The U.S. hardwood forest products industry employs over 1.8 million people and contributes $348 billion to the U.S. economy according to a just released comprehensive new economic impact study conducted by Agribusiness Consulting. www.decorativehardwoods.org
The new study provides jobs and economic impact data for hardwood producers and manufacturers, including hardwood plywood and veneer mills, sawmills, flooring companies, kitchen cabinet manufacturers and other sectors that directly support more than 685,000 jobs in 25,000 facilities generating $35 million in annual income. Related industries, including transportation, retail, forest ownership and logging support more than 1.1 million jobs and add $212 billion to the economy. For every $1 million in output of hardwood products, 5.3 jobs are created.
The hardwood plywood and veneer producing sector ranks third among direct producers with $23.8 billion total GDP contribution. Flooring adds another $8.7 Billion. Downstream hardwood using industries such as kitchen cabinets, furniture, window and doors, and retail displays add another $143
Billion to the U.S. economy.
The hardwood plywood sector is the largest manufacturer in Oregon, South Carolina, and Louisiana and ranks in the top 5 in Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Montana.
“We are an economic driver in small towns and rural America,” said Kip Howlett, President of the Decorative Hardwoods Association. “This industry is based on environmentally sustainable raw materials. Beautiful natural products combine with wildlife habitat protection, air and water quality benefits, and mitigation to a changing climate.”
The hardwood industry economic impact study was financially supported by the following organizations: The American Hardwood Export Council, the Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc., the Decorative Hardwoods Association, the Hardwood Federation, the Hardwood Manufacturers Association, the Indiana Hardwood Lumberman’s Association, the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association, the Lake States Lumber Association, the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association, the National Hardwood Lumber Association, the National Wood Flooring Association, the Railway Tie Association and the Wood Component Manufacturers Association. Additional support was provided by the Hardwood Market Report and the Pennsylvania Lumbermen’s Mutual Insurance Company.
Contact: Kip Howlett
khowlett@decorativehardwoods.org
www.decorativehardwoods.org
703—435- 2900
