Production, distribution and consumption of hardwood lumber in the southern Appalachian region

A study was undertaken to describe the patterns of hardwood lumber production, distribution, and consumption in the Southeast. Current distribution patterns were compared with theoretically optimal patterns in an attempt to estimate the efficiency of the current distribution system. A combination mail questionnaire and telephone survey was used to gather data for the study. The linear programming transportation model was employed to develop the optimal lumber distribution patterns. It was concluded that some inefficiencies exist in the current hardwood lumber distribution patterns. Possible explanations for some of the differences between current and optimal distribution patterns were discussed. Suggestions were made to reduce some of the differences attributable to system inefficiencies. Although the study results indicated that total transportation costs could be reduced by restructuring the current distribution patterns, no conclusions regarding benefits from the cost reductions could be drawn. It was concluded that beneficiaries depend upon existing pricing policy and market structure.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Wood Utilization and Marketing

Department dc:contributor.department

Wood Utilization and Marketing

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Year dc:date.issued

1968

Author dc:creator

• Gerlach, Kenneth Frederick

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/101403

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/101403