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The 77th Annual Convention of the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (NELMA) was held May 13 & 14 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Boston to the theme of Support. Stability. Growth.   A total of 76 forest industry companies were represented with182 individuals that participated in the 1-1/2 days of meetings and social events.    Chairman Jeff Desjardins of Moose River Lumber welcomed attendees at the Opening Session, where a “State of the Association” overview was presented by Jeff Easterling, NELMA President. Election of members to the Board of Directors followed, with Alden Robbins (Robbins Lumber) elected to fill the expiring term of Tom Richardson (Crobb Box).   Re-elected for a second term was Terry Walters (Lavalley Lumber), in addition to the reconfirmation of Jack Hedstrom (Hedstrom Lumber) and Ralph Hamel (Hamel Forest Products) as representatives of Northern Softwood Lumber Bureau (NSLB) to the NELMA Board of Directors.

An afternoon of business sessions followed the Convention kick-off program, beginning with the Marketing Committee meeting.   Guest Speaker, Craig Larsen – President of the Softwood Export Council (SEC), provided an in-depth look at various regions of the world where NELMA’s lumber manufacturers may wish to explore as potential markets for their products via SEC-supported activities.   An overview of NELMA’s current marketing program which included the latest videos, publications, and websites was presented by John Rooks of the Association’s marketing and trade PR agency, The SOAP Group.   NELMA’s Pine Subcommittee reviewed the progress of the Pine Weevil Research, an Association sponsored 10-year project to develop weevil-resistant Eastern White Pine, currently in its 3rd year.   The meeting also included a discussion on the standard thickness of 5/4 material within the marketplace, and a review of board grade differences within North America.   The Dimension Subcommittee meeting followed where participants discussed the ongoing, jointly-supported Eastern Spruce-Balsam Fir lumber testing project, along with information regarding the potential testing of Norway Spruce lumber from trees grown within the Northeastern U.S. region.   The first day ended with an Opening Reception on the Terrace for participants to enjoy before a night out in Boston.

The second day of the Convention began with a meeting of NELMA’s Grading Committee, where members discussed actions approved the previous day by the Pine and Dimension Subcommittees, in addition to other topics of importance.   The Association’s Grading Services Report was given by Marc Moore, NELMA’s Director of Inspection Services, followed by the finalization of a grading and dues policy for proprietary mill grades produced by the membership.   Committee Chairman, Charlie Lumbert (Moose River Lumber) acknowledged the winners of last fall’s Eastern White Pine and Dimension Graders Competitions, presenting the traveling “Bronze Hammer” trophies to Irving Forest Products and Fontaine Inc., respectively.

Left to Right: Susan Coulombe (Irving Forest Products) and Nicolas Fontaine (Fontaine Inc.) accepting Bronze Hammer Trophy from Grading Committee Chairman, Charlie Lumbert.

The Grading Committee meeting concluded with the presentation of the 2009 Safety Awards by NELMA Chairman Jeff Desjardins (Moose River Lumber) and 1st Vice-Chairman Peter Buckley (Mill River Lumber).

The bi-annual lumber and economic forecast by Paul Jannke of Forest Economic Advisors was presented to the members following the Grading Committee meeting in a separate 1-1/2 hour session, titled, “Lumber Markets Have Begun to Recover: Is this Recent Run Sustainable?”.   The Industry Lunch & Entertainment program featured Joe Malarkey, humorist and motivational speaker of “Choose to Lose” fame, followed by an afternoon special 1-hour session devoted to updating NELMA members on the Lumber Check-off Program, provided by guest speaker, Steve Lovett of the Blue Ribbon Commission, and the Commission’s Northeastern Representative, Kevin Hancock (Hancock Lumber).

Official business at the Convention concluded with the meeting of NELMA’s Board of Directors, where reports on previous Committee actions were discussed, along with the presentation of Administrative, Grading Services, and Financial reports to the members.   NELMA’s Legal Counsel, George Burns, provided the latest information regarding three ongoing lawsuits on the counterfeiting or misuse of the Association’s trademark in wood packaging stamps.   Additional topics of discussion included a Forest Economic Consultancy proposal, and the creation of two Coordinator inspection positions within NELMA’s Inspection Staff.   Two additional updates on issues important to the members were provided, first, by Zoltan van Heyningen, Executive Director of the Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports, regarding the market effects on the current Softwood Lumber Agreement. Secondly, Phil Ruck of CES Inc. presented the latest information on environmental permitting requirements and deadlines.

The Board of Directors approved the following actions:  (1) Initiate a task group of Marketing Committee members to coordinate with the Softwood Export Council a reverse trade mission to the Northeast in October of potential overseas buyers and targeted trade press editors,  (2) Direct NELMA Staff to complete a basic comparative grading rule study of NELMA’s board grades with those of the West and Canada,  (3) Continue to develop a lumber sampling plan with the US Forest Products Laboratory on Norway Spruce, for cost purposes and further review by the Board,  (4) Continue the NELMA-sponsored graders competitions for Pine and Dimension, directing staff to coordinate dates and locations for conducting events in September/October 2010,  (5) Enter into an agreement with Forest Economic Advisors that permits NELMA’s members to receive monthly forecast information on forest products and economics, in addition to one-on-one consultancy services, and  (6) Approve the creation of two Coordinator positions from the existing NELMA Inspector positions with the primary task of inspector training and performance consistency, one for each of the inspection programs, export wood packaging and lumber.

The Chairman’s Reception following the Board of Directors meeting wrapped up the 2010 Annual Convention.   A musical montage video set to the lyrics of “I Will Survive” starring NELMA’s members and guests, and produced during the Convention, was debuted for everyone’s fun and entertainment. The evening closed with a trip to the Boston Pops, with John Williams as guest conductor for their “Hooray for Hollywood” night.

Mark your calendars for the Fall Board of Directors Meeting and Golf Outing, set for September 16 & 17 at the Red Jacket Inn, North Conway, New Hampshire.   The 2011 Annual Convention will be held April 28 & 29 in Boston at the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel.