The Keystone Wood Products Association –
Supporting the Central PA Lumber and Wood Industry
The Keystone Wood Products Association (KWPA) is a non-profit trade organization representing wood and lumber industry in the Central Pennsylvania Region consisting of these counties:
- Center
- Clinton
- Columbia
- Juniata
- Lycoming
- Mifflin
- Montour
- Northumberland
- Perry
- Snyder
- Union
The KWPA was formed in 2006 as result of two separate state agency initiatives. The Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation (CPWDC) had received funding from the PA Department of Labor and Industry to formalize a lumber and wood industry partnership within their region.
In 2006, a core group of lumber and wood companies formalized KWPA, established the organization as a 501(c) (6) organization and started recruiting members. In the central portion of Pennsylvania served by the KWPA, the wood industry is a larger proportional contributor to the economy than any other region in the state. The $1.7 billion of production by the wood products industry accounts for 15% of the total manufacturing output of the region and 5% of the region's total economy. The nearly 12,000 individuals employed in wood products account for 19% of the region's manufacturing employment. Total economic impact by the wood products industry in this region is $2.3 billion. (Penn State 2007)
Since the lumber and wood industry is so essential to our regional economy the KWPA has adopted the following mission and objectives in supporting our region's lumber and wood companies:
The KWPA strives to strengthen and expand the base of the forest products manufacturers in the central Pennsylvania region in order to maintain and enhance the industry's competitive position in today's global economy.
Organization Goals
- Improve the available workforce with increased skills relevant to the needs or members and the industry in the region
- Promote career opportunities within the industry through education and outreach to educational institutions, elected officials and partners
- Create partnerships with school districts to enhance their curriculum and create interest in member companies
- Promote, market and facilitate the sales of PA value-added forest products
- Reduce, limit or eliminate exportation of unprocessed logs from PA
- Promote sustainable forest management practices
Join KWPA Today!
As a member of KWPA you can:
- Connect and communicate with company leaders – KWPA represents all facets of the industry:
| Primary and Secondary Processors | Support Companies | Educators and Schools |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
- Promote your business and products – Take advantage of sales opportunities at KWPA meetings and through KWPA member website links.
- Use KWPA DVDs and materials – Promote the industry at your company booth during trade shows.
- Get the right information into our schools – Our Adopt a School program is designed to inform middle and high school guidance/career counselors, teachers and students about Pennsylvania's healthy forests, the wide variety of hardwood products, and the career opportunities available in Pennsylvania's forest products industry.
- Benefit from employee training – Events custom designed to suit your needs are organized by KWPA members for their individual company employees, with the cost often subsidized by KWPA funding partners.
- Speak with one voice – Promote, defend and grow Pennsylvania's hardwood manufacturing industry in creative ways with energetic wood industry leaders.
- Low cost member dues