Lumber Supply-Chain Practice in Cross-Laminated Timber Industries in the United States: A Comparison with Austrian Producers

Abstract

Lumber is the main raw material for cross-laminated timber (CLT) production, accounting for up to 80 percent of the cost. The availability, quality, and price of lumber are critical factors that influence the completion of CLT projects in the United States. Although structural-rated CLTs are made from structural-grade lumber available in the commodities market, CLT mills have additional requirements to process the lumber more efficiently. These requirements increase production costs, affecting the supply chain, delaying production schedules, and increasing project completion times. This study aims to identify the differences in the lumber supply-chain practices for CLT manufacturing in the United States and Austria. The authors used the case-study survey with convenience sampling method to describe how CLT mills work with suppliers, their delivery preferences, quality-control practices, and current critical issues in each country. The study shows significant differences in lumber procurement and quality monitoring between CLT mills in the United States and Austria. Although the quality of lumber supplied to Austrian CLT mills does not require additional preparation, the quality of lumber in the United States significantly affects production efficiency and cost. To address the lumber supply-chain problems in the United States for CLT production, the authors recommend sorting lumber from the current market to meet minimum requirements and introducing a new lumber grade specifically for CLT mills. Furthermore, adopting the Austrian practice of mass-producing blank CLTs can provide a continuous supply of lumber from sawmills or distributors and increase collaboration opportunities with suppliers and producers.