ATLANTA (News release) -- The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is delighted to announce Mercer International as the recipient of the 2024 SFI President's Award. Mercer is spearheading the advancement of wood technology to redefine the North American construction landscape and is being recognized for its leadership and commitment to educating customers on the value of sustainably managed forests and promoting SFI certification in the supply chain.

Mercer has been integral in ensuring the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) community is informed on SFI's new standard requirements specific to climate smart forestry, biodiversity conservation, and building relationships with Indigenous Peoples'. As a result of their engagement, more organizations in the AEC community are recognizing the value of using SFI-certified wood for their new construction.

The SFI President's Award celebrates excellence and exceptional initiative in furthering SFI's mission of advancing sustainability through forest-focused collaboration.

"Mercer's leadership is driving real change when it comes to realizing mass timber market opportunities. They exemplify collaboration in the supply chain to ensure that the building sector understands sustainable procurement policies and the role of SFI certification. I'm thrilled to see how this has led to the inclusion of SFI certification in procurement policies," said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI.

Some of the notable successes Mercer has had in encouraging SFI inclusion in supply chains include its strategic partnerships with industry-leading, forward-thinking companies and their work with high-profile mass timber construction projects. SFI certification has emerged as a key competitive advantage, ensuring that their partners and clients not only meet but exceed environmental standards. This commitment to sustainability provides a distinct market edge in an industry increasingly driven by green credentials.

"We are immensely proud to receive the 2024 SFI President's Award, as it underscores our dedication to leading the advancement of sustainable practices within the construction industry. Our work with SFI not only emphasizes the critical role of certified sustainable materials in modern building but also highlights our commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible forest management. This recognition reaffirms our belief that together, through sustainable innovation and collaboration, we can make a significant impact on both the industry and the planet," said Bill Adams, Vice President, Sustainability and Innovation at Mercer International.

Mercer's ability to integrate engineering, manufacturing, and construction teams under one roof ensures smooth project execution and positions the company as a supply chain expert. This expertise means Mercer's opinion matters when it comes to including SFI-certified products in a project.