Join me today as I speak with Anthony Traina, Co-Founder of Tropical American Timber, a value-added producer and distributor of tropical hardwoods. We talk about lesser-known species as well as household names in tropical hardwoods. We discuss sustainability and trust—two key factors in determining where Anthony has sourced his wood to date and where he is looking to expand in the future. We also discuss the conundrum of certification relating to market demand and administrative and cost burden.
"Really look at the people on the ground and talk to them and get to know them to build that trust to see where the investments are going and being directed and that the projects are coming along as talked about. How are the communities interacting with the project?"
Show notes:
Host: Shauna Matkovich - The Forest Link
Producer: Magdalena Laas - https://www.linkedin.com/in/laasmagdalena/
Important links:
Tropical American Timber: https://tropicalamericantimber.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-traina-974b2753/
Details:
01:43
Overview of Anthony's professional journey
05:19
Species of trees sourced and markets
09:26
Where timber/trees/wood is sourced from
12:39
Legal requirements for importing tropical hardwood
18:52
Interesting anecdote of Martin Guitar company requiring a single tree
20:10
Certification, sustainable harvesting, and forest investor (asset) requirements
25:47
Source countries in South America
27:50
Quality of product, sustainability, trust, and marketability
29:47
Business challenges
30:35
Main buyers
32:10
Actionable advice for forest investors
Sound Library:
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