How an industry partnership provides tools for compliance and responsible trade in forest products

In early 2021, Double Helix Tracking Technologies and 11Foundry formed a partnership to deliver comprehensive supply chain risk management solutions for forest product importers and operators.

11Foundry’s FiberTrace software enables companies to manage supply chain documents and records according to policies and regulatory requirements like the US Lacey Act and EU Timber Regulation. Combined with DoubleHelix’s capabilities to assess and mitigate supply chain risk, the solution allows customers to manage risk exposure while creating commercial value.

11Foundry co-founder Colin Miller stated: “As companies apply ever-greater emphasis on responsible sourcing and environmental sustainability criteria, our partnership enables companies to foresee and manage diverse risks.”

Miller added: “Every tree is supported by its roots…sustainability management and supply chain control is only as strong as the knowledge it is built on.”

Max Horowitz-Burdick, DoubleHelix’s Director of the Americas, explained: “This goes beyond managing legal compliance risk. We are providing customers with a complete tool that improves business intelligence, facilitates internal communication, creates efficiencies.”

The partnership serves forest products companies ranging from those with sophisticated risk management systems to smaller operations seeking improved supply chain knowledge.

Stuart Clarke, Clarke Veneers and Plywood President, praised the product: “We love the product. It’s tailor-made to meet the compliance requirements of our industry.”

Amani Abdalla, JAF’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, noted: “This tool is a smart and helpful asset for every supply chain administrator, as well as every company that needs to comply with global timber trading regulations.”

DoubleHelix CEO Darren Thomas emphasized their mission: “Our partnership with 11Foundry enables us to better deliver on what we exist for: To grow the market share of responsible forest products.”

Thomas illustrated their approach through a 2017 case study with Brooks Bros (UK) Ltd. The company sought assurance that flooring products sourced from China were manufactured from PEFC-certified Western European oak without mixing with other forest sources. DoubleHelix conducted risk assessments and worked with the manufacturer to implement verification processes including document checks and isotope testing.

Thomas explained: “Now with FiberTrace as an additional tool, we are able to further systematize our operations to manage evidence and data associated with supply chain due diligence.”

He confirmed: “DoubleHelix has been so impressed by the FiberTrace platform that we use it internally to organise and share our knowledge library.”

Future plans include blockchain integration. Horowitz-Burdick stated: “We have plans in the works to run DoubleHelix-backed FiberTrace data via immutable ledger platforms and explore how a blockchain approach might add another layer of trust and value to the system.”

Additional developments include integrated form tools for smartphone-based supplier information submission and satellite monitoring integration for natural resource tracking.

Miller concluded: “We value DoubleHelix’s partnership and shared vision and we are excited about the solutions that FiberTrace enables for responsible businesses of every scale in our industry.”