International Wood International Wood 2005 | Page 8

Global Sourcing ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND MARKET TRENDS A D I A L O G U E W I T H I W P A P R E S I D E N T, S E R G I O K O R N Q How long have you been involved in the imported wood business? Imported Wood recently sat down with newly elected IWPA President Sergio Korn to get a broad perspective of the range of issues importers are addressing. A native of Brazil, who has worked for global trading companies since 1969, is fluent in Dutch, French, Portuguese, Spanish, German, Italian, and English. We quickly learned that flex- ibility in a global market has always been the way for importers. I’ve been strictly in the U.S. imported business since 1994 - the same time I joined IWPA. Before that I was with an international group of trading companies beginning in the early 1970’s involved in exports of logs, lumber, plywood and hardboard from Brazil, Malaysia, and Indonesia to Europe and the U.S., and exports from the U.S. to Bolivia and Venezuela. Henry T. Dessauer, Past President of IWPA, convinced me to register for an IWPA Convention when I started my import business in 1994. It virtually put me “on the map” with immediate business contacts and useful market information. Q What is the current market situation for imported wood? Growing! In 2004, the U.S. imported nearly $22 billion in wood and wood products (not including furniture). Builders, architects and U.S. manufacturers are finding imported wood products represent the best of both worlds - quality products at affordable prices. 50th Annual Convention 51st Annual Convention Tucson, Arizona Arizona Tucson, April 5-7, 5-7, 2006 2006 April San Diego, Diego, California California San March 28-30, 28-30, 2007 2007 March 703-820-6696 • [email protected] • www.iwpawood.org Expanding business opportunities through increased use of imported woods Working for the entire North American imported wood products chain 8 IMPORTED WOOD ■ Business to business networking ■ Logistics and trade resources ■ Product and species trends and trade statistics ■ Market intelligence and timely information updates ■ North American Manufacturers, Distributors, and Importers ■ Ports, Shipping Lines, Logistics and Service Providers ■ Overseas Manufacturers and Trade Associations