NHIA'S 88th annual

ESPONDING to the continued effect of foreign competition,the National Hardwood Lumber Association kicked off its opening session with an in-depth look at offshore markets.

It was one of a number of important issues NHLA addressed during its 88th annual convention, held in Los Angeles, Ca.; a first time for that city and only the third time the annual meeting has been held in the west.

In his opening talk, E.R. Thomas, Jr., NHI-A president, made a strong appeal for more promotional funds for the Hardwood Institute, part of NHL-A,. He noted that "promotion is virtually unheard of in our industry."

The first speaker, Dana G. Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick & Weller, reviewed the European market on a countryby-country basis, noting that Switzerland, Spain, Austria and Italy are growing markets for the U.S. He said that while current markets were down, the long term trend is up, the key being a stable American dollar.

Peter M. Ross, Ontario Hardwood Products, Ltd., observed that "our industry has become part of the global hardwood market." Ross said that the Pacific Rim countries were the "hottest areas" and that Japan and Taiwan were the strongest markets for American hardwood. Asia is a permanent growing market and one that will increasinglY continue to affect U.S. hardwood people.

Steve V. Losser, National Dimension Manufacturers Association, said the hardwood industry needs to be more marketing oriented and more consumer directed. In an excellent slide presentation, Losser illustrated how imports were gaining in importance and how marketing strategies must take this into effect. "Our customers are going overseas," he warned.

John V. Ward, National Forest Products Association, said that the American hardwood industry must go with the shift of the business to the Far East. "We can't fight it," he said, adding that "they have the labor, the products and the market."

He also noted the forming stePs being taken at the NHIA, meeting to create the Hardwood ExPort Trade Council to help promote greater use of American hardwood in international trade.

The following day, at the general session, new directors were elected to serve three year terms. TheY are: George "Bud" Baker, Baker Hard-

Story at a Glance

Ef f ecls of import/export changes discussed...some Rules changes...new directors elected...next year's meeting: Montreal, Canada.

wood Lumber Co., National City, Ca.; Wendell M. Cramer, W.M. Cramer Lumber Co., Hickory, N.C.; James R. Duncan, Monticello Hardwoods, Inc., Monticello, Ms.; Roman B. Oser,, Kimball International, Inc., Jasper, In.; Arthur H. Ploetze, Schaller Hardwood Lumber Co., Poplar Bluff, Mo.

The meeting, which was held at the Century Plaza Hotel, October 2l-23, also adopted some Rules changes affecting Philippine mahogany, "Clear Face" cutting grades of surfaced lumber and the standard grade of seconds. Association bYlaws were amended to increase the communication and education aspects of the NHLA as well as to accept custom kiln dryers and hardwood timberland owners to membership eligibility.

In other business it was agreed to increase inspection per diem fees for NHLA inspectors to $145, to increase the reimbursement for lumber handling charges in complaints or reinspection to $15 per thousand or actual cost, whichever is less, and tentatively approved acceptance of the Hardwood Research Council into the framework of the NHLA.

Attendance was nearlY l25O' making it the largest gathering of hardwood people in the world. Next year's meeting will be held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, October 20-22, 1986.