GWMI will attend the 74th International Softwood Conference (ISC) in Dublin on October 29 as an accredited media representative, providing on-site coverage of the main market presentations, industry discussions and outlook for 2027. The conference has officially sold out, with registration closed ahead of one of the international timber industry's main annual gatherings.
The event will bring together sawmill operators, timber traders, industry executives, trade associations and market analysts to examine developments in global softwood lumber markets.
Hosted by the Irish timber trade in cooperation with the European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry (EOS) and the European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF), the conference will take place at the Grand Hotel in Malahide, north of Dublin.
GWMI's reporting will focus on European softwood lumber production, sawlog availability and prices, international trade flows, North American market developments and expectations for 2027. Readers can expect reports on the principal presentations, together with additional perspectives from industry representatives attending the conference.
European and North American markets take centre stage
The main conference programme begins on Thursday, October 29, at 08:45, with Paul Brannen moderating the proceedings and an opening address by Irish politician Niall Collins.
Economist Hazel Ahern Flynn will present the international economic outlook before representatives of Europe's timber trade and sawmilling industries provide their assessments.
Morten Bergensten will deliver the ETTF perspective, followed by Tommi Sneck, President of EOS and Sawmill Industry Director at Finnish wood products manufacturer Koskisen.
The presentations will examine developments in European softwood lumber production, consumption and trade, alongside the challenges facing sawmills and timber importers.
North America will receive particular attention during the morning session.
Marc Brinkmeyer, chairman of Idaho Forest Group, will present developments in the United States, while Jérôme Pelletier of J.D. Irving will examine the Canadian market.
Both presentations come at an important time for North American lumber producers, with US housing demand, Canadian exports, trade measures and production adjustments continuing to influence the market.
Ireland's Mike Glennon, Joint Managing Director of Glennon Brothers, will discuss the domestic market, followed by Stephen King, who will examine UK softwood lumber imports.
The UK remains a major destination for European sawn timber, particularly from Sweden, Finland and the Baltic countries, making developments in British construction and import demand important for exporters.
Russia, Japan and the Middle East
The afternoon session will examine three markets with different roles in international softwood lumber trade.
Antti Koskinen of AFRY Management Consulting will present the Russian market, including developments affecting one of the world's major softwood lumber producing countries.
Japan will be covered by Hiroki Hayashi of Sumitomo Forestry Europe. The presentation will provide an opportunity to assess conditions in a market that remains an important destination for European and North American softwood lumber.
Franz Kropfreiter of DABG Vienna will examine the Middle East, where demand for imported timber is closely connected to construction activity, infrastructure investment and regional trading conditions.
Together, the presentations will allow delegates to compare developments across established and emerging export destinations.
Sawlog availability, construction and global demand
The final session will address several factors determining sawmill competitiveness and future lumber consumption.
The discussion is particularly relevant for sawmills in Germany and Austria, where changes in forest harvesting, timber availability and log prices have affected operating conditions.
Maurice van Sante will examine the construction market, an important driver of softwood lumber consumption across Europe and other major importing regions.
Timber market analyst Russ Taylor will present the global demand outlook, addressing prospects for international lumber markets.
The final presentation, by Dr. Florian Kraxner, is entitled Building a Cooler Future: The Forestry-Construction Pump and will examine the relationship between forestry, wood products and construction.
The conference is scheduled to conclude at 17:00 with a summary of the discussions and the announcement of the host location for ISC 2027.
Dublin tour and industry networking events
The conference programme extends beyond Thursday's market presentations, with several activities planned for delegates arriving on Wednesday, October 28.
An optional guided tour of Dublin will begin in the morning, taking participants through the Irish capital and its principal landmarks.
The itinerary includes a visit to EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, followed by lunch at Café en Seine and an afternoon tour of the Jameson Distillery on Bow Street. Delegates will also pass through Phoenix Park before returning to Malahide.
The evening welcome reception will take place at the Guinness Storehouse, where participants will attend a private tour before gathering at the Gravity Bar overlooking Dublin.
Following Thursday's conference, organisers have arranged a gala dinner at the Round Room in Dublin's Mansion House. The evening will begin with a drinks reception at 19:30, followed by dinner and entertainment.
The social programme will provide opportunities for discussions between sawmill operators, timber traders, suppliers and industry representatives outside the formal conference sessions.
Registration closed ahead of the event
The conference has sold out ahead of its October 29 opening, with organisers closing registration.
The standard conference package was priced at €895 plus VAT, while the package including the Dublin tour was offered at €995 plus VAT.
With delegates from the industry's principal producing and consuming regions expected in Dublin, the event will provide an opportunity to assess the direction of international softwood lumber markets heading into 2027.
GWMI will report from Dublin, bringing readers the latest figures, market assessments and industry perspectives presented at the conference.