Archives West Finding Aid

The Western Pine Association formed in 1931 with the goal of setting uniform grade standards for lumber. Out a necessity for economic survival during the depression, the newly formed association grew out of a merger of the Western Pine Manufacturers Association of the Northwest and the California White and Sugar Pine Association. The association's president in 1931, S. V. Fullaway, Jr., oversaw the 75 mills that made up the newly formed group.

Before the merger in 1931, the association was made of members from the northwest in competition with other lumber mills of the west. In the late 1890s, the Eastern Washington and Idaho Lumberman's Association was formed to deal with shipping costs. In 1903, the organization transformed itself into the Western Pine Shippers Association, which was composed of 22 firms, with an office in Spokane. The headquarters was moved in 1917 to Portland, and the name changed to the Western Pine Manufacturers Association. This organization lasted until the depression affected the lumber sales and the industry looked for a way to boost sales.

With the formation of the Western Pine Association, the western lumber industry began to gain economic success. By 1957, the association had grown to include 380 companies operating mills and more than doubled its softwood lumber production. In 1955, A. L. Helmer became president of the association, after serving as president of the Timber Products Manufacturers Association of Spokane. The association was merged in the 1960s with other western lumber companies to form the Western Wood Products Association.

Source: Crow's Lumber Digest. Feb. 28, 1957 Vol. 35, no. 5, "He Blazes the Trail: 25 Years of Progress" p. 5, 8-10.