Final answer:
Lumber mills are typically located near forests to reduce shipping costs and to stay close to their raw material source, making it true that location strategies are designed for efficiency and cost reduction.
Step-by-step explanation:
True: Lumber mills are indeed located near the forests in the Northwest to save shipping costs and to be near their raw material. The logistics of transporting large quantities of logs are costly and inefficient due to their size and weight. Instead, logs are transported to nearby sawmills where they are processed into lumber, a product that can be transported more efficiently.
Sawmills are strategically placed close to forested areas to minimize transportation costs and to utilize various parts of the logs. For instance, sawdust and wood chips, which are by-products of the milling process, can be used to create additional products such as plywood and particleboard. Proximity to the raw material source simplifies the logistics and reduces expenses, making the operation more profitable.
Furthermore, the location of a lumber mill can be influenced by access to shipping routes, such as uncrowded freeways or railways, which further aids in the cost-effective transportation of the finished goods to the market. This is exemplified by historical patterns where industries, such as the steel industry in Pittsburgh, were located near raw materials and convenient transport options.