SouthernPine.com is Live!
After many months of planning and development, Im proud to share SouthernPine.com is now live! This newly redeveloped site provides an easy-to-use, one-stop-shop for all Southern Pine lumber technical guidance, resources, and best-use applications.
SouthernPine.com combines the following sites into a single resource for all things related to Southern Pine lumber:
- SouthernPine.com (and the members-only site)
- SFPA.org
- Southern Pine Global
- Southern Pine Decks
- Raised Floor Living and Raised Floor Living Pro
The SFPA team put a lot of thought into the design and functionality of the site, focusing on how users like design professionals, builders, and DIYers would access the valuable information that supports the Southern Pine lumber community. The result is a more unified and user-friendly experience for all, with the goal to further reinforce SFPA as the resource for all things Southern Pine lumber.
In addition to bringing all our resources under one recognizable brand and URL, we’re very excited to offer the growing international community of Southern Pine users a complete resource in their native languages.
SFPA 2024 Membership Starts Strong, Continues Streak
There’s no denying 2023 was a record year for membership, with 42 new associate members last year. This year is already off to a strong start with two new members already who we know will elevate the already-strong community of Southern Pine lumber manufacturers and providers:
Are you ready to join SFPA, or do you know someone, either a lumber manufacturer or company that supports the Southern Pine lumber community, who would benefit from SFPA membership as much as you? Get started today by clicking here.
Spring Meeting
Have you registered for the joint SFPA-SLMA Spring Meeting, to be held March 20-22, 2024, at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans. If not, what are you waiting for?
Who should attend? All SFPA members, but especially owners, operators and decisionmakers involved with lumber manufacturing, remanufacturing, and treating; lumber and wood products; buying; and supply.
We also have secured some great speakers to discuss Southern Pine lumber promotion efforts in Mexico the impact of technological advances like AI and machine learning, and how the industry is responding to pressure-treated wood regulatory challenges.
There will be a lot of networking and fun – it is New Orleans, after all! So, if you make it into town, you’ll have to stop by the SFPA Happy Hour on the first night (share the location & time) for a cocktail or two and a chance to catch up with old friends!
Click here to register for the Spring Meeting.
Forest Products EXPO 2025
In case you missed the announcement, SFPA is excited to announce we’re headed back to the Music City Center in Nashville from August 6-8, 2025, for the 38th Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Exposition! Exhibit space sales for the 38th Forest Products Machinery & Equipment EXPO are scheduled to open in May 2024.
The move to Nashville in August 2023 exceeded all expectations, and we heard it over and over on the show floor and for weeks after the event from exhibitors and attendees alike. We’ve already had booth space requests, so we can’t wait to return to the Music City Center.
Haven’t exhibited or attended the Forest Products EXPO in the past or missed last year? Click here to see why you need to be there in 2025!
RAPP Funding
Late last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) launched the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), and SFPA has already submitted its application for $1.5 million over five years to expanding Southern Pine lumber market support throughout the Caribbean, while promoting Southern Pine in Egypt -, which has strong potential at the center of the North Africa region.
SFPA has facilitated international trade of Southern Pine lumber for more than 35 years, receiving federal funding to assist in foreign market development. The Association offers companies a variety of ways to get engaged and take advantage of the promotion opportunities. From issuing verified trade leads that come in via a product inquiry to its network of members experienced in lumber exports or through travel to sponsored trade events, SFPA’s international program is helping grow exports of SYP lumber. In 2023 alone, those efforts generated:
- 916 shipping containers of Southern Pine lumber requested via SouthernPine.com
- 490 Mbf of Southern Pine lumber exports (2022 figures)
- $8 million-plus in new sales from 67 trade leads at sponsored trade shows around the world.
You’ll be the first to know when we hear about the status of the RAPP application!
Board Dues Credit
In another “in case you missed it,” I wanted to make sure you saw the amazing news that SFPA’s executive committee approved a credit of $155,000, or 51% of budgeted dues for its lumber manufacturer members.
This significant credit demonstrates our association’s and our board’s commitment to prudent budgeting and increasing SFPA’s value for its members. This ongoing dedication has allowed the SFPA, for the third time in our 118-year history, to share excess revenue with our lumber manufacturer members.
Southern Pine Promotion Activities
SFPA is always somewhere in the world promoting the benefits and best use of Southern Pine, and we have a busy few weeks coming up with the following events:
- IndiaWood in Bangalore, India, from February 22-26
- International Builders Show in Las Vegas from February 27-29
- Dubai WoodShow in Dubai, UAE, from March 5-7
- Philippine International Furniture Show in Manila, Philippines, from March 7-9
I can’t wait to share reports and insights from each as they occur.