MAT History

How was the Timbermen Association started? Here is a historical sketch of the Timbermen and several related organizational startups.

In the late 1960's several forestry leaders prepared a project proposal that formed the Upper Great Lakes Timber Inc. Timber Inc. had a broad mandate to work on important forestry problems, using existing information. It was a demonstration project, not a research program.

Over the next several years, through 1971, over one hundred volunteers served on the Timber, Inc. projects. Logging equipment was tested in the field by loggers; small landowners were introduced to technical and cost sharing projects; and business problems were identified.

The high cost of workers compensation insurance, the need for improved relations with governmental leaders and support for forest by the public, emerged as the highest priority work. This lead to several organizations being formed.

1972 - The Michigan Association of Timbermen - a trade association was formed to represent forestry businesses. Additionally, the Michigan Forest Association to work on special needs of forest land owners who own and manage over 50 percent of our forests.

1974 - The Michigan Association of Timbermen formed their self-insurers' fund - This was Michigan's first self-insured group offering workers compensation insurance. It focused on forest product companies. This was a direct result of the successful legislative work by the Timber Inc. and Timbermen leaders.

Therefore, from the beginning a legislative and governmental affairs program was seen as a necessary initiative for forestry. Michigan became a model for others to follow as forestry expanded from less than 50,000 forestry employees in Michigan in 1970, to over 200,000 today.

In the 1980's two additional programs were started to meet the needs of Michigan's forest industry:

Public outreach - The Michigan Forest Resource Alliance (MFRA) was organized from the Timbermen Forest Action Committee. The MFRA has gone on to produce educational programs, forestry tours and award winning videos.

Full lines of business and personal lines of insurance - The Forest Insurance Center Agency, Inc. continues for Timbermen members and the general public, insurance programs to meet the needs of an expanded base of policy holders. The Forest Insurance Center Agency, Inc. builds on the reputation of the Timbermens' group insurance programs for workers compensation and hospitalization coverages.

Other important activities include the work done on the Storm Water Run-off program and the Wood Dust Monitoring project.

The Timber Inc. and Timbermen volunteers started programs that are continued today by many dedicated leaders and members.