On Sept. 1, Mid-America Lumbermens Association (MLA) merged with Northwestern Lumber Association (NLA) to create one of the largest building material trade associations in the industry.

The combined organizations will operate under the Northwestern Lumber Association umbrella until further notice and will represent over 1,800 building material dealers and over 150 suppliers/manufacturers.

MLA, which has now dissolved as an entity, previously represented building material dealers and suppliers in Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri while NLA represented building material dealers and suppliers in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.

Northwestern Lumber Association President Cody Nuernberg said of the merger,

“Joining these long-time industry support groups together as one is a momentous occasion and one that has been diligently planned over the past four years,” said NLA President Cody Nuernberg in a Sept. 1 news release posted on the association’s LinkedIn page.

He added: “By merging the MLA and NLA membership base, the association expands networking opportunities for all members, connecting them to broader resources for products, services, education opportunities and advocacy. This merger also allows for broader reach for education and event offerings and will extend our visibility to invite new members into the organization.”

As part of the merger, all MLA members in good standing will receive NLA membership until Sept. 30. NLA will continue to produce MLA’s annual events and educational offerings and provide field support via a dedicated Regional Field Manager.