The Wood Industry's Research Lab

Wood shops and wood production factories alike have a need for research, to develop new products, new methods, and to test materials.

The very largest panel and solid wood products manufacturers have the resources to conduct their own research, often in in-house labs and testing facilities. Frequently, these big companies, as well as mid-sized wood products businesses, are likely to partner with an educational institution's research lab. More than 20 institutions of higher learning in the U.S. alone operate programs related to forest products. Dozens more high-profile community colleges have healthy education programs that can test tools and procedures for wood products manufacturers in their community.

Another base for research and development is found in the wood industry's equipment and supply manufacturing community, where work is done on behalf of all wood products companies. These trusted sources in the supply community are critical the advancing the wood industry as a viable business sector.

An exceptional center for research is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Products Laboratory (www.fpl.fs.fed.us) in Madison, WI. It conducts collaborative research with wood products companies and their suppliers, including prototype materials developed for market-testing purposes. It can develop or refine pilot scale materials and processes that are headed to market.

Please visit woodworkingnetwork.com for more information.