Mission Statement of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association:
To produce quality Western Red Cedar lumber products and
support them with technical information, education and promotion.
Quality And Consistency Set WRCLA
Products Apart Western Red Cedar is well known and well regarded as a
superior building material with a long history of excellent
performance in withstanding the rigors of time and weather.
However, like any other building material, it gives its best
performance when properly specified, installed and finished.
All WRCLA member mills, from the large sophisticated sawmill
complexes to small family owned operations, are committed
to the production of quality cedar lumber products. In fact,
it is the quality and consistency of WRCLA cedar that set
its products apart. Standard sizes and patterns were developed
by the WRCLA to simplify the ordering and use of its members'
cedar products, which are manufactured to strict product standards
for the end use intended. The association has made WRCLA siding
and decking products easy to identify by branding and labeling
them with registered trademarks.
In addition to cedar siding and decking lumber, WRCLA mills
manufacture many other products such as fencing, paneling,
garden lumber, heavy timbers as well as custom and specialty
items. They are available in a wide range of grades and sizes
and are distributed throughout the United States and Canada
through established wholesale companies and also exported
world wide.
Offering Cedar Product Knowledge Is
Part Of WRCLA Mandate As the representative of 17 quality cedar producers in
the United States and Canada, a major objective of the Western
Red Cedar Lumber Association is to help consumers understand
cedar's long term benefits, its special features and to provide
information on how to use it properly.
The Association also wants to expand consumer awareness and
recognition of the value and quality of WRCLA members' cedar
products, which are all manufactured to high standards. Consumers
who purchase WRCLA quality cedar receive the full support
of the Association's technical service programs.
In addition to publishing technical literature, the Association
also produces videos, do-it-yourself plans, outdoor project
brochures, posters and other educational material. It takes
part in trade and consumer home shows, construction industry
exhibitions and other events where cedar is showcased. Specialized
sales guides and promotional material are produced for both
retail lumber yards and wholesale distributors of WRCLA lumber
products.
Two major educational programs for retailers and wholesalers
are offered by the WRCLA as part of its objective to support
its products with training and education. The WRCLA Cedar
School, a five day program held each spring and fall in Vancouver
BC, has become internationally recognized and attracts cedar
sales and marketing professionals from around the world. In
addition, the WRCLA offers a Certified Cedar Training program.
It is a free, in-store training program for retailers, wholesalers
and their sales staff. More than 1000 cedar retailers and
wholesalers in the United States and Canada have taken advantage
of this unique program to become WRCLA Certified Cedar Dealers
.
The WRCLA Offers Sales And Merchandising
Support Another important WRCLA objective is to work closely with
cedar retailers, wholesaler and distributors to ensure they
have the information and merchandising tools they need to
help customers make an informed purchasing decision. A good
understanding of WRCLA product standards and grade categories
can help deliver a cedar product that meets both the needs
and expectations of the consumer.
In addition to special package of its product and technical
literature, the WRCLA also offers sales aids such as in-store
merchandisers, banners, posters, siding kits. Advertising,
trade shows and special promotions are other important parts
of the Association's commitment to support its products, and
their brand names, in the marketplace.
The WRCLA Is In Close Touch With Builders
and Designers Good communication with builder groups, the design community
and others who work and install cedar products has a high
priority with the WRCLA, which is a frequent participant in
exhibitions, seminars and other construction industry events.
The production and distribution of WRCLA Builders Guides to
Western Red Cedar are also part of the Association's goal
of providing these groups with the information they need to
specify, install, finish and maintain Western Red Cedar lumber
products. WRCLA technical literature and sales guides are
well known and respected. From the selection of sidings to
the type of nails and application of finish coatings, the
information is accurate, up to date and easy to follow.