July, 2008

IHLA Hard Newswww.ihla.org

Inside ThisIssue

President’s Message 2South Golf 3Selling Green Trees & Logs 4Mission Trip to Vietnam 4

INDIANA STATE FAIR

HARDWOODS TAKE CENTER STAGE

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Indiana’s hardwood industry will be the featured attraction of the 2008 Indiana State Fair, as over one million Hoosiers are ex-pected to descend upon Indianapolis for the twelve-day celebra-tion. This year’s fair theme is “Year of Trees.”

“We’ll just call this the official celebration of the beginning of our comeback,” said IHLA President Ronda Derleth, citing the extended slump for the industry, in the wake of a very weak housing economy and overseas manufacturing competition.

Derleth will be one of a handful of dignitaries, including Gover-nor Mitch Daniels, who will be on hand to officially start the fair on Wednesday, August 6. They will drive the final wooden pins into the newly-constructed covered bridge on the fairgrounds, which is where the opening ceremonies will take place.

IHLA members donated the poplar trees, which were then sawed on donated Wood-Mizer portable saws to create the amazingly beautiful bridge. The bridge’s builder, Dan Collum of Parke County, built the bridge to replicate the famous Bridgeton Bridge in his home county. A complete list of donors can be found on page 5.

IHLA and the DNR Division of Forestry will be the opening day sponsors, as the fair kicks off with Indiana Hardwood Forestry day on August 6. Log trucks, Wood-Mizer saws, logging equip-ment and industry displays will all be on display along Expo Street, while a 6,000 square foot finished goods showroom will begin a twelve-day run inside the Ag/Hort building at the front of the Midway.

Also featured daily will be a lumberjack show (three times every day), trees planted throughout the grounds, the Tree Top Gift Shop, signature foods from Indiana trees, and a celebrity cross-cut sawing contest on August 13.

The official fair program features Indiana’s hardwoods industry on the inside cover, page 3, and in a letter from the governor where he touts the importance of our industry to the state’s heri-tage and its economy.

Also look elsewhere in this issue for a list of exhibitors, both along Expo Street on opening day, to the Ag/Hort Building throughout.

You are Invited…..

Wednesday, August 6, is opening day at the Indiana State Fair, and it is also Indiana Hardwood Forestry day. IHLA and the DNR Division of Forestry are co-spon-sors of the day.

In addition to the opening celebration at the covered bridge, the fair’s marquees and signage will all salute the hardwood industry, and our industry will be on dis-play from equipment on Expo Street, to a finished goods showroom inside the Ball State Ag/Hort building.

IHLA is requesting that every member company em-ployee or family member who can make it to please attend the opening ceremonies, so that we can show the state of Indiana what we’ve been saying for years – that ours is the state’s largest agricultural industry and represents $17 million of annual economic impact to our state.

Free tickets are available, and we want to turn out in force for the opening ceremonies at 8:00 a.m. This day will enjoy the most media exposure, and it’s our chance to do something special at a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Bridge Celebrates State’s Heritage 5Membership News 6PAC Support 7International Woodworking Fair 7

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Hard NewsPublished by the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association

3600 Woodview TraceSuite 311Indianapolis, IN 46268Phone (317) 875-3660Fax (317) 875-3661www.ihla.org

Editor:Ray Moistner

Office Manager:Denice Helmbrecht

(317) 875-3660Production & Advertising:

Denise McComb(317) 875-3656

PresidentRonda Derleth

1st Vice President Darin Hollingsworth2nd Vice President

Chris MooreFinancial Chairman

Rick ZormanImmediate Past President

Jim Steen

Board of DirectorsPaul BranchGeoff BrownCraig Cook

Jon DeMotteJoe EarleyMista Feist

Dan HermanKenneth Lynn

Michael F. PowersMatthew Smith

Mike SchilmillerJeff Settle

Heidi TuckerBrian Will

Mark Williamson

President’s Message

Things Are Happening!

I would like to welcome all of our new members that have recently joined IHLA. I feel certain you will find this association one of the best in the industry. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact myself, our staff, or any

board member.

It is amazing how fast time has flown by since our convention. Despite a slow economy, we were fortunate to have great at-tendance and continue to host one of the larg-est regional conventions. We have a much diversified group of individuals volunteering to serve on all the various committees.

The first important issue in February was the senate hearing on House Bill 1280. We had excellent representation working and testify-ing on the language of the bill. The fact that the bill was sent to the summer study committee made it even more evident that we do have a voice! Ray and the legislative committee continue to closely monitor any legislation that would adversely affect our industry. Our forestry committee will be studying the issue of certification and will make recommendations later this year on this very controversial subject.

IHLA and the Division of Forestry have part-nered together to share expenses for a major kick off at the state fair, promoting hardwood in Indiana. Our commerce and education committees have worked together to get the language ready for the kiosk sign which will include “Did You Know…” facts on the forests of Indiana, economic importance, and greenness of wood. The kiosk will be lo-cated by the covered bridge, which IHLA has been instrumentally involved with. A section in the Ball State Ag/Hort building will have display space to showcase finished goods and other related products and services. This will be a big year for us, so find a way to jump in and do your part. Don’t forget the IHLA booth in the Our Land Pavilion building needs volunteers.

Our commerce committee has done an excel-lent job of getting our IndianaWoodIsGood.com web site up and running. We will be promoting this throughout the 12-day dura-tion of the fair, so I would encourage all of our members to register.

Don’t forget our north golf outing coming up on July 19th, and the Texas Hold’em tourna-ment on July 18th. It is always an excellent

time to come and enjoy the camaraderie.

I hope all of you are well after the floods that have hit our state. Andy Miller and the Depart-ment of Agriculture held a conference call on June 10th to discuss key crop, livestock, and other Ag issues. Some that joined in on the call were from the Indiana Board of Animal Health, Office of the Indiana State Chemist, and the USDA Farm Service Agency. In listening to the discussion, it was amazing to hear such a broad range of concerns, just on the agriculture side, that would need to be dealt with when the flood waters recede—how farmers will dispose of contaminated seed, low seed supply replen-ishment if they are able to replant, disposal of pesticide containers with no labels, concerns of organic farmers, mosquito control, water safety issues, debris cleanup, private dams, etc. There is no doubt each one of us knows someone who was directly affected. People have lost homes, farms and animals—please keep them in your thoughts and prayers, and HELP where you can.

Ronda Derleth

2008 UPCOMING EVENTS

Decision Making Software Tools for SawmillsMay 29

Area 30 Vocational Center - Greencastle

North Golf TournamentJuly 19

Monticello, Indiana - Tippecanoe Country Club

Indiana State FairAugust 6-17

(State Fair Theme - Year of Indiana Trees)

IHLA Lumber Grading Short CourseSeptember 16-18

Forestry Discovery Center - Starlight

IHLA/IFIC Fun ShootOctober 4

Triple H Gun Club - Linton

NHLA ConventionOctober 8-11

San Francisco, CA

Dollars and Sense of Going GreenOctober 28-29

Sheraton - Downtown Indianapolis

IHLA Fall Board MeetingOctober 31

West Lafayette

IHLA Convention & Exposition February 4-5, 2009

Hyatt Regency Downtown Indianapolis

Expo Street, August 6 (partial list)

C.C. Cook & Son Lumber CompanyEntertainment Themes IndianaIndiana DNR- Urban ForestryIndiana Society of American ForestersProject Learning TreeRudd EquipmentStihl Power ToolsWood-Mizer Products

Ball State Ag/Hort Building (Entire Fair)

Borkholder FurnitureDomtarFerree Cabinet Co.Greendell Mulch & MixHollingsworth LumberHoosier National ForestIndiana Association of Consulting ForestersIDNR Division of ForestryIndiana Tree FarmInwood Office FurnitureJasper DeskJasper GroupKDA FurnitureKline Cabinet MakersMCT IndustriesPaoli, Inc.Pike LumberProject Learning TreeRom WeberThe Sampler, Inc.Tiffany Lawn & GardenWilliam Hermann & Son

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Indiana State Fair continued from page 1

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Industry NewsIndustry NewsSouth Golf AlwaysA Fun EventThe south golf tournament has become a fun tradition with the membership of IHLA and we certainly couldn’t do it without the assistance and support of our sponsors.

Even though it was a chilly day for our first outing at Chariot Run, everyone had a great time.

The winner was the Industrial Carbide Saw & Tool team of Dan Williams, Chuck Crush, Chip Crush, Tyler Zink with a score of 60. Second place honors went to the Tri-State Timber LLC team of Brent Franklin, Sam Shapiro, Ralph Burns and Randy Cruse. Other prize winners were closest to the pin--Lennie Underwood and Sam Shapiro, while Andy Stachura won Longest Drive.

Be sure to visit www.ihla.org for pictures of the day.

Thanks South Golf Sponsors

First PlaceIndiana Veneers Corp., J&J Pallet,Koetter Woodworking, Stemwood,

Wide and Long Lumber,Worley Lumber Co.

Second Place

Pingleton Sawmill

Closest to PinBrandeis Machinery, Tri-State Timber LLC

Longest DriveSchrader Real Estate & Auction

Hole-in-One PrizesU.C Coatings Corp.

Hole SponsorsHardwood Market Report

Indiana Hardwood SpecialistsIndiana Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Co.

Northland TradingProgressive Solutions

Rudd EquipmentWhayne Supply Co./Caterpillar

Special thanks toJerry Renneker & Matt Smith

Golf Committee Chairs

A Guide to Useful Woodsof the World

Published in cooperation with the InternationalWood Collectors Society (IWCS), the description foreach of the 279 species includes: scientific andfamily names; common names; distribution; thetree; the timber; seasoning; durability; work-

ability; uses; and supplies along with a line drawing, a photomi-crograph, and a color photograph of the wood. Also included are 3indexes and 3 appendices. 640 pages, 6 by 9 softcover, $44.95

A Guide to MoreUseful Woods of the World

Continuing with the information published in AGuide to Useful Woods, this book includes 71 addi-tional species, 2 comprehensive indexes, and 14 ar-ticles from professionals in wood-related matters.376 pages, 6 by 9 softcover, $34.95

Order both books for $69.95. Quantity discounts available.

Order the Set and Save!

To order online and for additional must-haves, visit:www.forestprod.org/mycart!

To order by phone, call 800-354-7163, ext. 202.

Forest Products Society, 2801 Marshall Ct., Madison, WI 53705

Invaluable ReferenceSources for EveryoneInterested in Wood

South Golf WinnersIndustrial Carbide Saw & Tool Team

LOGGER TRAINING NOTICE

The Crawford County SWCD is offering the following loggertraining classes at Harrison Crawford State Forest:

Cutter I, II - July 11 & 12BMP - July 19Skidder I, II - July 25 & 26

Limited Spaces - Call Crawford County SWCD at 812-338-3224 for information. Certification provided by the Indiana Forest Industry Council

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Industry NewsSelling Green CertifiedTrees and LogsChain of Custody Certification for the Logging and Indiana Forest Products IndustriesJuly 29 – 31, 2008The Indiana Division of Forestry is sponsoring seminars for Indiana forest products industries who wish to learn about and achieve chain-of-custody certification under the Forest Stew-ardship Council (FSC). The seminars will be designed to help loggers and primary sawmill operators determine the process necessary to become certified. There is no cost to attend one of the seminars; the Division of Forestry is covering all costs for the seminars.

Any forest products industry interested may attend one of three seminars. The seminars are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 9:30 am to 4:00pm Salamoine Reservoir Nature Center, Andrews, IN (Tentative)

Wednesday, July 30, 2008 – 9:30 am to 4:00 pm Fort Ben – The Garrison, Indianapolis, IN

Thursday, July 31, 2008 – 9:30 am to 4:00 pm Spring Mill State Park, Mitchell, IN

The seminars are to provide background information on the FSC and its forest management certification and chain-of-custody certification programs. Information will also be presented to describe the responsibilities of parties operating under a FSC Group chain-of -custody Certificate. The Division of Forestry plans to establish a “Group Certificate” for loggers and primary mills to reduce the costs and simplify the chain-of-custody certification process.

Frank Judd, a lead auditor for Scientific Certification Systems will present the information on certification. Scientific Certifi-cation Systems is one of the few organizations in the US that is a fully accredited certification body for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). John Seifert, Indiana State Forester will pres-ent information on the Division of Forestry’s plan to establish a group certificate.

The Indiana State Forests containing 150,000 acres of forest land are FSC certified. This means that the approximately 12 million board feet of timber harvested each year from these lands are FSC certified. To deliver certified logs, lumber or finished forest products, each operator that purchases and participates in the processing must be chain-of-custody certified in order to maintain the certification. Additionally, the Division of Forestry is working on FSC certification of the 500,000 acres of Classified Forest Land that could provide another 30 million board feet of certified timber each year.

The market for certified products is increasing. The ability to deliver FSC certified products will help maintain a company’s market share, open new markets, or potentially increase profit-ability.

All loggers and sawmills that currently process or plan to pro-cess certified products should plan to attend one of these free seminars. For more information, call the Division of Forestry at 317-232-4105, or email at forestryinfo@dnr.in.gov.

Indiana HardwoodMission to Vietnam January 10th, 2009 by Mike Seidl, ISDA

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the Department of Natural Resources continue their efforts to promote Indiana’s Premium Forest Products by sponsoring an upcoming trade mis-sion to Vietnam.

Vietnam is one of two major wooden products exporters in South-east Asia. Wood products are Vietnam’s fifth largest exported goods and are shipped to more than 20 countries. As Vietnam’s exports grow, their need for foreign hardwoods also increases, representing tremendous opportunity for Indiana hardwoods.

Vietnamese wood product exports in 2000 totaled $200 million, and by the end of 2007 increased to $2.5 billion. In 2007, Viet-nam was a leading importer of hardwood grade lumber produced in the United States.

The suggested itinerary, including travel is for approximately six to seven days total. We will spend two days beginning with an overview of Vietnam business, then visiting furniture manufac-tures, allowing time each day to talk with buyers. Day three will be for individual one-on-one meetings with qualified buyers from companies not visited. A possible sight-seeing tour could be ar-ranged on day five if there is enough interest.

The tentative departure date is January 10th 2009. Mission attend-ees would be responsible for airfare, lodging and meals. If you’re interested in joining the trade mission to Vietnam please contact me as soon as possible so we can begin the arrangements.

This will be a focused mission, and a great opportunity to meet the buyers from Vietnam’s furniture manufacturing sector.

Congratulationsto IHLA Board member Matthew Smith, Koetter &

Smith. Matthew and his bride Nichole were married on the beach in Ocho Rios, Jamaica on June 2, while family & friends looked on. Best Wishes from IHLA!

Industry News

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By John StraussIndianapolis Star ReporterReprinted from the Indianapolis Star

A labor of love -- and 22,000 board-feet of tulip tree lumber -- is almost ready for a public debut at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

One of the very few new covered bridges to be built in the state for decades is taking shape on the western edge of the fairgrounds, a testament to a craftsman’s dedication to a Hoosier landmark.

“We’ve had lots of people come off the (Monon) Trail and talk to us, engineers and all kinds of folks,” Dan Collom said. “That’s why we’re putting it here: for people to see and enjoy.”

Collom, a carpenter for more than 30 years, designed the bridge based on the Burr arch bridges of Parke County, which have become a nationally known attraction and the focus of a fall festival. Burr arch bridges use both arch and truss supports for greater strength, a design patented in 1804.

Collom owns Square and Level Construction in the Parke County community of Bridgeton and has been donating much of his time. The Indiana Hardwood Association has donated much of the lumber. The tulip is the state tree, and the Indiana State Fair has promoted the new bridge as part of its 2008 “Year of Trees” fair theme.

Collom did a set of shop drawings based on the Parke County bridges he has helped repair for years. The drawings were turned into blueprints and submitted to the state for approval.

“Thirty-something years ago I rehabbed my first one,” he said of the distinctive wooden structures. “It’s pretty hard to be from Parke County and be a carpenter and not know a little bit about bridges.”

The project will cost about $150,000, mostly funded by donations, fair spokesman Andy Klotz said. The bridge should be completed late this month.

Collom expects the tradition to go on much longer.

“I want my children and grandchildren -- and their children and grandchildren -- to enjoy the things that I enjoyed as a kid: fishing out of covered bridges, swimming under them. It’s part of our heritage,” he said.

“Being from Parke County, I don’t want to see that disappear. I want to share it with other folks and give them the chance to see something so fascinating.”

Bridge celebrates state’s heritage Covered wooden span at the fair-grounds is part of ‘08 State Fair’s tree theme

You can view videosof the bridge’s prog-ress at www.ihla.org - click on the bridge

progress link.

Volunteers Needed for the IHLA State Fair Booth

Volunteers are still needed to work the IHLA booth in the Our Land Pavillion building. This will be a very

fun and exciting fair because of the focus on Indiana trees, and you’ll receive a polo shirt to keep. Call Denice Helmbrecht at 800-640-4452 to sign up!

IHLA’s Executive Director Ray

Moistner, and ISDA’s Mike Seidel particpated

in a volunteer bridge painting day at the state fairgrounds recently.

INDIANA FOREST INDUSTRY COUNCIL2008 GOLF OUTING

CLIFTY CREEK GOLF COURSEHOPE, INDIANA

Everyone WelcomeSATURDAY - AUGUST 9, 2008 - 9:00 A.M.

Go To www.ihla.org for information and registration form,or call the IFIC office at 317.875.3656

State Fair CoveredBridge Project Donors

C.C. Cook & Son Lumber Co.Foley Hardwoods, Inc.

Greg (Treeboy) & Jody KoontzHope Hardwoods, Inc.Indiana Veneers Corp.

Midwest Logging & VeneerPike Lumber Co., Inc.Tri-State Timber, LLC Carl & Don Villwock

John Wooley Lumber Co., Inc.

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Membership

Where:Tippecanoe County Club, Monticello, INSaturday, July 19, 2008Registration 8:00 a.m.Shotgun Start 9:00 a.m. (Eastern)

Cost:$150 per player; includes green fees, cart, lunch and dinner at the Country Club. Snacks and dessert will be served around 2 p.m.

Format:Four-person Florida scramble

Prizes:In addition to prizes for the top two winning teams, four teams will be chosen at random to receive cash prizes, regardless of score

For more information and downloadable registration forms, go to www.ihla.org and click on the links under Upcoming Events,or call the IHLA office at 800-640-4452

Wood-Mizer Presents: The IHL-ympics

6/30/08

Gold MedalsMark Williamson - Salem Hdwd Lbr. - 2

Ford Frick - Frick Lumber - 1Chris Moore - Frank Miller Lumber Co. - 1

LeeRoy Patton - Crone Lumber Co. - 1Mike Seidl - USDA - 1

Richard wertz - Wertz Tiimber & Veneer - 1Skip - John M. Wooley Lumber - 1

Steve Jones - Ron Jones Hardwoods - 1Stan Messmer - Dubois Wood Products - 1

Jerry Koetter - Koetter Woodworking - 1

Silver MedalsRonda Derleth - Ind. Hardwood Spec. - 1

Bronze MedalsBrian Willard - Indiana Veneer - 1

2008 $100 Winners Jan/Feb - Chris Moore, Frank Miller Lumber Co.Mar/Apr - Steve Jones, Ron Jones Lumber Co.

May/June - No Winner

Going For The Gold...

20th AnnualChuck Spry Memorial

Golf Tournament

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Industry News

The International Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Supply Fair (IWF) is a biennial trade show held in even numbered years. It serves buyers from large production companies to small professional shops in the wood retail and contract furniture, cabinetry, upholstery, architectural millwork, stock millwork, applications for furniture manufacturing and specialty woodworking industries.

I have reserved a 10’ x 10’ booth space (4760, Bldg. B ) to promote Indiana’s hardwood industry with the support of the Indiana State De-partment of Agriculture ISDA). I encourage any Indiana company who may want to use this opportunity to promote their products to do so at no charge. You or a designated person from the company can work in the booth with no time limit. Or, if your company has marketing materials, I would be happy to hand out to prospective buyers.

IWF ranks fifth among exhibitions in attracting attendees with the high-est buying influence. More than 24,000 verified buyers attended the show in 2006. The list included professionals in corporate, operating and support management which included owners; CEOs; CFOs; a president; a vice-president; general managers; sales; purchasing and many produc-tion professionals.

Again, I encourage you to take advantage of this free opportunity to promote your company’s products. Mike Seidl, ISDA

PAC Needs Member SupportUnquestionably, the state’s hardwood industry has enjoyed un-precedented support from the Indiana General Assembly and the Mitch Daniels administration over the last several years.

From protecting the industry against anti-hardwood LEED leg-islation in 2008, to the creation of the Right to Practice Forestry act in 2005, and exempting forestry from anti-harvesting IEPA lawsuits in 2006, our elected officials have shown time and time again that this industry is important to our state.

And while most of our members are struggling through unprec-edented hard times, they actually could be worse without the support we have received. In an election year as historic and critical as 2008 is shaping up to be, it is extremely important that the IHLA-PAC be in a position to help elect and re-elect those candidates that support our positions.

You may not like it that politics plays a role in your business, but the two are inextricably linked, and a part of doing business in today’s world. Although IHLA has many great members, the fact remains that only about 25% of our Indiana members give to the PAC, but if every member gave just $50 per year, we could reach our goal and support the candidates we need to support.

Please consider giving something, no matter the amount, to IHLA-PAC. These funds exist to help level the playing field for small businesses who unite to promote an entire industry, when competing for a legislator’s time and attention.

2008 PAC Contributors$1,000 Platinum

Indiana Hardwood SpecialistsCole HardwoodMaley & Wertz, Inc.Frank Miller Lumber Co.Pike Lumber Co.

$500 GoldC.C. Cook & Son Lumber

$250 SilverRenaissance Specialty VeneerDavision H.Q.S.Pete HalsteadJ & J PalletSam Carey lumber Co.Gutchess Lumber Co.Midwet Logging and VeneerJackson Bros. Lumber Co.Amos-Hill Associates

The International Wood-working Machinery and Furniture Supply Fair August 20-23, 2008Georgia World Congress Center Atlanta, Georgia

$100 BronzeMitchell VeneersKinser Timber ProductsMajestic Hardwood LumberLeibering Lumber & LoggingLowell MillerWorley Lumber Co.PalletOne of IndianaQuality Hardwood ProductsHolmes & Co.Baird SawmillHollingsworth Sawmill

$50 PatronSummer Lumber & TimberWerner SawmillCharles H. MichlerConstructive Sheet MetalPatterson Specialty Hardwoods

OtherRichard Wilson - $25 - Gov. Daniels Event - $750

Combination!

Indiana LumbermensMutual Insurance Company

Indiana Lumbermens is proud to be the sole endorsed insurance carrier of the IHLA.

We provide a complete line of insurance coverages specifically for the lumber and building material industry. Because we specialize in your industry, we are able to

provide professional Sales, Loss Control and Claims services.

For immediate assistance, call ILM at 1-800-428-1441

A Winning

3600 Woodview Trace, Suite 311Indianapolis, IN 46268

IHLAHard News