Representatives from the China Timber and Wood Products Distribution Association (CTWPDA) recently visited Horizon Forest Products to tour its facility. The visit was part of a larger trade mission organized by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to promote and highlight the wood industry in North Carolina.
Established in 1985, the CTWPDA is a non-profit organization that connects businesses and institutions in the wood processing and distribution industry. Its primary goal is to facilitate communication between the private sector and government agencies while promoting good practices and building the reputation of the Chinese timber and wood products industry. CTWPDA’s current membership consists of 1577 members who are engaged in importing, exporting, wholesaling, manufacturing, and marketing timber and wood products.
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services works to encourage buyers to come to North Carolina to meet representatives from local agribusinesses. John Holland, International Marketing Specialist with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, was pleased to have the opportunity to connect the CTWPDA with Horizon Forest Products. “They have a diverse group and wanted to see many things in the wood product sector,” said Holland. “Our main goal was to introduce them to companies that can provide products that will meet their needs.”
Horizon Forest Products was pleased to host the Chinese delegation as part of the tour. “We were honored,” said Carl Bahn, Raleigh Flooring Branch Manager. “It’s not every day that you get to host a group of this magnitude in Raleigh. Normally the tour just involves going to see lumber mills, but this group wanted to see all aspects of the wood business. It was a great pleasure to host this group and represent North Carolina to folks from across the world. We welcome them and the NC Department of Agriculture any time.”