Title: Hardwood lumber distribution yards: Output, demands, and perceptions of their role

Author: Buehlmann, Urs; Espinoza, Omar; Smith, Robert; Bumgardner, Matthew.

Year: 2011

Publication: In: Fei, Songlin; Lhotka, John M.; Stringer, Jeffrey W.; Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Miller, Gary W., eds. Proceedings, 17th central hardwood forest conference; 2010 April 5-7; Lexington, KY; Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-78. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 623-630.

Abstract: Efficient and effective supply chains strengthen the entire forest products industry value chain. As the secondary wood products industry has been transformed by the decline of large manufacturers in some industry segments, the industry's supply chain has responded to these new realities. Remaining and new customers tend to be smaller and have unique needs and expectations of their supply chain. Hardwood lumber distributors are adapting to meet these needs by sourcing products in a way that facilitates their expanding role in the new domestic industry. This study assessed the sourcing needs and perceptions of hardwood lumber distributors and depicts parts of the ongoing transformation of the hardwood lumber supply chain.