Study Guide

Objectives

The aim of the course is to get to know the Finnish timber market and timber trading methods, as well as the services offered to forest owners. The goal is also to learn how to price a wood trade site, prepare wood trade documents and understand how the laws governing the use of forests and forest certification affect the wood trade.

After completing the course, the student:
• understands the conditions of the Finnish timber market, the wood trade methods used in private forests, and their significance in timber procurement.
• is familiar with the services commonly offered to forest owners and understands their role in guiding timber trade.
• knows timber trade marketing methods and the basics of customer relationship management.
• can apply the principles of timber pricing, assess stands using timber data, and prepare documents related to timber trade.
• is aware of the legal regulations governing timber procurement in terms of economic forests, the requirements of forest certification, various recommendations, and can apply this knowledge in the context of timber trade.

Content

Timber market in Finland, timber trade methods in private forests, timber trade planning and pricing exercises, getting to know timber buyer´s work duties, customer relationship management and services offered to forest owners, timber trade marketing methods, timber trade legislation and contracts,
impact of laws, forest certification and silvicultural recommendations on timber trade.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The student has gained an overall understanding of timber trade methods in private forests, comprehends the conditions of the timber market in Finland, and their importance in timber procurement. They know how to perform timber trade bidding, pricing stands, and creating related documents with some assistance. They are familiar with marketing techniques targeted at forest owners by timber buyers and understand the significance of forest certification in timber trade.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student is familiar with the timber trade methods in private forests, the conditions of the timber market in Finland, and their significance in wood procurement. He/she can utilize open forest data and other open sources, assess stands, and prepare documents related to timber trade. He/she knows about marketing methods targeted at forest owners by timber buyers, understands the basics of customer relationship management, and recognizes the importance of forest certification in timber trade.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student is familiar with the timber trade methods in private forests, the conditions of the timber market in Finland, and their significance in wood procurement and he/she also knows how to make use of opportunities comprehensively in timber trade. The student can independently utilize timber data and diverse open datasets, price different stands and create documents related to timber trade. In addition, he/she is familiar with marketing methods targeted at forest owners, basics of customer relationship management, and the significance of forest certification in timber trade. The student can articulate and justify these aspects in timber trade situations.