Pin Blanc des Etats-Unis
(More news)France served as the location for NELMA’s first official appearance this year at an international trade show, as part of the Association’s membership in the Softwood Export Council. The Carrefour du Bois show, held May 28-30 in Nantes, is one of the largest wood products shows in Europe, featuring more than 450 exhibitors and over 9,000 visitors. The newly-designed display of Eastern White Pine lumber grades and promotional materials were incorporated within the overall American Softwoods exhibit, 
which also contained various samples of softwood species from across the United States.
Attendees at the show included representatives from panel, flooring, furniture and other secondary wood products manufacturers, home centers, and sawmills. The show attracts a large number of traders and importer-exporters from France and other European countries as well.
Eddie Pearce, the American Softwood marketing representative for Northern Europe, reported that the show is an excellent venue to see new trends in Europe’s use of wood products and making new contacts. US softwood lumber exports to France continue to increase due to the weak value of the US dollar and during the first quarter of 2008, France was the third leading EU export destination, lagging only Spain and the U.K.
All trade leads obtained at the show by Eddie will be forwarded to the NELMA membership for follow-up, if desired. The NELMA Marketing Committee will be looking at additional export marketing opportunities later this year, in addition to the development of promotional literature translated into targeted foreign languages.
