Lakes States Lumber Association Newsletter

Recent Editions:

December 2025-January 2026

October-November 2025

August-September 2025

There is a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. I know that may sound a little absurd given the crisis our industry is currently navigating, but I prefer to focus on the positives and tune out the noise of the negatives.

 

Most importantly, I am thankful for my family and their good health. I am also incredibly grateful to have been raised in this industry. We often joke that it takes a "special kind of crazy" to work in lumber, and while there may be some truth to that, I couldn’t imagine it any other way.

 

The friendships forged over a cold beer and long discussions about this unpredictable business are something I would never trade. It isn’t every industry where you can sit down, have a genuine laugh with your competition, and truly wish them the best in their business—but that happens in the lumber business, and I’m thankful for that unique culture.

 

Finally, I’m thankful to live in Iowa rather than Wisconsin or Michigan. It’s not that I don’t love those states—I certainly do. What’s not to like about Wisconsin, where every small town has at least three dive bars? Or Michigan, with its stunning Great Lakes coastline? It’s simply that I don’t want the winters you all have to endure!

 

Speaking of winters, the season has officially arrived whether we were ready for it or not. I try not to complain too much, knowing many of you in the Great Lakes region endure winters that are longer and harsher than ours. Here in Iowa, we’ve been fairly lucky over the last several years, winter usually didn’t settle in until January, with light at the end of the tunnel visible by late February. This year, however, we are paying for it with significant snow and severe cold already on the ground.

 

One thing is for certain: I will be ready for the Lake States Lumber Association (LSLA) Winter Meeting, held January 14th–16th, 2026, in Green Bay, WI. It seems you can always count on the week of this meeting to bring the season's most inclement weather and deepest chills, but the camaraderie makes it well worth the trip.

 

If you haven’t signed up yet, please do so as soon as possible on the LSLA event registration page. The convention returns to the iconic Lambeau Field. If you weren't able to attend the last time we were there, you truly missed out!

 

Between the lineup of expert speakers, the invaluable conversations with industry peers, and the (highly recommended) tour of the stadium, it is shaping up to be a fantastic event. Don't let the cold keep you away—I look forward to seeing you all in Green Bay!

 

I hope everyone has Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

 

Kirby Kendrick
LSLA President
Kendrick Forest Products
kirby@kendrickinc.com