on the hardwood market that was moderated by Dana Lee Cole, executive director of the Hardwood Federation. It was a great session and an open forum to discuss the state of the industry and marketplace for hardwood ties. I look forward to continuing our collaboration at future events.
Before I close out this month’s column, I’ll ask you to save the dates for HMA’s 2025 National Conference and Expo, which will take place Tuesday–Thursday, June 10–12, in Knoxville, Tennessee. More details are available at HMAmembers.org.
