SmartLam North America: Mass Timber EPD Snapshot
SmartLam builds with wood at scale. If you sell, market, or spec mass timber, here’s the quick read on what they make, where they compete, and how their Environmental Product Declarations stack up for LEED‑minded projects.
What SmartLam makes
SmartLam North America manufactures cross‑laminated timber (CLT) panels and glued‑laminated timber (glulam) beams and columns, plus a packaged CLT shaft solution branded SmartShaft for elevators and stairs. Production runs out of two plants in Columbia Falls, Montana and Dothan, Alabama. The company publishes line‑of‑sight capacity figures for both sites, together totaling roughly 111,000 m³ of annual CLT capacity and in‑house glulam capability in Dothan (SmartLam, 2025) (SmartLam facilities).
Product range and likely SKU breadth
Between CLT layups, thicknesses, and CNC options, SmartLam probably offers products in the dozens to low hundreds of configurations. Glulam adds more sizes and appearance grades. SmartShaft appears as a standard solution package rather than a separate material category.
Their EPD footprint today
SmartLam has a current product‑specific, third‑party verified EPD for CLT with validity into late January 2026. The Colorado Department of Revenue’s official materials list shows SmartLam CLT from the Dothan, AL facility with an expiry of January 21, 2026, including reported cradle‑to‑gate GWP data, which signals the EPD is recognized in public procurement contexts as of this year (Colorado Department of Revenue, 2025) (Colorado DOR list). That renewal window is near, so scheduling an update should be a priority.
Notable gaps to close
We could not locate a current SmartLam glulam EPD on major program‑operator directories. SmartShaft does not appear to have a dedicated EPD either, which is common for systemized assemblies. These gaps matter because product‑specific, externally verified EPDs remain a preferred disclosure path under LEED v5’s materials framework, and v5 is now ratified and rolling into market use in 2025 (USGBC, 2025) (USGBC LEED v5). Without coverage, specs that require or prioritize EPDs may tilt toward fully documented alternatives.
Where they face EPD‑ready competitors
Project teams often compare SmartLam’s CLT and glulam against mass‑timber peers. On CLT, Mercer Mass Timber, Kalesnikoff, Nordic Structures, and Vaagen Timbers frequently appear in the same bid rooms. On glulam, Kalesnikoff and Vaagen Timbers each have current EPDs listed by program operators and government compendia, with expiries in 2027 and 2026 respectively, which makes it easy for teams to check a box and move on (Colorado Department of Revenue, 2025) (Colorado DOR list). In practical terms, that means a SmartLam glulam bid may need extra persuasion when a CLT‑only EPD is on the table.
Commercial risk in plain language
When materials credits are in play, teams default to products with product‑specific EPDs because it reduces documentation friction. That’s the whole game. If glulam from one supplier is EPD‑ready and another’s is not, the second supplier must win on schedule, cost, or performance. Specs often slip away quietly if you dont show up with the right paperwork.
A fast EPD game plan for SmartLam’s catalog
- Renew CLT early and, if possible, split by facility or species to reflect SYP versus SPF. Plant‑specific data can help owners align with regional goals and it future‑proofs renewals.
- Stand up a glulam EPD to eliminate an obvious gap. Many CLT projects also carry significant glulam tonnage. One missing EPD can jeopardize the whole package.
- Decide whether SmartShaft needs its own declaration. If the panels and beams inside are covered, a separate system EPD may not be necessary, yet a short technical memo that maps bill‑of‑materials to the underlying EPDs can speed reviews.
Where SmartLam positions well
Two‑plant coverage in the Northwest and Southeast helps with logistics, species preferences, and public‑sector procurement. The company also highlights biobased purchasing alignment through USDA’s BioPreferred program language, which can support federal buyers even as policies shift. For teams evaluating their sustainability stance, SmartLam maintains a dedicated page consolidating EPD and certification signals here.
What this means for sales and spec teams
SmartLam already checks the CLT EPD box. Closing the glulam gap would remove a common reason teams favor a mixed‑catalog competitor. With LEED v5 active in 2025 and a rising share of owners preferring product‑specific disclosures, every new declaration increases the chance to be the default pick on jobs where time and documentation decide the outcome, not just price (USGBC, 2025) (USGBC LEED v5).
The short list
SmartLam is a focused mass‑timber manufacturer with CLT, glulam, and a packaged shaft offering. EPD coverage: CLT covered and nearing renewal. Glulam uncovered and worth prioritizing. Competitors with EPDs are already visible to buyers in official listings, which keeps them top of mind during materials tallying (Colorado Department of Revenue, 2025) (Colorado DOR list). If you want more wins, make the paperwork as easy to count as the panels.
References in brackets reflect publicly available, 2024–2025 sources used for numeric claims only: facility capacities from SmartLam, EPD expiries and examples from Colorado DOR’s materials list, and LEED v5 ratification status from USGBC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which SmartLam products appear to have product‑specific EPD coverage right now?
CLT has a current EPD with validity into late January 2026, per Colorado’s official materials list. We did not find a current glulam EPD for SmartLam on operator directories. (Colorado Department of Revenue, 2025)
How many product categories does SmartLam serve and how broad is the catalog?
Two primary categories, CLT and glulam, plus a packaged SmartShaft CLT solution. SKU breadth is likely in the dozens to low hundreds when you consider layups, thicknesses, sizes, and finishes.
Who are common competitors with EPDs in this space?
Mercer Mass Timber, Kalesnikoff, Nordic Structures, Vaagen Timbers, and Element5 appear frequently. Several have current CLT and glulam EPDs, which can simplify LEED‑oriented documentation. (Colorado Department of Revenue, 2025)
Does LEED v5 still value product‑specific EPDs?
Yes. LEED v5 was ratified in March 2025 and continues to reward transparent, third‑party verified product data in its materials framework. (USGBC, 2025)
About the Author
Eric works at the intersection of sustainability, regulation, and business strategy, helping manufacturers navigate the evolving landscape of EPDs and LCAs. Having spoken with hundreds of teams across North America, brings a deep understanding of what drives ROI, what regulators are asking for, and how companies can stay ahead with smart, scalable approaches to environmental reporting.
