International Marketing Practices

appearing more frequently in newspapers and trade publications, your competitors may know that the market is healthy and there is potential for new customers. Read Trade Publications The problem with merely watching your customers or competitors is that there may be unseen factors driving their actions. Fortunately, there are a growing number of sources that can provide quantitative information on forest products markets, such as Hardwood Review [121], Hardwood Market Report [122], Random Lengths [123], Crow’s Market & Price Service , Lumber + Building Materials Daily [124], and Forest2Market [125], that specifically provide pricing information for the solid wood markets. These publications also routinely provide market forecasts for different segments related to the wood industry alongside other trade publications, such as Northern Logger and Timber Processor [126], Independent Sawmill and Woodlot Management [127], FDMC [128], Closet & Organized Storage [129], and Window & Door [130]. Editorials and letters from readers in trade publications also offer some insight into what others think of various markets. Many trade associations publish newsletters and membership directories that can provide information into what other companies are doing and where they are located. Trade association newsletters often have market outlook sections along with important topics, such as legislative issues that pertain to their members. While membership into trade associations can be pricey, it does provide networking options. National, regional, and state trade associations and market publications are listed in Appendix A. Access Information From Academic Institutions Another source of information for market research is colleges and universities that have wood science programs or Cooperative Extension programs in the areas of forestry and forest products. Currently, there are 34 academic institutions identified by the Society of Wood Science and Technology as having programs in the area of wood science or forest products (see list at https://www.swst.org). Some academic institutions have research centers that focus primarily on providing market research to forest products companies, where access may be free or subscription based. Developing contacts at academic institutions can often help recruit qualified candidates to work for your operation. Appendix A contains a list of centers and institutes that support the forest products industry. Contact Government Agencies Federal and state government agencies have specialists on staff to assist with forest products marketing and utilization. Contact information for the U.S. Forest Service, as well as wood products extension specialists, by state, are listed in Appendix A.

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