Minnesota Manufacturers of Wood ProductsPrepare for Economic Rebound with FSC Certification

Twelve Firms Ready to Supply LEED & Green Building Projects with Certified Products

Gary@TrueNorthCertified.com / www.TrueNorthCertified.com

The “great recession” may have dented the sales of producers of wood products, but twelve Minnesota firms are preparing for the economic rebound with the awarding of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for their wood-based products.

On June 18, the True North Certified Forest Products Network announced that the Network and its twelve member firms had received FSC Chain-of-Custody certification for an array of products manufactured from wood originating in well-managed FSC certified forests or from reclaimed/recycled sources.

“As increasing numbers of architects, builders, remodelers and homeowners are looking to build green and applying for LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) and MN GreenStar certification,” states Jeff Forsythe of Nordecor in Brainerd, “I felt that it was time to prepare our company to serve this growing market segment through FSC certification. The True North Network offered us the opportunity to achieve FSC certification in a quick and very resourceful manner.  It was also timely in that we are now one of the few companies of our type that has been awarded the new FSC Recycle certification, thus allowing us to certify the authenticity of our reclaimed barn-wood line.”

The FSC certification allows the twelve companies to sell FSC-certified and labeled products ranging from lumber and timbers to flooring and paneling, to cabinetry and custom furniture, to architectural millwork and staircase components, to fireplace mantels and art doors, to log siding and decking.

“Our business is focusing on local, green, quality wall and ceiling hardwood paneling products,” according to Tom Brand of Grand Arbor in St. Paul. “The True North Woods® certification assures customers that our products come from Minnesota forests and the FSC certification assures customers that they come from well-managed forests.”

Persons interested in more information about finding FSC certified suppliers or companies inquiring about becoming FSC certified may contact the Network at 1-888-223-5629, email Info@TrueNorthCertified.com, or visit the Network’s website at www.TrueNorthCertified.com.

The True North Certified Forest Products Network offers small primary and secondary manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of forest-based products access to membership in a group FSC Chain-of-Custody certification program. The Network is a program of the Minnesota Wood Education Project, a non-profit organization committed to increasing awareness of the value of sustainable management of our forests and improving the economies of our communities.

The Forest Stewardship Council is an international organization that supports and promotes forest management standards that are environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable.

The firms that are members of the Network are: Bemidji Millworks, Bemidji (www.bemidjimillworks.com), Creative Sawmilling & Products, Bovey (www.truenorthwoods.com/tnw.ashx), Duluth Timber Company, Duluth (www.duluthtimber.com), Fallsburg Woodworking, Little Falls (www.fallsburg.net), Forest Specialties, Golden Valley (www.forestspecialtiesinc.net), Grand Arbor, St. Paul (www.grand-arbor.com), J.W. Beltman Woodworking, Nashwauk (www.truenorthwoods.com/tnw.ashx), Kukkeli Kuu Naturalists, Bovey (www.truenorthwoods.com/tnw.ashx),  Nordecor, Brainerd (www.nordecor.com), True North Cedar, Duluth (www.truenorthcedar.com), Wille Logging, Puposky (www.willellt.blogspot.com), and Woodmax, Paynesville (www.woodmax.net).

Minnesota Wood Campaign

The Minnesota Wood Campaign, owned by wood and forest products producers and supported by its members, is a joint Marketing and Branding venture for the True North Woods^® certification brand and the products bearing the True North Woods^® brand. www.TrueNorthWoods.com

Long-Range Vision

The True North Woods^® certification brand will be recognized and appreciated by discriminating and demanding customers worldwide. This vision is supported by our commitment to sustainable forestry, the unique traits of our species, the high quality of our wood and forest products, our skilled production capabilities, and our tradition of craftsmanship.

Ultimate Goals

Add value to wood and forest products of Branded Members 
Expand number of high-value customers of Branded Members 
Increase sales and profits of Branded
Retain wood- and forest-related businesses and jobs in northern Minnesota

2008 Objective

To promote the True North Woods^® certification brand in order to:
Drive customers to True North Woods website
Drive website customers to contact Branded Members and purchase products bearing the certification brand.

The Value of Membership

Branded Members Enjoy
True North Woods^® Certification Branding 
Use of the brand on products and sales materials
Promotion of the True North Woods^® brand by the Campaign 
Brand-related promotional materials 
Participation in the True North Woods Network
Cooperative Marketing Opportunities 
Joint publicity and public relations activities 
Coop participation in advertising 
Coop participation in shows and events 
Premium Website listing and linkage 
Sales leads matched with customer inquiries 
Participation in supplier consortium
Training & Technical Assistance
Workshops and on-line Webinars 
FSC information and certification assistance
Marketing technical assistance
Information
Regular email news blasts
Website research and resources information

Supporting Members Receive
Training
Workshops and on-line Webinars
FSC certification information
Information
Regular email news blasts
Website research and resources information
Recognition as Supporter in:
Email news blast
Website home page

General Members Participate in
Training
Workshops and on-line Webinars
FSC certification information
Information 
Regular email news blasts 
Website research and resources information

The Value of Brand Marketing

True North Woods^® Brand Promise: “The True North Woods certification brand assures you that this product is a product of northern Minnesota.”

Target Markets for Promotions
Twin Cities & northern Minnesota 
Primary Audiences: End consumers 
Secondary Audiences: Architects, designers, builders

Key Promotional Messages
Local: A product of northern Minnesota
Green / Sustainable: A product produced from materials that originated in sustainably managed and harvested forests

Publicity & Public Relations
Advertising: Radio, billboards, newsletters 
Direct Mail: Mailings to consumers and others 
Shows: Coop participation with Branded Members 
Website: Renewed, updated, promoted, Branded Member premium listing and linkage

Delivering Customers Through
Website: Drive customers to contact Branded Members and purchase products
Workshops: Provide species and product information
Supplier Consortium: Network Branded Members and other suppliers to provide local and sustainable products for large-scale LEED projects
Buyer Assistance: Match customer inquiries with Branded Members by distributing sales leads

Join the Minnesota Wood Campaign Today

Contact the Campaign at Minnesota Wood Campaign / Home of the True North Wood^® Certification Brand / 26 E. Exchange, Suite 405 / St. Paul, MN 55101, USA / Tel 1-888-223-5629 or 1-651-223-5629 / Fax 1-651-222-5263 / Email Info@TrueNorthWoods.com  / Web www.TrueNorthWoods.com