The Regional Wood Products Consortium A Collaboration between Sustainable Forest Futures &

1. The Regional Wood Products Consortium A Collaboration between Sustainable Forest Futures & The Wood Products Industry in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine & northern New York NAASF Annual Meeting 15 Jun 2010

2. Regional Wood Products Consortium Context: As a whole, wood products manufacturers are under stress from foreign competition, high energy and labor costs, etc. If companies are to survive and prosper, their willingness to adapt and change will be keys to future competitive fitness and drivers of regional forest-based economic growth. Goal: …to facilitate innovation and market access for wood products companies Purpose: …to enhance economic competitiveness and profitability for small to medium sized wood manufacturers

3. Regional Wood Products Consortium Key Trade Association Partners Include: Wood Products Manufacturers Association Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association NH Timberland Owners Association Maine Wood Products Association Empire State Forest Products Association

4. Regional Wood Products Consortium • 2010 Specialized One-Day Innovation Workshops • Geared to leaders of SME wood products companies • Provide relevant information to assist in deciding to pursue innovations • “Innovation Service Providers” follow-up assistance • 50-percent match up to $7,500 per company • Strengthening the manufacturing network • across four states and building infrastructure • for support in moving forward

5. Regional Wood Products Consortium 2010 Specialized One-Day Innovation Workshops • 3 rental cars….. • One on one sit downs with the boss (mostly) at over 70+ manufacturers • lead to idea generation and gauging interest for the Consortium and the • first two workshop series: • Developing New Marketing Strategies • Making Effective Use of Technological Advances 10 workshops 5 sites 4 states 4 consecutive weeks

6. Regional Wood Products Consortium 2010 Specialized One-Day Innovation Workshops Developing New Marketing Strategies Augusta, ME – Concord, NH – E. Montpelier, VT – Glens Falls, NY – Utica, NY Best Marketing Practices & Strategy ● New Tools for Web-Based Marketing Export Opportunities ● Positioning in the Green Marketplace Attended by over 50 companies with follow up activity underway

7. Regional Wood Products Consortium 2010 Specialized One-Day Innovation Workshops Making Effective Use of Technological Advances Augusta, ME – Concord, NH – E. Montpelier, VT – Glens Falls, NY – Utica, NY • CNC • Dr. Rick LeMaster, NC State • Finishing • Dr. Veronic Landry, FP Innovations • Joinery and Adhesives • Dr. Daniel Hindman, Virginia Tech • Dust Control/Collection • Michael Gilliland, P.E., Engineering Systems, Inc.

8. Regional Wood Products Consortium 2010 Specialized One-Day Innovation Workshops • Other Topics to occur in the Fall include: • Lean Manufacturing for Small & Medium Sized Wood Products Companies • Mass Customization, Speed of Delivery and Customer Service • Enhancing Competitiveness through Going Green ~ Long-term – going beyond Investment Zone horizon Future projects to include: WCA/Four-State partnership, collaborative efforts in regional wood products marketing

9. Regional Wood Products Consortium Questions - Ideas - Feedback Collin Miller, CF Director of Wood Products Initiatives Sustainable Forest Futures cmiller@northernforest.org (603) 229-0679 ext 110 www.foresteconomy.org All workshop presentations available for download