Because of the foundational perspective of the project as a teaching and learning exercise, the core team who organized this summit was a facultystudent collaborative operating at Duke University in 2014 and 2015 comprising team leaders Brian Southwell and Laura Richman and team members

World demand for engineered lumber products is driven by a shift to performance-based building codes; the changing nature of the softwood fiber supply; worldwide demand for affordable housing; and advances in resin technology and wood conversion systems. From structural composite lumber to prefabricated wood I-joists and glulam, these products extend the forest resource by allowing higher product recoveries and using conversion technology that facilitates broader use of underutilized species and sizes. They also enable higher stumpage prices as markets are created for a wider range of species, grades, and sizes of timber. And sustainable forestry objectives are enhanced as markets for small-diameter, low-grade fiber are developed throughout the world.