ATPA
You may ask the question, "Why should I join the Arkansas Timber Producers Association (ATPA)? The simple answer is: challenges - the same challenges that brought loggers together on January 22, 1991 to form a nonprofit organization to represent their voice on issues of concern. Every day Arkansas loggers face issues and problems they simply cannot solve alone - like soaring workers' compensation rates, rising fuel costs, timber harvesting constraints and OSHA and other business regulations. The need to address these issues is imperative, or loggers as a whole suffer the consequences of inaction. Working with others who have common interests and concerns has proven to be the most effective tool in this business. After all, producing timber is a full-time job. It's hard enough getting timber bought, cut, loaded and hauled to the yard without the added burden and worry of solving these tough problems and addressing new industry-wide challenges. That is what our logger association, the ATPA, is all about. Membership to the ATPA is perhaps one of the most important business decisions you will make. Membership is an investment in your business and in the future of your industry. Join ATPA now.
Larry Boccarossa
Executive Director
Specific Accomplishments
...Serving as Watchdog. The ATPA monitors legislative, regulatory and other matters that may potentially impact your business and works closely with the Arkansas Forestry Association and major timber companies in tracking and providing input on key state and federal legislative issues that affect the logging and timber producing industry.
- ATPA was successful in the passage of legislation exempting from the state sales tax the first $50,000 on the purchase of timber harvesting equipment.
- Coordination with the Arkansas Highway Police to provide a permitting system authorizing the hauling of overweight logging equipment.
- Charter member of the American Loggers Council (ALC). The ALC is a national association representing loggers in 24 states. The ATPA works with the American
Loggers Council (ALC) in addressing legislation at the national level.
...Keeping Workers Compensation Rates in Check. Soaring workers compensation rates can put even the most successful logging operations out of business. ATPA works to keep rates fair and reasonable by supporting workers compensation insurance reform legislation. The ATPA was successful in the promotion and establishment of Insurance Class Code #2719 - mechanized logging - which provides for a significantly reduced workers' compensation rate for fully mechanized logging operations. The ATPA is the Arkansas Insurance Department's certifying agent for Class Code #2719.
The ATPA offers its members a highly successful endorsed worker's compensation insurance program. This program includes other lines of insurance in addition to workers' compensation and provides a dividend issuance to members in the program.
...Providing Opportunities for Professional Development and Logger Continuing Education. Since 1995, the ATPA has been the administrative agent for the award-winning Ark Pro Logger Training program providing information and training in areas such as Timber Harvesting & Transportation Safety, OSHA Regulations, Business Management, Best Management Practices (BMPs), Environmental Considerations and Defensive Truck Driving.
The ATPA provides periodic legislative updates, newsletters and magazines for its members.
The Southwest Forest Products Expo, an indoor static equipment and forest industry show is held bi-annually. The ATPA co-sponsors with the Forest Resources Association an In-Woods Expo, which features live equipment demonstrations and static displays.
...Involvement in the Community. The ATPA in coordination with the Arkansas Forestry Association co-sponsors the Log A Load for Kids program, a fund-raising project that benefits the children treated at Arkansas Children's Hospital. More than three million dollars has been raised through the Arkansas Log A Load fundraising campaign, a portion of which was used to fund the first ever Pediatric Cardiovascular Chair at Arkansas Children's Hospital.
Invest in your future, apply for membership today!
