The Wood Supply Research Institute is a joint project of professional loggers, forest landowners, wood consuming mills, educators, and manufacturers that facilitates and funds research to promote and improve efficiency in the wood supply system.
What is the Wood Supply Research Institute?
The Wood Supply Research Institute:
- identifies and documents the structure and performance of the current wood supply system and identifies opportunities for improvement;
- investigates ways to operate more efficiently and cost-effectively;
- communicates research findings directly to WSRI members;
- publishes key findings to benefit the entire forest products industry.
Founded in 1999, the Wood Supply Research Institute brings together all parts of the wood supply chain to address wood supply issues through research, since credible research is needed to identify the primary factors that could improve the efficiency, stability, and business successes of the total wood supply system.
What are WSRI's critical research areas?
Stumpage Market Dynamics
- Identify historic trends
- Investigate key driving factors
Supply Chain Economics
Investigate cost components of the harvesting, transportation, receiving, and inventory processes from stump through primary manufacturing and provide regional cost trends
Factors Affecting the Wood Supply System
- Physical factors: woodyard receiving limitations
- Organizational factors related to communications
- Impacts of new wood supply systems on consumers and suppliers
- Competition with offshore producers of paper and other forest products
Suppliers/Manufacturers Communications and Relationships
- Effect of quality and timing of planning on operational productivity
- Effect of contract administrative policies and procedures on operational productivity
- Effect of logging and manufacturing personnel attitudes and behaviors on operational procedures
How is WSRI governed?
WSRI is governed by a board of individuals representing loggers, wood consumers, wood dealers, institutional land managers, and associate members. WSRI’s current chairman is Brad Fuller of Huber Engineered Woods, LLC., and Steve Carruth serves as executive director. A 10 member executive committee reviews WSRI business needs and guides decisions.
A Technical Team comprised of representatives from WSRI membership segments surveys the membership and identifies issues and opportunities for research projects. The board then sends requests for proposals to qualified entities, and chooses one to undertake each project. Upon project completion, WSRI’s membership shares the detailed results, and publishes the general findings through a variety of venues, to benefit the entire industry.
The Forest Resources Association provides administrative support to WSRI. FRA Appalachian/Southwide Region Manager Rick Meyer is the FRA staff liaison
For information about WSRI’s membership and dues structure, please click here.