scholarly journals The status of forest certification in the Canadian value-added wood products manufacturing sector

2007 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyangi Jayasinghe ◽  
S. Denise Allen ◽  
Gary Q Bull ◽  
Robert A Kozak
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Forest Certification ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Chain Of Custody ◽  
The Status

With forest certification on the rise in Canada, a nation-wide mail survey was implemented in 2004 to gain insight into the attitudes of value-added wood products manufacturers towards certification. The majority of firms in this sector (64.8%) were not interested in forest certification, and only 17.6% were involved with forest certification at the time of the survey. Another 17.6% did express interest in becoming involved within the next five years. Low levels of knowledge and awareness regarding forest certification and a perceived lack of consumer demand for certified forest products were identified as factors contributing to the significant lack of interest in adopting certification. Although uptake remains limited, a cluster analysis identified a sizeable segment of manufacturers (43.5%) that has a "wait and see" attitude towards forest certification pending future developments in consumer markets. Logistic regression indicated that manufacturer interest in forest certification is linked to both awareness of chain of custody certification and a belief that certification can act as a competitive differentiation tool. Canadian value-added wood products manufacturers that are currently engaged or interested in forest certification tend largely to be ethically motivated and expressed concerns about the future health of forests and sustainable forest management. However, these same respondents were generally doubtful about the ability of forest certification to provide short-term financial gains. Key words: forest certification, chain of custody, value-added wood products manufacturers, Canada

Overview of the Canadian value-added wood products sector and the competitive factors that contribute to its success

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 2211-2226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah L. DeLong ◽  
Robert A. Kozak ◽  
David H. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Business Environments ◽  
Secondary Wood ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Industry Associations ◽  
Wood Manufacturing

In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the secondary wood manufacturing sector across Canada. Strengthening and facilitating the secondary wood manufacturing or the value-added sector is seen as the next step to creating a more sustainable economy across Canada. This research considered a large sample of secondary wood manufacturers across Canada and has provided standardized information for the entire sector. To evaluate the competitive position of the Canadian secondary wood manufacturers, two steps were undertaken. First, factors that have determined success in other sectors were identified. Second, the sector’s current business environments and the factors that contribute to its success were evaluated. The data that contributed to this research was based on a mail survey that was sent to all secondary wood manufacturers across Canada. The data indicated that the majority of businesses in this sector are small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and have common concerns that effect SMEs. Problems obtaining financing for expansion, market research, expanding to new markets, and upgrading employees’ skills are examples. There are also opportunities for increasing efficiencies through lean manufacturing and optimizing supply chains, but these types of initiatives will require education and training. Using logistic regression, we found that being a member of an industry association greatly increased the likelihood of a business being profitable. Thus, industry associations could be an effective conduit for the required training and education.

scholarly journals CSA's SFM Program: Market access through sustainable forest management

2003 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 1060-1066
Author(s):  
Peter J Johnson ◽  
Teresa M Borgiel
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Market Access ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Standard ◽  
Forest Certification ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Criteria And Indicators ◽  
Chain Of Custody

A growing number of national and international buyers are now specifying "certified" forest products in their procurement policies. In response, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) has worked with a diverse range of stakeholders interested in Sustainable Forest Management in Canada to develop CSA's Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Program. CSA's SFM Program consists of four distinct, yet inter-related components: CAN/CSA Z809, Canada's National Standard for Sustainable Forest Management; chain of custody for forest products; product marking with CSA International's SFM Mark; and, CSA International's Forest Products Group. When these components are combined they provide a comprehensive, credible, and affordable forest certification and product-marking program. The list of organizations accepting forest products certified through the CSA SFM Program is growing within Canada, the United States and abroad. Key words: Canadian Standards Association (CSA), forest certification, certified forest products, chain of custody, product marking, criteria and indicators.

Work climate, innovativeness, and firm performance in the US forest sector: in search of a conceptual framework

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 1703-1715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Crespell ◽  
Eric Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Organizational Behavior ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Work Climate ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Forest Sector ◽  
The Us

Innovativeness can help companies differentiate themselves, with the ultimate goal of securing survival and improving performance. Modern theories in organizational behavior look at innovation as something that starts with individual creativity but that is also affected by the work environment. Using one broad industry sector, the US forest products industry, this study attempts to integrate into a unifying model the concepts of work climate, innovativeness, and firm performance using structural equation modeling. Results support the proposed theoretical model, with some modifications, finding a positive and significant relationship among all factors. Having innovation as a core part of a company’s strategy and fostering a climate for innovation positively affects the degree of innovativeness and performance of a company. This is especially true for secondary or value-added wood products manufacturers. A climate for innovation is characterized by high levels of autonomy and encouragement, team cohesion, openness to change and risk taking, and sufficient resources available to people. Lack of a validation sample suggests treating the model as tentative until further testing.

scholarly journals FOREST CARE: Evaluating progress toward sustainable forest management in Alberta

1999 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 811-820
Author(s):  
Andrew M. Carpenter ◽  
Winifred B. Kessler
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Forest Planning ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Forest Certification ◽  
Certification Program ◽  
Audit Process ◽  
Certification Programs ◽  
Northern Alberta

Forest certification programs establish standards for sustainable forest management (SFM), and processes for evaluating the practices of companies relative to those standards. FORESTCARE is a volunteer, provincial-level certification program initiated by the Alberta Forest Products Association, its members, and stakeholders. Using a participating woodlands operation in northern Alberta as a test case, we examined how SFM criteria are applied in the FORESTCARE program, and whether measurable progress is evident. We also compared the FORESTCARE audit process with corporate and government audits performed in the same year. The test case revealed specific, measurable changes in management that represent actual or potential progress toward SFM. However, the improvements could not be directly attributed to the FORESTCARE Program. Recommendations are provided for strengthening FORESTCARE processes and practices. Key words: Alberta forestry, ecosystem management, FORESTCARE, forest certification, forest planning, public participation, sustainable forest management

scholarly journals Possible impact of forest product certification on the worldwide forest environment

1999 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc-André Côté
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Market Access ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Forest Product ◽  
Wood Product ◽  
Forest Certification ◽  
Forest Environment ◽  
Product Certification ◽  
Marketing Tool

Supporters of forest and wood product certification are generally seeking to improve forest management and to ensure market access to forest products. Although wood products certification can be seen as an interesting marketing tool, it is doubtful whether it will improve forest management at the international level. Forest and wood product certification is already seen as a complementary tool to other existing instruments such as regulations and subsidies. However, a closer analysis shows that certification could be focused on the wrong countries, management units, scales of management, actors and problems to be potentially effective. This article aims to assess the possible impact of certification processes on the worldwide forest environment. The identification of possible limitations of forest product certification process could help to make that instrument more effective. Key words: forest certification, environmental impact

scholarly journals A Case Study to Determine Drivers and Barriers of Appalachian Forest Products in Central America

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (22) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Scott W. Lyon ◽  
Henry Quesada-Pineda ◽  
Robert L. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Central America ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Forest Product ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Central American ◽  
Potential Market ◽  
Market Opportunities ◽  
The Government

The purpose of this research was to determine drivers and barriers of Appalachian wood product competitors in Central America. Potential market opportunities for Appalachian forest product companies in Central America were evaluated and strategies were developed to increase exports of Appalachian wood products to Central America. The findings support the claim that United States forest product companies have not put enough effort into marketing forest products to Central America. Forests in El Salvador, Panama, and Costa Rica are limiting harvests and the industry lacks support from the government, reducing the amount of raw material and production. Inconsistencies between Appalachian and Central American wood products industries (e.g., dimensions) act as a barrier to the efficient exchange of wood products. The best market strategies for Appalachian forest products companies to increase sales into Central America are: partner with local wholesalers, offer higher value-added products, and maintain similar pricing with competition. An outside source of wood is needed to meet the needs of growing regional infrastructure.

scholarly journals 2001 Economic Impacts of the Forest Products Industry in the South

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 181-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bart Tilley ◽  
Ian A. Munn
Keyword(s):  
Impact Analysis ◽  
Economic Impacts ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Ripple Effect ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Forest Products Industry ◽  
The South ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The economic impacts of the forest products industry in the South on state and regional economies were estimated using the Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN) System, an input–output model. Economic impacts were characterized by the (1) direct effects of these industries through their own output, employment, value added, and total and personal income and (2) associated economic multipliers that illustrate the magnitude of the ripple effect direct effects have on the rest of the economy. Direct effects and social accounting matrix multipliers for 2001 are presented by sector (i.e., lumber and wood products, paper and allied products, and wood furniture) for the 13 southern states individually and the region as a whole.

scholarly journals Forest certification in Asia: The changing marketplace for value-added wood product manufacturers in China and Vietnam

2012 ◽  
Vol 88 (05) ◽  
pp. 578-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tait Bowers ◽  
Ivan Eastin ◽  
Indroneil Ganguly ◽  
Jeff Cao ◽  
Mihyun Seol
Keyword(s):  
Value Added ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Wood Product ◽  
Forest Certification ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Manufacturing Operations ◽  
Product Manufacturing

China and Vietnam have become two of the key wood manufacturers in Asia that export a large percentage of value-added wood products globally. As regulations and environmental awareness from countries that import these products increase, manufacturers have had to establish certification practices for continued accessibility to these markets. A study based on managerial interviews and a survey with over 800 wood product manufacturing operations in China and Vietnam asked questions on how forest certification had been implemented in their business practices and what challenge had come from the adoption of these standards. These responses were analyzed to determine the contributing factors to the commitment to certification. Comparisons between China and Vietnam were used to identify country-specific factors that may influence a company's decision to obtain forest certification for its operations. Survey respondents indicated that acquiring certified raw material supply, market awareness, and certification costs were found to be the major constraints encountered in adding certified products to their sales mix. Lack of a domestic supply of certified wood was also a problem that led to a heavy reliance on imported wood at additional costs to the bottom line. Results revealed significant differences among the two countries regarding their perceptions of the benefits of certification, but showed that market benefits were the leading driver to a company's commitment to certification.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Debarking Small-Diameter Stems in the Wood Products Community

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-378
Author(s):  
Azadwinder Singh Chahal ◽  
Jaya Tripathi ◽  
Daniel Ciolkosz ◽  
Sarah Wurzbacher ◽  
Michael Jacobson
Keyword(s):  
Small Diameter ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Small Dimension ◽  
Pulp And Paper ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Ecological Benefits ◽  
Secondary Markets ◽  
Dimension Lumber ◽  
The Status ◽  
Additional Processing

Abstract Sufficiently valuing small-diameter-stem (diameter < 9 in.) woody material in Pennsylvania forest product markets may incentivize increased utilization of that material, a resource opportunity that would provide economic and ecological benefits to the state's forests and forest products community. Debarking is one primary process that could enhance the value of these small-diameter-stem materials for secondary markets. The wood products community in Pennsylvania was surveyed as to their perceptions of the status and value of economical small-diameter-stem debarking. The largest perceived current market for debarked, small-diameter-stem material identified by respondents is for chips for pulp and paper, and anticipated future demand is expected to be highest for chips for pulp and paper, chips for energy, and small-dimension lumber. Respondents who currently supply a given market tend to be more optimistic about that market than respondents who do not serve that particular market. Shredded wood/hog fuel and mulch are the two markets with the lowest overall scores for anticipated benefit of additional processing by debarking. Seventy-six percent of all respondents indicated that economical small-diameter-stem debarking would benefit their operation.

Economic Contributions of West Virginia's Forest Products Industry Over Time: A Look at 2006, 2010, 2015, and 2017 Data

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-212
Author(s):  
C. Clinton Gabbert ◽  
Kathryn Gazal ◽  
Joseph McNeel
Keyword(s):  
Value Added ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Solid Wood ◽  
The State ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Forest Products Industry ◽  
Industry Growth ◽  
Emerging Industries ◽  
State Economy ◽  
Industry Automation

Abstract West Virginia's forest products industry (FPI) has long been viewed as an important industry to the state. However, there is a lack of recent data regarding the economic contribution of the industry to the state's economy. The housing market collapse of the mid-2000s, subsequent recession, continued increasing global competition, natural gas boom, and other macroeconomic trends have affected the FPI in the state. The continuing evolution of the state economy necessitates a reexamination of the role the FPI plays in the state. Thus, this article examines the historical contribution of the FPI to West Virginia's economy using 2006, 2010, 2015, and 2017 data. Both the direct and total economic contributions of the industry substantially declined from 2006 to 2010. The largest declines were experienced in the secondary solid-wood products and wood furniture sectors. Between 2010 and 2015, the industry's direct and total contributions rose for all measures evaluated. Between 2015 and 2017, all measures of direct and total contributions of the industry also increased but at a much slower pace and remained lower than 2006 levels. The inability of the FPI in the state to return to 2006 levels of direct contributions suggests that long-term industry trends such as the continued offshoring of value-added forest products sectors and increased industry automation are still putting negative pressure on direct industry growth. Additionally, the industry is facing new challenges such as uncertainty about the future availability of the foreign markets and competition for resources from emerging industries.

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