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The importance of industry involvement

There is nothing more empowering than being able to impact your industry, your company, and yourself. Every day, treaters, sawmills, preservative manufacturers, forest land owners and more have the opportunity to do just that as they engage in the numerous organizations that both govern and support the wood industry.

“Through involvement, both the company and individual become part of the process and support mechanism for wood products,” explains Tim Carey, industrial specialist for Arxada. “My former colleague used to say ‘It’s important to give back to where you make your living.’ And our organizations collectively provide opportunities for us to individually and collectively contribute to the betterment of our industry.”

These organizations are varied in what they offer the industry, but all strive to create solidarity and to affect wood use in a positive way. “Arxada is involved in about 70 different organizations,” explains Grady Brafford, industrial sales director for Arxada. Grady, a 40-year veteran of the wood industry is active with many of those organizations including the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA), Treated Wood Council (TWC), and Southern Pressure Treaters Association (SPTA). “Each organization plays an important role in helping further the wood industry’s agenda,” Grady says.

Tim, who is involved with nearly a dozen groups, explains that these associations’ main purpose is to aid the wood industry through creating standards, lobbying, and promotion as well as advocating the benefits of wood over its competitors such as concrete and steel.

“These organizations help build expectation and regulatory guidelines for the wood treating industry as well as develop or provide an educational resource for contractors and building industry members,” says Mike Wiechec, national sales manager for Arxada. “As members, we understand the value they offer the industry as a whole. Being a member of an association that supports wood means connectivity to not only our customers but also to the entire wood business. We can understand regulations and expectations for the treated wood industry and provide a voice or a seat at the table where we have the opportunity to positively impact our industry.”

All of the associations serve different roles in their support of the wood industry. For example, AWPA, American National Standards Institute, Railway Tie Association, American Railway Engineering & Manufacturers Association, and International Council on Large Electric Systems are national/ international standards writing groups for wood products.

“By providing standards, our products can be easily purchased for the intended application,” Tim says. “And, many of those standards are set by the wood industry for the wood industry.”

AWPA is made up of more than 500 individual members who work together to provide a foundation for the quality and performance of treated wood products for residential, commercial, military, and industrial uses. According to Colin McCown, executive director for AWPA, “Being involved in the standards development process gives each member an opportunity to shape and improve upon those standards. Because AWPA’s membership includes many people from outside the treated wood industry, involvement allows participants with different perspectives to come together

ARXADA code specialist Josh Roth participates in building related organizations, here talking to officials about the changes in codes in Georgia.

and develop standards that are beneficial to manufacturers, specifiers, and end-users.”

Colin further explains that AWPA’s primary contribution to the wood industry is the development of consensus-based voluntary standards for treated wood products, preservatives, quality control procedures, laboratory analysis methods, evaluation of new wood preservatives, and other valuable standards. “This is important because standards give end-users and specifiers confidence in the performance of treated wood products and help to maintain a consistent level of quality across the entire industry when implemented,” Colin says. “AWPA also contributes to the industry by educating its members regarding new and emerging technologies, by providing a forum for discussion of industry and end-user issues, by giving individuals an opportunity to develop standards upon which their industry relies, and by supporting the use of those standards within the industry as well as to specifiers and end-users.”

Serving on organizations’ sub-committees to affect standards the wood industry lives by is just one outlet for involvement. SPTA and Western Wood Preservers Institute (WWPI) are examples of treated wood support organizations, providing information to end users on how to best use products. TWC is a lobbying organization that monitors the national and local government activities that may affect the use of treated wood products. Forest Products Society is a research organization that provides support through testing and research of wood products in various applications.

Butch Bernhardt, senior program manager for WWPI, explains that this group serves as a voice for the treated wood industry in the West, advocating the safe and sustainable use of preservative- and fire-retardant-treated wood products. “Our responsibilities include increasing public and consumer awareness of our products and industry, securing reasonable regulations for treated wood products and processes at the federal, state, provincial and local levels, and promoting the development and application of codes, standards and quality assurance programs to meet the needs of both treaters and product users,” Butch says.

Butch explains that “with more than 60 active treater and service member companies, WWPI offers a voice and forum for its members, while working to influence the industry and the way the public views the industry. Within those member companies, hundreds of active individuals work together on four standing committees that cover the products, uses, and regulatory issues affecting preserved wood products.”

SPTA caters to the industrial market through support, education, and research. Its members produce more than 75% of the U.S. market utility pole supply and also produce wood crossarms, piling, and other industrial timbers that are the backbone of the U.S. utility grid and national infrastructure.

SPTA executive director Kevin Ragon explains, “SPTA allows the opportunity to network, exchange ideas, discuss production issues, supplies, advise and comment on regulation at the state and national level. We offer the ability to disseminate product information and performance to our customer base and we comment on product standards, market issues, and provides product research to address specification and environmental issues.”

But, really, why be involved at all?

“Being involved, among other things, shows our commitment to the industry we play in,” says Chris Leslie, retail marketing manager for Arxada. “In the competitive world we live in, it is imperative to be present and keep your name prominent. In addition, being members of industry organizations and attending their events is crucial to staying aware of what is happening in the business as well as who the key decision makers are.”

Additionally, Butch explains, “The treating industry faces significant challenges in many areas, from onerous regulations and restrictions on the use of treated products to misperceptions and bias against preserved wood as well as competition from alternative materials. These challenges often cross product lines, customer groups and geography.”

The best way to address these changes as well as any other issues facing the wood industry is to bring all elements together within the industry to fully understand the issues and develop effective, proactive solutions. The only way to affect movement within the industry is to get involved, joining with other like-minded companies and individuals who strive to make their voice heard and their industry successful.

– Belinda Remley is a marketing professional with Arxada in the Wood Protection business unit. She has been promoting wood and the protection of wood for nearly 30 years.

NOT JUST hard work but also comaraderie is a reason to participate in industry associations. During the recent SPTA annual meeting held in Memphis, Elvis stopped by for a visit. (L-r) David Pike, Belinda Remley, and Tim Carey from Arxada Wood Protection enjoy some time with the singer.