HowWWPA wod(s with retailers

LTHOUGH the Weryn Wood Products Associatisr (WWPA) is a trade association mad6

;; ;i' western states, its scope of influence bnot limited to @t area. Working in cooperation uffir other trade associa-tion and deah:organizations, it serves the entire msry from its Portland, Or., office.

The manufacturers represented in WWPA are responsible for a typical annual production of l8 billion board feet. Thiq rppresents 6570 of the nation's softwood output.

The work of the association is divided into tfuee main divisions: rnarketing serviees, technical services and economic ffivices. It also functions in y and transportation activities. services division is l'ln I he marlcgflHg drvrsron is divided into tfoee departments: prod- ulvruecl rnro rlEgc crepanmenls: proquct promotion.# services and ex- ulr pr vrrrvlrvrri G€iIl/ Jtr vtlgJ 4rru gAport. The functieof product promoi1"" and use of western lumbenprograms., Co.n; sumer and trade advertioiltg, editorial promotions and literature hll{nto this place, encouraging the acceptance of western lumber products and educating users of these products to their proper use.

In addition, field services conducts a series of seminars for people important to the lumber industry. By the end of the 1985-86 season, these seminars will have reached some 3,000 architects, 14,000 retailers and 2,500 builder-remodelers.

Export's function is to develop offshore market opportunities for western lumber products. As part of this

"ttt' program they maintain in cooperation with the Southern Forest Products Asmciation an office and staff in London, England.

Technical services hgs two divisions. The quality standar& and lumber inspection division establishes and maintains standard western lumber sizes and uniform grades and provides an inspection service. The second division, wood engineering, provides research and wood engineering information.

The economic services division is a source oI lumber production and marketing statistics on western l$mber. It publishes reports and price indices.

In addition to its individual responsibilities in the wood products industry, WWPA is a member of the Wood Products Promotion C@cil (WPPC) which also includes as mmbers the American Plywood Asgociation, the American Wood Council, the National Forest Products Association and the Southern Foresl Products Association.

Formed astle nation was recovering from the resion of the early 1980s, WPPC's funCtion was-and is-to eliminatt, duplication of efforts and hke joint action in activities for the good of the entire industry. Each year the council identifies common markets and objectives. They also identify technical and building code activities needed by all the participating associations.

Using these match-ups, they organize programs for the year. At least two members must be involved in each program. Home repair and remodeling, residential construction markets and non-residential construction have been targeted with renovated homes, model homes and educational seminars undertaken by the group in the past few years.