F&W Forestry Services, Inc., a global leader in forest resource management and sustainability, today announced that Everwood, an integrated player in the European forest management sector based in France, has invested in the company. It also announced a major geographic expansion of its U.S. operations into the Inland Empire region with the acquisition of Idaho-based Inland Forest Management.

F&W has been a trusted provider of high-quality, comprehensive forest management services to a diverse landowner base since 1962. Its expertise includes timber sales, property management, field support services, forest inventory and mapping, forestland accounting, technical and analytical services, real estate, and natural capital. F&W provides forest management services to landowners on more than 2.6 million acres (one million hectares) of forestland across six countries.

A decade ago, F&W invested in Forestry France, a leading forest management company serving landowners mainly in France. Forestry France, F&W, and Everwood collaborated in 2022 to establish Forestry Europe, a new consulting firm tailored to meet the forest management needs of landowners in other forested regions of Europe. F&W’s strategy for an international, technology-enabled forest management company paved the way for Everwood’s investment.

Marshall Thomas, president of Albany, Ga.-based F&W, said the company was seeking an equity partner to help accelerate exciting growth opportunities and Everwood was a natural fit. Everwood’s capital investment will drive innovation and enable F&W to be more responsive to evolving forest ownership objectives, develop new business lines consistent with the company’s value-added approach, and invest in advanced technologies. This includes expediting the planned upgrade of the company’s proprietary Forest Information System®(FIS), a comprehensive software suite offering a full range of forestry and accounting solutions for landowners and timberland investment managers.

“After working together for the last two years, since Everwood became a shareholder in Forestry France, we know the synergies, goals, and environmental and ethical standards of our two companies align. Everwood’s investment will allow us to quickly execute our plans for expansion while ensuring stability as we work towards our shared vision,” Thomas said.

Charles Flipo, president of Everwood, echoed this sentiment: “Many landowners are increasingly managing their forestland in a growing number of countries to meet ambitious natural capital strategies. Everwood and F&W have joined forces to pursue a goal of developing sustainable forest management services in key U.S. and international forestry markets. Over the last two years, we have built common goals with F&W and agree on strategic principles and values, such as innovation and a client-centric approach. We are thrilled to contribute and be a part of the implementation of F&W’s strategy.”

Several external growth operations are planned in both existing and new markets, as well as the development of new business lines, which include standardizing service offerings and technology products across F&W operating regions, all designed to add value to customer operations.

The first expansion of operations will be into the Inland Northwest region of Northern Idaho, Eastern Washington, and Western Montana with the purchase of Inland Forest Management (IFM), a highly respected provider of forestry consulting services based in Sandpoint, Idaho. Founded in 1984, IFM expertise extends beyond comprehensive forest management services to include wildfire suppression and fire mitigation activities on behalf of clients.

IFM President Mike Wolcott said F&W’s reputation as a professional, high-quality provider of forest management services aligns with his company’s core values. “I know our clients are in good hands and can continue to expect the same exceptional service they have always received.”

To ensure continuity, F&W will continue to operate under the leadership of Thomas and the existing senior management team, who maintain a significant ownership position and have been integrally involved in the capital raise process. The company said it is committed to a seamless transition at IFM and will retain employees and management.