U.S. Forest Products Industry - Competitive Challenges in a Global Marketplace

The American forest products industry is a vital component of this nation's economy. The industry employs more than one million workers with an annual payroll of approximately $50 billion. With more than 20,000 manufacturing facilities around the country, the industry accounts for six percent of the U.S. manufacturing GDP. Annual industry shipments are worth more than $230 billion-yet all of this is at risk as our competitiveness is increasingly threatened.

Restrictions to the fiber supply, out-of-control energy prices, high costs of environmental and regulatory compliance, unfair trade practices, barriers to free trade, elevated labor and transportation costs and other issues threaten the future of the U.S. forest products industry.

There are a number of opportunities for Congress and the Administration to help secure the future viability of U.S. manufacturers of wood and paper products, and we look forward to working with you on these and other tough problems facing our nation. A vibrant forest products industry not only contributes to the economy, but also to the long-term sustainability of our environment.

Click on the following links for brief overviews of each topic, or click here to view a  summary of the competitive challenges facing the forest products industry

Freedom to Mail

International Trade Practices

Energy Costs

Cost of Environmental Regulations

Access to Affordable, High Quality Fiber

Green Buildings/LEED

Transportation

Sign a petition urging the US Green Building Council to treat all forest certifications equally

Click here to view economic information for each state.