Columns

How Can Your Company Benefit From AHEC Membership? Over the past several months, I have spoken with many of you in the hardwood industry and have found one topic that keeps coming up: finding new markets. As substitute materials and trade challenges impact our industry every year, there is a critical need to create new […]

This Season’s Hottest Gift (Not as expensive as you might think–and certainly less expensive than the cost of industry decline.) The season of gift-giving is upon us. Some of us meet this time of year with excitement – others not so much. (Dread might be the word they use.) Certainly, the process can be stressful. […]

Why Knot Show That All Hardwood Matters? Struggles in the hardwood industry aren’t the fault of any one issue—they’re the result of everything hitting at once. So, I pose this question: Do all our product lines matter equally? What’s more critical—flooring or furniture? Pallets or rail ties? Cabinets or millwork? Logs or lumber? Exports or […]

Sights Set On 2026 It’s hard to believe that it’s already December, but I think we can all agree that we’re ready for a new year and a fresh start! At the Hardwood Manufacturers Association (HMA), we’re staying busy and making preparations for our 2026 National Conference and Expo, which will take place Wednesday–Friday,March 25–27, at […]

Why Knot Lead Your Board Of Directors? Leadership matters. It shapes people, organizations, and outcomes. From politics to church, businesses to families, we’ve all seen the difference between good leadership and bad leadership. Throughout my life, I’ve had the privilege of standing on both sides — as a follower and as a leader. And one […]

Shaping The Future Of Wood Flooring Amid Uncertainty As we approach 2026, the hardwood flooring industry is looking ahead with both optimism and caution. Members of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) recognize that while opportunities are on the horizon, challenges such as tariffs, labor shortages, and shifting consumer demand cannot be overlooked. In times […]

EUDR May Be Delayed, But American Hardwood Assured Platform Still Important On September 23rd, news broke that the European Union is strongly considering another delay to the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which was set to go into effect on December 30, 2025. IT issues with the system used to track the enormous […]

Promoting Southern Cypress When it comes to promoting Cypress building products, the Southern Cypress Manufacturers Association (SCMA) leads the charge. From partnering with magazines on editorial and video projects to creating engaging social media and educational content, the SCMA maintains a diverse promotion campaign that benefits all Cypress producers and distributors. Following is a brief […]