National Hardwood Magazine - January 2024

Equipment And Services Providers
Accept The Challenges That
The Market Brings
Across the forest products industry, equipment and
services providers that accommodate the Hardwood industry
came to a general consensus that while budgets
have begun to tighten, there is a growing need for advances
in AI and automation technologies to meet the
demand that sawmills have with the changing work force.
One company leader noted, “The current trend in the
sawmill industry both in Hardwood and softwood mills is
to be as efficient as possible.”
Casey Miller
A.W. Stiles Contractors Inc.
McMinnville, TN
At A.W. Stiles we work with
both the Hardwood and softwood
industries.
We have noticed that
the Hardwood industry has
slowed down some as far as
needing repairs, while the
softwood industry seemed to
still need repairs and new builds on a regular basis.
I anticipate that in 2024 both industries will be tightening
their budgets even more.
By Cadance Hanson
Another company leader spoke to the concerns of the
supply chain and the time frame in which his company
is able to deliver equipment. “Lead times for delivery of
support parts have shot out to three months or more.
This obviously affects the uptime of a manufacturing operation.
So, we have added stock and advanced orders
to accommodate the problem,” he stated.
.
We offer new kilns for both Hardwood and softwood,
as well as kiln reskins, kiln repair, kiln parts and chief
prefabbed metal buildings.
We haven’t had any real issues with parts, or any issues
with transportation or labor. A lot of our customers
are struggling with labor.
In my opinion I believe that technology is making up
for very little of the shortage of labor in the sawmills. I
believe it will be hard pressed to replace the human eye
and still supply a good quality product. b
Kirk Forbes
Brunette Machinery Co. Inc.
Surrey, BC
We work with both Hardwood
and softwood lumber
companies. Our wood processing
machines can be
configured to handle various
materials, including Hardwood,
softwood and wastewood.
We saw an increase in capital sales in 2023. The first
half of 2024 looks likely to continue this trend. We expect
to see positive growth in the demand for size-reduction
machinery as the bioenergy/biomass sector advances.
While supply chain issues, transportation costs and
a diminishing labor force was challenging in 2023, the
impact of those concerns was lessened by diversifying
our transportation providers, widening our vendor pool,
increasing inventory and securing long term purchase
agreements.
With the global biomass power market continuing to
gain momentum, we expect to see a heightened interest
in products such as our Brunette BioSizer, SmartVIBE
and Whole Log Chipper as demand for wood pellets and
other biomass materials see an increase worldwide.
Products such as our Volumetric Optical Belt Scale
with Bluetooth handsets have given mills the power of
accurate data. This scanner has a 99.8 percent accuracy
reading, so mills will be able to definitively measure chips
and hog fuel for improved returns.
Advanced computer programming, software applications
and the increasing development of AI processes
that are aimed at automating and streamlining wood processing
plants are becoming more important in the industry
for maximizing profits and improving the execution
of maintenance work as well as minimizing the effects of
labor shortages.
We are exploring new ways of implementing modern
technology to complement our machinery such as AR
(augmented reality) software to provide real-time 3D assistance
in performing maintenance tasks and training.
Other innovative trends that are making inroads in the
industry in both Hardwood and softwood sectors are advances
in wireless PLC controls that remotely attach to
systems for remote monitoring, troubleshooting and upgrades.
Brunette Machinery specializes in wood processing
and material handling systems for the sawmill and biomass
industries. Our machines can be configured for
either Hardwood or softwood. Our experienced technicians
provide on-site service for our machines, and we
offer machine repairs in our facilities in Surrey, BC and
Prince George, BC.
As automation technology advances, the need for
some people onsite in sawmills and machine shops will
be reduced. With the implementation of AI and automated
systems, the industries’ labor requirements will see
a shift to workers who can complement this automation
including remote operators, IT personnel, as well as machinists,
advanced welders and other technicians who
can maintain facility machines. b
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