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Hardwood Blog
Perspectives and insights on the hardwood lumber industry.
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Thursday, 24 March 2022 17:43
Placing a Focus on Customer Service
The hardwood lumber industry can be highly competitive. That is why providing customers with top-notch customer service is critical. The good news is, no matter what technological advancements we make, Customer Service is always in style, so placing a focus on that can really make a difference with customers. At American Lumber, we see customer service as one of the key pillars of our business. Timely responses to inquiries, strong attention to detail, and the…
Thursday, 10 February 2022 15:23
Spanish Cedar, or “Cedrella Odorata”
Spanish Cedar has an interesting usage history in our market. From the initial interest in this species during the height of the cigar craze in use for boxes, to now being a popular choice for interior and exterior millwork, shutters, blinds, etc. For many years, there were two different types of Spanish Cedar imported. Known as Cedrella fissilis and Cedrella odorata. The most easily identifiable is Cedrella odorata, which possessed the strong, characteristic smell of…
Thursday, 20 January 2022 17:10
Get Active on Social Media, Business Leaders
It certainly should be a surprise that the vast majority of your customers, suppliers, colleagues, etc. are all connected and participating in social media in one way or another. As it further enters the business world it is becoming the digital gathering place for our times, with influence over political, cultural, and economic events. Whatever the platform may be, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or any of the many others available online, decision-makers and those with…
Monday, 13 December 2021 16:29
Potential Areas of Focus for Hardwood Sawmills
Change is a constant in the hardwood lumber industry. Whether it is in the cyclical ups and downs in log supply or changes ebbs and flows in labor. Each month is a little different, which can be a challenge. Successful leaders in the hardwood industry know that to improve their chances to grow and succeed they must keep looking forward. With this in mind, what are a few areas of focus that sawmill leaders can…
Wednesday, 17 November 2021 20:50
Could Sapele Work For You?
If you have been in the hardwood industry for a while, there is no doubt you have heard about the tropical hardwood species known as Sapele. This highly desirable species has taken over the US market as the primary mahogany species used. Traditionally Genuine Mahogany and African Mahogany were used, but that changed in the early 2000s. Sapele is readily available in Africa, Typically, it is sourced from the Congo basin which includes the main…
Thursday, 11 November 2021 20:30
Being a More Effective Leader
Is leadership innate or something that can be developed over time? The answer is probably both! For some, leadership comes easy, but there’s plenty of evidence suggesting that those who aspire to a leadership role can grow into that role as well. We believe in a servant leadership model here at American Lumber. But what is “servant leadership”? To put it simply the leader exists to provide guidance, direction, and assistance while the employees are empowered to…
Thursday, 21 October 2021 15:25
Strengthening Your Brand
In a quest to keep their customers happy, many companies struggle with focusing on developing the power and value of their brand. A strong brand is important since a successful brand conveys it’s value and benefits the customer can expect and serve as a guidepost for business during inevitable up and downs in the market. We work hard to boost our brand awareness here at American Lumber. Our goal has always been to deliver high-quality…
Wednesday, 22 September 2021 16:19
New York State Sourced Hard Maple Lumber
Hard Maple is one of the most commonly used and one of the most popular hardwood lumber species. Used in a variety of products, from furniture to cabinets, stairs, paneling, woodenware, and more, the versatility of the species is impressive. One of the most common uses for Hard Maple is cabinetry. But markets constantly change, and over the last few years, we have seen some customers that used 4/4 1 Common and 2 Common Soft…
Wednesday, 25 August 2021 13:03
Establishing a Culture of Innovation
Oftentimes, new business innovations, ideas, etc. fall on the business owner's or leader's shoulders as they are tasked with generating a solution to organizational challenges. However, those individuals typically already have a lot on their plate, and finding time to generate inventive ideas can be difficult. At American Lumber, we make every effort to open our minds to new ideas, where ever they may originate. Whether it be a suggestion for a new hardwood lumber…
Wednesday, 21 July 2021 17:36
Get to know Red Grandis
For some time, American Lumber has been proud to offer a variety of tropical hardwoods. One of these is Red Grandis. Red Grandis is a plantation-grown species that is grown in the North-Western part of Uruguay. It is 100% FSC certified and the supplier does a fantastic job managing this product and resource. When looking at the physical characteristics of Red Grandis a few things stand out. The coloration of the heartwood on Red Grandis…
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Wednesday, 23 June 2021 16:41
Tips on Setting Goals for Employees and Businesses
Whether you are in the hardwood or any other industry, setting goals for the future is always a good idea! Sometimes coming up with goals, to begin with, can be challenging, and to compound matters, many organizations (and people) typically fall short of seeing these goals through to completion. At American Lumber, we believe that it is important to assess where we stand today and set strong goals for the future. In pursuit of that…
Wednesday, 12 May 2021 17:55
What are some key differences between Red Oak and White Oak?
Red Oak and White Oak are both beautiful hardwoods. Each with its own niche in the industry. Both of these species can be used in a vast variety of finished products, from flooring to furniture, and more. But how can you tell the difference between the two? And which species would work best in your specific application? A seasoned hardwood lumber expert would most likely tell you that there is quite a bit of differentiation…
Wednesday, 21 April 2021 16:49
Assessing your Company's Strengths and Shortcomings
As a business leader, understanding your company’s strengths and weaknesses makes a big difference in assessing where your business stands in the marketplace. It may sound simple, but often people’s perspective is clouded by preconceptions, biases, hopes, and other factors—often times making it difficult to get a true reading on where a business stands. At American Lumber, we believe in evaluating the many components that go into our company’s success. If something doesn’t go as…
Wednesday, 17 March 2021 17:47
Why North American Hardwoods are the Responsible Choice
There is no doubt that when you step back and take a look at the hardwood lumber industry as a whole it truly is a unique and rewarding industry to be in. Some people enjoy the challenges and complexity of the industry, others may enjoy the relationships that can be built, or even the global nature of the business. Whatever the reason, it is clear that the hardwood lumber industry a ton to offer. This…