Logging And Timber Transport Sector Critical Link In Wood Supply Chain

Loggers and timber transport are an important link between the forests in mills.  Over the past 30 years, the logging sector has changed considerably, transforming from a labor-intensive to a capital-intensive industry.

Over time, the logging industry has been consolidating and its workforce shrinking.  But at the same time, the sector has transformed, embracing mechanization and increasing productivity considerably, according to a recently published article in the Journal of Forestry by noted forestry researchers from the University of Georgia and Paul Smith’s College.

The report demonstrates some of the challenges faced by the logging sector, such as the advanced age of the business owners and the significant capital investments required for businesses.  On the timber transport side, there are driver shortages, rising driver wages, and most recently, the swift and substantial increases in truck liability insurance premiums.  To compound the issue, log trucks operate on small profit margins and sudden increases in costs are significant.