Newsletter

Representatives from American Softwoods attended EXCON in Lima, Peru to promote U.S. softwood lumber, engineered wood products, and structural panels in mid-October. This was the 23rd iteration of EXCON and had over 400 visitors registered. Both national and international companies were in attendance and exhibited on 30,000 square meters of space. The exhibit hall was […]

The final report of the Central American Emerging Markets Program (EMP) project is now available to SFPA members. This is just one of several EMP projects that the U.S. forest products industry is undertaking to reach potential new markets. Phase 1 of the Emerging Markets Program in Central America has already been completed and included […]

In early December, American Softwoods representatives exhibited at the Cairo Wood Show in Nasr City, Egypt to promote American softwood products and acquire more knowledge of the Egyptian market for American lumber. Additionally, the trip helped to establish relationships with leading Egyptian lumber importers. While this was the first time American Softwoods has exhibited at […]

On December 9, North American mass timber giant, Structurlam Mass Timber Corporation, announced it will expand its operations into North America with a plant in Conway, Arkansas. Structurlam will invest $90 million to purchase, retrofit, and equip a former steel plant. Set to open mid-2021 the timber production facility will create 130 new jobs, and […]

In late September, SFPA Deputy Director Eric Gee and Caribbean Consultant Fradbelin Escarraman visited Guatemala as part of the Emerging Markets Program (EMP) Central America project. EMP projects reach potential new emerging markets, and surveys of those trained through these projects show significant increases in the understanding of and desire to begin importing U.S. softwoods. […]

Representatives held a pair of technical seminars in St. Maarten and Aruba during the first week of November. Aimed at wood traders and specifiers, the purpose of these seminars was to educate attendees on the uses and specifications of U.S. softwood lumber. Overall, attendees responded very favorably to both seminars, showing a desire for more […]

SFPA Communications Manager Julia Milrod and retired SFPA Vice President of Communications Richard Wallace attended DeckExpo in Louisville in early November. Exhibiting as part of the Softwood Lumber Board’s Think Wood campaign, SFPA representatives were on hand to provide information, publications, and resources about Sothern Pine lumber to interested attendees. As plastics and composite materials […]

In late October, SFPA Deputy Director Eric Gee, and SPC International Program Consultant Jerry Hingle traveled to Santiago to introduce U.S. softwood lumber to key Chilean wood importers and distributors, and assess the market for Southern Pine lumber from the U.S. A producer of significant volumes of softwood lumber itself, Chile has become a promising […]

Representatives from American Softwoods attended the International Softwood Conference (ISC) October 15-18 in Antwerp, Belgium. Occurring annually at a different European capital, ISC exists so that producers and users of wood and wood products can engage in dialogue on markets and resolve any bilateral issues. Formatted as a series of presentations and less formal discussions, […]

For the first time in ten years, representatives from American Softwoods attended the Vietnam Wood Show in Ho Chi Minh City to promote U.S. softwoods. Vietnam Wood is considered the largest and best trade show for the wood manufacturing sector in Vietnam. U.S. softwood lumber exports to Southeast Asia have been increasing in recent years […]