Southern Pine Inspection Bureau

09/04/2026

The history of Southern Pine lumber grade marking continues with 1922.

This year marked an important step toward making grade-marking a practical way to protect lumber buyers and promote greater consistency across the industry.

With the support of Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover, the lumber industry began working more closely toward standardized grades, sizes, grade-marking, and inspection practices.

For Southern Pine, the momentum continued to build—and grade-marking was moving closer to becoming an established part of the lumber manufacturing process.

Read the blog post here: https://blog.spib.org/lumber-grade-marking-history-1922/

Follow along as we continue exploring the history and milestones that helped shape Southern Pine lumber grading.

1922 was a year that opened with tragedy. The Knickerbocker Storm hit Washington, D.C. on January 28th - still, the biggest ever recorded - and caused the Knickerbocker Theatre to collapse, unfortunately claiming the lives of 98 people.

08/28/2026

We’re excited to introduce the newest addition to SPIB’s Data Connection Tools—Audit Connection.

Designed to turn facility audits into an ongoing management tool, Audit Connection allows SPIB Subscribers to:
• Design and conduct custom audits
• Analyze results over time
• Compare results across facilities
• Use data to support better decision-making

And the best part? Audit Connection is available at no charge to SPIB Subscribers.

Learn more about Audit Connection today by scheduling an Audit Connection Demo and Tutorial - [email protected]/?ismsaljsauthenabled." rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/book/[email protected]/?ismsaljsauthenabled.

08/25/2026

Yesterday, William Griffin was in Ozark, Alabama, helping ForestryWorks with teacher training for the Sawmill Worker curriculum.

Through this training, teachers become qualified to bring the curriculum into their high school classrooms, giving students an early introduction to careers in the sawmill industry and helping build a stronger pipeline of skilled workers for the future.

We’re proud to support initiatives that connect students with opportunities in the forest products industry and help prepare the next generation of skilled professionals.

If you are interested in the Sawmill Worker curriculum, you can learn more at https://forestryworks.com/alabama/sawmill-worker-credentialing-program.

07/31/2026

Last week, SPIB presented a plaque to Tyrel Vice, plant manager of Canfor Southern Pine's facility in Axis, Alabama, in recognition of our valued partnership. We appreciate Canfor’s continued collaboration and look forward to building on our work together!

Pictured: Laura Bianchin, Mike Bush, Tyrel Vice, and William Griffin.

07/31/2026

Our journey through the history of Southern Pine lumber grade marking continues with the next chapter in the series.

In 1917, the Southern Pine Association's efforts to establish a standardized grade-marking system continued to gain momentum. As more mills adopted consistent grading practices, the industry took another important step toward improving quality, uniformity, and confidence in Southern Pine lumber.

These early advancements helped shape a system that has served the industry for more than a century—and many of those same principles remain at the core of lumber grading today.

Read the blog post here: https://blog.spib.org/lumber-grade-marking-history-1917/

Join us as we continue exploring the milestones, people, and innovations that helped build the legacy of Southern Pine lumber grading.

Southern Forest Products Association - SFPA

In this section, you will learn more about the wide range of different things that were dominating the industry’s attention during this period: namely applications like shipbuilding, housing items, and other products ultimately dedicated to the war effort.

07/27/2026

Last week at the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (SLMA) Annual Conference, SPIB President Matthew Scholl provided an update on current activities within the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) during the Issues Forum.

We appreciate the opportunity to share industry updates and engage in conversations that help move the forest products industry forward.

07/24/2026

Our look back at the history of Southern Pine lumber grade marking continues.

In this week's featured blog post, we move into 1916—a pivotal year when the Southern Pine Association began putting plans into action to establish a uniform grade-marking system. These early efforts helped create greater consistency across the industry and laid the groundwork for the confidence builders, designers, and consumers continue to place in Southern Pine lumber today.

More than a century later, the principles established during these formative years continue to influence the standards that support our industry.

Read the blog post here: https://blog.spib.org/lumber-grade-marking-history-1916/

Follow along as we continue sharing this historical series, highlighting the milestones that helped shape Southern Pine lumber grading into what it is today.

Southern Forest Products Association - SFPA

1916 was another banner year for the lumber industry that we all know and love, as it was the year when the branding of lumber was finally officially accepted by subscribers to the Southern Pine Association

07/20/2026

We're looking forward to attending the 2026 Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (SLMA) Annual Conference!

William Griffin and Matthew Scholl will be attending July 22–26 in Point Clear, Alabama, to connect with industry professionals, support our Southern Pine partners, and stay engaged with the conversations shaping the future of our industry.

If you'll be attending, we hope to see you there and have the opportunity to connect throughout the conference.