Virginia lumber companies sign key trade deal with UK's largest importer

EDGWARE (Scrap Monster): Four Virginia lumber companies have entered into a new trade deal with a UK importing firm. The deal to export Virginia wood products to the UK was announced by Governor Terry McAuliffe during his trade and marketing mission to Israel and the UK. The deal was signed with James Latham PLC- one of the largest wood importers and distributors in the UK. Under the terms of the deal, wood products will be exported to the UK by four Virginia companies- Blue Ridge Lumber, Turman Lumber, Virginia-Carolina and W.R. Deacon and Sons.

The new lumber deal is the direct result of an earlier trade mission by a team of state economic development officials and Governor Terry McAuliffe during last April. The mission had held meetings in London between Governor McAuliffe, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore and Lathams staff. The extensive marketing efforts during the visit had yielded positive results with Lathams agreeing to visit Virginia to hold further discussions with interested parties. Accordingly, senior Lathams staff had visited the Virginia hardwood operations in June.

Commenting on the deal, Governor McAuliffe stated that the new deal is expected to boost the efforts to build a new Virginia economy. The deal would put Virginia one step closer to making it the East Coast Capital for agriculture and forestry products exports. McAuliffe also noted that the deal is a perfect example of successfully connecting producers of high quality agriculture and forestry products with international buyers.

Meantime, Secretary Haymore praised the deal saying that it would act as a catalyst for more Virginia companies to establish new partnerships with international companies. Haymore also thanked the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Office of International Marketing for their efforts which helped them to identify Lathams as a promising buyer.

Susan Jennings, President of the Virginia Forest Products Association thanked Governor McAuliffe and his team for opening up the European market for Virginia wood products. It would not have been possible for these companies to invest in overseas travel to meet with buyers themselves. The state has made it possible, Jennings added. James Latham Director James White, in a press release, stated that without the efforts by Virginia state authorities, it would never have found these lumber companies on their own.

Blue Ridge Lumber produces over 35 million board feet of lumber and exports nearly 1500 containers of wood products to overseas destinations every year. Turman Lumber, part of The Turman Group of Virginia manufactures all grades of lumber and also exports to many countries worldwide. Virginia-Carolina is a family-owned lumber mill in Brunswick County. W.R. Deacon and Sons is a family-owned lumber mill that ships its products to several international markets.

It must be noted that the UK was sixth largest importer of Virginia lumber products in 2015. The lumber exports from Virginia during the year were valued at $11.6 million. Also, James Latham PLC was the top importer of Virginia wood products during the year.