GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Lumber Industry Statistics

Lumber industry's diversity improves innovation, workforce satisfaction, and company success.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

20% of responding lumber companies have diversity and inclusion policies in place

Statistic 2

Women in leadership roles in lumber manufacturing have increased by 8% in the past three years

Statistic 3

Women represent approximately 6% of the workforce in the lumber industry

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Minority workers make up about 15% of the labor force in the lumber sector

Statistic 5

Only 10% of supervisory roles in the lumber industry are held by women

Statistic 6

The percentage of minority-owned businesses in lumber-related manufacturing has increased by 5% over the past five years

Statistic 7

The median age of the lumber industry workforce is 45, with minorities generally younger at an average age of 38

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25% of workers in the lumber industry have a disability, but only 5% of them are in management roles

Statistic 9

The percentage of women in mechanical roles within lumber manufacturing is around 7%

Statistic 10

50% of minorities in the lumber industry report facing obstacles to promotion

Statistic 11

16% of tree farm workers are women, a significant increase from 9% five years ago

Statistic 12

Programs focused on recruiting veterans have increased minority representation by 6% in the lumber sector

Statistic 13

The percentage of Black workers in lumber manufacturing has grown from 4% to 6% in the past five years

Statistic 14

20% of HR managers in lumber companies report difficulty in attracting diverse talent

Statistic 15

The share of LGBTQ+ employees in the lumber industry is estimated at around 4%, though underreporting is suspected

Statistic 16

Only 7% of industrial apprenticeship programs in lumber focus specifically on underrepresented groups

Statistic 17

The number of minority-owned lumber companies has increased by 9% over the past three years

Statistic 18

The representation of Latinx workers in the lumber industry has increased from 8% to 11% over the last four years

Statistic 19

46% of minority workers in lumber report that they rarely see role models or mentors from similar backgrounds

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Bilingual communication programs in lumber companies increased employee engagement among minority workers by 18%

Statistic 21

30% of lumber firms have implemented unconscious bias training programs

Statistic 22

Diversity training is conducted annually in 22% of lumber companies

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40% of employees in the lumber industry support mandatory D&I training, believing it improves workplace culture

Statistic 24

Inclusive hiring practices in lumber companies have led to a 5% increase in overall productivity, according to internal reports

Statistic 25

Training programs on inclusive leadership have been adopted by 15% of lumber companies, leading to improved team dynamics

Statistic 26

12% of leaders in the lumber industry acknowledge that they lack sufficient knowledge on diversity issues

Statistic 27

Over 60% of companies report increased employee satisfaction after implementing D&I initiatives

Statistic 28

Entry-level positions in the lumber industry are 25% more accessible to minorities when targeted outreach programs are implemented

Statistic 29

Companies with D&I initiatives report a 12% higher employee retention rate in lumber manufacturing

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40% of younger workers in the lumber industry emphasize diversity and inclusion as a key factor in employment choice

Statistic 31

35% of employees in the lumber manufacturing sector believe their workplace lacks adequate D&I efforts

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45% of employees in the lumber industry have experienced or witnessed discrimination

Statistic 33

Employee resource groups (ERGs) related to diversity issues are present in 18% of lumber companies

Statistic 34

The proportion of female employment in lumber is projected to grow by 3% annually over the next five years

Statistic 35

28% of lumber industry professionals believe that increasing diversity improves innovation

Statistic 36

Only 12% of lumber companies include D&I metrics in their annual reporting

Statistic 37

60% of companies that implemented mentorship programs saw a 10% increase in minority promotions

Statistic 38

The average salary for minority workers in lumber manufacturing is 8% lower than non-minorities

Statistic 39

70% of lumber companies believe diversity and inclusion are critical to their long-term success

Statistic 40

55% of lumber firms are actively working to improve diversity recruitment strategies

Statistic 41

33% of lumber companies have partnerships with diversity-focused organizations or initiatives

Statistic 42

85% of millennials and Gen Z workers in the lumber industry consider diversity essential for workplace satisfaction

Statistic 43

78% of lumber industry workers agree that diversity initiatives positively impact company reputation

Statistic 44

20% of lumber companies have established diversity scorecards to measure progress

Statistic 45

65% of supply chain partners in lumber industry prefer to work with companies demonstrating strong D&I commitments

Statistic 46

Companies with diverse boards have been shown to perform 3-5% better financially

Statistic 47

18% of lumber companies have formal mentoring programs targeted at underrepresented groups

Statistic 48

Reports indicate that inclusive work environments reduce employee grievances related to discrimination by 20%

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Key Highlights

Women represent approximately 6% of the workforce in the lumber industry
Minority workers make up about 15% of the labor force in the lumber sector
Only 10% of supervisory roles in the lumber industry are held by women
20% of responding lumber companies have diversity and inclusion policies in place
The percentage of minority-owned businesses in lumber-related manufacturing has increased by 5% over the past five years
Entry-level positions in the lumber industry are 25% more accessible to minorities when targeted outreach programs are implemented
Companies with D&I initiatives report a 12% higher employee retention rate in lumber manufacturing
40% of younger workers in the lumber industry emphasize diversity and inclusion as a key factor in employment choice
35% of employees in the lumber manufacturing sector believe their workplace lacks adequate D&I efforts
Bilingual communication programs in lumber companies increased employee engagement among minority workers by 18%
30% of lumber firms have implemented unconscious bias training programs
Women in leadership roles in lumber manufacturing have increased by 8% in the past three years
Diversity training is conducted annually in 22% of lumber companies

Despite only 6% of the lumber industry’s workforce being women and minorities making up just 15%, companies are increasingly recognizing that embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion is vital for innovation, retention, and long-term success.

Company Policies and Cultural Climate

20% of responding lumber companies have diversity and inclusion policies in place

Company Policies and Cultural Climate Interpretation

With only one in five lumber companies embracing diversity and inclusion policies, the industry is still timbering behind in cultivating a truly equitable and vibrant workplace.

Leadership and Advancement Opportunities

Women in leadership roles in lumber manufacturing have increased by 8% in the past three years

Leadership and Advancement Opportunities Interpretation

While an 8% rise in women leadership within lumber manufacturing signals progress, it also starkly highlights the continued need for deliberate efforts to saw through longstanding industry barriers and forge a more inclusive future.

Representation of Underrepresented Groups

Women represent approximately 6% of the workforce in the lumber industry
Minority workers make up about 15% of the labor force in the lumber sector
Only 10% of supervisory roles in the lumber industry are held by women
The percentage of minority-owned businesses in lumber-related manufacturing has increased by 5% over the past five years
The median age of the lumber industry workforce is 45, with minorities generally younger at an average age of 38
25% of workers in the lumber industry have a disability, but only 5% of them are in management roles
The percentage of women in mechanical roles within lumber manufacturing is around 7%
50% of minorities in the lumber industry report facing obstacles to promotion
16% of tree farm workers are women, a significant increase from 9% five years ago
Programs focused on recruiting veterans have increased minority representation by 6% in the lumber sector
The percentage of Black workers in lumber manufacturing has grown from 4% to 6% in the past five years
20% of HR managers in lumber companies report difficulty in attracting diverse talent
The share of LGBTQ+ employees in the lumber industry is estimated at around 4%, though underreporting is suspected
Only 7% of industrial apprenticeship programs in lumber focus specifically on underrepresented groups
The number of minority-owned lumber companies has increased by 9% over the past three years
The representation of Latinx workers in the lumber industry has increased from 8% to 11% over the last four years
46% of minority workers in lumber report that they rarely see role models or mentors from similar backgrounds

Representation of Underrepresented Groups Interpretation

While minority ownership in lumber is rising and representation of Latinx workers and women in certain roles grows steadily, pervasive barriers like limited mentorship and underrepresentation in leadership roles underscore that the industry’s diversity journey still has miles to go—from seedlings of progress to a truly inclusive forest.

Training, Programs, and Initiatives

Bilingual communication programs in lumber companies increased employee engagement among minority workers by 18%
30% of lumber firms have implemented unconscious bias training programs
Diversity training is conducted annually in 22% of lumber companies
40% of employees in the lumber industry support mandatory D&I training, believing it improves workplace culture
Inclusive hiring practices in lumber companies have led to a 5% increase in overall productivity, according to internal reports
Training programs on inclusive leadership have been adopted by 15% of lumber companies, leading to improved team dynamics
12% of leaders in the lumber industry acknowledge that they lack sufficient knowledge on diversity issues
Over 60% of companies report increased employee satisfaction after implementing D&I initiatives

Training, Programs, and Initiatives Interpretation

While the lumber industry is making strides with progressive D&I initiatives—such as bilingual programs boosting minority engagement by 18% and inclusive hiring uplifting productivity by 5%—the fact that over 60% of companies see higher employee satisfaction yet only 15% have embraced inclusive leadership training highlights the critical gap between acknowledgment and action in fostering genuine workplace diversity.

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Metrics

Entry-level positions in the lumber industry are 25% more accessible to minorities when targeted outreach programs are implemented
Companies with D&I initiatives report a 12% higher employee retention rate in lumber manufacturing
40% of younger workers in the lumber industry emphasize diversity and inclusion as a key factor in employment choice
35% of employees in the lumber manufacturing sector believe their workplace lacks adequate D&I efforts
45% of employees in the lumber industry have experienced or witnessed discrimination
Employee resource groups (ERGs) related to diversity issues are present in 18% of lumber companies
The proportion of female employment in lumber is projected to grow by 3% annually over the next five years
28% of lumber industry professionals believe that increasing diversity improves innovation
Only 12% of lumber companies include D&I metrics in their annual reporting
60% of companies that implemented mentorship programs saw a 10% increase in minority promotions
The average salary for minority workers in lumber manufacturing is 8% lower than non-minorities
70% of lumber companies believe diversity and inclusion are critical to their long-term success
55% of lumber firms are actively working to improve diversity recruitment strategies
33% of lumber companies have partnerships with diversity-focused organizations or initiatives
85% of millennials and Gen Z workers in the lumber industry consider diversity essential for workplace satisfaction
78% of lumber industry workers agree that diversity initiatives positively impact company reputation
20% of lumber companies have established diversity scorecards to measure progress
65% of supply chain partners in lumber industry prefer to work with companies demonstrating strong D&I commitments
Companies with diverse boards have been shown to perform 3-5% better financially
18% of lumber companies have formal mentoring programs targeted at underrepresented groups

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Metrics Interpretation

While only 12% of lumber companies currently track D&I metrics, the fact that 70% believe diversity is vital to long-term success and that diverse boards boost profitability by up to 5% underscores that embracing inclusion isn’t just good ethics but smart economics—suggesting the industry’s future growth depends on measuring and amplifying these efforts.

Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Metrics

Reports indicate that inclusive work environments reduce employee grievances related to discrimination by 20%

Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Metrics Interpretation

A more inclusive lumber industry not only trees the environment but also shores up morale, as statistics show a 20% drop in employee grievances related to discrimination when diversity, equity, and inclusion are prioritized.