NHLA is a nonprofit trade Association composed of over 1,300 member firms who produce, sell, and use hardwood lumber. The Association was founded in 1898 for the purpose of setting up a uniform system of grading rules for the measurement and inspection of hardwood.

The Association has in its employ a staff of well-qualified hardwood lumber inspectors that help to monitor a quality assurance program that is available to NHLA members. The Certification Program is designed to assist members with their lumber grading.

NHLA provides an extensive 14-week school, located in Memphis, Tennessee, emphasizing practical application of the grading system and the rules administered by the Association. In a further effort to assure quality assurance, NHLA, also provides a Continuing Education Program that provides seminars and training programs on a variety of industry-related subjects.

Since NHLA has composed a uniform system of grading rules, and measurements, it helps to maintain structure and ethics in the Hardwood Marketplace, ensuring that the customer will consistently receive a quality product that has been inspected and monitored to meet specifications of the Association, Acadian Hardwoods, and finally and most importantly, You: The Customer.