S.C. Forestry Commission Looks to Foreign Markets
The Challenge
South Carolina now has more forests and timber in the state than ever recorded. The state’s abundant wood supply has resulted in significant growth of the forest product industry through the development of new mills and expansion of existing mills. South Carolina forestry is now #1 among manufacturing industries in jobs and payroll.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission was looking to inform its existing forest product mills about the industry as a whole and market trends. The Forestry Commission needed up to date statistics presented in an easy to read format to share with mill owners.
The Solution
ECI conducted an in-depth export market analysis to determine the top products, export markets and international trade flow of forestry products in the U.S. The top 10 markets were identified. ECI published the findings as a S.C. Forestry Products trade handbook.
Recently, the Forestry Commission requested ECI create a fact sheet on South Carolina’s forest product industry which tied into the original export analysis. The prior report was updated and published in a format that was easy to distribute on a regular basis.
The Result
ECI’s reports have been very well received by South Carolina forest product mills. Forest product mills have a great deal of pressure put on them, especially due to the recent housing downturn. It is very important these mills have the most up-to-date industry information in order to develop export markets for local products. ECI’s market research filled this need, providing and clarifying the facts mills need to make decisions that are best for business and the forest product industry as a whole.
What They Had to Say
“ECI’s work for us not only met our expectations, it exceeded them. Developing foreign markets fits perfectly with our mission ‘to protect, promote, enhance and nurture the forestlands of South Carolina.’ Our association with the ECI has led to other projects such as Eureka Winning Ways (EWW), though which we are making a special effort to reach out to forest products mills to help them develop new products for markets at home and overseas.”