In March of 2013 the European Union's Timber Regulation (EUTR) legislation went into effect. Simply put, EUTR is Europe's version of the US Lacey Act as it relates to lumber production. There are similarities between the two laws and a lot of differences. For instance, EUTR does consider certifications (FSC®/PEFC) and verifications (TLTV/VLO) as risk mitigation when conducting "due diligence," … [Read more...] about EU Timber Regulation Provides Lacey Act Guidance
Search Results for: lacey act
Lacey Act Compliance Becomes a Little Less Cloudy
It has been more than a year since we wrote about the Lacey Act. What then was something not many people had heard about, let alone understood, has now become front page news since the seizure of material from Gibson Guitars. With 60% of our business in importing exotic hardwoods, we were riveted to the details of this case and wondered how the vaguely worded legislation would be enforced. The … [Read more...] about Lacey Act Compliance Becomes a Little Less Cloudy
The Lacey Act Holds Everyone Responsible for Legal Lumber
Last week we talked about regulating the tropical forests and international organizations like CITES. These factors are important to consider as the lumber is harvested, processed, and exported to the US. Once that lumber hits our shores, a different kind of regulation, called The Lacey Act, kicks in that is unique to the US. This regulation holds everyone in the supply chain … [Read more...] about The Lacey Act Holds Everyone Responsible for Legal Lumber
A Real Life Lacey Act Example
We have mentioned several times that we often visit our lumber mills around the world to ensure quality and legality. On a recent trip to Peru, our exotic buyer, Caroline McIlvain got a look at some beautiful Genuine Mahogany. She also came face to face with a pack of lumber that we bought but was never exported. This was some time ago so all the details are a little fuzzy, but I thought it … [Read more...] about A Real Life Lacey Act Example
Lumber Prices Explained
How Much Will My Lumber Cost? Questions about lumber pricing are asked several thousand times a second in the lumber business. Lumber prices cause a great deal of confusion and even anger. No matter whether the customer is buying hardwood, softwood, plywood, or even a milled wood product, it all comes down to, "How much will it cost?" The reality is that the price of any wood product is … [Read more...] about Lumber Prices Explained
Rethink How You Order Hardwoods and Millwork
The supply chain is severely stressed right now as we pass the 1 year mark since the world shut down for the COVID-19 pandemic. The construction trades are reeling and trying to get lumber and millwork as fast as they can, but they are constantly running into empty shelves everywhere they look. This is not news to anyone reading this, but it is also not something we can just resign ourselves to … [Read more...] about Rethink How You Order Hardwoods and Millwork
Sapele Wood is the Cream of the African Mahogany Market
Easily one of the most popular hardwoods in our inventory has been Sapele. Each day we get requests for quotes and the Sapele species page on this site is one of the most clicked on. In my opinion all of this attention is justified as Sapele is an outstanding African species that is only gaining in popularity because of it's ease of use in so many applications. Sapele has long been a known … [Read more...] about Sapele Wood is the Cream of the African Mahogany Market
Stained Decking and Color Changes
All wood species have extractives or chemicals in the wood that can make the wood rot resistant or weather resistant or even tasty. Maple Syrup is one tasty example of a wood extractive. While some extractives are useful when actually extracted from the tree like the aforementioned Maple Syrup or Turpentine, others remain part of the wood itself to give it the working and performance … [Read more...] about Stained Decking and Color Changes
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Dispelling the Myth That Lumber Importing is Bad for the Environment
As an importer of record in many exotic species like Genuine Mahogany, Teak, and Ipe; J. Gibson McIlvain is acutely aware of the stigma attached to rainforest wood species and the spectre of global warming that looms over our industry. The facts are that deforestation is not a result of the lumber import trade, but in many cases caused by the disruption of it. Additionally, regulation by local, … [Read more...] about Dispelling the Myth That Lumber Importing is Bad for the Environment
CITES and Lumber Import Regulation
Last week we talked about how the lumber import business is actually keeping the rainforests vibrant and well managed. As lumber importers we need to be very aware of how government regulation will change the way we do business. Not only how processes change, but who is responsible, and liable, for what. Navigating this quagmire is our job as the importer of record, but we also want our … [Read more...] about CITES and Lumber Import Regulation
Wood Color Changes Explained
One thing that is difficult when working with wood is the range of colors you find within a single species. All woods will change color throughout the process from sawmill to finished project. Wood continues to change color years down the road. It fades in the sunlight, but some woods also undergo chemical changes that change the wood color. The one thing you can count on is the color will … [Read more...] about Wood Color Changes Explained
Wood Dust Toxicity
The first week of May is always Woodworker's Safety Week. Nothing formal, but really the brainchild of woodworking new media savant, Marc Spagnuolo, of The Wood Whisperer. Four years ago, he gathered together as many bloggers he could reach to elevate awareness of safety in woodworking shops everywhere. So this week I want to take a look at a safety issue that is commonly known and heavily … [Read more...] about Wood Dust Toxicity
Yesterday’s Philippine Mahogany is Today’s Meranti
Philippine Mahogany is synonymous with boat building, thanks to the iconic Chris Craft boats from the 1930-60s. So when asked if the species will be good for exterior projects, we answer with a strong yes. Boat building tests wood in a way that nothing else will, so if a particular wood is good enough for that, then trim, windows, or siding have nothing to fear. Times have changed, however, … [Read more...] about Yesterday’s Philippine Mahogany is Today’s Meranti
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What information do we collect? We collect information from you when you place an order, subscribe to our newsletter, respond to a survey or fill out a form. When ordering or registering on our site, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your: name, e-mail address, mailing address or phone number. You may, however, visit our site anonymously. Website Tracking J Gibson McIlvain … [Read more...] about Privacy Policy
Ipe Wood Decking Quality Control
We pride ourselves on high standards for quality control. Every stick of lumber we sell has been thoroughly inspected and graded multiple times for stability, appearance, and consistency. In many instances we inspect our lumber with customer specifications in mind to exactly meet the demands of the particular job. Decking products pose a problem however as they are milled and moulded in Brazil … [Read more...] about Ipe Wood Decking Quality Control
The Importer of Record
Over the last 4 weeks, we have talked about the regulations, obstacles, penalties, and relationships required to import lumber. It is a bumpy road from forest to your job site and to wrap up our series on lumber importing and the implications to the buyer and the environment, I wanted to offer a solution that should make all of this a whole lot easier. Buy your lumber from the Importer of … [Read more...] about The Importer of Record
Why J Gibson McIlvain
Over the last 6-8 months I have spoken with many of our customers and our sales staff in an effort to understand our place in the market and why people buy from us. The stories and feedback I got were powerful and helped to crystallize some points that have been running around my head for several months relating to why someone should use J Gibson McIlvain as their wood supplier. In every … [Read more...] about Why J Gibson McIlvain
Composite Decking Problems and Boardwalks
It seems that every year another boardwalk is being replaced. Whether the catalyst is a hurricane or just age, these monstrous projects keep coming up. When "boardwalk season" comes around, new construction bids and RFQs are on everyone's minds. Unfortunately, pressure is being brought to bear on city planners from environmental lobby groups to use composite decking to rebuild the … [Read more...] about Composite Decking Problems and Boardwalks
Ipe State of the Market
Over the years we have written a lot about the ever changing landscape of not just Ipe but the tropical decking market in general. In the last year many of our predictions and concerns have come to fruition creating a chaotic state of the market. It seems like it is time to discuss the state of the species and what we can expect over the next year with regards to Ipe availability, quality, and … [Read more...] about Ipe State of the Market
