The Asian FSC Business Encounter in 2023 offers a unique opportunity for businesses in the region to connect, collaborate, and explore sustainable practices within the framework of the Forest Stewardship Council.
An online event for promoting FSC-certified wood furniture supply from Vietnam to North America.
Time: December 14, 20:00-21:30 PM Eastern Time US / December 15, 08:00-09:30 AM Vietnam
Organizers: WWF and FSC
Format: Interactive zoom webinar in English with simultaneous interpretation into Vietnamese
Click here to register: Zoom Webinar Registration
Please also complete this survey: Registration Survey
Background
A growing number of prominent retailers in the U.S. and Europe have adopted policies that preference Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood products and are interested in sourcing more certified products from Vietnam. In the U.S., a number of these companies have been meeting regularly in a Responsible Wood Sourcing Group, one of whose goals is to increase the availability of FSC wood furniture and other value-added products. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) are working together to build on this momentum by:
Supporting the growth in the supply of FSC-certified products from Vietnam and other Asia-Pacific countries to North America
Focusing on key materials – for example, sawnwood (incl. rubberwood), veneer, plywood, fibreboard and particleboard – whose availability in FSC is currently limited, constraining Vietnamese companies’ ability to provide FSC-certified products that comply with retailers’ policies and contribute toward their sourcing goals
Facilitating matchmaking between interested buyers and sellers, particularly those who offer FSC-certified products currently and/or could ramp up production if there is sufficient demand
Main purposes of the event
Encourage the growth of the responsible wood product and furniture trade between Vietnam and North America
Inform Vietnamese companies about demand for FSC-certified wood product and furniture from top retailers and brands
Share WWF and FSC’s strategy for supporting the growth of FSC supply in Vietnam & connecting supply and demand
Key participants
Major US retailers, including those participating in WWF-US’s Responsible Wood Sourcing Group, including CITY Furniture, Costco, Lowe’s, Macy’s, and Williams-Sonoma
Vietnamese manufacturers of wood furniture and input materials for wood furniture
Vietnamese companies in the rubber sector
Industry associations representing Vietnam’s wooden furniture and rubber sector
Event Agenda
Part 1: Opening Words (10 minutes):
Speakers:
Thi Que Anh Vu, FSC Vietnam – Welcome & Introduction
Jason Grant, WWF US – Responsible Wood Sourcing Group
Part 2: Demand for FSC Certified Wood Furniture (20 minutes):
Selected retailers share their wood policies and responsible sourcing practices and describe challenges to fulfilling their preference for FSC-certified products; Sustainable Furnishings Council provides information about the Wood Furniture Scorecard
Speakers:
Jameson Dion, CITY Furniture
Angie Kenny, Sustainable Furnishings Council
Tonette Lim, Costco
David Williams, Williams-Sonoma
Part 3: FSC Bottlenecks (20 minutes):
An association representing wood product and furniture manufacturers in Vietnam will provide an overview of the industry and reflect on industry-wide challenges in supplying FSC-certified products; WWF US-Responsible Wood Sourcing Group will introduce their ongoing work in collaboration with FSC in supporting the growth of FSC wood supply in Vietnam, reflecting on results to date and sharing future plans
Speakers:
Mr. Tran Le Huy, Vice Chair cum General Secretary of The Forest Products Association of Binh Dinh (FPA Binhdinh)
Jason Grant, WWF US – Responsible Wood Sourcing Group
Part 4: FSC Supply: (30 minutes total):
Vietnamese furniture manufacturers, input material manufacturers and a rubber company share information about their business, capacity to supply FSC, and key challenges:
Speakers:
Mr. Nguyen Huu Thien (Mr. Alex), Sales Manager of Hoang Thong Furniture
Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Bich (Ms. Lisa), Sales Manager of Thinh Viet Furniture
Ms. Tran Thi Anh Quyen, Sales Manager of Hoang Hung Furniture
Mr. Ha Dang Chinh, Sale Manager of Woodsland Joint Stock Company
Mr. Pham Tien Phong- Sale Manager- Kim Tin MDF Dong Phu Corp.
Mr. Nguyen Duc- Sale Manager- Thanh Thanh Dat Joint Stock Company
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuong, Director, Hoa Phat-Binh Phuoc Forestry JSC.
Part 5: Closing Words (10 mins):
Speakers:
Neha Simlai, FSC APAC
Jason Grant, WWF US – Responsible Wood Sourcing Group
Source: https://connect.fsc.org/
