The NHLA Evaluation and the Rules Discussion

The NHLA Board of Directors asked the NHLA staff to do a three-part study.

PART 1: An evaluation of the resources the NHLA provides to the industry. This resource assessment allowed us to do an analysis and determine critical activities.

PART 2: A financial viability analysis that organized the resources by committee objectives that were determined as part of the 2023 strategic plan. This also coincided with a financial analysis of the NHLA committees, objectives, and essential elements. 

PART 3: A look at what the NHLA would look like if it started today instead of 127 years ago. This meant that nothing was off limits; all areas of the NHLA were reviewed for long-term viability and improvements.

The results were presented to the Executive Committee in July and will be refined for the Board of Directors in the fall.
The long and the short of it is that associations need to be more like the businesses we serve, constantly analyzing and improving our operations to ensure that we are financially stable and accomplishing our mission of growing and stabilizing the hardwood industry. The NHLA is and always will be a rules-based organization. 

The NHLA rules for yield (appearance) and structural grading are the founding resources the association provides. Strengthening the rules is better for the hardwood industry and the NHLA. When I hear members say things like, “The rules are just guidelines—we have to produce better-graded lumber than the rules allow, or our customers won’t accept it,” that tells me it’s time to modernize and update the rules.

The rules are not guidelines or a fallback. If you have a claim, there are rules to be followed. There are three possible reasons why the rules would not be followed.  First, a customer needs something different, and the producer wants to make them happy. Second, a producer wants to sell something different, either because they have it in inventory or they are willing to circumvent the rules for financial reasons. Third, the rules are not commercially viable, so they are not followed. You may disagree with my three reasons, but I’d argue that most objections can be traced back to one of them or a combination.

Teaching and enforcing the rules is essential to strengthening them and sustaining the long-term value of the NHLA. While better enforcement is needed, that effort depends on keeping the rules clear, current, and relevant. NHLA is currently undergoing a rules revision process, and as someone observing it for the first time, I’ve realized how important member input truly is. Every perspective matters, and increased engagement helps ensure the rules reflect the realities and needs of our industry today. If you haven’t been part of the process before, I encourage you to take part in the future. Your insight can shape the standards that guide us all.

I urge you to attend the NHLA convention and join the Rules Change Open Forum, hear the proposals, share your input, and help shape the future of our rules. Then, submit the changes you want to see. Don’t wait four more years. Get engaged now and tell us how you want to see things improve. When the NHLA continues to improve, we create the foundation for a stronger, more stable industry, one where we’re all working toward the same grade together. Just like your business, the NHLA needs to constantly improve. That is one common ground we all stand on. 

Dallin Brooks
NHLA Executive Director
[email protected] | 901-377-0182