From the BIG Desk

FROM FROM THE BIG DESK

Forestry Mutual has undergone a remarkable evolution in the past ifty years as we have pursued our vision to become a regional leader as THE wood products insurance provider. During this time, we have always understood how important our commitment to insurance sustainability in the industry has been to you, and what it means to be an insurance leader in the industry.

Moving forward together in mutual success.

We are built around three equally strong commitments to our customers, communities, and employees. Forestry Mutual leadership in providing comprehensive forestry and logging insurance brings together what we believe is essential for maintaining a company's long-term health and growth. Pursuing these goals alone will deny us all that success. Instead, success requires that we consistently work together to achieve our mutual success.

Setting the standard.

We have realized that to serve you better and stay connected with our clients was by creating a new Communications Director position in early 2021. Our hiring of Jean-Paul (JP) Damé, in my opinion, changed forever how we present ourselves as a company to our customers and the industry. My goal with this position and adding JP to our team was for Forestry Mutual to be more involved and supportive of our regional associations and partners. Not to mention having Forestry Mutual stay socially connected to our customers. Under JP's direction, we have upgraded our image, presence, and training videos in the industry to re lect what I've always thought, as an insurance leader; in my words, "we set the standard." A standard our competitors cannot match. Our ability to serve our customers, associations and partners have dramatically improved under his management.

Accordingly, within Forestry Mutual today, we are increasingly adapting our strategies, training, operations, and culture to drive positive results across our industry. Forestry Mutual owes credit to our many association partners and dedicated insurers who have helped us achieve these results through direct engagement and constructive feedback.

What does a policyholder retention rate say about FMIC customer service?

Client loyalty is always something we appreciate and work to achieve. Through FMIC Insurance Agency and our numerous Agent partners across the Southeast, we are grateful that we have maintained a retention rate of 97% and above for many years. This further emphasizes the importance of competent and consistent customer service to our business. Our policyholders are our number one priority, and history has proven that customers who are respected and treated professionally tend to stick around. Our goal each day is to provide the best possible customer service experience for our insureds across all departments of the Forestry Mutual team.

Trucking, trucking and more trucking.

Train, train, and continued training to our diminishing pool of truck drivers will keep our industry moving forward. I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it, Train your drivers to slow down, especially in turns and highway off-ramps, stay off their technology while driving, get plenty of rest and take your time. "Where you are going will be there when you arrive...arrive alive."

We understand that there are other choices in the wood products industry when selecting an insurance company, and we never take it for granted when you choose Forestry Mutual as a partner.

Let's continue to shape the future together.

If you have any questions or suggestions on how we can better serve you, please don't hesitate to give me a call.