NEWS

Decorative Hardwoods Association (formerly HPVA) eNews Volume XVII, Issue XIX: EU Proposes One-Year Delay Of EUDR | DHA Will Publish Revised Hardwood Plywood Standards | OSHA Proposes Workplace Heat Rule

How many people are employed in wood products manufacturing across the U.S. and in your state?

Answer: More than 450,000. Click the link below to see how many are employed in your state. 

PHOTO © TIMBER PRODUCTS COMPANY

The global decline of white oak forests is affecting the hardwood industry—and bourbon. By law, bourbon must be aged in new, charred American oak barrels. Most distilleries prefer white oak for its strength and resulting flavor and rich color. Oaks have declined in 39 countries. 31% of the 430 known oak species are approaching extinction.

DHA member Columbia Forest Products is hard at work helping communities in North Carolina that are dealing with unprecedented flooding and devastation after Hurricane Helene. Many of Columbia's employee-owners in the area are suffering from the destruction of homes and property as well as the lack of power, water, and cell service. Columbia organized food and water deliveries out of Greensboro, NC. Its Old Fort mill was directly affected by power outages.

U.S. dock workers and port operators reached a tentative deal that ended the three-day strike that shut down shipping on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts. The parties agreed to a wage increase of about 62% over six years, raising average wages from $39 per hour to $63 per hour. Automation is still under negotiation.