Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1538938
Pallet C e nt ral •S e ptem be r- O ctobe r 2 0 25 27 include engineered wood components or "finished-to-order" materials for mass customization, and expanding into new or adjacent markets, from boutique flooring producers to nontraditional buyers such as green construction startups. NHLA's Role: Support, Intelligence, And Advocacy Amid upheaval, the importance of trade associations like NHLA has never been more pronounced. Members turn to NHLA not only for trade policy advocacy but also for support in navigating regulatory change, best-practice sharing, real-time market intelligence, and safe, efficient operations. Regular updates, technical workshops, and expanded peer- to-peer networking opportunities provide members with strategies for efficiency, innovation, and collaboration— often in real time as market events unfold. Risk And Renewal In 2026 e outlook for the industry in 2026 remains uncertain but not without promise. e coming year will likely be marked by continued consolidation, as more mills close or merge in pursuit of greater efficiency. Global trade is expected to face sustained headwinds unless there are significant policy shifts, while softwood is anticipated to gain increasing market share in sectors traditionally dominated by hardwood. Domestic demand is projected to remain stagnant, which will continue to limit the prospects for recovery. Nevertheless, real opportunities exist for those willing to innovate. Companies that refine their value propositions by offering tailored, bespoke products may be able to carve out new profit pools, even within a contracting sector. Organizations that build creative alliances across trade, government, and manufacturing can play a role in shaping future policy and opening alternative markets. Both entrepreneurs and established operators stand to benefit from participating in industry forums, pursuing process improvements, and investing in next-generation processing capacity. e story of North American hardwood lumber in 2025 is still being written. While risks are many and the old certainties are gone, resilience, innovation, and innovative advocacy provide real hope for the future. e path forward is neither straight nor easy, but it remains open to those who choose to act. ''Adding to this, increased subs tu on of so woods by industrial users, driven by lower costs or greater availability, places further downward pressure on certain hardwoods.''