Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1194984
Randy Panko BLADE SALES MANAGER Wood-Mizer Indianapolis, Indiana n The Importance of Tariff Relief in the Hardwood Industry: With the dedicated efforts of the Hardwood Federation and members in the forest products industry, our government leaders understand the negative impact of tariffs on hardwood log and lumber exports. In addition, these tariffs have slowed the markets for woodlot owners selling timber, logging operations, hardwood mills, pallet mills, and everyone involved in these markets. While this decrease in international demand of hardwoods has affected the industry, the pallet manufacturing and recycling sector has also expe- rienced a negative impact with the extra lumber supply going towards the domestic demand for railroad ties and crane mats. There are mil- lions of board feet of potential lumber standing in the forest and ready to be sustainably harvested, however woodlot owners are reluc- tant to manage their timber with this recent economic uncertainty. As we enter into the 2020 election year and beyond, recovering the demand for our valuable hardwoods in China is critical. As you know, U.S. hardwoods are preferred by China due to the high quality of product and our well-managed business practices. By reducing these tariffs, the increase in demand will motivate woodlot owners to manage their forests, activate logging crews to harvest hardwood logs and low grade tree length material, which will in turn fill log yards, open markets for hardwood mills, and provide lumber to pallet mills to grow our businesses and the economy. I encourage you to continue speaking with your local and state representatives about how these tariffs have impacted your businesses. Recovering our hardwood relationship with China is an important step to positively influence the future and success of our forest products industry. PC 22 PalletCentral • November-December 2019 palletcentral.com LEADERSHIP U.S. hardwoods are preferred by China due to the high quality of product and our well-managed business practices. ... Recovering our hardwood relationship with China is an important step to positively influence the future and success of our forest products industry. –Randy Panko