National Hardwood Magazine - April 2017

Alanko’s Testimony

Alanko’s Testimony Underscores Importance of Lumber Industry In Farm Bill Funding Washington, DC–Dean Alanko, vice president of sales and marketing at Allegheny Wood Products, headquartered in Petersburg, WV, recently - - - - the industry–such as environmental regulations and illegal through educational and promotional programs around the industry contact our elected representatives to let them - - industries for our manufacturing operations…such as - Dean Alanko 22 APRIL 2017 NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE

Alanko continued, “This is very much a rural-based industry made up mostly of small and medium-sized family-owned operations. A great example of this highly fragmented industry is my own company…while we are one of the top three volume producers of U.S. Hardwoods, we represent less than two percent of total industry production. In addition to sawmillers such as myself, this industry also represents millions of private, non-industrial forest owners. Strong markets for Hardwood lumber products help maintain strong ties between the Hardwood industry and these private forest owners. The revenue stream resulting from harvesting of mature trees creates the economic incentive to maintain forestland as forestland. “Many Hardwood companies are heavily reliant on exports for their livelihood. Approximately 40 percent of all Hardwood lumber production and nearly 60 percent of the highest value-added grades of Hardwood are now exported, totaling .4 billion in 2016. Exports of Hardwood veneer totaled 0 million in 2016, which is more than 55 percent of domestic production. The U.S. also enjoys a healthy trade surplus of .3 billion in Hardwood lumber, up from .1 billion in 2015.” The written presentation that Alanko submitted to the House noted that AHEC has laid out a four-part strategy designed to grow overseas markets. In it, AHEC emphasizes adequate funding from the MAP and Foreign Market Development (FMD) programs is essential to the industry’s success. With continued funding, AHEC will do the following to promote U.S. Hardwoods: 1. Seek out new markets for Hardwood products. 2. Promote new uses and applications for Hardwood within existing markets. 3. Continue to extoll environmental credentials. 4. Create networking opportunities for U.S. exporters. In closing, Alanko stated, “Let me say again, how critical exports and export markets are to my company, to rural communities, and to the Hardwood industry every day. It is vital MAP and FMD continue to be available and that funding increase to meet the expanding needs of this industry. I can say without hesitation that without these programs our businesses would be smaller, produce fewer goods and employ less people.” Dana Cole, executive director of the HF, offered a statement regarding Alanko’s portant role exports play in the continued vitality of the industry sector. As the only representative of a non-food commodity, he provided a unique perspective to the Subcommittee members and successfully impressed upon them the importance of continued funding for export promotion.” To read the complete written testimony, visit goo.gl/cCwAV5. Dana Lee Cole Michael Snow APRIL 2017 NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 23