Learn about the Vital Role of Southern Yellow Pine in Sustaining Local Economies in the U.S.
Have you ever wondered where your building materials come from? When you choose Southern Yellow Pine (SYP, you’re not just selecting a high-quality material; you’re also supporting the livelihoods of fellow Americans and contributing to the economic well-being of small towns across the United States.
The Southern Yellow Pine industry is a vital force in creating jobs and driving sustainable forestry practices. As the “wood basket” of the nation, the Southeastern forests and the industries they support play a crucial role in the economic and environmental health of the region. By selecting Southern Yellow Pine, you’re making a choice you can feel good about. Let’s explore this further.
Economic Overview of Southeastern Sawmills
The SYP industry spans across 13 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia, this industry not only provides essential materials for construction and manufacturing but also plays a crucial role in sustaining local communities.
The Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (SLMA) reports that its members, which comprise of sawmills, lumber treaters, and remanufacturers, provide direct employment to nearly 13,000 individuals across 130 locations.
However, the impact of these facilities extends far beyond their walls. According to Lumber.Works, a website dedicated to sawmill careers, the forestry-related industry “supports more than 1.3 million jobs in the Southern U.S.”
What’s more, these positions create a ripple effect that sustains communities and families throughout the region. In many cases, for every direct job a sawmill generates, it also generates an indirect and induced job, from the local restaurants and mom-and-pop stores that serve the local workers to the industry suppliers. The result is a vast network of professionals whose livelihoods depend on the continued success of this vital sector.
Rural Communities – the Fabric of our Nation
While there are some urban sawmills that provide jobs, sawmills primarily continue to be the backbone of many rural communities. In many small towns and villages, the local lumber mill is the largest employer and the backbone of the local economy, providing a stable source of income and contributing to the overall economic well-being of the region.
As the social fabric of countless rural communities, these mills have a rich history of providing not only jobs but also a sense of identity and pride for the community. Take Jordan Lumber & Supply, for example. For more than 85 years, this family-run mill has been a constant presence, adapting to changing times while maintaining their commitment to their employees and the local community in Mount Gilead, North Carolina – a town of 1,200.
Similarly, Morgan Lumber Co – a 4th generation family business in Red Oak, Virginia, with a population just under 1,200 – has been integral to its respective community. And the same goes for Shuqualak Lumber in Mississippi, to name just a few.
By opting for locally manufactured Southeastern lumber products, you’re not only investing in high-quality, sustainable building materials but also helping to maintain the vitality of rural communities that are the heart and soul of our nation.
Last Bastion of Blue Collar America
The Southeastern Lumber Manufacturing industry exemplifies the enduring strength and importance of blue-collar work in America. This industry provides stable, well-paying jobs for a wide range of people, regardless of education or background. Many of these jobs, such as those in logging, milling, and transportation, rely on practical skills and offer on-the-job training, making the industry accessible to those who may not have pursued higher education or prefer hands-on work.
Joey Rosier, a veteran employee at Collum’s Lumber Products, recently spoke to this: “All of it was learned here on the job. I’ve been here 24 years and I’ve been doing hydraulics after I started as a welder. I didn’t do hydraulics until I started here. I love it. It’s what I like to do.”
The industry provides solid, safe careers with competitive wages and benefits, allowing workers to support their families and build a stable future. As Robert “Pap” Kearse from Collum’s Lumber Products states, “You can do almost any trade at this job: welding, truck drivers, forklift operators, clerical work. I heard this sawmill was a great place to work and it was great pay.”
Choosing Southeastern Lumber products is an investment in high-quality, sustainable building materials and a tangible way of creating and maintaining job opportunities for hardworking individuals and communities across the Southeast.
Environmental Transparency You Can Trust
Southeastern Lumber Manufacturing is dedicated to environmental transparency and responsible stewardship of our natural resources. The industry strictly adheres to rigorous sustainability standards and certifications, such as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which provide independent verification of our commitment to sustainable harvesting, reforestation, and conservation of biodiversity.
Additionally, SLMA members manage over 2 million acres of timberland, employing responsible management techniques that promote forest health and longevity. Their robust replanting programs ensure that the SYP remains a renewable and sustainable resource for generations to come, with several trees planted for every one harvested.
The SYP industry is also committed to utilizing every part of the tree during harvest, minimizing waste and maximizing economic and environmental benefits. From bark used for landscaping to chips used for paper production, nothing is wasted, conserving resources and reducing the industry’s environmental footprint.
In short, when you source products from Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers, you can trust that you are supporting an industry that prioritizes the long-term health of our forests and communities throughout the US.
Got an SYP project you’re proud of? Have questions on how to source Southern Yellow Pine? Please feel free to contact us directly to share your stories and inquiries. Let’s build something great together.
