What Montana Logging Assn does

The Montana Logging Association (MLA) is a Montana-based non-profit trade association, founded in 1976 in Deer Lodge and headquartered since 1998 in Kalispell, that represents nearly 500 independent logging contractors, log haulers, and associate members across Montana. The organization provides legislative advocacy at the state and federal levels, group health insurance programs (through BlueCross BlueShield of Montana, Pacific Source, Assurant, and Humana), workers' compensation programs (via Associated Loggers Exchange and the Montana State Fund, the latter relationship dating to 1980), and the Accredited Logging Professional (ALP) certification program, which requires 32 hours of annual continuing education. MLA also operates an Equipment For Sale marketplace, a Job Board, a Find a Professional directory, the monthly Montana Logger magazine, and the affiliated Montana Timber Legacy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) established in 2014 to preserve Montana's timber heritage.

MLA's go-to-market is community-led and membership-based: Voting Memberships are available to self-employed individuals or independent firms engaged in harvesting and transportation of forest products from Montana, while Non-Voting Associate Memberships cover suppliers, service providers, and log purchasers. Revenue is generated through recurring annual dues (pricing not publicly disclosed), commissions and program fees from insurance and workers' compensation offerings administered through MLA Services, Inc., and ancillary revenue from training programs, publications, and member platforms. The association is staffed by a lean team of four — an Administrative Director plus three regional representatives covering field safety, state and federal policy, and education and training — following a 2018 restructuring after the 38-year tenure of Executive Director Keith Olson. MLA does not develop proprietary technology products, has no AI, API, or third-party integrations, and operates primarily through its website (logging.org), Facebook, Instagram, weekly email newsletters, and the Montana Logger monthly magazine.

The organization's strategic positioning rests on 50 years of institutional presence, its role as a founding member of the American Loggers Council, and demonstrated regulatory influence — including the development of Montana's voluntary Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) in 1988-1989, influencing passage of the Streamside Management Zone Act in 1991, and securing a documented 20-30% reduction in workers' compensation rates through legislative advocacy. MLA is governed by an elected Board of Directors and Executive Committee drawn from its membership, with current President Kevin Kanduch.

Name

Montana Logging Assn

Legal name

Montana Logging Association

Website

https://logging.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Montana Logging Association is a non-profit trade association, founded in 1976 and headquartered in Kalispell, MT, that represents nearly 500 independent logging contractors and timber businesses in Montana through advocacy, group health and workers' compensation programs, safety training, and the Accredited Logging Professional certification.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Logging Trade Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Timber Tract Operations (113110)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Logging Safety, Compliance & Operations Support Services (AFAMABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Logging & Timber Harvesting (IMAMAAAB), Forestry & Logging Equipment (IMAHACAK)

Keywords

• Logging trade association
• Timber industry advocacy
• Workers compensation programs
• Safety training services
• Professional logger certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Kalispell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from independent logging contractors and associate members. Membership categories include Voting (independent logging contractors) and Non-Voting (associates, suppliers, service providers).
2. Group Insurance Programs: Association health plans and group insurance offerings including BlueCross BlueShield of Montana, Pacific Source, Assurant, and Humana for health, dental, vision, and Medicare supplements.
3. Workers' Compensation Programs: Workers' compensation insurance programs through Associated Loggers Exchange and Montana State Fund, offered exclusively through MLA Services, Inc.
4. Accredited Logging Professional Program: Voluntary educational program with continuing education requirements for professional loggers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Montana Logging Association is a non-profit trade association that represents nearly 500 independent logging contractors and timber-related businesses in Montana. It sells annual memberships and delivers the Accredited Logging Professional (ALP) certification program, group health and workers' compensation insurance programs, safety/loss control training, legislative advocacy, and member platforms including the Find a Professional directory, equipment marketplace and job board.

Product overview

The Montana Logging Association is a trade association offering a unified platform of services for family-owned logging businesses in Montana. The core offerings include the Accredited Logging Professional (ALP) Program as a flagship voluntary educational initiative, complemented by essential business support services including health insurance (through BlueCross Blue Shield of Montana, Pacific Source, Assurant, and Humana) and workers' compensation programs (via Associated Loggers Exchange and Montana State Fund). Safety and loss control services, including first aid/CPR training and the 'Safety Rangers' program, support operational compliance. The association also operates the Montana Timber Legacy Foundation (501(c)(3)) for heritage preservation, an Equipment For Sale marketplace for member-to-member sales, job posting platforms, and a Find a Professional directory. The Montana Logger Magazine serves as the association's monthly publication. The organization does not offer a technology product with AI capabilities, API access, or third-party integrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Accredited Logging Professional (ALP) Program A voluntary educational and certification program for Montana loggers. Participants complete a Forest Stewardship Workshop, the Safety & Loss Control Manual, First Aid/CPR certification, BMP/SMZ workshop, and 32 hours of approved continuing education annually to retain ALP status.
• Health Insurance Programs Group and individual health insurance plans offered to MLA members through BlueCross BlueShield of Montana, Pacific Source, Assurant and Humana, including Medicare Supplements, Medicare Part D, Dental and Vision Plans.
• Workers' Compensation Programs Two workers' compensation options for members: Associated Loggers Exchange (licensed in Montana, offered exclusively through MLA Services, Inc.) and the MLA/Montana State Fund partnership which provides safety services, monthly wage reporting and premium payments.
• Safety & Loss Control Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Developed voluntary Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) adopted in 1989 that have been replicated by other states
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• American Loggers CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1976The MLA is a founding member of the American Loggers Council (ALC), established in 1994. The MLA served as the coordinating office for ALC during its first three years. MLA past presidents Sherm Anderson and Ken Swanstrom have served as ALC presidents. ALC represents professional loggers in all 50 states and advocates for federal timber policy.
• State Compensation Insurance Fund (Montana State Fund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandmark partnership began in 1980 with the State Compensation Insurance Fund to promote safety and loss control for MLA members. The MLA works with State Fund to offer a comprehensive insurance program with safety services from MLA safety consultants.
• Associated Loggers ExchangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMLA/Montana Services offers a work comp program through the Associated Loggers Exchange (ALE), which is licensed in Montana and policies are offered exclusively through MLA Services. ALE is a successful work comp carrier based in Idaho.
• BlueCross BlueShield of MontanacoreOthersLaunched health insurance program in the late 1970s as one of the first major member benefits. Continues to offer group and individual insurance plans through this provider.
• Colorado State University / High Plains Intermountain Center for Ag HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established in 2014 to create a detailed survey of accidents in the logging industry and develop more relevant and successful first aid/CPR training. Grant funding also allowed MLA to purchase an equipment simulator for training. Partnership continued during pandemic for updated logger safety training.
• Ally SafetymajorTechnology or IntegrationPartner in developing and updating the MLA's safety program to provide relevant and continuously evolving safety training content.
• Montana Timber Legacy FoundationcoreOthersNon-profit 501(c)(3) corporation formed in 2014 to commemorate Montana's timber harvesting heritage, promote safe logging practices, professional standards, and forest stewardship. MLA supports this foundation which has its own Board of Directors including Dyrk Krueger (President), Davy Sheets (Vice President), and Coleen Michael (Secretary Treasurer).
• Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on forest management policies, fire season regulations, and timber sales. MLA represents timber industry interests in DNRC policy discussions.
• Pacific Source, Assurant, HumanamajorOthersInsurance providers offering plans through MLA including Medicare Supplements, Medicare Part D, Dental and Vision Plans, and other ancillary products.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Washington Contract Loggers Association: State-level logging trade association in Washington. Strong direct peer with nearly identical service model — dues, safety training, legislative advocacy, insurance programs — for independent logging contractors in a different state.
• Oregon Logging Conference: Long-running Oregon-based logging industry organization hosting annual conferences and member services. Compares to MLA as a regional industry association with overlapping safety, education, and community-building functions for the Pacific Northwest timber sector.
• Montana Wood Products Association: Montana-state trade association representing wood products manufacturers and sawmills. Adjacent peer serving the same Montana timber ecosystem but focused on the processing/manufacturing side rather than independent logging contractors like MLA's primary segment.

Broad incumbents

• Forest Resources Association: National trade association representing the forest products supply chain including timber growers, loggers, and haulers. Comparable as a broader incumbent serving overlapping membership with policy advocacy, safety resources, and industry publications.
• HOO-HOO International: International fraternal organization of the forest products industry with active chapters in Montana that has honored MLA members (Kanduch family) with its Lumberman of the Year award. Adjacent/ecosystem peer operating in the same industry community.
• Idaho Forest Group: Major regional lumber manufacturer whose contractors (including MLA member Weingart Forestry) operate in the Montana timber supply chain. Comparable as a downstream buyer of logging services with overlapping industry representation and lobbying interests in regional timber policy.
• American Loggers Council: National-level federation of state and regional logging associations of which MLA is a founding member. Comparable as the umbrella advocacy body representing professional loggers across all 50 states, sharing MLA's policy, safety, and member-services orientation but at a national scope.

Others

• Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC): State agency partner that collaborates with MLA on forest management policies and timber sales. Comparable as an institutional stakeholder whose policy decisions directly shape MLA members' operating environment.
• Ally Safety: Safety training and content partner that develops MLA's safety program. Comparable as a service provider to the logging industry with overlapping member-facing training, although it operates as a vendor rather than a peer association.

Direct peers

• Associated Loggers Exchange: Idaho-based workers' compensation insurance carrier serving the logging industry that partners with MLA to offer policies exclusively through MLA Services. Directly comparable as a logging-industry insurance organization with overlapping membership and risk-pooling economics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Montana-Logging-Association-116657245074528
• Instagraminstagram.com/montanalogging
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/montana-logging-assn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Montana Logging Assn