AHEC to provide fresh insights, address key issues at Dubai WoodShow

THE American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the leading international trade association for the American hardwood industry, is bolstering its participation in the sixth edition of the Dubai International Wood and Wood Machinery Show (Dubai WoodShow) through its involvement with the event’s conference.

AHEC will be providing fresh insights and address the latest and most pressing issues in the timber business in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.

The conference, which is being held on the second day of the exhibition, aims to leverage the presence of industry professionals and trade visitors at show, which is being held from April 3 to 5, 2012 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Dubai, UAE. As part of an established trade event, the conference will offer attendees a platform to acquire specialist knowledge, exchange information, expand networks and build lasting business relationships.

At the show, Dr Scott Bowe, professor and wood products specialist, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, US, will deliver a presentation on the US hardwood forest resource, lumber production and kiln-drying, with emphasis on the environmental credentials of American hardwoods. Given their great variety of colour, grain, character and remarkable colour contrasts, US hardwoods offer a wide range of design options for architects and specifiers within this rapidly growing sector. Moreover, AHEC officials are positive of the impact of the seminar given that American hardwoods are well established in the region and have been specified in many high end private, commercial and public projects.

“The timber industry in the Mena region has demonstrated a healthy appetite for US hardwoods despite the global economic recession over the past few years and our participation at the Dubai WoodShow 2012 reflects our commitment to cater to and expand further in this market,” said Roderick Wiles, AHEC director for Africa, Middle East, India and Oceania.

“With imports of hardwood lumber in excess of $8.3 million in value from January to October 2011, the UAE emerged as an important market for American hardwoods in the Mena region. According to the latest US Department of Agriculture  Foreign Agricultural Service data, more than $96.2 million worth of American hardwood lumber, veneer and logs entered the Mena region in 2011.

“This growing interest must be supported by a better understanding of the physical properties and potential for applications offered by the different species of American hardwoods. The conference provides the perfect opportunity to share this knowledge and to build a stronger relationship with architects, furniture designers, craftsmen and interior designers. Through his presentation, Scott will aim to share the comparative benefits of American hardwoods and to provide technical information about their processing, grading and marketing, with a view to further strengthen the market for American hardwoods.”

AHEC considers this direct interaction with the industry vital to sustaining and stimulating demand within the construction sector in the Mena region, which has maintained a consistently high demand for American hardwoods.

As such, US hardwood exporters have now taken a more active role in the region, maintaining a key presence in exhibitions like Dubai WoodShow 2012 and other industry-centric events.

The 15 participating US hardwood exporters are Northland Corporation, American Hardwood Industries, Wheeland Lumber, Nina Company, Northland Forest Products, American Lumber, Baillie Lumber, Kretz Lumber, Roy Anderson Lumber, Midwest Hardwood Corporation, Buchanan Hardwoods, Cummings Lumber, Hanafee Brothers, Midwest Walnut and Hermitage Hardwood. In addition, the Hardwood States Export Group (HSEG), Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc (AHMI) and Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association (HPVA) will also be participating.