Global Forestry Services

What Global Forestry Services does

Global Forestry Services (GFS) is a private professional services firm founded in 2004 by Dr Kevin T Grace, providing technical support, legal verification, and traceability systems for the tropical forestry and timber industries. The company operates five integrated service programs: the Forestry Support Program (technical support for FSC/PEFC certification), Legal Verification Services and Wood Tracking Program (a due diligence system covering EUTR, EUDR, US Lacey Act, Australian Illegal Logging Act, and Japan Clean Wood Act compliance), Forest Investment Services (project development targeting 8%+ annual returns), Forest Carbon Services (four-phase methodology supporting VCS, CCB, and Global Conservation Standard certification), and Training and Support Services. Underpinning these services is a Digital Information Management System integrating forest, wood processing/trade, and FLEGT licensing modules, plus a wholly-owned Malaysian IT subsidiary (GFS Logtrack Sdn. Bhd.) handling log and wood tracking software, and a separate subsidiary (GFS RIL Sdn. Bhd.) for reduced impact logging operations.

GFS generates revenue through contracted project-based professional services engagements, with pricing not publicly disclosed. Its go-to-market is enterprise field sales and resource-network referrals, targeting three primary customer segments: forest management companies and concession holders (Samling Group, Ta Ann Holdings, Shin Yang), wood processing and timber trading companies needing Chain of Custody verification, and government forestry departments (Sabah Forestry Department, Sarawak Forest Department, Laos Department of Forest, Ghana Forestry Commission). The firm also pursues international development contracts funded by KfW, FAO, and EU FLEGT Facility. Operations span five or more countries across Southeast Asia, West Africa, and South America, with registered offices in Rosemead, California (US headquarters) and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (regional hub for Southeast Asia).

Name

Global Forestry Services

Legal name

Global Forestry Services (USA) Inc.

Website

https://gfsinc.biz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Global Forestry Services is a private forestry consulting firm that provides timber legality verification, chain-of-custody systems, and FSC/PEFC certification support to concession holders, government forestry departments, and international development organizations across Southeast Asia, West Africa, and South America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Forestry Consulting & Timber Legality Verification Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Forestry and Logging (113)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Forest Certification & Chain-of-Custody Services (FSC/PEFC/SFI) (IMAMAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forest Management & Silviculture Services (Cruising, Planning, Compliance) (IMAMAAAD), Carbon Accounting, Verification & Registry Services (MRV, Audits, Certification) (IMAMAJAE), Forest Carbon Projects & Ecosystem Services (Carbon Credits, Biodiversity) (IMAMAAAJ), Timberland Operations Planning & Contractor Management (AFAMAKAE)

Keywords

• Forest certification services
• Timber legality verification
• Chain of custody auditing
• Forest carbon consulting
• Tropical forestry management

Headquarters

HQ city

Rosemead

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Forestry Support Program Services: Technical consulting services for forestry companies to meet FSC or PEFC certification requirements. Includes baseline assessment, management planning, and implementation support across three stages.
2. Legal Verification & Wood Tracking Assessment Services: Annual assessments and monitoring for compliance with timber legality standards (Sabah TLAS P1-6, Sarawak STLVS P1-6). GFS conducts independent evaluation of forest management companies and manufacturing/trading companies, issuing assessment reports and Statements of Compliance.
3. Training & Support Services: Intensive training programs for Chain of Custody systems meeting PEFC and FSC certification requirements. Includes development of responsible purchasing policies, supplier evaluation, risk assessment training, and internal auditing system development.
4. Forest Investment Services: Forest restoration and plantation development investment facilitation. Investment projects are structured so investors own rights to planted trees. Revenue comes from management fees, project development fees, and ongoing project monitoring.
5. Forest Carbon Services: Carbon forestry project establishment and development services across four phases. Supports certification to VCS, CCB, and Global Conservation Standard. Revenue from project scoping, due diligence, development, and validation support services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Global Forestry Services provides professional technical support, legal verification, and wood tracking systems for tropical forest management and timber industries. The firm delivers five integrated programs (Forestry Support Program, Legal Verification Services & Wood Tracking Program, Forest Investment Services, Forest Carbon Services, and Training & Support Services) that help forestry companies, wood processors/traders, governments, and investors meet FSC/PEFC certification requirements and comply with international timber trade regulations such as EUDR, EUTR, US Lacey Act, Australian Illegal Logging Act, and Japan Clean Wood Act.

Product overview

Global Forestry Services offers a portfolio of five integrated service programs supporting the forest and timber industries: Forestry Support Program (for FSC/PEFC certification), Legal Verification Services & Wood Tracking Program (LVS & WTP for due diligence and chain of custody), Forestry Investment Services, Forest Carbon Services, and Training & Support Services. These programs are designed to work together across the supply chain from forest management through processing and trade of finished wood products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Forestry Support Program (FSP) A formal stepwise approach for forestry companies to meet FSC or PEFC certification requirements, providing technical support across baseline assessment, management planning, operational procedure development, and implementation monitoring in three structured stages.
• Legal Verification Services & Wood Tracking Program (LVS & WTP) Integrated due diligence system combining Legal Verification Services for site evaluation of forest/plantation compliance with legal regulations (Sabah TLAS P1-6, Sarawak STLVS P1-6, or GFS generic LVS standard) and a Wood Tracking Program providing Chain of Custody traceability from verified legal forests through manufacturing to retail markets, with formal Country, Material/Species, and Operational Risk Assessment.
• Forestry Investment Services Framework for development of forest investment projects based on forest restoration and/or plantation development, structured so investors own rights to planted trees, targeting 8%+ annual return on investment while meeting FSC certification requirements, with revenue from management fees, project development fees, and ongoing monitoring.
• Forest Carbon Services Carbon capture and preservation services through sustainable forest management and rehabilitation projects across four phases (Project Scope Identification, Due Diligence, Project Development, and Support for Validation & Verification), facilitating certification under VCS, CCB, and Global Conservation Standard with potential ~5% additional annual return uplift for investment projects.
• Training & Support Services Intensive training programs for understanding requirements and development of Chain of Custody systems meeting PEFC and FSC certification requirements, including responsible purchasing policy development, supplier evaluation, risk assessment training, and internal auditing system development.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 Chain of Custody verifications and 200 Forest Management Unit assessments completed throughout Asia.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NIRAS-IP ConsultcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022GFS is collaborating with NIRAS-IP over a 5-year project (2022-2027) funded by KfW to support development of the Lao Timber Legality Assurance System. GFS is developing a comprehensive forest sector monitoring system incorporating field verification with a Digital Information Management System.
• Ata Marie Group Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2012GFS participated in consortium led by Ata Marie Group to support Ghana Government - Forestry Commission to develop Wood Tracking System meeting FLEGT VPA and EU Timber Regulations. GFS provided expertise for designing verification systems for forests, wood processing, and trade. Chatham House review highlighted the system's success in reducing illegal logging.
• European Forest InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as resource network partner - GFS has worked with EFI on EU FLEGT Facility projects including timber flow studies in Laos and Cambodia.
• Sabah Forest DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership since May 2009 for monitoring the FLEGT Timber Legality Assurance System for all forests licensed in Sabah, Malaysia. GFS conducts independent monitoring of legal compliance to Sabah Timber Legality Standard P1-6.
• Sarawak Forest DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGFS provides independent evaluation of licensed areas against Sarawak Legality Standard (STLVS Principles 1-4) and verification of timber and wood products for manufacturing and trading companies.
• Wood Bank Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as resource network partner - New Zealand-based organization related to forestry and wood industry.
• Caribbean Forestry ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as resource network partner - regional forestry consulting services.
• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGFS developed Philippine Due Diligence System on behalf of FAO-supported project through Philippine Wood Producers Association and Chamber of Furniture Industry of the Philippines. Also conducted timber flow studies and guidebook development.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SCS Global Services: Specialist certification and verification firm with deep forestry, chain-of-custody, and carbon services practice. Comparable peer offering similar FSC/PEFC certification and forest carbon project verification services.
• ProForest: Specialist consultancy providing responsible sourcing, certification support, and supply chain legality verification services for forestry and agricultural commodities. Direct competitor to GFS in tropical timber legality verification and chain-of-custody work.
• Preferred by Nature (formerly NEPCon): International non-profit offering forest management certification, legality verification, and chain-of-custody services across tropical regions. Closely comparable to GFS in service scope (FSC/PEFC certification, legality assessment) and target markets.
• Ata Marie Group: Forestry and timber tracking consultancy that has partnered with GFS on Ghana Wood Tracking System development. Direct peer in tropical timber tracking systems and FLEGT-related technical consulting.

Others

• European Forest Institute: European intergovernmental research organization working on FLEGT Facility projects, timber flow studies, and forest policy — listed as GFS resource network partner. Adjacent peer providing policy/technical ecosystem support overlapping GFS's TLAS work.

Broad incumbents

• SGS: Largest global TIC firm offering forestry certification, timber legality verification (including EUTR/EUDR programs), and chain-of-custody audits. Overlaps with GFS's WTP and LVS offerings as a broad incumbent with global reach.
• Bureau Veritas: Global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) giant offering forestry certification and chain-of-custody verification services across multiple regions. Directly comparable as a broad incumbent competing in the same niche GFS serves; listed as GFS's resource network partner.
• TÜV SÜD: Global TIC conglomerate offering FSC/PEFC certification, chain-of-custody audits, and timber legality verification. Overlaps with GFS as a broad incumbent serving similar enterprise customers in international timber trade.
• Control Union: Global certification body providing FSC/PEFC certification, chain-of-custody verification, and timber legality services. Comparable broad incumbent competing for the same enterprise and government contracts GFS targets.

Emerging players

• NIRAS-IP Consult: International development consultancy partnering with GFS on the Laos TLAS project funded by KfW. Comparable peer in providing FLEGT/TLAS development, capacity building, and forest sector reform advisory services to governments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/global-forestry-services-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Global Forestry Services