CEO STORY

HARDWOOD HERALD JUNE 2026

As we in the United States begin celebrating the 250^th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on the things our second Continental Congress set in motion for us, the advantages our freedoms have provided, and the responsibility we assume to protect our country and our fellow citizens.

I look at the responsibility that 2,400+ employees and employee-owners of Columbia Forest Products have accepted much in the same way.

Our Purpose Statement describes this quite succinctly: “To significantly serve our employees and their families, our customers, communities and our natural resources.”

To accomplish our Purpose, we have to engage in many things that may not seem like core priorities for a company that makes hardwood plywood, veneer, pallets, and crating. But it turns out, they are…

·         Things like economic forecasting. We have to know (or have a sound theory) about where markets are heading and what dynamics are at play;

·         Leveraging high-technology tools, AI agents and sophisticated network systems – helping us navigate and balance factors around supply chain, human resources, production scheduling, and invoicing among others;

·         Investing not only in our people and equipment, but in partnerships and products that will help Columbia strengthen, grow value and diversify.

Along these lines, we’ve recently completed the acquisition of an excellent company called PRO Pallet, a custom pallet manufacturer/recycler and crating/packaging solutions provider with three operations in Pennsylvania.  These facilities and teams join two existing Columbia operations in Virginia and North Carolina called JC Pallet. 

That’s right – we’ve integrated deeper into a growth market that leverages the bountiful east coast hardwood basket, just like our hardwood plywood and veneer operations.

Diversification and broadening can also be seen in our product portfolio… we’re introducing our first Class A fire-rated veneer core platform, FireBrand™ which is available in 4x8’ and 4x10’ panel sizes, 7/16 – 1” thick. We’re excited to satisfy the demand we’ve been hearing for such a performance option and encourage you to learn more about it here (link).

We’re also upgrading other parts of our product line…our Design Edge panel, Columbia’s domestic, exposed-edge answer to Baltic Birch will soon be available with our traditional soy-based PureBond technology. This will be important for those who desire our original “formaldehyde-free” solution instead of PVA lamination.

And we’re bringing back our Wire Brushed treatment…there’s been a move to rustic looks, and there’s nothing like a highly-textured face to give our panels the highest level of visual and tactile interest to deliver on this trend.

Finally, in addition to participating in the USA’s 250^th Celebration, we at Columbia are also commemorating the 20^th Anniversary of our EPA award-winning, soy-based PureBond Technology! 200 million panels ago, we made the decision to find a solution to the concerns around formaldehyde used in decorative wood panel production.

We feel great knowing that our employee-owners, our customers, and everyone who lives with finished goods made with our panels is “breathing a little easier” without the risk of toxic off-gassing from formaldehyde.

Have a great summer and stay tuned for more exciting and interesting innovations coming from Columbia Forest Products!!