A month after an initial meeting of timber purchasers from around the state, the Utah Forest Products Association (UFPA) was formed with 23 members at an April meeting hosted in Richfield by USU Extension Agent Jody Gale and facilitated by State Forester Joel Frandsen. With newly-elected president Jim Matson (owner of Vermillion Services of Kanab) at the helm, UFPA seeks to unite companies and individuals interested in the future of the forest products industry in Utah. Ladd Bunting, Rebecca Hoyt, and Kathleen McDowell were elected vice president, secretary, and treasurer, respectively. Three members were also elected to fill out the seven member board of directors.

Matson has defined two primary issues for the association as it establishes its presence in the state: raw materials supply and workers compensation rates and coverage. These are among the top concerns for those in the forest products business as indicated by those in attendance at the first two meetings. Matson would also like to see the association “take an aggressive role in contract clauses and appraisals (timber valuation) for Forest Service and BLM lands in the state.”

UFPA will commence quarterly meetings on the second Thursday of each quarter as well as an annual winter meeting. There will be two member categories in the association: regular members and associate members. Regular members are those directly involved in the forest products industry, while Associate members may be government employees and others with an interest in the forest products industry. Regular members can hold positions in the association, while both categories of membership will be invited to vote in association elections.

As the association grows, Matson plans to make it inclusive of all persons interested in the forest products industry in Utah. Businesses from out of state that do business in Utah as well as public officials are encouraged to join.

For more information call Jim Matson at (435) 644-8841 or Kathleen McDowell at (435) 586-7738. Click here to go to the UFPA web site.