New US timber industry body launches for 2010

A new US timber industry coalition group launches on January 1 to represent the interests of the sector in the development of building codes and standards, environmental regulation and the drive towards sustainable construction.

The American Wood Council, which has been in development since the summer of 2009, is affiliated to the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and initially chaired by Marc Brinkmeyer of the Idaho Forest Group. Adrian Blocker of West Fraser Inc is the council officer representing lumber, Fritz Mason of Georgia-Pacific structural panels, Rob Taylor of Weyerhaeuser engineered wood products and Andrew Miller of Stimson Lumber other wood products. Diana Blenkhorn of the Maritime Lumber Bureau is also involved, representing the Canadian Wood Council.

“This new coalition will ensure that wood products manufacturers have a broadly-supported, unified and powerful voice at the table, so that we can secure a strong future for the wood products industry in the face of an onslaught of upcoming challenges,” said AF&PA vice president Robert Glowinski. “If we’re going to make sure we still have an environment in which we can operate successfully, we need the strength of a combined effort. The AWC provides a structure to do that, from our industry’s smallest operation to the largest multi-national.”

He said that the new body would work closely with existing trade organisations.

“The AWC’s focus on regulatory, legislative and marketplace advocacy means it leaves a myriad of issues, such as product promotion, to other groups, and it will closely coordinate with them on issues and strategy,” he said.

The new organisation will have a full time staff and an estimated annual budget of $3-4 million paid from “members’ dues”. It will also be able to draw on the manpower and other resources of the AF&PA.