History of the American Plywood Association

For many years the American Plywood Association, now known as APA - The Engineered Wood Association, has worked to ensure that producers of engineered wood products meet stringent quality standards. The APA was formed in 1933 as the Douglas Fir Plywood Association, and through its name changes (the most recent came in 1994 when it was shortened to APA to reflect that many member companies produce engineered wood like oriented strand board (OSB) rather than just traditional plywood) this not for profit industry group has ensured that wood bearing the APA seal meets the strictest regulations for strength and performance.

The APA has member companies all over North America, and each of these members has committed to providing the strongest structural wood panels in the industry. The APA is not just concerned with plywood, either. Member companies of the APA produce many of the most innovative products on the market today. These include wood I joists made from glued strands, glued laminated lumber (called glulam), and many different laminated wood products which use a veneer finish.

Choosing a plywood manufacturer

Finding a good plywood manufacturer is not difficult, especially since the manufacturers are proud to announce their affiliation with this organization. If a plywood manufacturer is an APA member company they will generally feature the APA logo on their company literature or advertisements. Of course, the APA logo will also be displayed on the rough side of plywood and manufactured wood products that meet the APA's rigid standards for quality and durability.

Your local plywood dealer

Any plywood dealer can tell you that APA certification can make a real difference when you are building any project. While non-certified plywood or engineered wood products may save you a small amount of money, you run the risk that the quality control procedures at the manufacturing plants may not be up to APA standards. A good plywood dealer will only deal in APA certified products, and will ensure you get only the best wood for your projects. These dealers are putting their own reputations on the line with every sheet of plywood they sell, and this is why they have come to rely on certification from the APA, once known as the American Plywood Association.