September 2024 Message from our CEO

Now that kids of all ages are back to school, I thought it would be a good time to touch on the theme of education at Columbia Forest Products.

We believe we’re at our best when we’re “lifetime learners.”

Nothing stays the same in the ways of wood sourcing, processing or logistics, and we encourage our team to stay ahead of change through training and information sharing throughout our system.

Columbia encourages its employees to seek self-improvement opportunities, and we provide resources to enable them to thrive.

For our customers, our “Columbia Forest Products University” (CFPU) has been delivered as an online course for anyone who’s interested in a fundamental understanding of how hardwood plywood is produced and what the grades represent. (If this sounds interesting, you can email to Abby Carte and ask to be registered: abagail.carte@cfpwood.com)

Our Field Sales Reps routinely help new customers or customers’ new employees with product knowledge and guidance around selecting the right materials to satisfy budget, performance and style considerations. We’re also working on ways to address all sorts of topics, from our new Wood Species 101 video to a CEU course that explains the almost magical ways that wood products sequester carbon while providing the long-term beauty and function familiar to people who work with hardwood plywood.

I believe all of of us in the wood products industry feel we need to help “set the record straight” to dispel the kinds of mis-truths or mis-perceptions that can attach themselves to the topic of harvesting and processing wood.

We recently hosted a group of educators at our Old Fort, NC facility as part of an annual “Sustainable Forestry Teachers Experience” program organized by the North Carolina Forestry Association (NCFA) – the state’s oldest forest conservation organization, established in 1911.

NCFA is a private, non-profit partnership of approximately 4,000 forest managers, landowners, mill operators, loggers, furniture manufacturers, educators, and others concerned about the long-term health and productivity of the state’s forest resources and the industries they support.

The group they brought to Old Fort was able to see, hear and discuss first-hand the process we use in the logging, transportation and production of PureBond® hardwood plywood. We really enjoyed the opportunity show and describe the methods we use to do our job responsibly and sustainably.

Judging from the participants’ comments, we’re happy to know they’re returning to their classrooms this year and sharing the positive things they experienced and learned on their tour.

One of the survey questions asked of the group before and after this summer’s tour spoke to the opinion they had about the forest products industry. Before the event, 44% felt it was “Extremely or Very Favorable,” and after, the number rose to 92%!

We at Columbia, and those of you reading this, know all about the ways we strive to significantly serve our customers, communities, employees and our natural resources. Please join us in helping spread the great word about wood products and healthy & productive forestry practices!

Greg Pray

President and CEO

Columbia Forest Products

Our Core Values

Customer Service

Absolute Integrity

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