US Hardwood in Chair Design - Debut American Hardwood Export Council Greater China Furniture Design Competition launched
The debut American Hardwood Export Council Greater China Furniture Design Competition is officially launched and the theme of this year is "Chair". Participants are requested to use US hardwood as the main design material for creating brilliant chair design.
more...
American Hardwood Export Council organizes the first Greater China Furniture Design Competition
American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) announces today the debut event of the "American Hardwood Export Council Greater China Furniture Design Competition". As the Greater China furniture market becomes more mature, the organizer hopes, through the promotion of competition, to strengthen the application of American hardwood in furniture design and production in Greater China region.
more...
AHEC announces its October plans for Vietnam
The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) will be conducting two technical seminars in Vietnam in October as part of its long running programme of promotion and technical support of American hardwoods. AHEC will also be exhibiting at the Vietnamwood Show in Saigon from 12-15 October and will welcome industry and trade visitors to its stand 293.
more...
American Red Oak - A world favourite for flooring and furniture
American Red Oak represents about 35% of the U.S. national hardwood forest resource, a species unique to North America. So almost all hardwood sawmills and exporters in the USA are interested in selling more. This is an interior species that performs very well in furniture, flooring, joinery and doors. It is readily available as solid lumber and veneer, and it stains well so it suits today's trend for darker furniture. Finally, Red Oak is increasingly competitive, especially on today's dollar exchange.
more...
American Hickory & Pecan
These two hardwoods are usually indistinguishable as sawn wood although the living trees are different, so the logs are often mixed together for processing. Hickory and Pecan are the hardest of all the commercial American hardwood species ¡V much harder than Hard Maple, for example.
more...
Pacific albus ¡V What is it and where did it come from?
What's in a name? I have always been fascinated with the naming and marketing of timbers from around the world. Philippine and Santos Mahogany (not true mahoganies) compared to genuine Mahogany; Brazilian and Chilean Cherry (not true Cherry) compared to American Black Cherry and the dozens or more "Rosewoods" are examples out there. Now there is Pacific albus, a Poplar being compared to American Tulipwood which is Liriodendrum Tulipifera, not a Poplar and quite different.
more...
Furniture Design Competition: Bangkok Design Camp
There are a lot of initiatives and competitions for young designers in ASEAN countries these days, but here is one with a difference. There are no winners but the prize is huge! The Bangkok Design Camp completed in March this year demonstrated the potential design talent in young Thais and surprised them all.
more...
American hardwoods make a spectacular rise in Asia in 2010 towards US$1 billion
According to the latest data from the U.S. Dept of Agriculture, exports of American hardwood to China and Southeast Asia have recovered strongly; returning trade to former levels and giving rise to the view that this sourcing of hardwood is driven largely by recovering exports and the buoyant domestic Asian economies. Value is now close to US$1 billion.
more...
It's time to let science do the talking
AHEC and the American hardwood industry have long welcomed increased market focus on environmental issues. A natural, renewable, legally harvested and sustainably sourced product with very low embodied energy, like American hardwood, has much to gain from increased market interest in these issues.
more...
China's Import of US Hardwood went up with a Leap (Chinese Version ONLY)
more...
American Hardwood Export Council 16th Southeast Asia & Greater China Convention - Ancient and Modern Civilization, Warmth and style (Chinese Version ONLY)
more...
American Hardwood Export Council 16th Southeast Asia & Greater China Convention To be held in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China in Mid June, 2011
Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu and neighboring other developed cities, such as Nantong, Wuxi, Suzhou, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo and Changzhou. Transportation is convenient which takes only 90 minutes by fast train from Shanghai. Nanjing Forestry University, one of the best and famed forestry universities in China, educates thousands of graduates in the forest product processing industry for the development of value-added and downstream wood products.
more...
Indonesia - An Increasing Market for American Hardwoods
The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) on behalf of the US hardwood industry has been upping its promotion game in Indonesian over the last couple of years. In these days of global trading of raw materials and products it may be expected that the USA should target such a potentially important country as Indonesia, but there is also some underlying and compelling logic for this development. Michael Buckley explains:
more...
Hardwood Lumber Grading, Nov-Dec 2010
I have been writing this column now for several years and have taught countless training sessions around the world with the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC). The need for a basic understanding of the NHLA grading rules is essential in successfully utilizing hardwoods from North America.
more...
Hardwood Lumber Grading Q&A, July-Aug 2010
Q. We recently purchased some 8/4 #2 Com Red Oak. When the shipment arrived we noticed that the boards were heavily checked. Upon asking our supplier about this, he said the lumber qualifies for #2B Com and he could ship this since I ordered #2Com under the NHLA grades.
more...
American hardwoods and the new EU law
The European Commission's proposed "illegal logging legislation" has been approved by its parliament and, while sending a clear message that the trade in illegal wood is no longer acceptable, it should actually be realistic for the wood industry to implement.
more...
The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) will be closing its Shanghai representative office.
The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) will be closing its Shanghai representative office and consolidating all China and Southeast Asia operations through its new, expanded office in Hong Kong effective July 19, 2010.
more...
Sustainable US Hardwood:
The Timeless Yet Modern Choice For Interior Design
AHEC 15th Southeast Asia and Greater China Convention opens in Chengdu
Chengdu, CHINA, June 17, 2010 ¡V The American Hardwood Export Council's (AHEC) 15th Southeast Asia and Greater China Convention, supported by Chengdu Furniture Industries Chamber of Commerce, Chengdu Interior Decoration Association and CIID Chengdu, opens here tomorrow.
more...
Hardwoods market update (AHEC PR P&F Asia Dec 2009)
Part 1: During the NHLA convention in Boston, Mike Snow, Executive Director of the American Hardwoods Export Council (AHEC) shared an overview of the American hardwoods export market, and gave his views on what industry players could look out for. In the first part of this report, Panels & Furniture Asia covers the US hardwood export market, and looks at the continued potential of the Dragon of the East.
more...
Q&A Series: American Hardwood Lumber Grading 2009
The Grading Rules for North American hardwood lumber were established 100 years ago by the National Hardwood Lumber Associates (NHLA), which is now headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.
more...
American Black Cherry Prunus serotina North America
Sustainability: fine furniture and cabinet making, high class joinery, kitchen cabinet mouldings, panelling, flooring, doors, boat interiors, musical instruments, turning and carving.
more...
The rise of American sweetgum
The sweetgum (or gum) tree of the United States (liquidambar styraciflua) is one which has a long history and many applications. Of all the species native to America¡¦s southern forests, sweetgum can be focused across the widest range of growing sites.
more...
American gum Liquidambar styraciflua North America
Suitability: Cabinet making, furniture parts, doors, internal joinery, strips and moulding.
more...
Hardwood fashions and trends in wood: future challenges and opportunities
Extracted from a presentation by Michaek Buckley at the Amreican Hardwood Export Council Cinvention (AHEC) in Athens in October 2009.
more...
AHEC launches Indonesian furniture design competition in Jakarta
Indonesia is the latest country in Southeast Asia to benefit from the support for design by the American hardwood Export Council (AHEC). The 2009 Indonesia Furniture Design Competition (IFDC) was launched in Jakarta on November 9, to call for entries from designers.
more...
Designing with wood in Asia
Designing with wood has been an Asian tradition since time began. From Japan to Jakarta; and from ancient temples of religion to modern temples of high living, wood features as a material choice. After a rocky passage through the second half of the 20th century, wood has seen a revival in architecture and consumer taste. The question now is whether architects and designers can trust wood to perform in today¡¦s projects as a modern, sustainable material?
more...
Don't Miss Saigon ¡V June 19th 2008
It may not be a musical, but for certain it will be a show!
By popular demand the main players of the American Hardwood Export Council return to Vietnam for another performance of its annual Convention, after a successful tour of Asia over the past few years.
more...
US Hardwood Sustainability Drives China Sales
China is largest importer of US hardwood for fourth consecutive year; Red Oak among most popular species of US hardwood in Southern China
Guangzhou, CHINA, April 8, 2008 ¡V A desire for clean construction materials and a better quality of life has made China the largest importer of US hardwood for the fourth consecutive year, according to new data released by the American Hardwood Export Council.
more...
PERSPECTIVE APRIL 08
True Growth
STANDFIRST: American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) continually promotes its hardwood resource to architects and interior designers despite environmental challenges
more...
Sustained marketing by masters of hardwood promotion -
AHEC announces its plans for Southeast Asia in 2008
"Sustainable" and "Sustained" are words often overdone these days, but an export development organisation that can claim twenty years of consistent promotion is surely justified in using them.
more...
Double Winner with Wood
Lui Honfay trained and works in architecture, which came through strongly when he swept the board in the Young Designers category at this year's Furniture Design Awards (FDA) in Singapore.
more...
AHEC 12th Southeast Asia and Greater China Convention Opens in Hangzhou
Hangzhou, June 6, 2007 ¡X The American Hardwood Export Council's (AHEC) 12th Southeast Asia and Greater China Convention, supported by the China Institute of Interior Designers, China National Furniture Association, China National Forest Product Industry Association and China Timber Distribution Association, will open tomorrow in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. The event brings together over 700 delegates including architects, interior designers, furniture designers, manufacturers and US hardwood exporters to discuss the latest issues and developments in interior, architectural and furniture design and manufacturing.
more...
American Hardwood Export Council chooses Hangzhou for June 2007 Convention
The 12th Southeast Asia & Greater China Convention will be held from 6th to 8th June 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the glorious city of Hangzhou in Zhejiang, China. The theme "US Hardwoods ¡V Living Comfort" reflects AHEC's increasing focus on interiors and furniture design. Speakers from the USA, China and Southeast Asia will present a range of papers on design in hardwoods.
more...
American hardwood lumber exports to Southeast Asia increased by 32% to $110 million in 2006
Total exports of American hardwood products to Southeast Asia moved ahead of the global trend (up 6.9%) in 2006 with an overall increase in value of 13% to $159 million. Lumber exports however amounted to $110 million, which was 32% ahead of 2005, and accounted for 69% of the total value of US hardwood product exports to the region.
more...
American hardwoods up 8% in Southeast Asia in the first nine months of 2006
Shipments of American hardwood products were up 8.3% in the first three quarters of 2006 compared with the same period of 2005. Sawn lumber increased by 25% in value and volume, whereas logs were down 27% in value and 215 in volume. Hardwood veneer shipments were also up 21% in value and the total of all products was US$117million for the nine months.
more...
China becomes top export market of US hardwood products for three consecutive years
China has become the largest importer of American hardwood products for three consecutive years, according to the latest statistics of US Department of Agriculture. The annual demand for wood in Mainland China currently reaches 300 million m 3 in volume. Total import of American hardwood products to Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan in the first six months of 2006 reached RMB2.9 billion, that is US$350 million, an increase of 15% over the same period of last year. The intense competition in the furniture and decoration businesses in recent years and the dramatic changes in consumption patterns have pushed up the demand for wood and wood products, hence the overall wood consumption in China.
more...
The Development of AHEC in Southeast Asia and Greater China
American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) is a non-profit making international trade association for the US hardwood industry, representing over 100 committed US hardwood exporters and most major US hardwood product trade associations in the United States.
more...
American Hardwood Export Council launches promotion campaigns in China
China is not only a major producer of wood and wood products in the world, but is also a country of huge consumption. It is also a nation with limited forest (wood) resources per capita. Since the commencement of the national campaign for natural forest preservation in 1998, there has been a gap in the supply of wood in its domestic market. As China's economy is developing rapidly, particularly after its entry into the World Trade Organization, the competition in furniture and decoration businesses have become intense and the consumption patterns have undergone dramatic changes ¡V all lead to a rising demand for raw materials and wood products.
more...
AHEC to Hold Flooring Seminars in Asia
In May the American Hardwood Export Council will hold two flooring installation seminars scheduled for May 16th in Bangkok and May 18th in Shanghai. Each full day seminar will be conducted by eminent speakers Mark Scheller and Daniel Boone and are intended for contractors, builders, flooring manufacturers and suppliers.
more...
AHEC Announces Convention
The American Hardwood Export Council has announced details of its 11th annual Southeast Asia and Greater China convention to be held in Shenzhen, China on 23rd June 2006.
more...
American Hardwood Export Ranks First in Greater China
Export Value Reaches TWD16 Billion in 2005
American hardwood continues to boom in Asian markets in recent years with an amazing growth in Greater China. Data from the US Dept. of Census show that total exports of American hardwood to Greater China reached USD502 million (TWD16.064 billion) in 2005, a surge of 8.4% compared to 2004. American hardwood has become designers' and architects' best choice for superb furniture, interior design, and architecture across Taiwan and Greater China.
more...
China and Southeast Asia Consolidate in 2005
Latest data from the US show that for the first ten months of 2005 American hardwood exports grew significantly in the Asian region. The value of all products (logs, lumber, flooring and veneer etc.) shipped to China was up by 10% and by 1% in Southeast Asia.
more...
American Red Oak Furniture - an Appreciation
There is no coincidence about the widespread use of Red Oak in the American domestic furniture market, or in those export markets around the world that have traditional links with the USA. The simple fact is that American Red Oak (mainly Quercus rubra and Quercus falcate) is the most abundant of all hardwoods in the USA and is therefore the most familiar to most Americans. Thus the history of furniture making in America is closely linked to this sustainable species.
more...
The Case for Red Oak
American Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is native only to eastern North America although it was introduced and occasionally planted in Europe and is today much prized as a specimen tree in parks and gardens. It is recognisable easily by its pointed leaves, compared to the rounded ends of American White Oak and its European oak cousin. Named ¡§red¡¨ by some early settlers to reflect the colour of its leaves in the fall, this is the quintessential oak recognised and much loved by Americans who use it extensively for furniture, flooring and internal joinery. Some also think that the red refers to red lines in the bark of Quercus rubra. The colour of the wood itself is more difficult to define since can vary according to the many subspecies within the general group of Red Oak and depending on location? but Quercus Rubra is consistent.
more...
AHEC Plans an Active Year in Southeast Asia
John Chan, AHEC's well known regional director has announced plans for an active year throughout China and Southeast Asia in 2006. "We are totally committed to continuing our technical support for producers of hardwood products across Asian domestic and export markets", he says.
more...
Asia First half states 2005
The US Dept of Census has just released data that shows Asian markets for American hardwoods continue to grow overall in value. Total US hardwood exports to China (Hong Kong and Taiwan) and Southeast Asia advanced in value by 0.8% in the first six months of 2005 compared to the same period last year.
more...
American Beauty
American red oak is the most widely grown and used hardwood in America. Not surprising considering its appeal to architects and interior designers alike.
more...
QSP Shanghai Press Conference
The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) announced today the launch of a top-quality show apartment in China to demonstrate the quality and diversity of US hardwoods applications for interior decoration and fittings.
more...
PAM and AHEC work together in KL
It was twelve years since the first event between the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) and the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), when two hundred members, including the President and Board, assembled in Kuala Lumpur for a seminar in June.
more...
AHEC Beijing Report July 2005
The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), following in the footsteps of the Olympic Committee, chose Beijing for its 10th Convention in Asia held in June.
more...
AHEC Beijing Convention Press Conference
AHEC 10th Southeast Asia and Greater China Convention opens in Beijing.
more...
AHEC Chooses Beijing
The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) has announced their 10th Convention for Southeast Asia and Greater China, to be held in Beijing from 8-10 June 2005. The convention theme is "Design Excellence: Architectural Applications of U.S. Hardwoods".
more...
Export State Release 2004
Greater China becomes top export market of US hardwood products for two consecutive years.
more...
American Hardwood Exports forge ahead in Southeast Asia 2004
According to data for the first quarter of 2005, most markets in Southeast Asia have received increased shipments of sawn hardwood lumber from the USA - compared to the same quarter last year.
more...
SFIC 2004
The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) looks forward with anticipation to the next SFIC Design Competition, and has already initiated related activities.
more...
American Hardwoods continue their upturn in 2004
According to the latest data from the USA for the first nine months of 2004, exports of American hardwood logs, lumber and veneer to China and Southeast Asia all look likely to end the full year well up on 2003.
more...
American Hardwoods bounce back in Southeast Asia
Export data for the first half of 2004 - January to June - just issued by the US Government show that American hardwoods have strongly recovered their lost ground in Southeast Asia in several markets and made substantial gains in others. American Hardwoods continue their upturn in 2004.
more...
AHEC Grading Seminars in Southeast Asia 2004
The American Hardwood Export Council held three grading seminars in April in Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia in pursuit of its campaign to bring technical knowledge on new species to the region. Over 360 delegates attended in total.
more...
Architectural Seminar
Mr James Greaves, director of Hopkins Architects practice in London, recently gave a series of architectural lectures in Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong sponsored by the American Hardwood Export Council and entitled "Designs in American oak".
more...
