Globalization is something we are constantly hearing about but what does it really mean?

I would define globalization as giving individuals or businesses the ability to extend their products and services to markets all over the globe. It allows them to develop partnerships and alliances globally, which has become essential for success in today’s market.

Did you know that 96 percent of all consumers live outside of the United States? So supporting international trade is fundamental to the growth and revitalization of the United States, Indiana’s economy and the forest products industry. In 2006 Indiana exported approximately $2 billion dollars of the state’s commodities and products ranking Indiana 10th in the nation.

Increasing global opportunity is why Governor Daniels, Lt. Governor Skillman and the Hardwood Economic Development Program continue to support trade missions. These missions provide market growth for Indiana’s hardwood industry, support Hoosier job growth and build long-term business connections overseas.

Additionally, developing these global relationships can help minimize the impact of a slow or recessionary domestic market, while possibly providing future sales growth. Indiana’s trade missions have resulted in the purchase of millions of board feet of logs, lumber and veneer products. Indiana’s hardwood industry has been represented in Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Germany, England, the United Arab Emirates, and India. Each mission with a hardwood presence has resulted in direct sales during the mission or significant follow-up opportunities – and sometimes both. For example, on two recent trade missions to Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates I was able to collect over 45 leads which have resulted in several orders of lumber for Indiana companies.

The Indiana forest products community, the largest component of agriculture, has a global reputation for growing, managing and producing high quality hardwood trees. Importers from around the world especially prize Indiana’s walnut and white oak for veneer and lumber. As a result trade has increased for Indiana’s hardwood industry exports. According to the U.S. Census Department, Indiana had $253 million in hardwood exports for 2006 – a 21 percent increase over 2005. Since 2001, wood exports originating from Indiana have grown by 42 percent.

As home to the only inland treatment station in the country to offer qualified U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA APHIS-PPQ) for hardwood exports, Indiana has a distinct advantage for log exports. Treating hardwood exports in Indiana saves companies money, prevents port delays and expands global trade prospects.

To further Indiana’s hardwoods industry in the global market, January 9 – 12, 2009 the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) hosted a hardwood trade mission to Vietnam. Six Indiana companies representing both the primary and secondary industries participated. This focused trip toured furniture manufactures and conducted one-on-one meetings with other potential hardwood manufactures and traders. Globalization continues to offer growth opportunities for Indiana’s Forest Products industry. ISDA and the Department of Natural Resources will continue their efforts to identify and pursue markets around the world striving to make Indiana a global center for hardwood products.