Sustainable Woods Communicator
Volume 4 No. 1
September, 2000
President's corner - Great partners are coming on board (by Tom Thieding Board President)
The Good News: It has taken us the summer to meet with several financial partners to start securing financing for the full operation of the cooperative. We are very excited about the partnerships we have formed thus far. Agreements with Alliant Energy and the Richland County Economic Development Corporation are investments aimed at stimulating economic development in the area. The agreement with Farm Credit Services signifies a desire to help create a new economic model for a segment of agriculture (timber) that has been overlooked.
The Hard Work Ahead: We continue to make progress with two additional financial partners we hope to secure in the coming months. We still need members to invest in the cooperative through purchase of Market Stock for those wanting to market and sell their timber through the cooperative.
Educational Programs: An Education Committee is developing opportunities and activities to help you learn more about sustainable forest management and ecological enhancement.
Wood for Sale: Give us a call to get our new product and price list to purchase lumber or flooring or paneling.
Great Staff and Consultant: Diane Hughes, Chuck Ouimette, Troy Zietlow, and Andy Remington are committed and qualified professionals who are working hard to develop the wood manufacturing side of the cooperative, initiate sales, and committed to the mission of sustainable forest management.
SWC has certified wood products for sale--Place your order today!
We've come a long way in a year. From securing our yard in Lone Rock to building our first kiln and bringing in member logs to be processed. Now - just in the past month or so - we have value-added products available to sell to consumers who want to support sustainable forestry.
Do you have a remodeling project you need completed before Christmas? Know a friend of neighbor looking for wood flooring or paneling? Need a supply of wood for your woodworking projects? Know professionals who we should know about the use our wood?
As an SWC member, you will play a big part boosting our success in the months ahead. Get the word out to family and friends and colleagues. They can use beautiful wood in their projects while helping improve our woodlands here in southern Wisconsin and supporting our local economy.
We have a product and price list available for green-rough lumber, kiln-dried lumber, paneling and flooring. And the SWC prices are very competitive to non-certified wood available in the area.
The main species available are: aspen, red oak, white oak, walnut, and cherry. Contact us at (608) 583-7100 to get a price list and to place your order or pass along any sales leads.
Also, in the next few weeks, we anticipate having the price list available for review on our website: www.sustainablewoods.com.
SWC Board sets short-term course for cash flow and operation ramp-up
At its September meeting, the SWC Board of Directors took action to improve its cash flow position by accelerating sales of sawed lumber. The board is also taking steps to accelerate its retail product marketing and sales to key wood users, such as builders and woodworkers while it searches for a qualified Marketing/Sales Director.
These wholesale sales of lumber is not the marketing approach the cooperative will be taking over the long run. While the cooperative continues to secure financing to ramp up its wood manufacturing and marketing operation, the board determined that sale of sawed lumber made good sense for short-term cash flow.
SWC Wood Special: Certified aspen
We have a good supply of certified aspen for home remodeling projects such as paneling and flooring. Don't overlook the beautiful elements of aspen.
SWC certified aspen trim is making a big splash at the Rupert Cornelius store in the Hilldale shopping center, Madison. Julie Cornelius and Michael Alexander of Alexander Design/Construction, Plain, teamed to use SWC certified aspen trim and moldings in their recent remodeling. The handsome light-colored trim with brown overtones can be part of your next project.
SWC financing progress
The cooperative has been successful in securing loans from three different sources for equipment and operating expenses for its manufacturing operation. The board of directors and staff are working with additional financial partners for up to $250,000 financing for a building, equipment and operating expenses.
Here is a summary of the financing SWC has secured:
" $64,000 loan from Alliant Energy for the construction of additional kilns.
" $50,000 from the Richland County Economic Development Corporation for the purchase of molding equipment.
" $80,000 from Farm Credit Services for the purchase of saw, molding equipment and operations.
Marketing/Sales Director Opportunity
The Sustainable Woods Cooperative has an opening for a combined Marketing/Sales Director to develop markets and expand sales for certified wood products.
The qualified candidate will be responsible for developing marketing and sales strategies, securing sales, and developing and managing sales operation.
Contact SWC at (608) 583-7100 for more details.
