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IHLA
Mission
“Working to ensure a sustainable, affordable supply of quality North American
hardwoods for the public good.” |
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What
is IHLA?
The Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s
Association is a non-profit trade organization comprised of sawmills, wholesale brokers,
equipment vendors, secondary users and others who recognize the benefits of working
together on projects of interest to the hardwood industry. |
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IHLA,
A History . . .
On February 9, 1899, fewer than a
dozen Hoosier hardwood lumbermen met at the Grand Hotel in Indianapolis to contemplate the
increasingly complex problems of marketing hardwoods in a national market. Recognizing the
need to organize themselves in order to maintain both their influence and their
prosperity, these lumbermen founded the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association,
which became a significant factor in the eventual integration of nationally accepted
marketing rules and practices. Continuing to the present, the IHLA has possessed the
foresight to preserve not only its past, but also the history of the hardwood lumber
industry.
Daniel Lee Clark
Entrepreneurs in Hardwood
. . . and Future in Hardwoods
Over 100 years later, IHLA, a non profit trade
organization, continues to ensure a sustainable, affordable supply of quality North
American hardwoods for the public good. The association’s membership includes
sawmills, wholesalers, equipment vendors, secondary users and others who recognize the
benefits of working together on projects of interest to the hardwood industry.
The association is governed by a president, a first and second vice president and a 15
member board of directors elected by the membership, The association maintains a staff and
office in Indianapolis to manage association affairs and provide information to the
membership and industry.
There are three membership classifications in IHLA: Active-lumber or veneer manufacturer
or secondary products manufacturer; Associate - supplier to the industry; and Affiliate-
professional forester (nonprofit) or landowner.
What IHLA Does
INDUSTRY
Communications
IHLA provides monthly information to the membership through Hard News, news
releases and legislative alerts.
Annual Meeting
IHLA conducts an annual meeting with over 500 members of the lumber industry from
throughout the central hardwood region in attendance. This meeting provides an excellent
forum for networking with peers.
Membership Resource Directory
The Association publishes a membership directory which helps bring together buyers and
sellers of lumber, equipment and logs.
GOVERNMENTAL
Lobbying Efforts
IHLA represents our industry interests on the state and national levels.
Forestry Programs/Policy
IHLA participates in the planning and execution of forestry programs and policy in
Indiana as well as at the regional and national levels.
BUSINESS SERVICES
Insurance Program
IHLA has endorsed insurance programs with Indiana Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Co. and
Gregory & Appel Insurance to offer members of IHLA competitive rates and excellent
customer service. Contact the IHLA office and the staff
will put you in touch with an insurance specialist who will be happy to discuss your
insurance needs.
EDUCATIONAL
Lumber Grading Courses
The Association co-sponsors lumber grading short courses, log, lumber and tree-grading
workshops, and other educational programs for members of the hardwood industry.
Tree Farm Program
IHLA co-sponsors, in cooperation with public agencies, this program to encourage
private landowners to practice sound forest management principles for sustainable forest
management.
Education/Research
The Association maintains and makes available to the membership educational training
materials and brochures, as well as supports other educational and research activities to
provide professional and sound forest management.
Scholarship Program
The Association provides scholarship awards to qualified candidates. The monetary support
may be used to attend any educational program, from lumber grading schools, trade school
programs, seminars and workshops, to a four-year college program.
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