CLA Convention Attracts Registrants NAWLA Regionals Attract ...

May/June 2007 Page 23
CLA -
Continued from page 1
here.
Rae joined a host of notable speakers
and approximately 500 registrants for
the three-day event, which was filled
with luncheons, informative board meetings
and a CLA contact session that provided
guests ample time to network with
industry peers, wholesalers and manufacturers.
An exhibitor’s hall was filled
throughout the convention with displays
provided by 48 various companies.
Lammert Jagt, CLA chairman, presented
opening remarks and emphasized
that the work performed by the association
continues to serve the lumber industry
in a positive manner. Jagt noted that,
“the CLA works diligently with its
Softwood members to ensure that the
CLA mark that is stamped on the members’
wood is well respected and well
supported wherever it is sold. Our members
depend heavily on us to ensure
that their product, which is tightly monitored
in the eyes of our chief inspector,
Richard Hudon, meets the quality control
standard.”
Jagt introduced guest speaker Rae,
who addresed the topic of “The Future
After The Softwood Surrender.” Rae
served as Ontario’s 21st Premier, and
was elected eight times to federal and
provincial parliaments before retiring
from politics in 1996.
William G. Currie, executive chairman
of the board for Universal Forest
Products in Grand Rapids, Mich., also
served the convention in a keynote
speaker capacity during the industry
luncheon. He addressed “Keys To
Maintaining Leadership And Success In
A New Global Economy.”
Also, Peter Giroux, president of Peter
Giroux Enterprises Inc., spoke at the
convention’s opening breakfast. His
topic of discussion was “Survival Is Not
Good Enough.” Additionally, Paul F.
Jannke, vice president of Resource
Information Systems Inc., headquartered
in Bedford, Mass., was a lead panelist
during the weekend’s business session.
Live musical entertainment was provided
at the convention by local group, Max
and Maxine.
Jean-Francois Houde serves the CLA
as president and executive director. The
association is headquartered in Ottawa,
Onatrio.
•
NELMA -
Continued from page 1
lumber industry, including manufacturers,
wholesalers, industrial equipment
and services, attended the event.
A welcome reception opened the threeday
event. That reception was sponsored
by Acadia Insurance, DiPrizio
Pine Sales, GMC Hardwoods, Hancock
Lumber, HESCO, Hyster New England,
Macdonald Page & Co., Parksite
Plunkett-Webster and Ward Lumber Co.
On the first day of the event, attendees
took part in several committee meetings
that studied various aspects of the lumber
industry. For example, a marketing
and communications program report
was presented, and later a Pine species
subcommittee discussed grade rule
interpretations and revisions of NELMA’s
“Standard Pattern Chart”. A Dimension
species subcommittee also met to discuss
such topics as the test project for
Eastern Spruce-Balsam Fir and oriented
strand lumber.
On Friday, guest speaker Eric Kingsley,
who serves as vice president of
Innovative Natural Resources Solutions,
presented an address entitled “The
Latest in Wood Based Bio-Fuel & Bio-
Product Technology and Its Potential
Impact on the Forest Products Industry.”
The Risk Management Committee also
presented industry issues, opportunities
and safety awards for NELMA. Among
the topics addressed prior to the presentation
of awards were: OSHA regulations
on forklift operator training; profit
from electrical demand response; and
critical updates on stormwater and oil
spill regulations.
On Saturday, the Softwood Lumber
Agreement of 2006 was discussed by
guest speaker Zoltan van Heyningen,
executive director of the Coalition for
Fair Lumber Imports. Other topics discussed
during the day included conflict
of interest, a treasurer’s report and staff
reports regarding grading services and
administration.
NELMA Chairman Luke Brochu, of
Pleasant River Lumber, welcomed
attendees at the Chairman’s Reception,
and Paul D’Angelo provided entertainment
during the industry luncheon.
D’Angelo is a comedian/writer/actor who
has been lauded for his stand-up comedy
routines by critics for such publications
as The Los Angeles Times.
Attendees were reminded that the 2008
NELMA Convention has been set for
April 10-13 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in
New York City, N.Y.
WWPA -
Continued from page 1
•
Attendees enjoyed activities, such as a
site tour hosted by Schuck Component
Systems, and also received current
information from industry leaders about
the status of the wood products industry.
A Welcoming Reception sponsored by
Twice the choice
for Softwood Suppliers
bisTrack
bisTrack is modern software for lumber & building
materials dealers, distributors and contract yards.
Voted LBM Journal’s Editor’s
Choice for “Hot Product”
Integrate your sales, purchasing, inventory, logistics
transactions in the latest Microsoft® environment,
with MS Dynamics GP (Great Plains) for accounting.
Simplify cost, margin and commission management.
Enable your business to grow with enhanced customer
service and productivity tools.
• Rent Track - rentals management.
• Truss Track - activity-based costing.
• Scan Track - document management.
“bisTrack tells you that you need to do
something. That will help us keep the
customer informed and deliver in a
timely manner.”
Brian King, President
Construction Supply Company
“bisTrack is a platform we can build on
to be a better partner in our contractors’
endeavors. And the productivity gains will
allow us to grow without adding FTEs.”
Joost Douwes, VP/GM
Chinook Lumber
Make the right choice. Call Russ Maximuik toll-free
at 1-877-746-4774 for an online demo.
www.progressive-solutions.com
the Lumbermen’s Underwriting Alliance
kicked off the convention after many
attendees participated in a WWPA golf
tournament. Topics discussed during
convention committee meetings included
exports, product support, quality
standards/technical issues and economic
services.
An industry luncheon set the tone for
the official business of the meeting with
Duane Vaagen, the top elected officer of
the WWPA, serving as guest speaker.
Vaagen addressed the need to be adaptive
in order to survive and prosper during
these challenging times in the lumber
industry. He lauded the success of
86 domestic mills whose output totals
more than 100 million board feet annually,
or 71 percent of the West’s production.
Vaagen credited advancements in technology
for the gains made by those
mills, including the use of log scanners
and optimizers, as well as high-speed
planers and computerized grading
machines. He added that demand for
lumber has “expanded by an amazing
14 billion board feet over the past 10
years.”
Vaagen concluded by pledging the
association’s continued support in
preparing mills of the future for success
via modern quality techniques, as well
as making available to members timely,
accurate and detailed business information.
Mike Phillips of Hampton Affiliates
served as moderator for the Speaker
Forum at the annual meeting, in which
Mitch Wagner, director of commodity
purchasing for 84 Lumber, spoke about
how to be a successful vendor. Wagner
noted specifically that, “Successful vendors
build partnerships with 84 Lumber.
We buy from at least 27 to 28 suppliers.”
Darin Hildreth, vice president of supply
chain for Pro-Build Holdings Inc., also
spoke during the Speaker Forum. Pro-
Build’s growth as a company, said
Hildreth, is due to the fact that “we
embrace the local market and national
leadership. Success is all about people
and relationships. Additionally, all of our
growth has been fueled by acquisition.
We believe there is great opportunity
ahead and we must adapt to continue to
grow and prosper.”
Kevin Binam, director of WWPA’s
Economic Services Division, presented
an address during the meeting’s
Forecast Conference that underscored
concerns shared by the overall wood
products industry. Binam said that,
“hopefully, by this fall, people will say I
was too pessimistic in this report.”
Binam noted several factors that point
to a possible continual decline in the
nation’s overall economic situation.
Those factors include: further declines in
home values and increases in property
foreclosures; overall debt overtaking
earnings in this country; ongoing contraction
in construction; and further
Lumber Track
Lumber Track is the most widely used software for wood
products sales, inventory, logistics and accounting.
Over 30% of the nation’s softwood and 50% of its OSB
is processed using Lumber Track software. Select the
industry’s most comprehensive suite of products to
streamline your entire operation.
See the new Microsoft standard
user interface that makes Lumber
Track even easier to use.
• Tag Track - tag creation, printing, tracking.
• Fiber Track - log purchasing, sales and yard
management software.
• MS Great Plains® - complete accounting & financial
management.
Continued on page 24
“The greatest power of Lumber Track is
that it forces you to do it right. We’re
operating with fewer staff and their jobs
are more interesting.”
Tom Evans, President
Coastal Treated Products
“We used to do inventory every quarter,
because we couldn’t keep track of what
we had on hand for each of our products.
Now, we only do it every six months, and
we’re soon planning to get it down to once
a year - a big savings in time and labor.”
Joe Patton, Co-Business Leader
Westervelt Lumber (Gulf States)