MEMBERS
WE MAKE COMPANIES MORE SUCCESSFUL.
WE MAKE COMPANIES MORE SUCCESSFUL. Today, the timber trade has long since become more than just a distributor of wood (products). As we are an industry association, we represent the timber trade along the full length of the added-value chain. In addition to the retail and wholesale timber trade, our members include foreign trade, veneer and raw timber traders, timber brokers and agents. We are more successful when we stand together.
793
MEMBERS
60%
of all companies in the timber trade are members of GD Holz.
EN – Der Holzhandel – Zahlen und Fakten
€9.12 billion
in total turnover in the German timber trade
80%
of the sector’s turnover is generated by the members of GD Holz.*
STRONG FEDERATION
GD Holz supports and promotes the entire timber trade supply chain, from raw material to finished product. Our member companies generate 80 percent of the sector’s turnover, corresponding to about €9 billion annually. As a strong federation, we consider our mission to be the effective and success-oriented counselling of the trade so that it delivers the right product to the right place at the right time.
€9.12 billion
in total turnover in the German timber trade
80%
of the sector’s turnover is generated by the members of GD Holz.*
Wholesale Trade
The Board of Directors of the Wholesale Trade Division meets regularly to discuss current topics and the market situation.
Important topics include:
- Software and EDP
- Product management and logistics systems
- Logistics costs
Logistics costs are a special issue as costs in this sector have been rising for years. In its search for possible solutions, the head of the Wholesale Trade Division regularly visits companies to think about and discuss new developments, new opportunities and new actions in the field of logistics. Friendly cooperation is also maintained with companies in neighbouring countries.
Retail Trade
Timber retail trade is an important segment of the timber trade. The specialist department visits showcase companies throughout Germany every year to learn about current developments such as innovative exhibition concepts. Timber shops in neighbouring countries are also toured. These study tours offer plenty of time for exchanging new ideas and assessing current developments.
Important topics include:
- Customer counselling service
- Improvement of showrooms
- Vocational and advanced training
- Logistics (costs)
- Customer retention and acquisition
- New media
Foreign Trade
The Foreign Trade Division represents 140 member companies. There are four specialist departments in the division: Import Planing Mills, Import Brokers and Agents, Overseas Timber and Import Plywood.
Important topics include:
- Customs and customs duties, Union Customs Code
- Plant protection in accordance with IPPC and ISPM-15
- European Timber Regulation EUTR; contact to the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE) and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL)
- Initiative Quality Plywood (IQS)
- The European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF) network
- The interaction with the European partner associations
Raw Timber Trade
Almost 50 companies are represented in this division. They act as brokers between forest owners and the various customer groups for raw timber and energy timber. The division’s function is to support the industry in its structural change and to communicate its concerns to politicians and organisations. Another task is the provision of a platform for the various concerns and the maintenance of close contact to suppliers and buyers.
Important topics include:
- Contributing to the Framework Agreement for Raw Timber Trade through membership in the Standing Committee
- RVR (StA RVR) [Framework Agreement for Raw Timber Trade in Germany (Standing Committee RVR] Raw timber availability in times of calamities, set-asides and use restrictions
- Impact of political influence on the logistics chain forest — trade — buyer (example: cabotage)
- Forest restructuring in Germany and the consequences for the future supply of raw wood to the timber-procuring industry.
- Increasing certification of forest areas and the consequences for the timber industry
Veneer Trade
About 60 companies are represented in this division. The industry operates predominantly on the domestic market and procures most of its timber/veneer from Europe. Thirty percent of veneer customers are from the industry, 30 percent from trade and 40 percent from the joinery trade and interior design.
Important topics include:
- GD Holz’s regular market analyses for the German veneer industry
- Trends and design in veneer processing
- Sharing of business experience and market development
- Legal framework conditions
- Distribution of the brochure “Wer liefert Furniere” [Who supplies veneers]
- Standards and experts for veneer
OUR NETWORK
GD Holz has a well-developed network that gathers interdisciplinary competences under one roof. We maintain close ties with the umbrella organisation of the German timber industry, the German Timber Industry Council (DHWR), as well as with related industry associations and cooperatives. They include the German Sawmill and Timber Industry (DeSH) and the Central Federation of the German Timber Industry (HDH).
ACTIVE IN SEVERAL SECTORS
We see the forest for the trees. We always keep pace with developments — from raw material to retail, we support and guide our members with expertise and experience. The federation would otherwise be unable to represent and defend the interests and concerns of the entire industry.
*Last revised: 12/2019