Leave it to the Europeans to come up with an eye-catching video detailing the many benefits of wood products. The video was developed by the Danish Wood Initiative, a united effort by various Danish wood products groups and associations. Comparing wood to other alternatives, the video explains how wood products help reduce climate change and are renewable. Using a sketch artist approach, the video takes the viewer through the entire supply chain to see the many benefits of wood, especially its positive environmental attributes compared to other alternatives, such as plastic and metal. The message ends by showing that very little is wasted when even wood products at the end of the usable life cycle can be burned to produce efficient energy for manufacturing plants or even private homes.
Although the video focuses on Europe, the message clearly translates to a North American audience. Arming your sales force with links to these videos can be helpful when you get into a discussion with a potential client who expresses concern about the negative stereotype associated with cutting down trees. As everyone in the forest products industry knows, harvesting trees helps ensure a viable industry, which is important to keep the growing cycle moving forward. With the tag line, “Wood – nature’s stroke of genius,” this positive message can be used to grab the attention of almost anyone. The website for the Danish Wood Initiative (http://www.trae.dk) contains a printable leaflet that provides a decent overview for the benefits of wood products. It also contains a link to the video. To view the video directly, visit http://www.youtube.com/embed/XxfBxmr0ZnI
