By DAVE BLOWER JR.
Farm World Editor

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Although no sales had been finalized by the end of the business day on Monday, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) expects Hoosier hardwood products to go to the Middle East sometime soon.

A trade delegation from Turkey inspected the Indiana Veneer Corp. and John M. Wooley Lumber Co. in Indianapolis, and Pike Lumber in Akron, Ind. on May 6-7. (See related story on page 3C.)

Mike Seidl, program manager for the ISDA’s Hardwoods Program, said trade tours like these benefit Indiana lumber companies.
“It gives the delegation (from Turkey) an opportunity to look at our products, and Indiana has some premium products. ... It also gives our hardwood manufacturers an opportunity to open some new doors for new business,” Seidl explained. “During these economic times, everyone can use a little extra business.”

Ibrahim Sirtioglu, who is a marketing director with the USDA’s Foreign Ag Service, hosted the lumber buyers from Turkey. He said America’s reputation as a lumber provider was world-renown.
“U.S. hardwood, in general, and Indiana hardwood, in particular, was of interest to (the delegation),” Sirtioglu reported. “They’re looking at other hardwood sources and countries that can provide hardwood products. The U.S. is know for its reliability of continuous supply and quality.

“They buy quite a bit of lumber products from around the world. They would like to see the products and meet the people in person. I mean, trust is very important in today’s international trade. They want to see the products available. They want to get to know the suppliers closer.”

He admitted that the delegation was impressed by the Hoosier hardwood suppliers.

“They like the species of forest products. They believe the quality of logs, in particular, and lumber are high quality,” Sirtioglu said. “They’re impressed. They have always heard about the U.S. quality, and now they’ve actually had the chance to see it.”

He expects some agreements based on the tours. “Well, I hope so because they already bought some while we were in Virginia,” Sirtioglu stated. “We expect the same thing to happen here.”
Seidl said finding new markets is important.

“Exports overseas are probably one of the bright spots in the hardwood industry right now – until our domestic housing industry starts to pick up,” he explained.

“We’re definitely making progress. Again, we’re picking up people in the global market who may not have been looking at it a year ago.”

He advised more Indiana companies to think globally.

“Many companies have been exporting for 15-20 years or longer, so it becomes just like shipping domestically – it’s just that there’s a little more paperwork involved,” Seidl reported.

“For the most part, after you do it a couple of times, it becomes just like how you sell your lumber on the domestic market. It’s just a couple of added regulations, but it’s not really that difficult.”
He said the hardwood lumber companies are reaching the right customers.

“Some of the new markets are like Turkey, Viet Nam, the Middle East and the Dubai area,” Seidl said. “Those are some markets that are really starting to develop. Established markets would be like Japan, Europe, UK (United Kingdom) and China, of course, being a large market.”

More export deals may be on the horizon with Indiana’s trade mission to China scheduled for later this month.

“There are a couple of hardwood lumber members who are going to be on that tour,” Seidl said. “They will, of course, have some leads that they will follow up while they’re over there. Again, pushing our products from Indiana into China, which is one of the world’s largest markets.”