National Hardwood Lumber Association
| Company type | Trade association |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hardwood lumber industry |
| Founded | April 8, 1898 in Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Founder | William A. Bennett |
| Headquarters | Memphis , United States |
Area served | United States (nationwide) |
| Products | Inspection services, education and training, advocacy, publications |
| Website | nhla |
The National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) was founded on April 8, 1898, in Chicago, Illinois with the primary goal of establishing standardized inspection procedures for hardwood lumber. Currently, NHLA functions as a trade association based on membership, facilitating economic growth and serving as a unified voice representing the hardwood industry nationwide.
History
In the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the NHLA began its operations from the Chicago Hardwood Lumber Exchange office. The inaugural assembly brought together 37 members from significant markets including Cincinnati, OH, Chicago, IL, Boston, MA, Minneapolis, MN, Memphis, TN, Cairo, IL, St. Louis, MO, and Racine, WI. This diverse representation highlighted the pressing demand for consistent grading standards.
William A. Bennett, founder of Bennett & Witte Company, served as NHLA’s first president and spearheaded the development of uniform hardwood lumber grading regulations through a Rules Committee comprising 59 companies across nine markets.
In 1901, the NHLA created the Inspection Bureau—an autonomous entity appointed by the president—to guarantee uniform enforcement of grading criteria.
By its semicentennial in 1948, the NHLA had become a vital component in post-war construction efforts and military supply chains. The association moved its headquarters from Chicago to Memphis in 1979, marking a strategic shift that expanded its focus beyond inspection to encompass a variety of programs aimed at fostering business advancement.
War Efforts
Throughout both World War I and World War II, NHLA was instrumental in managing procurement and inspection of hardwood lumber essential for military applications. During WWI, it established a War Service Bureau to oversee large-scale timber acquisition and offered inspection services to the U.S. government and Allied forces.
In WWII, NHLA significantly increased its inspector count from 28 to 88 between 1941 and 1945 to address growing demands—processing monthly volumes that rose from 6 million to 22 million feet—and played an active role in defining material specifications for military construction projects.
Membership
NHLA operates as a membership-driven organization featuring six distinct categories that provide networking opportunities, business development support, education, training, resources, marketing assistance, and advocacy through the Hardwood Federation. The membership classifications include:
| Member Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Active | Includes sawmills, dry kilns, exporters, importers, concentration yards, distribution yards, brokers, dimension plants, and wholesalers. |
| Partner | Comprises entities involved in consumption or manufacturing; custom kiln drying; wholesaling or distributing hardwood or cypress lumber; veneer; plywood; or related products with headquarters outside North America. |
| Sustaining | Encompasses equipment manufacturers, insurance agencies, consultants, software developers, logistics and transportation providers, as well as timberland owners. |
| Associate | Consists of cabinetry makers, furniture and flooring manufacturers, molding and millwork companies, and pallet producers. |
| Research | Includes organizations conducting or interested in research related to North American hardwood or forest products. |
| Inspector | Refers to individuals performing grading or inspection services for Active or Associate members who do not operate their own inspection businesses. |
Inspector Training School
Following World War II, the hardwood industry faced a significant deficit of skilled graders, which threatened product quality and the sector’s reputation. To address this, NHLA founded the Inspector Training School in Memphis in 1948. Memphis earned its title as the "hardwood capital of the world," making it an ideal location for this initiative. In 1949, a specialized facility was established to provide practical grading instruction. Backed by member companies that supplied lumber and employed graduates, the school has become essential in producing qualified inspectors and industry experts—thereby enhancing operational standards and overall business effectiveness.
National Issues
NHLA plays an active role in tackling both domestic and global challenges that affect the hardwood lumber sector. In 1977, the association successfully influenced standards for measuring kiln-dried lumber, promoting fairness and accuracy in commercial transactions. Beginning in the mid-1980s, NHLA partnered with OSHA to develop safety regulations addressing wood dust exposure, safeguarding worker health.
With a partnership spanning over a century, NHLA collaborates closely with the Hardwood Federation to champion legislative agendas important to its members. A significant achievement includes its involvement in the 2018 Farm Bill, which advanced research on Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), encouraged biomass energy initiatives, and improved federal forest management—critical factors for expanding market opportunities and strengthening industry presence.
Environmental responsibility remains a cornerstone of NHLA’s strategic focus. The Hardwood Forest Foundation, founded in 1989, offers scientifically grounded educational programs that advocate sustainable forestry and lawful harvesting practices throughout North America. This dedication supports the enduring health of hardwood forests, which is vital for the industry's economic sustainability and competitive positioning.
Annual Convention
The NHLA Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase brings together members of the National Hardwood Lumber Association alongside international hardwood professionals. It has evolved into the largest global assembly of hardwood industry executives, serving as a premier venue for networking and sharing industry knowledge.
Publications
NHLA produces Hardwood Matters magazine, delivering essential updates and market intelligence to stakeholders involved in North America’s hardwood lumber marketplace.