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businesses: ohio premium pine cooperative (OPPC) OPPC was formed in 2003 as a marketing cooperative to address the marketing issues and concerns surrounding white pine trees. The landowners that are part of the Steering Committee are committed to developing and tapping markets for pine trees that would return more profit than the existing pulpwood market present with Mead/ WesVaco in Ohio. The pulp market is a valuable market outlet for landowners when it comes to marketing their thinnings, but many of the landowners have been planting white pine plantations since the early 1940’s and have trees that are 20 – 25” dbh that should be worth more than pulpwood price of $5.00/ton. The cooperative is exploring possible markets that would increase the price of pine lumber for the landowners. Part of the problem has been that the landowners have small plots, but the cooperative now has a handle on the supply and quality of trees contained on cooperative members’ lands. This allows the cooperative to negotiate price with potential buyers because the acreage of white pine plantations is larger than trying to market as individuals. The cooperative will also provide forest management services, harvesting observation services, contract development, and reforestation services to its members. The main focus of the cooperative though is obtaining a better price for the members’ pine trees through exploring and developing value added marketing opportunities. |
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