Wood industry
The wood-, forest(ry)-, and timber/lumber industry are a - usually private - economic sector concerned with forestry, logging, timber trade, and the production of forest products, timber/lumber, primary forest and wood products (e.g. furniture) and secondary products like wood pulp for the pulp and paper industry. Some largest producers are also among the biggest timberland owners.
The wood industry plays a dominating role in today's wood economy.
Distinction
In the narrow sense of the terms, wood, forest, forestry and timber/lumber industry appear to point to different sectors, in the industrialized, internationalized world, there is a tendency toward huge integrated businesses that cover the complete spectrum from silviculture and forestry in private primary or secondary forests or plantations via the logging process up to wood processing and trading and transport (e.g. timber rafting, forest railways, logging roads).
Processing and products differs especially with regard to the distinction between softwood and hardwood.[1][2][3][4][5] While softwood primarily goes into the production of wood fuel and pulp and paper, hardwood is used mainly for furniture, floors, etc.. Both types can be of use for building and (residential) construction purposes (e.g. log houses,log cabins,timber framing).
Production chain
After logging, which is now typically done using large harvesters, the trunks of the felled trees are cut in lumber mills.
Top producers
In 2012, three of the top timberland owners by market capitalization were[6][7]
- Weyerhaeuser Co.
- Plum Creek Timber Co.
- Rayonier
In 2008 the largest lumber and wood producers in the USA were[8]
- Boise Cascade
- North Pacific Group[9]
- Newark Group
- Sierra Pacific Industries
According to sawmilldatabase, the world top producers of sawn wood in 2007 were:[10]
| Company | Production or Capacity in m3/yr |
|---|---|
| West Fraser Timber Co Ltd | 8460000 |
| Canfor | 6900000 |
| Weyerhaeuser | 6449000 |
| Stora Enso | 4646000 |
| Georgia Pacific | 4300000 |
| Resolute Forest Products | 3760000 |
| Interfor | 3550000 |
| Sierra Pacific Industries | 3200000 |
| Hampton Affiliates[11] | 3100000 |
| Arauco | 2800000 |
| Tolko Industries Ltd | 2500000 |
| Pfeifer Group[12] | 2200000 |
References
- ↑ http://hardwoodind.com/hardwood-lumber/
- ↑ http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/softwood-bois_oeuvre/index.aspx?lang=eng
- ↑ http://sustainabledevelopmentinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Bowe-Marketing-Tools-and-Industry-Trends.pdf
- ↑ http://www.softwoodlumber.org/
- ↑ http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389934101000636
- ↑ http://commodityhq.com/2012/top-3-timber-stocks-by-market-cap/
- ↑ http://seekingalpha.com/article/2572045-comparing-americas-3-largest-lumber-production-companies
- ↑ http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/21/privates08_Americas-Largest-Private-Companies-Lumber-Wood-Production_4Rank.html
- ↑ http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/21/privates08_North-Pacific-Group_5365.html
- ↑ http://www.sawmilldatabase.com/productiontoplist.php
- ↑ http://hamptonaffiliates.com/
- ↑ http://www.pfeifergroup.com/
See also
- Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
- Forest Products Association of Canada
- Pulp and paper industry in the United States
- Illegal logging
- Deforestation
- Lumber industry on the Ottawa River
- National Hardwood Lumber Association
- hardwood/softwood