Wood Products & Building Materials
Building materials growth starts
in Virginia
in Virginia
Virginia gives wood products and building materials companies a clear operational edge, putting abundant, renewable timber resources, a modern manufacturing base and world-class logistics infrastructure in one place. Integrated road, rail, port, and air networks connect companies efficiently to customers along the East Coast and beyond, supporting efficient production and distribution. VEDP works alongside companies as a strategic partner to help accelerate timelines, reduce risk, and translate Virginia’s structural advantages into long-term, sustainable growth.
England Furniture, Lee County
England Furniture, Lee County
An ecosystem connected
with strong roots
Virginia’s wood products and building materials industry is a fully integrated ecosystem, linking companies to the suppliers, processors, and partners needed to scale at every stage. Backed by abundant renewable timber resources, the industry spans the full value chain — from forestry and sawmills to engineered wood, finished products, paper and packaging, and a growing wood byproducts market. This depth enables companies to co-locate, collaborate, and capture more value within a single, connected supply chain.
American Woodmark, Frederick County
A market trusted by industry leaders
Companies choose Virginia for the practical advantages that matter most in this industry — reliable access to timber, strong manufacturing infrastructure, efficient logistics, and a stable business environment. With The Port of Virginia and major interstate access, companies can reach suppliers, customers, and key markets with greater speed and flexibility.
most exports by TEUs on the East Coast, 1.14 million TEUs
Source: Datamyne, 2025
Virginia is 10th in the nation in annual harvests on forest land, producing over 678 million cubic feet of sound bole wood volume.
Source: USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis Program
generated in gross regional product of raw, intermediate, or finished wood products.
Source: Lightcast 2026.2
Where resources
& reach come together
Virginia’s wood products and building materials industry combines a location in the Southeastern “wood basket” region with large-scale production and strong logistics access. Together, those advantages help companies source, manufacture, and move products efficiently.
A value chain built for growth
Virginia’s wood products industry reaches across the full value chain, from forest resources and primary processing to engineered wood, finished products, paper and packaging, and wood byproducts. That depth gives companies access to a broad supplier base, established manufacturing capacity, and the connections needed to move products to market.
Cochran's Lumber, Clarke County
Sawmills
Sawmills
Virginia’s 150+ sawmills form a critical link in the state’s wood products economy, producing the lumber and raw inputs that feed downstream manufacturing. The state’s access to hardwoods and southern yellow pine gives companies flexibility across a wide range of wood products applications.
Turman Hardwood Flooring, Galax
Engineered wood products
Engineered wood products
Virginia has a strong base of companies manufacturing veneer, plywood, engineered wood products, and similar materials. That capacity supports both traditional wood products manufacturing and newer building applications such as mass timber and cross-laminated timber.
Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc., Henry County
Finished wood products
Finished wood products
Virginia’s finished wood products sector includes manufacturers producing furniture, cabinets, and other value-added goods. With an established company base and long manufacturing history, the state remains a strong location for companies focused on higher-value production.
Several of Virginia’s top-notch colleges and universities offer logistics and warehousing programs, including the Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design at Virginia Tech.
Paper & packaging
Paper & packaging
Virginia is home to more than 120 paper and packaging companies, adding scale to the state’s broader wood products industry. Companies benefit from established regional clusters, proximity to major transportation routes, and access to customers across the East Coast and beyond.
Turman Group, Salem
Building materials
Building materials
Virginia’s advantage is driven by its proximity to high‑growth East Coast markets, allowing manufacturers to serve dense population centers with lower logistics costs, faster delivery, and greater supply‑chain reliability. The Commonwealth’s diversified resource and manufacturing base supports value‑added products such as precast concrete, architectural materials, plumbing, insulation, roofing, mass timber, and specialty building components, where proximity to the jobsite matters most.
Success Stories
Why companies
succeed in Virginia
England Furniture, Lee County
We are delighted to expand our operations into the great state of Virginia. We would like to thank the state and its various agencies for their support, cooperation, and partnership in this endeavor, and we look forward to operating in Lee County and becoming involved in the community.
Smurfit Westrock, Hopewell
Smurfit Westrock has built a strong reputation for sustainable forestry and positive environmental practices and employs approximately 3,500 workers across its eight Virginia facilities, primarily manufacturing paperboard and container board products.
A workforce built
for industry needs
Virginia gives wood products and building materials and wood products companies access to a broad workforce base, skilled manufacturing talent, and a steady pipeline of new workers. Top-ranked education systems and nationally recognized customized training help companies hire, train, and grow with confidence.
Trex Company, Inc., Frederick County
Centers advancing
wood products innovation
Broad business advantages,
targeted industry support
Virginia gives wood products and building materials companies a consistent business climate shaped by sound fiscal management and long-term stability. For qualifying projects, the Agriculture & Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID), administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), also provides grants to localities for businesses that add value to Virginia-grown agriculture and forestry products.
Franklin Lumber, Isle of Wight County
Meet your industry partners
Kevin leads strategic project engagement and investment attraction, connecting companies with Virginia’s energy ecosystem to support expansion and long-term industry growth.
Antje advises international companies on how best to expand operations into the U.S. in general and Virginia in particular, providing expert guidance on key topics, from site selection to tax incentives. She oversees VEDP’s offices in Europe, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.
Simon Chapman focuses on driving growth in Virginia’s building and wood products industries. He’s dedicated to attracting new businesses and expanding opportunities that fuel regional growth. His efforts aim to position Virginia as a premier destination for industry innovation and sustainable development.
Latest news in wood products & building materials
The Turman Group Looks Back on its International Trade Journey
Turman Group, Salem
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Trex, Frederick County
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An Exporter's View of International Trade: A Conversation With John Keppler
