Issue date: 10th December 2009 


During the second half of January 2010, the AHEC (www.americanhardwood.org) will host two workshops on American hardwood species and the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) rules for grading American hardwood lumber. Starting in Jodhpur on Monday 18 January, then moving to New Delhi on Thursday 21 January, Roderick Wiles, AHEC Emerging Markets Director and Bob Sabistina, AHEC’s International Grading Consultant will provide information on the US hardwood resource, species and environmental credentials and a practical demonstration of how American hardwood lumber is graded according to the NHLA standard. All agents, importers and manufacturers are welcome to attend. 

“AHEC has held a number of such workshops across India during the past six years, covering most major metropolitan areas. The response to these workshops has always been very positive and they offer a unique opportunity for hardwood importers and end users to learn about American hardwoods at first hand from industry experts”, comments Roderick Wiles. 

Now well known in India, Bob Sabistina is an acknowledged expert on grading American hardwood lumber to the NHLA standard and a highly respected teacher. He currently resides in Shanghai, China, where he runs grading course for the NHLA and from where he travels extensively throughout the world giving workshops on grading for AHEC. 

“The NHLA grading rules are a complex, but key system, which forms the basis of every transaction between US hardwood exporters and importers around the world. Understanding these rules is fundamental to a successful and long term business partnership”, concludes Wiles. 

The two workshops will take place on the following days and at the following venues: Monday 18 January at the Park Plaza Jodhpur and Thursday 21 January at the Sheraton New Delhi Hotel. 

The events are free and open to hardwood agents and importers, as well as furniture, kitchen, joinery and flooring manufacturers. For further information, please contact AHEC’s India Representative, Manav Sheth at manav@bharatsheth.com.