National Hardwood Magazine - February 2024
Get the latest news on the Hardwood industry in this month's issue of National Hardwood Magazine! This issue features stories on Dura Supreme Cabinetry's expansion, Stolzfus Forest Products, KopCoat and much more.
Get the latest news on the Hardwood industry in this month's issue of National Hardwood Magazine! This issue features stories on Dura Supreme Cabinetry's expansion, Stolzfus Forest Products, KopCoat and much more.
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 1
INDUSTRIES<br />
CONTROLS<br />
CLEEREMAN LUMBER COMPANY 1930’s CLEEREMAN INDUSTRIES 1955 CLEEREMAN CONTROLS 2019<br />
TODAY<br />
For optimal efficiency. . .<br />
knows what a sawmill needs:<br />
Now, TWO ENTITIES TO SERVE YOU BETTER!<br />
CLEEREMAN the newest name in sawmill controls and optimization<br />
CLEEREMAN The most trusted name in carriages<br />
n Over 1240 Carriages sold<br />
n Lowest cost of ownership<br />
n All parts in stock and reasonably priced<br />
n In-house engineering department<br />
n Everything from single piece equipment to<br />
turn-key mills<br />
n Simple easy to use touch<br />
screen with additional<br />
tactile buttons<br />
n Remote access for<br />
troubleshooting<br />
n No custom electrical<br />
hardware, all parts are<br />
off-the-shelf components<br />
n Industry JoeScan<br />
JS-50X6 Heads<br />
n 3D data used for<br />
opening the log and<br />
estimating the back of<br />
log profile<br />
n Realistic views of the log<br />
n Sure Grip Joystick<br />
handles<br />
n Operational statistics and<br />
reports<br />
n Over 170 systems sold<br />
Cleereman Industries<br />
and Cleereman Controls<br />
715-674-2700<br />
www.cleereman.com<br />
STEFAN DRACOBLY PAUL CLEEREMAN DAN TOOKE<br />
President Of<br />
VP Cleereman Senior Optimization<br />
Controls<br />
Industries & Controls & Controls Engineer<br />
2 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL SalesHARDWOOD MAGAZINE info@cleereman.com<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry
Contents<br />
<strong>National</strong> <strong>Hardwood</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> Volume 98 No. 1<br />
Features & Industry Events<br />
22<br />
24<br />
26<br />
28<br />
Dura Supreme Cabinetry Starts<br />
Production At Their Multi-Million<br />
Dollar Expansion<br />
Stoltzfus Forest Products: Doing It<br />
All From Timber Tract To Lumber<br />
Board<br />
KopCoat’s Reach Expands In The<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> Sector<br />
Lumber Shipping Companies Are<br />
Cautiously Optimistic As Traditional<br />
Trends Return<br />
Departments<br />
6 <strong>Hardwood</strong> Calendar<br />
8 U.S.A. Trends<br />
10 Canadian Trends<br />
12 Industry News<br />
14 HMA Update<br />
16 AHEC Report<br />
18 NWFA Review<br />
20 NHLA: Why Knot...<br />
54 In Memoriam<br />
72 Who’s Who<br />
30<br />
34<br />
SWHMC Meeting Attendees Share<br />
Insights About Market Conditions<br />
West Side <strong>Hardwood</strong> Club Enjoys<br />
Annual Holiday Lunch<br />
22<br />
78 Classified Profit<br />
Opportunities<br />
80 Advertisers Index<br />
About The Cover<br />
CUMMINGS LUMBER COMPANY, INC.<br />
Lee William Cummings moved to Troy,<br />
Pennsylvania in 1929 to found L.W. Cummings<br />
& Son Lumber Company. Because there was<br />
no electricity in Troy at that time, he built<br />
his mill close to a road and stream and used<br />
steam engines for power. Logs were skidded<br />
with horses and lumber was shipped on rail<br />
cars. Roy W. Cummings, Sr. joined his father<br />
in 1942. Roy W. Cummings Jr. joined his father<br />
in 1968 and they continued to expand the<br />
business under the name of Cummings Lumber Company, Inc. Today<br />
Scott Cummings the founder’s great grandson directs the company. The<br />
lumber company prospered through the years thanks to their undying<br />
commitment to provide customers with quality products and service. For<br />
four generations, that commitment to quality has become a Cummings<br />
family tradition.<br />
Cummings Lumber Company, Inc.<br />
Troy, PA<br />
570-297-4771<br />
CummingsLumber.com<br />
Founded in 1927 by: O.L. Miller – 1894-1963<br />
Publisher: Paul J. Miller – 1963-2010<br />
• Forest Products Export Directory • Imported Wood Purchasing Guide<br />
• Import/Export Wood Purchasing News • <strong>Hardwood</strong> Purchasing Handbook<br />
• Green Books’s <strong>Hardwood</strong> Marketing Directory<br />
• Green Books’s Softwood Marketing Directory<br />
• The Softwood Forest Products Buyer<br />
Terry Miller – President<br />
Paul J. Miller Jr. – Co-owner<br />
Zach Miller – Sales Executive<br />
Chris Fehr – Sales Executive<br />
Sue Putnam – Editor<br />
Cadance Hanson - Staff Writer<br />
Graham Sweeney - Staff Writer<br />
Dolores Buchanan - Who’s Who Coordinator<br />
Rachael Stokes – Graphic Artist<br />
Camille Campbell – Graphic Artist<br />
Tammy Daugherty – Production Manager<br />
Jennifer Trentman – Green Book Market Sales<br />
Lisa Carpenter – Circulation Manager<br />
Lexi Hardin – Subscription & List Services<br />
ADVERTISING OFFICES:<br />
5175 Elmore Rd., Suite 23, Memphis, TN 38134<br />
901-372-8280 FAX: 901-373-6180<br />
Reach us via the Internet at: www.nationalhardwoodmag.com<br />
E-mail addresses:<br />
ADVERTISING: tammy@millerwoodtradepub.com<br />
EDITORIAL: editor@millerwoodtradepub.com<br />
SUBSCRIPTIONS: circ@millerwoodtradepub.com<br />
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENTS:<br />
Chicago, Los Angeles, High Point, Grand Rapids, Portland, Toronto<br />
Controlled circulation postage paid at Memphis, TN<br />
(USPS #917-760)<br />
The NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE (ISSN 0194-0910) is published<br />
monthly, except for two issues in December, for $55.00 per year and<br />
$65.00 (U.S. dollars) per year for Canada by <strong>National</strong> <strong>Hardwood</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>, Inc.,<br />
5175 Elmore Rd., Suite 23, Memphis, TN 38134. Periodicals Postage paid at<br />
Memphis, TN, and at additional mailing offices.<br />
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to <strong>National</strong> <strong>Hardwood</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>,<br />
P.O. Box 34908, Memphis, TN 38184.<br />
Publications mail agreement No. 40739074.<br />
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:<br />
P.O. Box 503, RPO W. Beaver Cre., Rich-Hill, ON L4B 4R6.<br />
The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject editorial<br />
content and Ads at the staff’s discretion.<br />
Quit Your<br />
Pitching<br />
with our proven system<br />
Prevent resin and pitch buildup by reducing friction<br />
when applied with our Lube Master 1000 Spray<br />
System. Biolube offers formulations for all species.<br />
100% satisfaction guarantee!<br />
Installs on:<br />
• Head Rigs • Line Bars<br />
• Edgers • Pallet Saws<br />
• Gang Rips • Moulders<br />
• Finger Jointers<br />
New Customer Special:<br />
$100 shipping credit on a Lube Master Spray<br />
System. Expires 12-31-24. Mention code NH24.<br />
BIOLUBE<br />
The original innovator in saw lubrication.<br />
www.biolube1.com • 260-414-9633<br />
2 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 3
DO MORE<br />
WITH LESS<br />
eLIMBS | Agility | TallyExpress | Neural Grader<br />
Ease the pain of staffing shortages with inventory<br />
management solutions made for hardwoods. DMSi is<br />
your one software partner from timber to consumer.<br />
Watch the success story<br />
SCAN TO WATCH<br />
FRANK MILLER<br />
LUMBER CO<br />
SEE US AT IHLA<br />
BOOTH #511 & 610<br />
dmsi.com
HARDWOOD CALENDAR<br />
<strong>February</strong><br />
Indiana <strong>Hardwood</strong> Lumbermens Assoc., Convention,<br />
Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, Indianapolis, IN.<br />
www.ihla.org. Feb. 5-7<br />
Appalachian <strong>Hardwood</strong> Manufacturers Inc., Annual<br />
Meeting, The Hammock Beach Resort, Palm Coast, FL.<br />
www.appalachianhardwood.org. Feb. 21-25<br />
March<br />
Appalachian Lumbermen’s Club, The Hotel Roanoke,<br />
Roanoke, VA. www.lumberclub.org. March 12<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> Manufacturers Assoc., <strong>National</strong><br />
Conference and Expo, The Charleston Place,<br />
Charleston, SC. www.hmamembers.org.<br />
March 25-27 n<br />
NAHB IBS, Las Vegas Conv. Ctr., Las Vegas, NV.<br />
www.buildersshow.com. Feb. 27-29<br />
6 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
• Tigerton Lumber Co., providing<br />
quality hardwoods since 1887<br />
• 80-acre site; 95,000 sq. ft. under roof<br />
• 50,000 acres of our own forest lands<br />
in Wisconsin, USA<br />
• Sawing 18,400,000 board feet/year<br />
• 12 on-site KDS Kilns drying up to<br />
780,000 board feet/month<br />
• 1,500,000 board feet of inventory<br />
to meet your needs<br />
• We offer color, width & length sorts to<br />
your specifications behind our planer<br />
• Export prep capabilities<br />
Unparalleled in quality, rich consistent color and<br />
exceptionally tight grain make northern hardwoods the premier<br />
choice in wood flooring, kitchen cabinets, architectural millwork,<br />
moldings, door & stair parts.<br />
From the forests of northern Wisconsin and Michigan, where<br />
rich soil, cold winters and a short growing season combine<br />
to create the perfect atmosphere for producing hardwoods<br />
of unrivaled excellence and beauty … Tigerton Lumber brings<br />
you a full line of premium northern hardwoods.<br />
Available for export worldwide!<br />
Contact Mike Schulke today!<br />
715.535.2181<br />
mike@tigertonlumber.com<br />
www.tigertonlumber.com
U.S.A. TRENDS<br />
Supplier news about<br />
sales, labor, prices, trends,<br />
expansions and inventories<br />
LAKE STATES<br />
NORTHEAST<br />
SOUTHEAST<br />
WEST COAST<br />
While lumbermen in the Lake States continued to<br />
steadily “move wood” through the fourth quarter of 2023,<br />
they agreed that “something must change” in order to hit<br />
the ground running in <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
A Wisconsin source called the 2023 fourth quarter<br />
market “steady” but added that nothing is “booming.”<br />
“We are still moving most species except Aspen and<br />
Basswood,” he noted. “The prices are not what I’d like in<br />
most cases.”<br />
He said that White Oak sales are “great” and that there<br />
have been no issues procuring the sought after species.<br />
Noting that his best months for sales are traditionally<br />
January through March, he said that interest rates must<br />
be lowered to keep the trend intact.<br />
Specializing in 4/4 and 5/4 Red and White Oak, Hard<br />
and Soft Maple, Ash, Aspen and Basswood, the source<br />
Overall, lumber sources in the Northeast region said<br />
that their sales were better than they were six months<br />
ago.<br />
A lumberman in Maryland said that aside from White<br />
Oak remaining strong and with prices rising, he has noticed<br />
that Poplar and Red Oak have gotten harder to<br />
move. “Some species are easier to move and some are<br />
harder to move than they were six months ago, but all in<br />
all, I would say that we are doing better than we were six<br />
months ago,” he stated.<br />
He offers Red and White Oak and Poplar, as well as<br />
some Gum, Maple, Hickory and Beech in a variety of<br />
grades and in 5/4 thickness.<br />
He sells his upper grade lumber to distribution yards,<br />
while he sells his lower grade lumber to pallet, mat and<br />
crosstie manufacturers. “The distribution yards that I sell<br />
Please turn to page 53 Please turn to page 56<br />
Throughout the Southeast region lumber sources<br />
agreed that their markets are rather quiet, at the time of<br />
this writing. One source noted that while his sales are<br />
slow, he has started to receive more inquiries out of Asia<br />
than expected.<br />
In North Carolina, a sawmill representative said that<br />
his sales have been slower than they were six months<br />
ago aside from an uptick in inquiries from Asia. He noted<br />
that for his domestic sales it is most likely due to the time<br />
of year that has caused a slowdown.<br />
His company offers Red and White Oak and Poplar, in<br />
all NHLA grades and in thicknesses of 4/4 through 8/4.<br />
“White Oak is selling best for us right now,” he stated.<br />
He mentioned that White Oak is likely selling better due<br />
in part to the stave mills looking to buy lower grade logs<br />
which in turn affects the regular random width and random<br />
length markets.<br />
Please turn to page 57<br />
Lumbermen on the West Coast recently spoke with<br />
nervous intrigue regarding the first quarter of <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
At the time of this writing, three sources were slogging<br />
through a “sporadic” December that saw many lumber<br />
suppliers selling “order-to-order.”<br />
“Customers are concerned (with high interest rates)<br />
and everyone’s orders have slowed down,” said a Washington<br />
source with 35 years of experience in the business.<br />
“We have been in the black for the last 11 months.<br />
December could put us in the red.<br />
“The sales volume is off at least 50 percent from 2022<br />
in December,” he added. “So, this really stands out from<br />
previous years.”<br />
When asked what it would take to get business back<br />
on track, he said “home loans should be more affordable.”<br />
Please turn to page 58<br />
4/4 White Oak Rift/Quarter Sawn - 4/4 White Oak Plain Sawn - 4/4 Red Oak - 4/4 Poplar<br />
GTL Lumber, Inc.<br />
Ironton, OHIO 45638<br />
est. 2018<br />
Contact: Erin Cox<br />
740-250-4227<br />
erin@GTLlumber.com<br />
STOP WORRYING<br />
When you think Quarter Sawn, think GTL Lumber!<br />
Manufacturing premium quality creates structural integrity, sustainability and<br />
highlights the natural beauty of Quarter Sawn lumber.<br />
Choose GTL for your Appalachian Oak and Poplar! Give us a call today!<br />
8 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 9
ONTARIO<br />
CANADIAN TRENDS<br />
News from suppliers about prices, trends, sales and inventories<br />
In advance of the 2023 Holiday season and into New<br />
Year’s, sawmills sawed more lumber ahead of this period.<br />
Many secondary manufacturers took extended<br />
breaks during this time in most areas on both sides of<br />
the border. This resulted in lower demand for raw materials.<br />
In certain areas, obtaining logs and pricing were<br />
a challenge thus impacting output. As we move into a<br />
new year, facing uncertainty, volatility and complexities<br />
will be top of mind, as will be employee retention and<br />
recruitment for the <strong>Hardwood</strong> industry.<br />
Ash production was down in certain areas and green<br />
lumber had seen a contraction over the Holidays. Markets<br />
are reported to be absorbing developing supplies.<br />
Kiln-dried stocks are controlled, however, domestic and<br />
international customers are being adequately supplied.<br />
Most are purchasing for immediate needs.<br />
Supplies of Hard Maple were ample for most sec-<br />
QUEBEC<br />
Another year has begun and the <strong>Hardwood</strong> industry<br />
is busy, striving to improve efficiencies, boost margins,<br />
deal with supply chain shortages, rising interests rates,<br />
expand their sales while serving established customers<br />
and vying for new ones, all in the hopes of increasing<br />
profits. Contacts remain cautiously optimistic that business<br />
will improve this year as they face the new challenges<br />
before them through innovation and creativity.<br />
Ash sales have slowed and shipments to China are not<br />
increasing, stated contacts. Prices are in a downward<br />
trend. However, green Ash is moving to concentration<br />
yards. Basswood sales have deteriorated noted contacts.<br />
Secondary manufacturers have reduced their purchases<br />
of this species due to a slowdown in their business<br />
sector and also competition from other materials<br />
that are being used as alternates. Moulding producers<br />
Please turn to page 59 Please turn to page 60<br />
SMART RESAW<br />
FOR SUPERIOR<br />
PRODUCTS<br />
BID’S NEW RESAWEXPERT<br />
Introducing BID’s AI-powered linear ResawExpert with<br />
vision—where precision, efficiency, and innovation<br />
redefine hardwood processing.<br />
Our revolutionary technology intelligently maximizes yield<br />
and minimizes waste, ensuring every inch of your raw<br />
material is utilized efficiently.<br />
BID’s leading AI-powered optimization applied<br />
to resaw features:<br />
• Independent optimization and grading of all four faces<br />
of your product to maximize its value<br />
• Rotation validation scanner<br />
• Optimization by unit of clear wood, NHLA cutting grades<br />
or custom grades<br />
• Quick and easy installation on an existing line<br />
The new optimizer can be installed during ongoing operations<br />
and activated once tuning is completed!<br />
Contact us today to upgrade your wood processing capabilities!<br />
#MWC<strong>2024</strong><br />
450-435-2121 | info@bidgroup.ca | www.bidgroup.ca<br />
10 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry
INDUSTRY NEWS<br />
AN UPDATE COVERING THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT<br />
HARDWOOD SUPPLIERS/VENDORS<br />
MiCROTEC Appoints Ofer Heyman As<br />
New Corvallis CEO<br />
MiCROTEC, a global leader in innovative scanning<br />
solutions for the wood products industry, is pleased to<br />
announce the appointment of Ofer Heyman as its new<br />
Chief Executive Officer in Corvallis, OR. Heyman brings<br />
a wealth of experience and a background in the industry,<br />
making him a valuable addition to the MiCROTEC team.<br />
Prior to returning to MiCROTEC, Heyman served an<br />
impressive 17-year tenure at Lucidyne Technologies,<br />
acquired by MiCROTEC in 2020. Beginning as an image<br />
processing engineer in 1999, Heyman assumed<br />
project is one of nine projects in Oregon to receive grants<br />
totaling more than $4 million during FY 2023 through the<br />
forest service’s wood innovations and community wood<br />
grants programs. The programs’ primary purpose is to<br />
support local economies while directly contributing to im-<br />
Please turn to page 62<br />
Ofer Heyman<br />
roles like senior product and project<br />
manager, director of business development,<br />
and ultimately, director of<br />
operations from 2014 to 2016.<br />
Frank Jöst, MiCROTEC Group<br />
CEO, expressed his enthusiasm<br />
about Ofer’s return, “We are happy<br />
that we convinced Ofer to come<br />
back to Corvallis and support us as<br />
we continue the MiCROTEC vision<br />
for the North American Market.” Mi-<br />
CROTEC looks forward to leveraging<br />
Heyman’s leadership and industry<br />
experience to further strengthen<br />
its position as a pioneer in wood<br />
scanning solutions.<br />
MiCROTEC is a global technology<br />
partner for the wood processing<br />
industry, constantly developing new<br />
approaches and solutions to add<br />
value to the sawmilling and wood<br />
processing industry.<br />
For more information, visit www.<br />
microtec.us.<br />
Merrick <strong>Hardwood</strong>s<br />
Welcomes Chad Hinton<br />
Merrick <strong>Hardwood</strong>s located in<br />
Somerset, KY is pleased to introduce<br />
Chad Hinton as the <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
Flooring Sales Manager. Hinton is<br />
12 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 13<br />
Chad Hinton<br />
replacing Diana Gurley who recently<br />
retired after 35 years with the company.<br />
In his new role Hinton will<br />
oversee all of Merrick’s unfinished<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> flooring sales. Merrick<br />
produces unfinished solid flooring in<br />
both Red and White Oak, Hard Maple<br />
and Hickory.<br />
Hinton graduated from the University<br />
of Kentucky in 2011 with a bachelor’s<br />
degree in economics. Upon<br />
graduation Hinton entered the United<br />
States Air Force where he served his<br />
country for six years as an Airbourne<br />
Systems Engineer. He returned to<br />
Somerset, KY and worked for four<br />
years with a convenience store distribution<br />
company as the Equipment<br />
Service and Sales Manager.<br />
Hinton and his wife Sarah have<br />
one son. He is an avid golfer and<br />
plays as much as possible.<br />
For more information visit www.<br />
merrickgroup.com or call 606-561-<br />
4146.<br />
Patrick Lumber<br />
Manufacturing Adds<br />
Sawmill With U.S.<br />
Forest Service Grant<br />
Patrick Lumber Manufacturing<br />
(PLM) has begun work to add a<br />
sawmill at its manufacturing facility<br />
located in Philomath, OR. The mill is<br />
being funded in part by a $1 million<br />
Community Wood Grant provided by<br />
the USDA Forest Service. Patrick’s
HMA UPDATE<br />
Will We See You In Charleston?<br />
Our industry has<br />
stories to tell.<br />
HMA’s <strong>2024</strong> <strong>National</strong> Conference and<br />
Expo is just around the corner. And we<br />
hope we’ll see you at The Charleston<br />
Place in Charleston, SC, Monday–<br />
Wednesday, March 25–27. Remember,<br />
this HMA event is open to all <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
industry stakeholders — producers,<br />
processors, distributors, and suppliers.<br />
If you haven’t yet registered, take care<br />
of business today. Registration rates<br />
increase March 1.<br />
This year’s Conference theme is Pathways to<br />
Success and our slate of learning sessions is focused<br />
on helping you navigate your company’s future, adapting<br />
to our industry’s ever-evolving landscape, dealing with<br />
economic markets, and much more. There will also be<br />
a virtual tour of NWH’s facility in Longview, WA. Get a<br />
close-up look of their operations and see how sawmilling<br />
is done in the Pacific Northwest!<br />
You also won’t want to miss the sold-out Expo portion of<br />
the event to visit with industry suppliers, as well as learn<br />
about their new equipment and services. The Southern<br />
Cypress Manufacturers Association will also be holding<br />
its <strong>2024</strong> Annual Meeting during the Conference. So,<br />
there’s sure to be plenty of opportunities for networking<br />
and information exchange.<br />
All of the details can be found online at<br />
www.HMAmembers.org. Join us!<br />
Calling All Golfers<br />
Are you a golfer? Then we have some<br />
good news to share with you! HMA will host<br />
its second annual NatCon Golf Tournament<br />
on Monday, March 25, at the Patriots Point<br />
Links. Located on Charleston Harbor, the<br />
beautiful course is just 10 minutes from The<br />
Charleston Place and features sweeping views of Fort<br />
Sumter, Shem Creek, and the historic downtown skyline.<br />
Tee times begin at 8:30 am.<br />
The fee is $130 and that covers your round of golf and<br />
golf cart rental. Clubs can be rented from the clubhouse.<br />
Golfers are responsible for their own transportation.<br />
Register online at www.HMAmembers.org and consider<br />
adding on a sponsorship! Funds raised will be donated to<br />
the Real American <strong>Hardwood</strong> Coalition in support of their<br />
work promoting Real American <strong>Hardwood</strong> to consumers<br />
and the design build community!<br />
If you have any questions, reach out to golf organizer<br />
and TS Manufacturing sales representative Peter<br />
McCarty at PeterM@tsman.com.<br />
That’s all for now. Linda and I are looking forward to<br />
seeing you in Charleston! n<br />
We’re telling them.<br />
Contribute Now to Build Your World<br />
The Real American <strong>Hardwood</strong> Coalition has launched its Build Your World<br />
campaign in partnership with Magnolia Network. The ads are inspiring a national<br />
audience by educating them on the benefits of Real American <strong>Hardwood</strong>® products.<br />
BY IAN FAIGHT<br />
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER<br />
HARDWOOD MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION<br />
WARRENDALE, PA<br />
412-244-0440<br />
WWW.HMAMEMBERS.ORG<br />
The campaign was made possible thanks to voluntary contributions from the<br />
hardwood industry. Your continued support is critical to advance the initiative and<br />
reclaim market share for the benefit of all industry stakeholders.<br />
Help Build Your World. Learn more about the RAHC’s promotion efforts,<br />
see a list of supporters, and make a voluntary, tax-deductible contribution at<br />
RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry or scan the QR code.<br />
14 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 15<br />
Real American <strong>Hardwood</strong> is a registered trademark, and Build Your World is a trademark of the Real American <strong>Hardwood</strong> Coalition.
AHEC REPORT<br />
GET A KICK.<br />
AHEC And Disegno Launch Season 4<br />
Of Words On Wood Podcast<br />
The award-winning podcast Words on Wood is returning for its fourth season.<br />
This season delves even deeper into the<br />
world of wood, featuring unexpected and<br />
timely topics from across forestry, architecture<br />
and design, as well as the introduction<br />
of new, bite-sized ‘Making Shorts’, which<br />
shine a light on different production techniques<br />
for designing and building with timber.<br />
Photo By Petr Krečí<br />
Venturing into the world’s forests, sites of timber production,<br />
and design and architecture studios, the podcast<br />
examines how these industries intersect through material.<br />
Each episode is structured around interviews with<br />
leading architects, designers, educators, manufacturers,<br />
and forestry professionals who live amongst and care for<br />
trees on a day-to-day basis.<br />
The fourth season launches with an in-depth<br />
exploration of an often overlooked and misunderstood<br />
timber product: veneer. Featuring<br />
contemporary designers Jorge Penadés and<br />
Rio Kobayashi, as well as Cathy Lynn Danzer<br />
of timber manufacturer Danzer, the episode<br />
explores the design potential of this thinly<br />
sliced material and how a new generation of<br />
practitioners are pushing it in experimental<br />
and playful directions.<br />
Returning to the classroom, the season’s<br />
second episode explores what is missing<br />
in architectural education when it comes to<br />
wood. While timber is a common building<br />
material, each species offers different properties<br />
- are architects provided with sufficient information<br />
about these varied materials in their training? This episode<br />
brings together educators Kenn Busch, Hanif Kara<br />
and Izaskun Chinchilla Moreno to discuss how to develop<br />
more rigorous timber curriculums.<br />
Introducing Making Shorts<br />
Building on the success of previous seasons’ ‘Tree<br />
Shorts’, this season introduces a new series of ‘Making<br />
Shorts’. These bite-sized episodes zoom into production<br />
Please turn to page 74<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
CM<br />
MY<br />
CY<br />
CMY<br />
K<br />
Improving your bottom line is our goal line. That’s why we quote fairly and<br />
deliver hardwood to maximize quality and help minimize waste. We also offer<br />
mixed species and sizing with J.I.T. shipments to reduce inventory costs.<br />
And those are just two of our plays.<br />
CALL COLE TODAY. WE’RE ON YOUR TEAM.<br />
BY MICHAEL SNOW,<br />
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,<br />
AMERICAN HARDWOOD EXPORT COUNCIL,<br />
STERLING, VA<br />
703-435-2900<br />
WWW.AHEC.ORG<br />
HARDWOOD LUMBER FOR ALL YOUR HARDWOOD NEEDS<br />
Quotes: 800-536-3151 • Export: 574-753-3151 • colehardwood.com<br />
16 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry
NWFA REVIEW<br />
Moisture Content And Wood<br />
Many who work in the wood products<br />
industry know that trees are comprised<br />
mostly of water, more than 50 percent<br />
in some species. Because of this, it is<br />
important to understand moisture and<br />
how it affects the products our industry<br />
produces.<br />
Wood is a hygroscopic material, which means it can<br />
absorb or lose moisture. When wood absorbs moisture,<br />
it expands; when wood loses moisture, it shrinks.<br />
Moisture can exist in wood as liquid water or water<br />
vapor in the cell cavities of the wood. This is called<br />
free water. Moisture also can exist in wood as water<br />
chemically held within the cell walls. This is called bound<br />
water.<br />
The moisture content at which the cell walls are<br />
saturated completely, but no water exists in the cell<br />
cavities, is called the fiber saturation point (FSP). FSP<br />
usually is between 25 percent to 30 percent, depending<br />
on the species. Wood fibers are dimensionally stable<br />
when the moisture content is above the FSP. When<br />
below the FSP, all moisture gained or lost is bound water.<br />
As the wood gains or loses bound water, the dimension<br />
of the wood begins to change.<br />
Wood also is an anisotropic material, meaning it<br />
shrinks and swells differently in each<br />
direction. Wood shrinks and swells the<br />
most along the circumference of the<br />
growth rings (tangentially), about half as<br />
much perpendicular to the growth rings<br />
(radially), and only in miniscule amounts<br />
along the grain (longitudinally). The<br />
average range for shrinkage for most wood species from<br />
FSP to oven-dry is 5 percent to 15 percent tangentially, 2<br />
percent to 8 percent radially, and .1 percent to .2 percent<br />
longitudinally. In some species, juvenile wood from near<br />
the center of the tree, called pith, can shrink up to 2<br />
percent or more from FSP to oven-dry.<br />
The moisture content (MC) of wood is measured as<br />
the weight of the water in the wood expressed as a<br />
percentage of the weight of the wood itself. The weight<br />
of the wood is determined by drying the wood to a point<br />
where all of the moisture is removed. This is referred to<br />
as oven-dried.<br />
This MC affects other properties of the wood, such as<br />
its weight, shrinkage, and strength. In living trees, for<br />
example, the MC may be as high as 200 percent of the<br />
weight of the wood. When wood is harvested and milled,<br />
however, it is dried to a MC for its end use. This typically<br />
ranges from 6 percent to 9 percent.<br />
Please turn to page 76<br />
TRUSTED<br />
NATIONAL<br />
LEADER<br />
FULL BIOMASS WOOD<br />
BOILER SYSTEM<br />
Design, Fabrication and Installation – Hot Water and Steam<br />
• Lifetime Support of Equipment with Full-Service Team and Parts Division<br />
• Experts in All Aspects of Boiler Room Equipment – Combustion System, Boiler, Emissions<br />
Control Equipment, Controls, and Material Conveying Equipment<br />
• Installing throughout the US and Internationally<br />
BY BRETT MILLER,<br />
VICE PRESIDENT OF TECHNICAL<br />
STANDARDS, TRAINING & CERTIFICATION,<br />
NATIONAL WOOD FLOORING ASSOCIATION,<br />
CHESTERFIELD, MO 800-422-4556<br />
WWW.NWFA.ORG<br />
906-466-9010<br />
www.BurnChips.com sales@burnchips.com<br />
18 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 19
NHLA: Why Knot...<br />
Hire Your Replacement<br />
I interviewed some job candidates<br />
today, as NHLA is looking<br />
to hire a new office administrator.<br />
I asked each candidate “Where<br />
do you see yourself in 10 years?”<br />
I received the traditional answer,<br />
“working for you and learning<br />
new things.” What a bunch of bull, and I called them<br />
on it. Let’s be honest; no one grows up saying, “I want<br />
to work for the <strong>Hardwood</strong> industry.” Yes, there are a few<br />
exceptions. So, we settle for those who stumble into our<br />
industry. Once in a while, we pull someone away, but for<br />
the most part, we have been a male-dominated, closeknit<br />
group and allowed few outsiders to come in.<br />
That is not to complain about the talent in our industry.<br />
We are intelligent, hard-working go-getters, and many<br />
people in our industry have accomplished extraordinary<br />
things. Every day, I see the skills of the trade as lumber<br />
graders bring value to a board. I see mills in small rural<br />
towns shipping their wood across the world. I visited a<br />
mill this month that was started by a schoolteacher with<br />
a few thousand dollars, and it is now worth millions.<br />
I was impressed as the schoolteacher-turned-lumberman<br />
walked me through his plant and the smiles with<br />
which his staff greeted him. They were happy working<br />
there. That is a critical thing for any employee. They<br />
must be satisfied at work. If they<br />
are not, it is a lose-lose. They<br />
lose their motivation, and you<br />
lose their productivity and commitment.<br />
Before I was willing to<br />
interview the candidates, I told<br />
them about our industry and why<br />
we cut deciduous trees into <strong>Hardwood</strong> lumber. I asked<br />
them if they were okay with that and understood the benefits<br />
of using wood that I had just described to them. After<br />
asking them about themselves, I got into the heavy questions.<br />
When I called them out on the 10-year question<br />
and asked, “Where do you want to end up?” I got the real<br />
answers. Some were still in our industry, and some were<br />
not. But they were real dreams, and why would I encourage<br />
them to do anything else? I don’t mind NHLA being<br />
a steppingstone on their career path.<br />
If they are happy and working hard at NHLA and see<br />
the Association as a way to accomplish their dreams,<br />
they will be productive employees. When they leave,<br />
they will always say good things about NHLA; if they go<br />
on to other areas within our industry, they will advocate<br />
for us. If they leave our industry, they will be advocates<br />
for the forests and the importance of <strong>Hardwood</strong> products<br />
and infrastructure. That is what we need more people in<br />
our world to understand. So don’t be afraid to hire out-<br />
Please turn to page 77<br />
BY DALLIN BROOKS,<br />
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,<br />
NATIONAL HARDWOOD LUMBER ASSOCIATION,<br />
MEMPHIS, TN<br />
901-377-1082<br />
WWW.NHLA.COM<br />
20 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry
“Dura Supreme is focused on growth and despite some economic<br />
uncertainty in the broader market, demand for Dura Supreme cabinetry<br />
continues to grow...”<br />
-Tony Sugalski, CEO, Supreme Cabinetry Brands<br />
finishing, woodworking and machining skills. VP of Marketing,<br />
Karen Wistrom, said the North Carolina facility<br />
will enable Dura Supreme to meet growing demand with<br />
a regional manufacturing site, expanded manufacturing<br />
capacity, and advantageous delivery times. “Dura Supreme<br />
acquired the manufacturing assets of another<br />
cabinet manufacturer and that equipment and machinery,<br />
along with considerable additional investments, will<br />
be installed in Statesville at the company’s newest manufacturing<br />
location,” she explained.<br />
“Dura Supreme is focused on growth and despite<br />
some economic uncertainty in the broader market, demand<br />
for Dura Supreme cabinetry continues to grow,”<br />
said Tony Sugalski, CEO of Supreme Cabinetry Brands.<br />
“A second manufacturing facility enables us to continue<br />
meeting the ever-increasing demand for our premium,<br />
quality cabinetry and better serve our dealer partners.”<br />
The acquisition of Bertch Cabinet Manufacturing in<br />
2021 was part of the company’s expansion in the pre-<br />
Please turn to page 36<br />
This design concept features Dura Supreme’s Middleton door<br />
style in the Coriander stain on Cherry and our Curated Color,<br />
“Cyberspace”.<br />
Dura Supreme Cabinetry kitchen with the Reese Inset door style in the Dove paint paired with the Avery Inset door style in the Coriander<br />
stain on Quarter-Sawn White Oak and black metal accent doors.<br />
Dura Supreme Cabinetry<br />
Starts Production At Their<br />
Multi-Million Dollar Expansion<br />
Dura Supreme Cabinetry, headquartered in Howard<br />
Lake, MN, is experiencing remarkable growth. The<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> cabinet manufacturer offers semi-custom to<br />
custom cabinetry throughout the home. Included in the<br />
company’s product offerings are kitchen cabinets, islands,<br />
bathroom vanities, fireplace mantles, mudroom<br />
lockers, home office furniture, entertainment centers,<br />
and more. More than 1 million board feet of <strong>Hardwood</strong>s<br />
are purchased annually in Cherry, Maple, Red Oak,<br />
Quarter-sawn White Oak, Knotty Alder and Hickory (No.<br />
1 and 2 Common, Select and Better).<br />
With new manufacturing operations starting production<br />
in Statesville, NC, the company expects its new manufacturing<br />
site to create over 200 new jobs in the first<br />
few years including cabinet-making, furniture-making,<br />
By Michelle Keller<br />
With new manufacturing operations underway in Statesville, NC,<br />
the company expects its new manufacturing site to create over<br />
200 new jobs in the first few years including cabinet-making, furniture-making,<br />
finishing, woodworking and machining skills.<br />
A professional cabinet maker handcrafting a custom wood hood at the Dura Supreme factory in Howard Lake, MN.<br />
22 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 23
Stoltzfus Forest Products has a combined 24,000 square feet of dry lumber storage between their two yards.<br />
Stoltzfus Forest Products:<br />
Doing It All From Timber Tract To Lumber Board<br />
By Paul Miller Jr.<br />
Located in the small town of Peach Bottom, PA, Stoltzfus<br />
Forest Products was established in 1990 by Samuel<br />
Stoltzfus, father to Benuel Stoltzfus, who currently manages<br />
the business. This family-run sawmill has evolved<br />
from humble beginnings to become a thriving force in<br />
the <strong>Hardwood</strong> industry.<br />
The story began when Samuel, a dairy farmer with a<br />
fascination for sawmills, decided to delve deeper into<br />
this interest. During the quieter periods on the farm, he<br />
took a big step and acquired a small mill. At first, he ran<br />
the mill in tandem with the daily demands of dairy farming.<br />
Orders started coming in, thus, in 1990, Stoltzfus<br />
Forest Products was created.<br />
Since its modest beginnings, Stoltzfus Forest Products<br />
has undergone significant growth. In 2016, the company<br />
made a substantial move by purchasing a 10-acre property,<br />
to which they relocated their mill. Today, Stoltzfus<br />
Forest Products provides a range of <strong>Hardwood</strong>s, including<br />
Poplar, Red and White Oak, Walnut, Hickory, Soft<br />
Maple and Cherry. With an annual production capacity<br />
Located in the southeastern region of Pennsylvania, in Lancaster<br />
County, Stoltzfus Forest Products sources its logs from the surrounding<br />
areas.<br />
of 10.5 million board feet through the mill and 3.5 million<br />
board feet through the dry kilns, the company consistently<br />
delivers top-notch lumber to their customers. Their<br />
products include No. 2 Common and Better lumber,<br />
which accounts for approximately 70 percent of their<br />
output. The remaining 30 percent is dedicated to various<br />
specialty orders, such as railroad ties, pallet cants,<br />
industrial blocking, and mat timbers. They also handle<br />
special requests from local woodworkers and farmers in<br />
need of custom-cut pieces for projects like wagons. “We<br />
are drying the upper grades and selling the lower. We<br />
don’t dry much No. 2 Common at all. Walnut would be<br />
the only thing that we are drying in No. 2 Common. The<br />
other species in No. 2 Common are sold green,” Benuel<br />
added.<br />
While they used to<br />
work with Ash, it has seen<br />
a large decline in recent<br />
years. “I would say at<br />
this point we are 90 percent<br />
4/4, and the other<br />
10 percent is 5/4 to 16/4.<br />
When we put the kilns in<br />
two years ago it kind of<br />
changed the thicknesses we dry. We are heavier to 4/4<br />
to better accommodate our current markets, as well as<br />
quicken our production time since it goes through the<br />
kilns faster,” Benuel commented.<br />
Located in the southeastern region of Pennsylvania,<br />
in Lancaster County, Stoltzfus Forest Products sources<br />
its logs from the surrounding areas. “We will go up to<br />
120 miles for a nice piece of timber. It must be good<br />
quality and good timber to go that far. The majority are<br />
less than 50 miles. Lancaster county doesn’t have a<br />
whole lot of timber, so we don’t get a lot of timber out of<br />
our county. It’s more out of York County across the river<br />
to the west and Chester County to the east and then we<br />
get quite a bit of timber out of Maryland. I think we get<br />
more timber out of Maryland than we do Pennsylvania,”<br />
Benuel added.<br />
“We are able to control the quality<br />
from the standing tree the whole way<br />
to the local wood shop.”<br />
In terms of storage, the company utilizes around<br />
12,000 square feet of dry storage, although some of this<br />
space houses equipment. Additionally, they have approximately<br />
14,000 square feet of dry storage at another<br />
yard. Stoltzfus also uses Breeze Dried Sticks to prepare<br />
lumber stored on the yard. Looking ahead, they have<br />
plans to expand with two new buildings, a 12,000 square<br />
foot warehouse, and a 36,000 square foot production<br />
building, expected in 2025.<br />
Stoltzfus Forest Products boasts a diverse team of<br />
dedicated employees, many of whom come from the local<br />
Amish community, celebrated for their strong work<br />
ethic. The leadership team includes the general manager,<br />
Benuel Stoltzfus, as well as Samuel Stoltzfus,<br />
responsible for sawdust<br />
sales and truck loading.<br />
Abner and Henry, both of<br />
whom are Benuel’s brothers,<br />
play crucial roles in<br />
the company. Abner oversees<br />
the mulch operation<br />
and manages log procurement,<br />
including logging<br />
activities, while Henry<br />
serves as the mill maintenance supervisor and has<br />
prior experience on the Head Saw; he also manages<br />
parts inventory and oversees the filing room. Other valuable<br />
team members include Levi King, who manages<br />
dry storage and the processing of kiln-dried lumber, and<br />
Phillip Smith, responsible for kiln-dried lumber sales.<br />
Omar King holds the position of grading and lumber<br />
quality supervisor, ensuring high-quality standards in<br />
grading and yield processes. In addition to these crucial<br />
roles, Melvin, the youngest brother, contributes by loading<br />
and unloading kilns and serving as a sawyer. Amos<br />
Beiler, the log yard manager and production manager,<br />
oversees the two hour shift schedule, managing the logistics<br />
of both the mill and dry storage. His responsibilities<br />
include coordinating schedules, ensuring efficient<br />
operations and filling in for absent team members when<br />
– Benuel Stoltzfus, Stoltzfus Forest Products<br />
Please turn to page 42<br />
“We are drying the upper grades and selling the lower. We don’t dry much No. 2 Common at all. Walnut would be the only thing that<br />
we are drying in No. 2 Common. The other species in No. 2 Common are sold green,” said Benuel Stoltzfus.<br />
24 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 25
Protect your lumber in transit, resale, and during construction with KopCoat Protection Products.<br />
Take a hard stand on protecting your <strong>Hardwood</strong>s with KopCoat’s innovative chemical solutions.<br />
KopCoat’s Reach Expands<br />
In The <strong>Hardwood</strong> Sector<br />
KopCoat has been a behind the scenes supporter of<br />
the <strong>Hardwood</strong> industry for years. KopCoat’s preservative<br />
technologies and products have protected <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
lumber from sapstain, mold and metal staining<br />
for years but hasn’t been known as a brand name in<br />
that role. However, with the support of a new leadership<br />
team and the addition of new products, KopCoat<br />
is expanding their market share in the forest products<br />
industry and specifically the <strong>Hardwood</strong> sector.<br />
KopCoat has built a world class organization in raw<br />
material procurement, logistics, and research and development<br />
with the support of parent company RPM<br />
Industrial Coatings Group. RPM Industrial Coatings<br />
Group is home to eleven industry-leading brands, including<br />
KopCoat Protection Products. RPM Industrial<br />
Coatings Group is a division of RPM International Inc.,<br />
KopCoat sales and service specialist performing<br />
QC checks at a mill.<br />
a $7.3B global company with market- and industry-leading<br />
brands in specialty coating, sealants, building materials,<br />
and related services. This network creates advantages<br />
that benefit KopCoat’s customers and will help<br />
drive KopCoat’s emergence as a recognizable force in<br />
the wood preservation market within specific customer<br />
spaces like <strong>Hardwood</strong> lumber. KopCoat’s research and<br />
development laboratory resides in their Pittsburgh, PA<br />
headquarters. Their facility incorporates a mycology lab<br />
for identifying organism infections in wood, testing labs<br />
for flood, dip and spray treatments, as well as a pressure<br />
treating cylinder for pressure vacuum testing. KopCoat’s<br />
R&D facilities and personnel have established and support<br />
over 100 patents in wood preservation technology.<br />
KopCoat also operates a manufacturing company, TDS<br />
Manufacturing, that designs, builds, programs and supports<br />
wood preservative application systems. TDS has years of experience<br />
building dip tanks, linear and transverse spray boxes and automated<br />
chemical mixing rooms. The ability to develop and test new<br />
technology and offer equipment support is invaluable for the service that<br />
dominates KopCoat’s approach to the market.<br />
Totally Outrageous Service is KopCoat’s tagline for the customer first<br />
approach that emanates throughout the organization. KopCoat’s R&D<br />
lab is directly tied to each customer through a sales and service specialist<br />
that facilitates communication between the customer’s field application<br />
and testing in the lab setting. Communication is key for KopCoat’s<br />
customer support mechanism as <strong>National</strong> Business Development Manager<br />
Josiah Wilfong describes, “Our sales and service representatives<br />
interact regularly with customers using our products and become defacto<br />
employees for our customers supporting the wood preservation<br />
aspect of their business.” KopCoat’s customer service approach was<br />
established to earn business as KopCoat developed market share early<br />
in it’s 40 year existence. Sustaining the customer first approach, however,<br />
has required commitment that Director of Business Development Bo<br />
Hammond explains this way, “customer service is what has allowed us<br />
to build our business since it’s inception and we are sticking with it when<br />
our competitors are giving up on it because of the cost. We believe<br />
that a long term customer service approach will produce the business<br />
longevity that will prove our model of customer first works in the market<br />
Please turn to page 45<br />
26 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 27
Stephen A. Zambo<br />
The AGL Group<br />
Jacksonville, FL<br />
Lumber Shipping Companies<br />
Are Cautiously Optimistic As<br />
Traditional Trends Return<br />
Lumber shipping companies saw that their trends year over<br />
year have begun to revert back to how traditional markets have<br />
been in the past, but they hold a cautious optimism as geopolitical<br />
factors can easily affect the supply chain strategies. One<br />
shipper noted, “We slowly saw the industry normalize over the<br />
last 12 months and it is back to pre-pandemic levels. I do not<br />
foresee any substantial increases in our export shipments over<br />
the next 12 months.”<br />
Despite seeing their markets slowly return to the traditional<br />
trends, a lumber shipper remarked, “Asking me to predict<br />
shipping volumes in the first quarter of <strong>2024</strong> is akin to throwing<br />
spaghetti at the wall and seeing ‘what sticks.’”<br />
A shipper stated, “The only constant across all industries is<br />
that margins are being squeezed. Going into the New Year, we<br />
can all be hopeful that the economy starts to pick back up, but<br />
I am not sure that is what we will see.”<br />
2023 was a very interesting year. There are trends<br />
within the marketplace that we see year over year, decade<br />
over decade. The trends may have some variability,<br />
think COVID, but outside of that, trends have remained<br />
relatively spot on over the long term. In 2023,<br />
we saw the first quarter buck normal export trends. We<br />
typically see a slow January and <strong>February</strong> with freight<br />
picking up in March. This past year we saw a very strong<br />
first and second quarter. Export volumes took a large hit<br />
from June all the way through about October in 2023.<br />
That is more in line with how traditional markets have<br />
been in the past.<br />
In 2023, the supply chain issues were nothing in<br />
comparison to 2021 and 2022. 2023 has been stable.<br />
Trucking availability has been a non-issue and steamship<br />
lines on most lanes have availability. Of course,<br />
this fluctuates from time to time, but rarely is a booking<br />
more than two weeks out as it stands. One item to<br />
keep an eye on is a potential strike on the East Coast<br />
sometime in <strong>2024</strong>. After negotiating record deals on the<br />
West Coast, the union on the East Coast is saying that<br />
it will hold firm by striking in <strong>2024</strong> if there is not a new<br />
deal negotiated. That would be a very large issue for the<br />
forest products industry as 80 percent of <strong>Hardwood</strong> exports<br />
are routed via the East Coast. Until there is more<br />
concrete information and the date of strike approaches,<br />
this is something to monitor.<br />
A very important topic no one talks about when looking<br />
forward at freight rates is the amount of steamship line<br />
capacity coming onto the market in the next 18 months.<br />
On average there are about 375,000 containers worth of<br />
new space entering the market annually. In <strong>2024</strong> alone<br />
there is north of 1,200,000 containers worth of new ship<br />
builds coming online. Unit economics lead us to the obvious<br />
conclusion of continued cheap freight rates. More<br />
space with the same demand equals low freight rates.<br />
More space with less demand equals low freight rates. I<br />
am confused as to what the steamship line carriers are<br />
doing from a unit economics standpoint.<br />
At the end of 2023, we were back to enjoying historically<br />
low freight rate levels. The rates have no where<br />
to go but up. I do not believe we will see large increases,<br />
10-15 percent over the course of <strong>2024</strong> on the ocean<br />
carrier side. Trucking companies on the other hand are<br />
having a very challenging time. There is less freight both<br />
on the export and import side, with more trucking capacity<br />
leading to reduced trucking rates over the last six<br />
months. I believe you will see some companies reduce<br />
fleet size, close their doors or start to increase prices.<br />
They do not have an option.<br />
Containers are readily available at the ports and are<br />
not readily available at some inland locations. I expect<br />
this trend to remain as it typically does. The cost of containers<br />
are stable for now, and may increase over the<br />
next year or so by about 10-15 percent.<br />
Shipping volumes in the fourth quarter were higher<br />
than what we forecasted based off of the second quarter<br />
and the third quarter. Economists and banks are calling<br />
for around 2 percent global growth in <strong>2024</strong>. If that<br />
actually happens, we will see modest gains in export<br />
volumes, however, I am not so certain that we will actually<br />
see 2 percent growth. Asking me to predict shipping<br />
volumes in the first quarter of <strong>2024</strong> is akin to throwing<br />
spaghetti at the wall and seeing “what sticks.”<br />
Where the economy goes is anyone’s guess. We are<br />
heading into an election year with much uncertainty.<br />
There are currently multiple wars globally, interest rates<br />
have been elevated compared to the last decade and inflation<br />
has been a major issue. The only constant across<br />
all industries is that margins are being squeezed. Going<br />
into the New Year, we can all be hopeful that the economy<br />
starts to pick back up, but I am not sure that is what<br />
we will see. J<br />
Please turn to page 49<br />
28 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 29
SWHMC Meeting Attendees Share<br />
Insights About Market Conditions<br />
Photos By Terry Miller<br />
The Southwestern <strong>Hardwood</strong> Manufacturers Club<br />
(SWHMC) Christmas meeting at The Grand Hotel, Point<br />
Clear, AL, was reported as a great meeting despite seasonal<br />
rainfall. Attendance was good. The roundtable<br />
discussion was informative as well. Generally, attendees<br />
reported that sales are down overall and log supplies<br />
are really good for the most part. Cross tie and<br />
switch tie production is still the primary focus right now<br />
with a hope that there will be greater demand for grade<br />
lumber soon.<br />
As a reminder, SWHMC annual dues renew in January<br />
and will remain at $1,000 per year. If you need<br />
an invoice for your dues, please let SWHMC know.<br />
SWHMC’s website was due to be updated by the time<br />
this issue of <strong>National</strong> <strong>Hardwood</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> was published,<br />
so attendees could make dues payments via<br />
credit card on the website.<br />
SWHMC leadership is also working on a meeting<br />
possibly at Mississippi State University in Starkville and<br />
announced that they will get info out on that meeting as<br />
soon as the plans can be completed.<br />
To follow are comments from the Christmas meeting<br />
discussion:<br />
Mill and Lumber Market Information:<br />
Robinson Lumber Co.:<br />
Asian sales are down and Europe is in a recession.<br />
Domestic sales are comparatively good with high end,<br />
wide flooring moving well. Low end narrow flooring is<br />
very slow. Anticipating an erratic lumber market ahead<br />
during the election year, Wesley Robinson is in the process<br />
of implementing a “Wood Is Good” promotion featuring<br />
pictures and videos of <strong>Hardwood</strong> lumber and projects<br />
as well as interviews with lumber industry leaders.<br />
This is in the developmental stage and you will probably<br />
begin to see some of Wesley’s work in future months.<br />
Buchanan <strong>Hardwood</strong>s:<br />
Due to the weather, we have too many logs. Due to<br />
the market, too much lumber inventory and too much<br />
flooring inventory. Residuals are fast becoming a problem.<br />
We need relief!<br />
Netterville Lumber:<br />
Sawing a lot of ties! Also have about 4 million feet<br />
of Cypress and Ash logs because it has been so dry.<br />
Swamps are dry, making logging them too easy! All the<br />
lowland species are plentiful!! Sawing a lot of 8/4 Ash.<br />
All-Star Forest Products:<br />
Diversification is helping us. Millwork business is slowing<br />
but margins are really good. Lumber and plywood<br />
seem to have slowed down, but still there’s some activity.<br />
The election is going to have an impact for sure.<br />
Board road into Canada has picked up some, but domestic<br />
has slowed down. It’s still moving some, but not<br />
at the volumes we have seen earlier in the year. Frame<br />
stock has slowed down considerably and still not much<br />
demand for Oak frame. There is still demand for specialty<br />
products. The Cypress market is really good right now<br />
with upward pushes on prices.<br />
Rutland Lumber:<br />
Sawmill has plenty of logs and the mill is running good.<br />
Joey Childs and Leslie Rutland, Rutland Lumber Company, Collins,<br />
MS; Robyn Birdsong, Kitchens Lumber Company, Utica,<br />
MS; Scott Wesberry, Fred Netterville Lumber Company, Woodville,<br />
MS; and Tyler Walley, Rutland Lumber Company<br />
Jay Hanna, Woodus K. Humphrey, Shreveport, LA; Rick Hanna<br />
(retired), Hanna Manufacturing Company, Winnfield, LA; and<br />
Kevin Lammons, All Star Forest Products, Nashville, TN<br />
Craig Bilberry, Barefoot Lumber, Florence, MS; Bill Price, All Star<br />
Forest Products, Jackson, MS; and Bubba Lammons, All Star<br />
Forest Products, Fairhope, AL<br />
Bill Buchanan and Cheryl Buchanan, Buchanan Lumber and<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> Flooring, Aliceville, AL; Kellye Miller, <strong>National</strong> <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
<strong>Magazine</strong>, Memphis, TN; and Werner and Wesley Robinson,<br />
Robinson Lumber Company, New Orleans, LA<br />
Please turn to page 32<br />
NORTHERN & APPALACHIAN HARDWOODS<br />
Wesley Robinson, Robinson Lumber Company, New Orleans, LA,<br />
and family with The Grinch. Wills Robinson, Charlie Robinson<br />
and Werner Robinson<br />
Rubin Shmulsky, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS;<br />
Wesley Robinson, and Toto Robinson, Robinson Lumber Company,<br />
New Orleans, LA; and Chad Smith, USNR, Hot Springs, AR<br />
[ WWW.SIMONLUSSIER.COM ]<br />
MARIO LUSSIER - General Manager mlussier@simonlussier.com<br />
450.435.6591 - 16 BOUL. DE LA SEIGNEURIE EST, BLAINVILLE, QC CANADA J7C 3V5<br />
30 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 31
SWHMC Continued from page 30<br />
Export sales and domestic sales have slowed down. Labor<br />
is still a problem. Mats have slowed down.<br />
Deepwell Energy and Forestry:<br />
Mats are slow. We’re struggling to move Gum and<br />
Poplar. The markets are just not taking much at the moment.<br />
Marietta Wood Supply:<br />
We have been running four mills with 10-12 weeks<br />
of logs on hand. Three mills are on ties and two are on<br />
Poplar. We are still building on the new mill and hope to<br />
get it finished soon.<br />
Kitchens Lumber Co.:<br />
Plenty of logs! Still dealing with labor problems and<br />
no one wants to work.<br />
Barefoot Lumber Co.:<br />
Pallet and crating production is down. Business is<br />
down overall but is okay. The industry is going through<br />
changes.<br />
Koppers Co.:<br />
Demand for ties and switch ties for <strong>2024</strong> will remain the<br />
same since the demand is for regular maintenance that<br />
goes on each year. Prices have been stable for 2023,<br />
with prices being flat right now. The holiday schedule<br />
will slow inbound ties to treating plants which will have a<br />
negative effect on mills. Regular production is expected<br />
after January 1.<br />
Somerville Tie:<br />
2023 was good for Somerville and expectations for the<br />
same in <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Other Information:<br />
Mississippi State University:<br />
MSU is working on Crane Mat Standards based on<br />
NELMA Rules. This will be a process to establish and to<br />
implement since there are so many differing ideas and<br />
opinions in the matting industry. Presently there are not<br />
many guidelines and practically no means of enforcement<br />
of any traditional standards.<br />
USNR:<br />
This company has new innovations coming to optimize<br />
production and increase efficiency in the sawmill<br />
and remanufacture industries. Auto-graders have made<br />
a lot of headway and are beginning to make a difference<br />
for some of the first mills who have installed them. Also<br />
saw management and optimization technology is lengthening<br />
the life of both band and circle saws. We are trying<br />
to arrange a presentation of some of the technology for<br />
the Crawfish Boil in April. Watch for more info on this to<br />
come.<br />
Pierce Construction:<br />
It seems that mills producing industrial products are<br />
doing better than grade mills right now in Appalachia<br />
Bill and Rhema Behan, Koppers Inc., St. Louis, MO; Jason Bunch,<br />
Deepwell Forest Products, Waynesboro, MS; Kellye and Terry<br />
Miller, <strong>National</strong> <strong>Hardwood</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>, Memphis, TN; and Keith<br />
Price, Corley Manufacturing Company, Chattanooga, TN<br />
and the South. Sawmill construction and remodeling is<br />
still good and Pierce is still booked out 24-36 months.<br />
There are a lot more mills looking at diversification of<br />
their production capabilities.<br />
Corley Mfg.:<br />
Still busy and booked out 24 months on steel. Controls<br />
are out 6 months or so. Still a lot of interest in making<br />
mills more efficient. n<br />
Learn more at www.swhmc.com.<br />
Carolers added to the festive Yuletide mood at the Christmas<br />
meeting of SWHMC.<br />
is Pleased to Introduce<br />
Sawmill Machinery<br />
Heavy Duty Thin Kerf<br />
Horizontal & Vertical<br />
Sawmill Systems<br />
Horizontal Carriage Sawmills<br />
Slant Carriage Sawmills<br />
COMPLETE SAWMILL SYSTEMS | HORIZONTAL & VERTICAL BAND MILLS<br />
BOARD EDGERS & GANG EDGERS | DEBARKING LINES | SAW SHOP EQUIPMENT<br />
Scott Thompson - East Coast<br />
(731) 217-6447<br />
sthompson@baileysonline.com<br />
Jim Hass - West Coast<br />
(530) 908-2466<br />
jhaas@baileysonline.com<br />
Factory Location<br />
Stranice, Slovenia<br />
wravor@wravor.sl<br />
baileysonline.com / 1222 Commerce Ave Ste D Woodland, CA 95776<br />
32 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 33
West Side <strong>Hardwood</strong> Club Enjoys<br />
Annual Holiday Lunch<br />
Photos By Paul Miller Jr.<br />
Hugg & Hall sponsored the recent annual December/<br />
Christmas meeting of the West Side <strong>Hardwood</strong> Club.<br />
It was held at YaYa’s in Little Rock, AR, with a social<br />
hour followed by lunch.<br />
Steve Bryan is the president of the West Side <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
Club and David Brazeale is secretary.<br />
West Side <strong>Hardwood</strong> Club is situated in Sparkman,<br />
AR.<br />
You can reach them at 870-678-2317. n<br />
David Brazeale, Brazeale Lumber, Sparkman, AR; Dan Sills and Nick Robinson, Hugg & Hall, El Dorado, AR; and Les Steen, Les Steen<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong>s, North Little Rock, AR<br />
Ronnie Fowler, Anthony Oak Flooring, Benton, AR; Denise Brazeale, Brazeale Lumber, Sparkman, AR; Rose Mary<br />
Cummings and David Engelkes, Maxwell <strong>Hardwood</strong> Flooring, Monticello, AR; and Jennifer Robinson, Hugg & Hall,<br />
Little Rock, AR<br />
Keith Price, Corley Manufacturing, Chattanooga, TN; Barry Bareker,<br />
Hugg & Hall, El Dorado, AR; Ronnie Fowler, Anthony Oak<br />
Flooring, Benton, AR; and Derek Douthit, Douthit Lumber, Camden,<br />
AR<br />
Paul Miller Jr., <strong>National</strong> <strong>Hardwood</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>, Memphis, TN; Brian<br />
Davis, Davis Forestry, Little Rock, AR; and Derek Douthit, Douthit<br />
Lumber, Camden, AR<br />
Funding<br />
For your neck of the woods<br />
Finding financial solutions built for the hardwood<br />
industry shouldn’t be difficult. That’s why we offer<br />
lending solutions that are a little closer to home. Farm<br />
Credit Mid-America understands the unique financial<br />
needs of forest products businesses and offers lending<br />
solutions built around your business’s goals.<br />
Loans subject to credit approval. Additional terms and conditions may apply.<br />
Farm Credit Mid-America is an equal opportunity lender.<br />
Let’s<br />
Connect.<br />
Visit<br />
FCMA.COM/<br />
FOREST-Products<br />
to get started.<br />
JS-50 WX SCAN<br />
HEAD<br />
SIMPLY<br />
BETTER<br />
34 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 35
DURA SUPREME CABINETRY Continued from page 23<br />
More than 1 million board feet of <strong>Hardwood</strong>s are purchased annually by Dura Supreme,<br />
located in Howard Lake, MN, in Cherry, Maple, Red Oak, Quarter-sawn White<br />
Oak, Knotty Alder and Hickory.<br />
mium, semi-custom cabinetry market. Dura Supreme is owned by GHK<br />
Capital Partners LP (GHK), a Greenwich, CT-based private equity firm<br />
that strategically partners with well-performing companies that have<br />
exceptional growth potential. The acquisition of Bertch Cabinet Manufacturing<br />
brought together two highly<br />
regarded companies with well-known<br />
brands in the premium kitchen cabinetry<br />
and premium bath cabinetry market.<br />
With over 100 years of combined history<br />
and experience, Dura Supreme and<br />
Bertch brands are uniquely positioned<br />
to provide an advantageous mix of products<br />
to their dealer partners and build on<br />
strong operating platforms to accelerate<br />
growth in new markets across the U.S.<br />
“We’re excited about the potential our<br />
business partnership with Bertch creates,”<br />
Sugalski said. “With our expanded<br />
portfolio of premium cabinetry brands<br />
in kitchen and bath markets, our ability<br />
to meet our customers’ needs and grow<br />
in this segment is expanded. The combination<br />
of companies creates a unique<br />
product mix that we believe will create<br />
advantages for our dealers and customers<br />
across the USA.”<br />
“We are extremely pleased to be partnered<br />
with the Bertch team to build upon<br />
the company’s highly regarded cabinet<br />
brands and the 40-year heritage serving<br />
designers and homeowners with premium<br />
kitchen and bath cabinetry,” said<br />
Managing Partner of GHK, Gil Klemann.<br />
Wood cabinets from Dura Supreme are<br />
certified under the Environmental Stewardship<br />
Program (ESP) administered by<br />
the independent Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers<br />
Association (KCMA). Designed<br />
to encourage industry policies and practices<br />
that benefit both the environment<br />
and the well-being of society, this program<br />
provides companies with tangible<br />
ways to support sustainability. “We<br />
achieved certification by demonstrating<br />
our commitment to sound environmental<br />
management and sustainable practices,”<br />
Wistrom explained. “The ESP seal<br />
lets homeowners, designers, builders<br />
and architects know they are supporting<br />
sustainability when they buy or specify<br />
Dura Supreme Cabinetry. In addition to<br />
sourcing the majority of their <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
Wood cabinets from Dura Supreme are certified under the Environmental Stewardship<br />
Program (ESP) administered by the independent Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers<br />
Association (KCMA).<br />
from domestic forests, Dura Supreme also utilizes sustainable practices<br />
throughout all aspects of the manufacturing process.<br />
This operation also has an eye on waste and recycling. “Our comput-<br />
Please turn the page<br />
Purposely designed and built to perform, Nicholson ring debarkers<br />
can be found in wood processing facilities around the world.<br />
Nicholson ring debarkers reliably provide<br />
optimal debarking with minimal fiber loss.<br />
A variety of options provides solutions<br />
to all types of log diet and debarking<br />
conditions.<br />
Upgrade packages allow older models<br />
to take advantage of improvements<br />
introduced on newer designs.<br />
Providing value for our<br />
customers is at the core of<br />
Nicholson’s business principles.<br />
When you purchase a Nicholson<br />
debarker you get more than a<br />
machine – you get the resources of<br />
the entire Nicholson organization.<br />
+1 250 656 3131 debarking.com forestsales@nicholsonmfg.com<br />
36 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 37
DURA SUPREME CABINETRY Continued<br />
Steve Anderson, Dura Supreme’s Facilities Technician, is congratulated<br />
on his 50 years by the company’s CEO, Tony Sugalski.<br />
erized cutting equipment improves the yield from our raw<br />
materials and significantly reduces waste,” Wistrom commented.<br />
“Our panel material meets stringent California Air<br />
Resource Board (CARB) emissions standards for formaldehyde,<br />
and is considered an Environmentally Preferable<br />
Product (EPP).”<br />
Dura Supreme Cabinetry also recently celebrated their<br />
Facilities Technician, Steve Anderson’s 50th anniversary<br />
at the company, a rare milestone in today’s workforce. Senior<br />
Design and Marketing Specialist Mandi Juskiewicz<br />
said, “At Dura Supreme, it’s not so rare to have long-tenured<br />
employees with incredible milestones of 20, 30 or<br />
even 40 years. But with 50 years, Steve Anderson holds<br />
the tenure record as Dura Supreme’s longest-term employee.”<br />
Anderson’s first day at Dura Supreme was March 27,<br />
1973. During the first two years, Anderson worked in both<br />
frames and cabinet assembly as well as other various departments<br />
crafting cabinetry. In 1975 he found his calling<br />
in maintenance and facility management and has worked<br />
his way up the ranks in this department for the past 48<br />
years and counting. The total employment at Dura Supreme<br />
back in 1973 was 75 employees compared to<br />
today, the company has roughly 500. At the time, the<br />
factory was operating in a much smaller facility in Cokato,<br />
MN. The company was rapidly growing and beginning<br />
to outgrow its space.<br />
From 1979 -1980, Dura Supreme Cabinetry began<br />
the construction of a new manufacturing facility and offices<br />
in Howard Lake, MN. With Anderson’s position in<br />
facility management, he played a major role throughout<br />
the planning and coordination of the new factory and<br />
headquarters that Dura Supreme still operates today.<br />
Anderson celebrated his retirement after 50 years and 6<br />
months in September of this year.<br />
Supreme Cabinetry Brands produces kitchen and bath<br />
cabinetry for dealers across the USA with manufacturing<br />
locations in Minnesota (Dura Supreme Cabinetry),<br />
Iowa (Bertch Cabinetry) and now North Carolina. The<br />
company is one of the largest cabinet makers in North<br />
America and this expansion for its Dura Supreme brand<br />
continues that growth trajectory. Dura Supreme is ESP<br />
certified by the KCMA. n<br />
For more information visit<br />
www.durasupreme.com.<br />
SCANNING<br />
E<br />
A<br />
G<br />
L<br />
E<br />
Scanning for:<br />
Ripping, Crosscut,<br />
Optimizing & Grade<br />
YOUR SINGLE SOURCE<br />
SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR<br />
FOR ALL OF YOUR SOLID<br />
WOOD PROCESSING<br />
Industries We Serve:<br />
• Flooring (Solid, Engineered, Trailer)<br />
• Furniture • Custom Millwork<br />
• Cabinetry • Mouldings<br />
• Doors • Windows<br />
• Stair Parts<br />
P<br />
A<br />
R<br />
T<br />
N<br />
E<br />
R<br />
S<br />
PLANING<br />
The Patented<br />
Self-Centering Planer<br />
18”, 24”, 32” input<br />
Located in Sugarcreek, Ohio<br />
www.eaglemachines.com<br />
422 Dutch Valley Dr. NE 44681<br />
Call us at (330) 852-1300<br />
CROSSCUTTING<br />
Talon 1000, 2000 &<br />
3000 Crosscut Saws<br />
RIPPING<br />
Straitline Moveable<br />
Arbor Ripsaw<br />
SCANNING + CUTTING<br />
EagleEye TalonVision Saw<br />
The Ultimate Solution<br />
for Wood Flooring<br />
Industry Leading<br />
Speed & Accuracy<br />
Glue Line Ripping<br />
Also: Fixed Arbor<br />
W11143 Cty Hwy G • P.O. Box 160 • Antigo, WI 54409 • EMAIL kretz@kretzlumber.com<br />
TOLL-FREE (800) 352-1438 • FAX (715) 627-4399 • www.kretzlumber.com<br />
INTERNATIONAL PHONE 00 + 1 + 715 + 6235410 • INTERNATIONAL FAX 00 + 1 + 715 + 6274399<br />
38 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 39
Boost Efficiency and Profits<br />
<br />
High-Efficiency Heat Pumps<br />
• Precision Control<br />
• Reduced Emissions<br />
• Minimizes Energy Use For<br />
Affordable Lumber Drying<br />
Heat Recovery Vents<br />
• Saves Up To 80% Of Lost Heat<br />
• Consistent Drying<br />
• Ensures Your Kiln Runs At<br />
Peak Efficiency<br />
NDKR Kiln Controls<br />
• Enhanced Sensor Technology<br />
• Flexible Control Modes<br />
(800) 777-6953<br />
kilnsales@nyle.com<br />
www.nyledrykilns.com<br />
Heartland <strong>Hardwood</strong>s<br />
Effingham IL<br />
• Can Be Retrofitted To Any Kiln<br />
Regardless of Manufacturer.
STOLTZFUS FOREST PRODUCTS Continued from page 25<br />
Stoltzfus Forest Products’ mill is located on a 10-acre property that has a production<br />
capacity of 10.5 million board feet through the mill and 3.5 million board feet<br />
through the dry kilns.<br />
necessary. Jane Morrissiey is responsible for overseeing accounting and<br />
the office.<br />
The company uses an effective method of cross training its employees.<br />
As Benuel Stoltzfus, the general manager, explains, “We break the eighthour<br />
day into four two-hour shifts, ensuring that our team members rotate<br />
through different positions regularly. Every two hours, they transition to a<br />
new role, from head sawyers to re-sawyers and more. It’s a system that<br />
keeps everyone on their toes and makes for a well-rounded team.”<br />
Stoltzfus Forest Products is equipped<br />
with an impressive array of machinery<br />
and equipment to support their lumber<br />
manufacturing operations. Their arsenal<br />
includes the Mellott Mfg. Rosser Head<br />
with butt reducer, a Nicholson Ring debarker,<br />
a Hurdle Linear Carriage with<br />
Lewis Controls, a TS Manufacturing Band<br />
Head Rig, a Hurdle Resaw, Pendu Edger,<br />
and a Pendu trimmer. They’ve also<br />
invested in a Mellott Mfg. grading station,<br />
further enhancing their quality control<br />
processes. In addition to these, they<br />
rely on John Deere wheel loaders and<br />
Taylor forklifts, along with Rotochopper<br />
grinders for their mulch yard operations.<br />
The company boasts three SII Dry Kilns,<br />
comprising two 40,000-foot kilns and one<br />
50,000-foot kiln. Notably, they utilize a<br />
Newman Planer for plaining needs and<br />
a Gillingham-Best Lumber Stacking System.<br />
Much of their log and lumber handling<br />
equipment is from Mellott Mfg., including<br />
the tilt hoist and conveyors.<br />
“The new four blade ripsaw has also allowed us to speed up our<br />
production on the ripped to width and provide this product to<br />
more of our customers,” said Benuel Stoltzfus, Stoltzfus, Forest<br />
Products.<br />
Some of the company’s notable recent additions is a<br />
state-of-the-art Walnut steamer and a four blade ripsaw,<br />
both installed in 2023. “So, far from when we put the<br />
kilns in, in early 2021 until now, we have been shipping<br />
our Walnut out to other companies for our products to be<br />
customed steamed. The biggest problem was trucking.<br />
Stoltzfus Forest Products’ kiln-dried production.<br />
We handled the trucking that shipped this product to another<br />
facility to get it steamed and then bring it back, so<br />
we ordered a steamer back in the middle of last year to<br />
help speed up our production and cut down on costs,”<br />
Benuel remarked. “The new four blade ripsaw has also<br />
allowed us to speed up our production on the ripped to<br />
width and provide this product to more of our customers.”<br />
Stoltzfus Forest Products excels because they con-<br />
Please turn the page<br />
See you there!<br />
<strong>2024</strong> AHMI<br />
Annual Meeting<br />
The Hammock Beach Resort | Palm Coast, FL<br />
FEBRUARY 21-25, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Cooper Machines are<br />
designed to get the<br />
most from every log,<br />
slab and board that<br />
goes through the mill.<br />
We offer specialized equipment designed to fit your needs!<br />
Call us today for the best equipment options for your mill.<br />
From Merchandising<br />
and Debarking Systems<br />
to Edgers to Sorting<br />
Systems - we have<br />
great solutions for<br />
hardwoods.<br />
478-252-5885 | info@coopermachine.com | CooperMachine.com<br />
bdahn@hhp-inc.com • lumbersales@hhp-inc.com<br />
14 Buxton Industrial Drive, PO Box 489,<br />
Henniker NH 03242<br />
603-428-3298 www.hhp-inc.com<br />
New HHP logo...<br />
Same High Quality<br />
HHP, INC.<br />
World Class Northern <strong>Hardwood</strong>s<br />
Specializing in 4/4 & 5/4 Production of<br />
Red Oak • Ash • Hard & Soft Maple • Yellow Birch<br />
Premium Quality Northern <strong>Hardwood</strong>s<br />
Sawmill • Kilns • Export Prep • Container Loading<br />
13 Million Board Feet Annual Production<br />
42 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 43
STOLTZFUS FOREST PRODUCTS Continued<br />
KOPCOAT Continued from page 27<br />
Stoltzfus Forest Products provides a range of <strong>Hardwood</strong>s, including<br />
Poplar, Red and White Oak, Walnut, Hickory, Soft Maple and<br />
Cherry.<br />
trol every aspect of the lumber production process. “We<br />
are able to control the quality from the standing tree the<br />
whole way to the local wood shop. We are doing every<br />
step. We’ve got logging crews, our own foresters, and<br />
we are helping landowners cut the timber and bring it<br />
here, the whole way through the process to a kiln-dried,<br />
surfaced, ripped to width product. We think that it’s important<br />
to be able to do that and be able to control the<br />
quality,” Benuel commented.<br />
Located in the small town of Peach Bottom, PA,<br />
Stoltzfus Forest Products was established in<br />
1990 by Samuel Stoltzfus.<br />
They exhibit their products at trade shows like the<br />
Eastool Expo and participate in industry associations<br />
such as the American Walnut Manufacturers Association,<br />
the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association and<br />
the <strong>National</strong> <strong>Hardwood</strong> Lumber Association. n<br />
For more information visit<br />
www.stoltzfusforestproducts.net.<br />
Fungus, mold, and decay compromise the aesthetic value and structural integrity of<br />
wood, costing <strong>Hardwood</strong> manufacturers money.<br />
place. I spent 26 years in the <strong>Hardwood</strong> lumber industry and understand<br />
how important relationship built businesses are in the <strong>Hardwood</strong> market,<br />
and was pleased to join KopCoat because of their similar approach to<br />
sales and service.”<br />
KopCoat offers preservative protection to railroad tie treaters, <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
lumber producers, concentration yards buying and air drying<br />
green lumber, pallet manufacturers,<br />
millwork producers, window and door<br />
manufacturers and engineered wood<br />
producers. KopCoat prides itself on providing<br />
protection for items that are used<br />
around the home, on the home, and in<br />
the home. This includes raw <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
lumber produced for cabinetry, flooring,<br />
furniture, moulding and trim. While<br />
KopCoat doesn’t produce any of these<br />
products, many of their customers do.<br />
As Director of Business Development<br />
Bo Hammond stresses, “From my experience<br />
in the <strong>Hardwood</strong> industry, I appreciate<br />
the challenges a sustainability<br />
focused industry like <strong>Hardwood</strong>s has<br />
faced against unsubstantiated environmentalist<br />
claims, and believe that our<br />
products help to preserve one of the<br />
best resources available for accenting<br />
the aesthetics of a building.” KopCoat’s<br />
team is well versed in regulatory stan-<br />
Please turn the page<br />
Consistency.<br />
Yield.<br />
Trust.<br />
Specializing in Premium Pennsylvania<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> Lumber and Logs:<br />
• Red Oak<br />
• White Oak<br />
• Hard Maple<br />
• Soft Maple<br />
• Cherry<br />
• Poplar<br />
• Ash<br />
• Hickory<br />
®<br />
Matson Lumber Company<br />
132 Main St.<br />
Brookville, PA 15825<br />
Phone: (814) 849-5334<br />
Fax: (814) 849-3811<br />
www.MatsonLumber.com<br />
info@MatsonLumber.com<br />
Your trusted source for<br />
exceptional quality and consistency<br />
for more than 200 years.<br />
44 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 45
KOPCOAT Continued<br />
KopCoat combines application equipment capabilities, innovative<br />
R&D and Totally Outrageous Service.<br />
dards and prides itself on creating preservative solutions<br />
that are minimal VOC emissions. Angie Custer, Kop-<br />
Coat’s Regulatory Affairs Specialist, states, “KopCoat<br />
is diligent about ensuring the regulatory portion of our<br />
KopCoat offers specialty chemical products that protect logs,<br />
fresh-sawn lumber, pallets, and by-products.<br />
process is properly managed to ensure industry leading<br />
compliance.”<br />
KopCoat also has what they consider an industry leading<br />
research and development organization that can<br />
evaluate wood decaying organisms and tailor specific<br />
solutions to thwart these biological threats. As Director<br />
of Research and Development, Cindy Williams puts it,<br />
“our laboratory team is composed of chemists committed<br />
KopCoat Protection Products – Building the World on Durable Wood<br />
to developing new ways to defeat the natural development of biological<br />
organisms that attack wood.” KopCoat combines an R&D team<br />
with an innovation team so that KopCoat’s customer is complimented<br />
by support and new technology development to craft an individualized<br />
and specific solution tailored for each customer. Director of Innovation<br />
Brian Stobbe emphasizes, “our goal is to be ahead of the evolutionary<br />
development of new wood attacking organisms so we can best support<br />
our customers proactively.”<br />
Appreciating that there are several<br />
options in the wood preservation market,<br />
KopCoat boldly accepts the challenge<br />
to do head to head trials against<br />
their competitors to prove their claim<br />
that they can reduce chemical costs<br />
while achieving equal or better performance.<br />
KopCoat has recently reformulated<br />
their metal and oxidation stain inhibitor<br />
to be more specific to <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
lumber helping to not only reduce metal<br />
stain, but also reduce the graying from<br />
oxidation while air drying. Distinguishably,<br />
KopCoat claims that their technological<br />
advances have created a blend<br />
of actives and surfactants that perform<br />
ideally for protecting <strong>Hardwood</strong> lumber<br />
from stain, mold, mildew, and metal discoloration.<br />
KopCoat is also ready to introduce<br />
a series of complimentary products<br />
that support <strong>Hardwood</strong> mills and<br />
can create an opportunity for <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
mills to consolidate their supplementary<br />
products into one supplier, creating sim-<br />
Please turn the page<br />
Quick, Easy, Primary Breakdown<br />
Quick, easy<br />
installation<br />
“Everything You’ll Ever Need From The Forest “<br />
MERIDIEN HARDWOODS OF PA., INC.<br />
Simple,<br />
Dependable,<br />
Affordable<br />
MADE IN USA<br />
MOSCOW<br />
TN<br />
All parts in<br />
stock -<br />
ready to ship<br />
Cut ties, grade,<br />
timbers, mats,<br />
you name it<br />
45 years of<br />
engineering<br />
design<br />
Low<br />
maintenance<br />
www.hurdlemachineworks.com<br />
www.facebook.com/HurdleMachineWorks<br />
www.youtube.com/HurdleMachineWorks<br />
Fast<br />
payback<br />
5-man<br />
operation<br />
8hrs -<br />
20,000 to<br />
25,000+<br />
bd/ft<br />
CALL US NOW!<br />
901.877.6251<br />
45,000 ft. steamer loaded with 4/4 Face &<br />
Better Walnut<br />
4/4 Face & Better Walnut ready<br />
for shipment<br />
Shade-Dri ® Protection<br />
n 18 Acre Concentration Yard<br />
n 2 Trim Lines (50 Sorts)<br />
n Straight Line Ripping and S2S Facilities<br />
n We Offer Export Preparations, Container Loading,<br />
Mixed Species & Thicknesses<br />
n Custom Walnut Steaming Available<br />
n 800,000’ Dry Storage • Dry Kiln Capacity 250,000'<br />
n All KD lumber pick-a-pack tallied<br />
BUILD YOUR OWN LOAD<br />
Brandon Ferman<br />
Dan Ferman<br />
Office: 814-563-4614 Office: 814-563-4614<br />
Cell: 814-688-6691<br />
Email: brandonferman@hotmail.com<br />
Michael Songer<br />
Office: 814-486-1711<br />
Cell: 814-594-0827<br />
Email: mjs@zitomedia.net<br />
(800) 780-3187 FAX: (800) 292-5773<br />
Website: www.meridienpa.com • Email: meridien@penn.com<br />
Yard Address: Old Pittsfield Rd., Pittsfield, PA 16340<br />
Jeff Childs<br />
Office: 740-392-7727<br />
Cell: 740-398-3474<br />
Email: jeffchilds7@yahoo.com<br />
46 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 47
KOPCOAT Continued<br />
LUMBER SHIPPING Continued from page 29<br />
KopCoat Iron FixT is an additive that protects wood against staining<br />
from contact with metal and slows oxidation of air-dried <strong>Hardwood</strong>s.<br />
plification and consistency for <strong>Hardwood</strong> purchasing<br />
agents. Kpaint and Enshield are lumber end paint and<br />
log/lumber end sealant products that will be ready for<br />
spring introduction into <strong>Hardwood</strong> markets.<br />
KopCoat appreciates the natural aesthetics of <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
lumber and fully supports the initiatives of promoting<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> lumber above non-wood alternatives.<br />
KopCoat believes wood is the most renewable, natural<br />
resource the world produces. KopCoat understands that<br />
properly managed forests will regenerate after harvest,<br />
sustaining continual, repetitive utilization over centuries.<br />
The environmental benefits of wood are at the forefront<br />
today, as carbon sequestration has taken center stage<br />
in the global warming conversation. Wood is a preferred<br />
building material due to the value and strength it offers.<br />
The appearance of wood is preferred aesthetically for<br />
bringing warmth to home décor. Simply put, wood is<br />
good. But, like all good things, wood can be better with<br />
a little help. That improvement on the natural beauty,<br />
durability, and environmental benefit of wood, is what<br />
KopCoat’s wood protection is all about. The longer wood<br />
lasts, the more each of these positive attributes are accentuated.<br />
KopCoat welcomes the opportunity to answer questions<br />
and explore opportunities to help protect the wood<br />
you make and use. Please visit their website www.Kop<br />
Coat.com, email them at ippd@KopCoat.com, or call<br />
their office at (412) 227-2426. n<br />
Peter Lovett<br />
King City Forwarding USA, Inc.<br />
Chesapeake, VA<br />
As we sail into <strong>2024</strong>, the<br />
ocean transportation industry<br />
is experiencing a sea change<br />
in trends that are reshaping the<br />
way goods are moved across the<br />
globe. These shifts are not only altering the dynamics<br />
of maritime commerce but also necessitating innovative<br />
strategies to address supply chain challenges. I would<br />
characterize 2023 as the “correction” year in the ocean<br />
freight market where we saw significant reductions in<br />
export and import freight rates across all trades. There<br />
was an overall decline in ocean freight demand globally<br />
caused by a slower economy, as governments across<br />
the world managed inflation. Overall, the supply chain<br />
experienced better fluidity in 2023, with the alleviation<br />
of port congestion on the East and West coast, which<br />
resulted in more reliable shipping schedules. Even with<br />
ports clear of congestion, service reliability remains an<br />
issue, not having reverted to pre-COVID levels. Due to<br />
overcapacity and carriers’ aggressive response, it will<br />
likely not return to normal levels in <strong>2024</strong>. Global container<br />
ship scheduled reliability stood at 64.4 percent<br />
in October, up from 51.8 percent a year earlier and approximately<br />
35 percent in 2021. The October figure was<br />
still 15 percentage points below 2019 levels, and with no<br />
sign of improvement since May, according to Sea-Intelligence<br />
Maritime Analysis. To manage the impact of overcapacity<br />
primarily driven by the influx of newly ordered<br />
vessels entering the market, carriers are pulling out all<br />
the tricks to absorb capacity. They have many tools at<br />
their disposal, whether it’s blank sailings, cancelling or<br />
suspending entire service loops, further slow steaming,<br />
Please turn the page<br />
Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company<br />
(PLM) goes beyond providing coverages with an<br />
emphasis on preventing and reducing losses to<br />
safeguard our customers' operations. Our Loss Control<br />
Representatives are experts in all aspects of risk<br />
management, especially in the lumber and wood<br />
industry. They partner with our customers through<br />
consultative services, helpful recommendations, and<br />
custom training plans to help mitigate areas of risk and<br />
build safer and more resilient wood businesses.<br />
Risk<br />
Management<br />
Get more from your insurance<br />
policy with PLM’s Loss Control<br />
Representatives who are committed<br />
to the safety of your business.<br />
Scan to request a PLM quote.<br />
Lawrence Lumber<br />
Company Inc.<br />
P.O. Box 750 Maiden, NC 28650<br />
Tel: (828) 428-5601 Fax: (828) 428-5602<br />
website: www.lawrencelumberinc.com<br />
For Appalachian <strong>Hardwood</strong> lumber sales, contact Steve Staryak at<br />
(828) 999-0198, email: stevestaryak@lawrencelumber.net<br />
Green lumber vendors please contact Steve Leonard at<br />
(828) 446-0845, or email him at sgleonard7@gmail.com<br />
DELIVERING EXPECTATIONS<br />
WORLDWIDE<br />
Our <strong>Hardwood</strong> concentration yard in Maiden, NC is near Highway 321<br />
and Interstate 40 where we process quality kiln dried Appalachian <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
lumber in these five species: Red Oak, White Oak, Poplar, Ash,<br />
and Hickory. We:<br />
. Sell kiln dried Red and White Oak in 4/4 through 8/4 thicknesses;<br />
Poplar in 4/4 through 16/4 thicknesses; Ash in 4/4 through 8/4<br />
thicknesses; and Hickory in 4/4 and 7/4 thicknesses. The grades of<br />
lumber we sell are No. 2 Common and Better.<br />
. Have 800,000 board feet per charge of dry kiln capacity counting<br />
our new predryer/dry kiln and five dry kilns. We also have two fan<br />
sheds totaling 500 MBF capacity.<br />
. Have dedicated employees with many years of experience who<br />
are getting your orders prepared to your exact specifications.<br />
. Inspect our lumber after kiln drying.<br />
. Offer many services like export prep, mixed truckloads, container<br />
loading, dipping our lumber in ISK Biocides’ chemicals, S2S,<br />
SLR1E, width sorting, surfacing and ripping.<br />
. Process and sell 18 to 20 million board feet a year of the lumber<br />
species we deal in.<br />
. We are now able to surface, straight line rip and rip to width for<br />
our customers!<br />
www.plmins.com/NHM<br />
48 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 49
LUMBER SHIPPING Continued<br />
laying up ships or taking longer routes. While all that<br />
will combine to help carriers weather a rough patch of<br />
unfavorable supply-demand economics, it undermines<br />
schedule integrity and service reliability.<br />
The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic<br />
highlighted the fragility of global supply chains. In response,<br />
the ocean transportation industry is focusing<br />
on building resilience. This involves diversifying supply<br />
chain sources, adopting agile logistics strategies, and<br />
investing in redundant systems to mitigate risks and ensure<br />
the uninterrupted flow of goods. The maritime industry<br />
is embracing digitalization at an unprecedented<br />
pace. From smart containers with real-time tracking capabilities<br />
to blockchain-based documentation, technology<br />
is streamlining operations, reducing inefficiencies,<br />
and enhancing overall transparency.<br />
2023 was also marked by longshore labor disruption.<br />
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union<br />
(ILWU) flexed its power on the West Coast of both the<br />
U.S. and Canada. Montreal port workers and employers<br />
have hit an impasse in contract negotiations, bringing<br />
back memories of a five-day strike in 2021 and a 19-<br />
day strike in 2020 at Canada’s second-largest port. And<br />
the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) has<br />
already raised the prospect of a strike at U.S. East and<br />
Gulf coast ports after its contract expires at the end of<br />
September <strong>2024</strong>, the first time that would happen since<br />
1977.<br />
Sustainability has taken center stage in the maritime<br />
sector. With increasing awareness of environmental<br />
issues, there is a growing emphasis on adopting<br />
eco-friendly practices. Shipowners are investing in green<br />
technologies, including alternative fuels, wind-assisted<br />
propulsion, and energy-efficient designs, to reduce<br />
the carbon footprint of ocean transportation. Regulatory<br />
bodies are also tightening environmental standards,<br />
pushing the industry towards more sustainable practices.<br />
The push for sustainable shipping practices is expected<br />
to gain even more momentum in <strong>2024</strong>. Governments,<br />
consumers and industry players are likely to collaborate<br />
further to implement stricter environmental regulations.<br />
The adoption of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and<br />
Curtis Struyk<br />
TMX Shipping Co., Inc.<br />
Morehead City, NC<br />
Even though the pressures and<br />
bottlenecks that the transportation<br />
industry was experiencing in<br />
2022 have subsided, our export<br />
numbers have decreased. Our<br />
lumber and log shipments overall are down 20 percent<br />
year over year.<br />
We slowly saw the industry normalize over the last 12<br />
ammonia, is expected to increase, and more vessels will<br />
incorporate green technologies to meet evolving sustainability<br />
standards, such as the EU Emission Trading<br />
System (ETS) surcharges from carriers.<br />
Looking ahead to <strong>2024</strong>, the industry is poised for further<br />
transformation, driven by a collective commitment<br />
to efficiency, sustainability and adaptability. The key to<br />
success lies in embracing change, leveraging technology,<br />
and forging strategic partnerships to sail through<br />
the challenges and opportunities that lie on the horizon.<br />
I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone<br />
in our industry a healthy and prosperous <strong>2024</strong>. Thank<br />
you all for your continued support through out the years.<br />
As we bring in <strong>2024</strong> a little advice on progress from<br />
Mr. Lincoln: “I’m a slow walker but I never walk backwards.”<br />
J<br />
months and it is back to pre-pandemic levels. I do not<br />
foresee any substantial increases in our export shipments<br />
over the next 12 months. Ongoing changes in<br />
global trade dynamics, regulations and geopolitical situations<br />
can influence supply chain strategies. Business<br />
may need to stay agile and adapt to evolving trade environments.<br />
Transportation rates are back to the levels we saw in<br />
Please turn the page<br />
www.snowentities.com<br />
Northern KD <strong>Hardwood</strong>s<br />
• Aspen • Basswood • White Ash • Hard & Soft Maple<br />
• Red Oak • Birch • Cherry • Black Ash<br />
Export Packaging / Container Loading<br />
Phone: 715-561-2200 • Fax: 715-561-2040<br />
Snowbelt <strong>Hardwood</strong>s, Inc. • 345 Ringle Dr., Hurley, WI 54534<br />
Brady Francois<br />
BFrancois@snowbelthardwoods.com<br />
Tyler Francois<br />
Tyler@snowbelthardwoods.com<br />
50 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 51
LUMBER SHIPPING Continued<br />
2019 and I do not see anything in the near future that is<br />
going to change that other than some global event such<br />
as natural disasters, geopolitical issues or pandemics.<br />
We are not currently seeing any real shortages in<br />
ocean containers at the major ports but we are seeing<br />
spotty shortages at some of our inland locations because<br />
of the decrease in imports replenishing those<br />
container pools.<br />
We saw a little uptick in shipments in the fourth quarter<br />
over the third quarter since the log season got off to a<br />
decent start. All indications are we should have a good<br />
log season that will carry into late spring <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
The U.S. Federal Reserve plays a crucial role in managing<br />
inflation and interest rates. Changes in these<br />
factors can influence borrowing costs, spending and<br />
investment. Consumer spending is a significant driver<br />
of the U.S. economy. Factors such as consumer confidence,<br />
household income and access to credit can<br />
impact spending patterns. The interconnectedness of<br />
global economy means that international events, trade<br />
relations and geopolitical tensions can have repercussions<br />
for the U.S. economy and U.S. exports. China still<br />
accounts for 50 percent of our lumber and log exports.<br />
When half of our business is reliant on China and given<br />
the current tensions between the two countries, it makes<br />
us very concerned about our future. J<br />
LAKE STATES Continued from page 8<br />
stated that interest rates will eventually dip, opening the<br />
market up to new house buyers.<br />
He also noted that, while gas prices continued to drop,<br />
the cost of diesel fuel remained “plenty high.”<br />
“A lot of people don’t realize that just because gas is<br />
going down doesn’t mean that diesel costs are too,” he<br />
said.<br />
A Michigan source said that he is “on the fence” regarding<br />
the market in <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
“There are just so many ancillary things that are giving<br />
us trouble,” he said. “Pulp and paper mills are slowing<br />
down. The markets are drying up.”<br />
He added that the region is “low on logs because they<br />
can’t get anything done.”<br />
“Crews are either sitting idle or not running because<br />
they don’t have enough work for them,” he said.<br />
That is because potential buyers are unable to predict<br />
future interest rates and therefore choosing not to build<br />
until a concrete order is made, according to the source.<br />
With numbers down in the fourth quarter, the Michigan<br />
lumber provider has begun to “take some measures” to<br />
stay afloat.<br />
“A little bit, not a lot right now,” he said. “We are certainly<br />
watching it close. (Industry leaders) are slowing things<br />
down without cutting anybody off or shutting anything<br />
down.”<br />
An Indiana sawmill operator said, at the time of this<br />
writing, that the market is “pretty much dead right now.”<br />
“No one is going to buy until <strong>2024</strong>,” he noted.<br />
While he acknowledged that some wood wasn’t “moving,”<br />
he said Poplar and White Oak are the exceptions.<br />
“But we really haven’t recovered since about a yearand-a-half<br />
ago,” he added. “It is going to take some time<br />
to get things back to (pre-COVID) numbers.”<br />
The source said that lumber yards are keeping a small<br />
inventory.<br />
“Everyone thinks that they can get everything they<br />
want, when they want it,” he said. “That is going to have<br />
to change (for yards to start having larger inventory).”<br />
The Indiana lumberman also said that Medium Density<br />
Fiberboard (MDF) is taking the place of “real wood.”<br />
“We’re not even sawing as much,” he said.<br />
He said that he primarily ships lumber to Southern California<br />
for distribution.<br />
But the loads are currently light.<br />
“Timber prices haven’t gone down and labor is now<br />
a problem,” he said. “There aren’t as many loggers as<br />
there used to be.”<br />
Please turn to page 56<br />
WORMY CHESTNUT • TROPICALS • QTR & RIFT • CYPRESS • ALDER<br />
Headquarters, Concentration Yard & Kilns in Hickory, N.C.<br />
Phone (828) 397-7481 FAX: (828) 397-3763<br />
www.cramerlumber.com<br />
3 million BF KD<br />
Inventory<br />
Atlanta, GA<br />
Warehouse<br />
770-479-9663<br />
“LIMBO”<br />
The Lumber Rule<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong>s • White Pine • Cypress<br />
RGH • S2S • SLR1E<br />
4/4 thru 16/4<br />
thicknesses<br />
Export<br />
Sales<br />
706-736-2622<br />
HICKORY • HARD & SOFT MAPLE • POPLAR • RED & WHITE OAK • WALNUT • ASH<br />
WHITE PINE • BASSWOOD • BEECH • BIRCH • CEDAR • CHERRY<br />
52 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 53
In Memoriam<br />
Church 14_Layout 1 4/17/18 3:43 PM Page 1<br />
Gregory Hubble<br />
We at Bryant Church <strong>Hardwood</strong>s, Inc., located in Wilkesboro, NC, are proud of our modern <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
concentration yard facility that we constantly update to better serve our customers with the finest<br />
Appalachian <strong>Hardwood</strong> and Eastern White Pine lumber available. Call us at (336) 973-3691 when we can<br />
be of service.<br />
Some facts about our company are, we:<br />
•Have a 30 acre <strong>Hardwood</strong> and Eastern White Pine lumber concentration yard<br />
that exclusively represents one sawmill.<br />
•Specialize in all thicknesses of kiln dried Eastern White Pine lumber.<br />
•Deal in Appalachian <strong>Hardwood</strong> species such as Red and White Oak, Poplar,<br />
Ash, Hard and Soft Maple, Steamed Walnut, Cherry, Basswood, Beech and<br />
mixed <strong>Hardwood</strong>s.<br />
•Market our Appalachian <strong>Hardwood</strong> lumber in 4/4 through 8/4 thicknesses that<br />
is green, air dried and/or kiln dried.<br />
•Specialize in mixed truck loads.<br />
Gregory Howell Hubble, 60, of<br />
High Point, NC, died Friday, December<br />
22, 2023. He was born October<br />
18, 1963, in Pittsburgh, PA,<br />
the son of Elizabeth H. Hubble and<br />
the late David H. Hubble.<br />
He is survived by his loving wife<br />
of 38 years, Colleen Hubble, his sons Dalton Gregory<br />
Hubble (Rachel Kennedy) of San Francisco, CA and Nathan<br />
Martin Hubble of Cleveland, OH, his mother Elizabeth<br />
Hubble of High Point, NC, his brothers David Mark<br />
Hubble of Columbus, OH and Jay Howard Hubble (Reben<br />
Garza) of Fennville, MI.<br />
Hubble was a proud graduate of Penn State University<br />
Mont Alto with a degree in Forestry. After graduation<br />
Hubble entered the <strong>Hardwood</strong> lumber industry where he<br />
built a career spanning almost forty years with industry<br />
leaders such as Mann & Parker Lumber, Gutchess Lumber<br />
Company, Aetna Plywood, Seemac and lastly Prime<br />
Lumber Company where he dedicated 14 years as General<br />
Manager overseeing the Thomasville, NC and Eastview,<br />
KY operations. His extensive knowledge base as<br />
well as exuberant personality made an impact wherever<br />
he went, and his presence will be dearly missed.<br />
Hubble was also deeply dedicated to friends and<br />
congregation as an Elder and member of Forest Hills<br />
Presbyterian Church and an enthusiastic volunteer for<br />
Operation Inasmuch. He was also an avid master woodworker,<br />
gardener, pit master and outdoorsman. He was<br />
an intensely devoted and loving husband, father, brother<br />
and son who was looking forward to the birth of his first<br />
granddaughter.<br />
A celebration of life was held on Saturday Dec. 30,<br />
2023 at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, High Point,<br />
NC.<br />
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider<br />
donating to the following organizations: American<br />
Heart Association and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater<br />
High Point. n<br />
This is an aerial view of our modern<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> concentration yard where we<br />
process quality Appalachian <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
and Eastern White Pine lumber.<br />
•Have 9 steam dry kilns that have a combined dry kiln capacity of 630,000 bd.<br />
ft. per charge.<br />
•Own a Newman 382 planer.<br />
•Usually carry about 4,000,000 bd. ft. on our air drying yard.<br />
•Usually carry about 1,500,000 bd. ft. of kiln dried lumber in inventory.<br />
•Offer export preparation, container loading and package tally.<br />
•Offer the service of sorting lumber at special lengths, widths and grades<br />
according to customer specifications.<br />
•Use our own trucks and contract trucks for prompt delivery of your orders.<br />
•Have over 75 years of combined experience in the lumber business.<br />
Tim Church<br />
Mason Church<br />
Bus.: (336) 973-3691<br />
FAX: (336) 973-7993<br />
(800) 973-3380<br />
Web site: http://BCHI.com<br />
P.O. Box 995 • Wilkesboro, NC 28697<br />
Distribution Yard: 683 Buck Road • Wilkesboro, NC 28697<br />
Because we’ve been in business since 1953, we have many years of experience that helps us to ship your orders right the first time.<br />
Michael Hoover<br />
Michael Scott Hoover, 74, of<br />
Broadway, VA, passed away December<br />
26, 2023, at Woodland<br />
Park Burkholder House of VMRC.<br />
The most important relationship<br />
in his life was with his Lord and<br />
Savior Jesus Christ. He started every<br />
day by reading his bible. He was a former board<br />
member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.<br />
Hoover was the president and procurement manager<br />
of Neff Lumber Mills. He was the chairman of Appalachian<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> Manufacturers, Inc., a member of<br />
Virginia and West Virginia Forestry Association and a<br />
member of the <strong>National</strong> <strong>Hardwood</strong> Lumber Association.<br />
Hoover was a lifetime member of Broadway Volunteer<br />
Fire Department, where he served as Chief, and was<br />
fireman of the year. He served as president of Rockingham<br />
County Firefighters Association and played an<br />
instrumental role in implementing the 911 system and<br />
Bergton Station #55. He was a former member of Broadway<br />
Rescue Squad.<br />
Hoover loved playing golf and was a member at Spotswood<br />
Country Club. In July 1990 he made two holes in<br />
one in the same day at Old White Course and Lakeside<br />
Course at Greenbrier Resort. He loved being involved<br />
in his sons’ sports, coaching Little League baseball for<br />
Matthew and Mark.<br />
On October 11, 1975, he married the former Anne Hiner,<br />
who survives.<br />
Also surviving are two sons, Matthew Scott Hoover<br />
of Broadway, Mark Warren Hoover and wife Tiffany of<br />
Moseley, VA; grandchildren, Haley Dawn Hoover, Avery<br />
Grace Hoover, Peyton Rene’ Hoover, Sawyer Kent<br />
Hoover; two brothers, Eric Hoover and wife Brenda of<br />
Broadway, Christopher Hoover and wife Karen of Broadway;<br />
a number of nieces and nephews.<br />
Pastors Barb Shaw and Bill Fitchett conducted a funeral<br />
service on January 3, <strong>2024</strong>, at Sunset Drive United<br />
Methodist Church in Broadway. The burial followed at<br />
Linville Creek Cemetery.<br />
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made<br />
to Broadway Fire Department, P.O. Box 271, Broadway,<br />
VA 22815. n<br />
Please turn to page 71<br />
H A R D W O O D S<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> Lumber and Plywood Sales<br />
Species:<br />
Michigan Hard Maple • Michigan Red Oak<br />
Soft Maple • White Oak • Cherry • Ash • Beech<br />
Alder • Cedar • Aspen • Basswood • Hickory<br />
Poplar • Walnut • Figured Wood • Plywood<br />
Services:<br />
Kiln-Dried 2 & Btr Northern <strong>Hardwood</strong>s<br />
Custom Thicknesses, Lengths and Widths<br />
Surfacing • SLR1E • Just In Time Delivery<br />
Javan Mallery - President<br />
javan@wolverinehardwoods.com<br />
616-437-9093<br />
Paul Mallery - Sales<br />
paul@wolverinehardwoods.com<br />
616-437-4218<br />
David Wilson - Sales<br />
david@wolverinehardwoods.com<br />
616-403-9902<br />
Doug Fisher - Sales<br />
doug@wolverinehardwoods.com<br />
517-275-1060<br />
Greg Liceraga - Sales<br />
greg@wolverinehardwoods.com<br />
616-204-2759<br />
Randy Wisner - Sales<br />
rrwisner61@gmail.com<br />
503-616-6700<br />
Nolan Mulder - Purchasing<br />
nolan@wolverinehardwoods.com<br />
616-745-3059<br />
2810 113 th Ave., Allegan, MI 49010<br />
(P) 269-686-7004 (F) 269-686-7944<br />
www.wolverinehardwoods.com<br />
facebook@Wolverine<strong>Hardwood</strong>s<br />
Building Relationships as Solid as the Wood We Sell<br />
54 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 55
LAKE STATES Continued from page 53<br />
He said that there are entire days that go by with no<br />
wood being sawed.<br />
“Some mills have already shut down here,” he said.<br />
The Michigan man reiterated his concern for the near<br />
future of the lumber industry.<br />
“It is more of the same,” he said, referring to the state<br />
of the business less than two months ago. n<br />
we are able to get for White Oak in the export market,<br />
so we are selling it domestically,” she said. “The niche<br />
markets that we serve are booming but it’s not steady.”<br />
She added that she is looking forward to <strong>2024</strong> being<br />
a stronger year, noting that it is typical to slow down this<br />
time of year but that she should serve the same markets<br />
in ‘24 and there should be more volume. n<br />
Producer of<br />
Fine Kiln Dried<br />
Appalachian<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong>s<br />
Family Owned And Operated Since 1976.<br />
A.W. Stiles Contractors providing a full line of<br />
Modern Day Lumber Drying Equipment. New<br />
Installations and Complete Rebuilds on Existing<br />
Equipment. <strong>Hardwood</strong> Package Kilns, Predryers,<br />
Walnut Steamers. Also manufacturing softwood<br />
kilns, including Dual Path Continuous Kilns.<br />
Our kilns are all manufactured in<br />
McMinnville, Tennessee.<br />
Complete Kiln and Predryer Rebuilds<br />
•Roof Replacements<br />
•Heating Coils and Complete Steam Systems<br />
•Doors and Carriers<br />
•Structural Repairs<br />
•<br />
seals, etc.<br />
•Protective Coatings<br />
•Complete line of replacement parts<br />
Providing replacement control installations<br />
and upgrades for existing kilns and pre-dryers.<br />
Screen shot above. User Friendly, Reliable,<br />
Compatible with Existing Equipment.<br />
Contact: Lee Stiles Cell: (931) 409-0144<br />
286 Bass Lane, McMinnville, TN 37110<br />
Email: lee@awscontractorsinc.com<br />
Website: www.awscontractorsinc.com<br />
NORTHEAST Continued from page 8<br />
to have said that they are having trouble selling Poplar<br />
and Red Oak,” he said, noting that there seems to be<br />
downward pressure on these species while there is upward<br />
pressure on White Oak.<br />
He mentioned that he has noticed a lot of people having<br />
issues with maintaining enough log supply throughout<br />
the winter months. “You never know how the weather<br />
is going to be and what pressures that will put on the<br />
supply,” he said.<br />
In Maine a lumber spokesperson said that his sales<br />
are doing OK. “We have over a million feet on order, and<br />
while it feels horrible it’s not as bad as it seems,” he said,<br />
adding that he is doing better than he was six months<br />
ago due to his prices going up.<br />
His company offers Red Oak, Hard and Soft Maple,<br />
Yellow Birch and Ash in grades Select and Better, Nos. 1,<br />
2 and 3 Common and in thicknesses of 4/4 and 5/4. “Red<br />
Oak is selling well; we aren’t making any money with it<br />
but it is selling,” he said. “Hard Maple has started to pick<br />
up due to lack of supply.”<br />
He sells to flooring, cabinet, moulding and furniture<br />
manufacturers, noting that they aren’t doing well and<br />
have mentioned to him a continuous decrease in their<br />
sales. “Their order files are shrinking, the first quarter of<br />
this year is not looking good for them,” he said.<br />
In Pennsylvania a lumber saleswoman said, “We are<br />
cutting White Oak and that is selling well and Red Oak<br />
has started to pick up a bit, but Poplar and Soft Maple<br />
are slow.”<br />
She noted that their business is the same month over<br />
month and that they are doing the same as they were six<br />
months ago.<br />
Her company offers Red and White Oak, Hard and<br />
Soft Maple, Poplar and some Ash. “We are a 5/4 mill and<br />
will cut some 4/4. We can cut thicker stock but we don’t<br />
dry it,” she said, adding that they handle all grades and<br />
dry No. 3 and Better.<br />
She noted that while the stave mills have been buying<br />
the White Oak, her company has developed a niche customer<br />
base that looks to her company to buy White Oak.<br />
Her company is currently selling to end users and distributors.<br />
“We haven’t been able to find the pricing that<br />
SOUTHEAST Continued from page 9<br />
He primarily sells to flooring, furniture and millwork<br />
manufacturers. “Domestically, everyone is getting quiet,<br />
and my customers are trying to lower their inventories,”<br />
he said.<br />
A Georgia lumberman said that for him Red and White<br />
Oak are selling well, while he isn’t able to put a finger on<br />
why Poplar is selling the way it is for him. “I’ve been able<br />
to move Poplar in grades No. 1 and 2 Common in 4/4<br />
thickness out of one of my mills, while out of another I am<br />
sold out of it in No. 2 Common in 6/4 thickness and have<br />
No. 1 Common in 6/4 thickness just sitting,” he said.<br />
He noted that he believes his sales are about the same<br />
as they were six months ago. “Business is just OK, it’s<br />
not horrible, but it’s certainly not the best.”<br />
He sells to American exporters, flooring manufacturers<br />
and distribution yards. “Everything that happens this<br />
time of year, you have to take it with a grain of salt,” he<br />
remarked.<br />
In Kentucky, a lumber spokesperson said that while<br />
this is a historically slower time of year he has noticed a<br />
certain air of caution in the wind surrounding the market<br />
uncertainty that comes with the first quarter of the year.<br />
“There are still supply shortages out there in the market,<br />
while demand is continuing to contract,” he noted.<br />
His company’s top three species are Red and White<br />
Oak and Poplar, while they also offer Hard and Soft Maple<br />
and Hickory, as well as a small amount of Walnut and<br />
Cherry. They offer these species in 4/4 and 5/4 thicknesses<br />
and in all grades with a focus on No. 1 and Better.<br />
“While No. 1 and Better is my focus, I certainly get a<br />
tremendous amount of No. 2 Common. I don’t dry any of<br />
my No. 2 Common, expect for my Walnut. I did unfortunately<br />
have to dry all of my Soft Maple once that market<br />
died off, and now it is all just sitting,” he added.<br />
“Our White Oak production is down 50 percent from<br />
what it was last year, which is due to the incredible demand<br />
from the stave mills,” he said. “Staves can’t seem<br />
to be manufactured fast enough and the production can’t<br />
be high enough for the bourbon industry.” He noted that<br />
White Oak used to be neck and neck for the specie that<br />
his company produced the most of year over year. n<br />
Aerial view of our NEW Walnut steamer<br />
Ripped to width lumber<br />
Red Oak, White Oak,<br />
Poplar, Walnut, Hickory<br />
Annual Production 10.5 mmBF<br />
Lumber production facility with Newman planer<br />
Dry storage warehouse<br />
Green Sales: Benuel Stoltzfus<br />
sales@stoltzfusforestproducts.com<br />
KD Sales: Phillip Smith<br />
p.smith@stoltzfusforestproducts.com<br />
675 Nottingham Road, Peach Bottom, PA 17563<br />
Ph: (717) 548-2668 Fax: (717) 548-2013<br />
56 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 57
Commitment, Quality,<br />
Customer Service<br />
Premium Northern Appalachian<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> Lumber<br />
Established in 1983<br />
Family-owned &<br />
operated for over<br />
40 years<br />
Experienced & Close<br />
To The Source<br />
192 Howard Street<br />
Franklin, PA 16323<br />
sales@ronjoneshardwood.com<br />
Phone (814) 438-7622<br />
Fax (814) 438-2008<br />
WEST COAST Continued from page 9<br />
“We go as the interest rates go,” he noted.<br />
A California source said despite a slow fourth quarter<br />
that lumber species like White Oak and Poplar is “still<br />
doing well.”<br />
However, sales for Aspen and Basswood are “almost<br />
nonexistent.”<br />
Noting that White Oak has been “popular for a while,”<br />
he said that it “is being used for everything right now,<br />
even siding.”<br />
However, even wildly popular lumber species like<br />
White Oak can be replaced by engineered wood.<br />
“<strong>Hardwood</strong>s are not as prominent as they used to<br />
be,” he expressed. “We are losing some ground to engineered<br />
products, which is a shame. That is just the way<br />
of the world these days. We have fought that battle for a<br />
long time. Our company is also into (engineered wood)<br />
but (real) wood is still the biggest item we sell. We are<br />
losing ground though.”<br />
An Oregon source said he believed that December’s<br />
slump was due to the “typical holiday” slowdown. He<br />
added that buyers are “only going to get something if<br />
they absolutely need it.”<br />
The Washington source, who sells primarily White<br />
Oak, Hard Maple and Poplar in Numbers 1 and 2 common,<br />
agreed that much of the issue could be attributed<br />
to the winter season and added that the industry was in<br />
a “traditional recession.”<br />
“We’ve seen the dips and lulls before,” he added. “This<br />
stands out though. It is seasonal and compounded by<br />
people being a little nervous about paying too much on<br />
logs.<br />
“The first two quarters (of 2023) were great,” he added.<br />
“Frankly, that is where we made our money. The last two<br />
have just been OK.”<br />
As far as shedding the bark of recession goes, most<br />
of the sources remained quietly optimistic about the first<br />
quarter of <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
“There is pent up demand from the last quarter of<br />
2023,” said the Oregon lumber salesman. “So, the first<br />
quarter of <strong>2024</strong> will be pretty good.”<br />
The California source, who sells primarily to professional<br />
contractors and custom home builders, said he<br />
expects the market to be “slightly flat” during the first<br />
quarter of <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
He also discussed some of the transportation issues<br />
that will be dealt with in time throughout the California<br />
market.<br />
“There is a battle going on in California,” he said. “(The<br />
local government) wants every vehicle in the state to be<br />
electric by 2035. Even on trucks.”<br />
The source’s concern stems from a major investment<br />
that his company made recently.<br />
“We invested heavily and bought 80 diesel powered<br />
freightliners,” he said in frustration. “I mean, we don’t<br />
have enough electricity to run the houses (in California),<br />
so how are we going to plug in these electric vehicles.” n<br />
ONTARIO Continued from page 10<br />
ondary manufacturers and wholesalers. Suppliers are<br />
struggling to find new orders, and hope that end users’<br />
inventories will decline sufficiently to provide a boost in<br />
activity. Even though markets are slow, it was reported<br />
that prices for some grades and thicknesses were rising,<br />
such as for kiln-dried No. 1 and 2 White FAS and for Unselected<br />
4/4 through 5/4 FAS. Green Hard Maple output<br />
was low compared to the steady demand.<br />
Reports are similar for Soft Maple. Some sawmills are<br />
having difficulty finding enough logs or are controlling receipts,<br />
thus output is low and prices are rising. Depending<br />
on areas contacted, kiln-dried sales are not strong,<br />
with inventories low for many grades and thicknesses.<br />
Aspen markets remain the same with demand slow<br />
because of low finished goods sales. Some sawmills<br />
are challenged to find outlets for production, and prices<br />
are dropping. Kiln-dried business is also reported<br />
as weak, with rising inventories resulting in competition<br />
for orders. The same for Basswood with demand being<br />
weak, although business is better for green lumber than<br />
kiln-dried sales. Contacts noted kiln-dried inventories are<br />
higher for most grades and thicknesses, while green production<br />
is limited.<br />
Business for Birch has declined where it was being<br />
used as a substitute for Maple. Traditional markets for<br />
Birch have held up well even though there has been a<br />
drop in <strong>Hardwood</strong> finished goods orders. Supplies are<br />
noted as outpacing demand.<br />
Some sawmills report low log decks. Green Red Oak<br />
production in some areas is limited because of this. Supplies<br />
of No. 1 Common and Better are identified as marginally<br />
sufficient to meet demand. Buyers are controlling<br />
receipts of kiln-dried inventories. White Oak sawmill<br />
production is also down for certain areas contacted, so<br />
green White Oak lumber supplies are limited. Demand<br />
is outpacing supply of No. 1 Common and Better grade.<br />
Sales of kiln-dried stocks are reported as solid with thin<br />
inventories.<br />
In mid-December the Bank of Canada (BoC) reported<br />
that interest rates would not be coming down any time<br />
soon, putting it on a divergent path from the U.S. Federal<br />
Reserve, which said that easing could be on the timetable.<br />
Governor Tiff Macklem said the Fed would do what<br />
they needed to do, and the BoC would focus on what<br />
Please turn the page<br />
Scanning Carriage<br />
Systems<br />
Out-Of-This-World Performance.<br />
Setworks That Excel at<br />
Precise Linear Measurement<br />
Supported by PTJ S-Series Probes<br />
Have you considered<br />
UPGRADING<br />
your machine controls?<br />
Proportional Valve<br />
Tester PVT-2<br />
“Last summer Matson Lumber<br />
Company upgraded one of our facilities<br />
with new Paw Taw optimization. The<br />
installation was smooth, the efforts<br />
at training were commendable,<br />
and the results have certainly met<br />
our expectations. The pricing, the<br />
subsequent support with parameters<br />
and reports, and the responsiveness of<br />
Paw Taw has been impressive.”<br />
Burt Craig, President –<br />
Matson Lumber Company<br />
Linear Carriage System<br />
Give us a call for options.<br />
(208) 687-1478<br />
www.pawtaw.com<br />
18125 N. Ramsey Rd., Rathdrum, ID 83858<br />
Resaw System<br />
58 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 59<br />
TM<br />
RJH-NHM-HalfVertical-3.75x10.indd 1<br />
1/3/23 5:33 PM
WOOD PROTECTION PRODUCTS<br />
With SOL-BRITE® E<br />
Feb. 4-7, Indianapolis IN<br />
Come see us at booth #600<br />
Superior Protection,<br />
Iron Stain,<br />
and Sapstain Control<br />
1-888-363-2628 | sales@uccoatings.com | uccoatings.com<br />
Buffalo | Kenosha | Portland | Seattle<br />
ONTARIO Continued<br />
needed to be done in Canada.<br />
“We have not started having that discussion (about cutting<br />
rates), because it’s too early to have that discussion.<br />
We’re still discussing whether we raised interest rates<br />
enough and how long they need to stay where they are.”<br />
Money markets expect the bank to begin easing as<br />
soon as April and for rates to fall 125 basis points in <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
U.S. central bank chief Jerome Powell said the historic<br />
tightening of monetary policy is likely over, with a discussion<br />
of cuts in borrowing costs coming into view.<br />
The Bank of Canada had previously forecast inflation<br />
should hit 2 percent by end-2025 but Macklem - making<br />
his last public appearance of 2023 - told reporters it<br />
should be closer to target by the end of next year.<br />
“Inflation is still too high. If we don’t do enough ... ultimately,<br />
we’re probably going to have to raise rates even<br />
further to get it down,” he said. Earlier, in his speech, he<br />
had said future inflation declines were likely to be gradual.<br />
Macklem also expressed increasing optimism it could<br />
bring inflation back down to target but said the next few<br />
quarters would be difficult as high interest rates restrict<br />
the economy.<br />
“The 2 percent inflation target is now in sight. And while<br />
we’re not there yet, the conditions increasingly appear to<br />
be in place to get us there,” he said.<br />
Overseas, the European Central Bank said policy easing<br />
had not been brought up in a two-day meeting, and<br />
the Bank of England said rates would remain high for “an<br />
extended period”.<br />
“I expect <strong>2024</strong> to be a year of transition ... with the<br />
cost of living still increasing too quickly, and with growth<br />
subdued, the next two to three quarters will be difficult for<br />
many,” said Macklem, adding the jobless rate was likely<br />
to rise further. n<br />
QUEBEC Continued from page 10<br />
had switched to this species when Poplar prices rose,<br />
but have now reverted back to using Poplar.<br />
Domestic demand for Cherry is reported as weak, with<br />
the Chinese market also ordering less of this species as<br />
well. Thus more caution is used when purchasing Cherry.<br />
Prices have gone down as a result.<br />
The regionally important Hard Maple continues to be<br />
in demand, but production has slowed, while kiln-dried<br />
Hard Maple demand is slightly better. Soft Maple is seeing<br />
competition from other species and so sales are not<br />
as they were for this species. The wood components and<br />
cabinet sectors are buying less <strong>Hardwood</strong> lumber than<br />
in previous years due to imported products readily available<br />
and other materials also taking the market share of<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong>s. It is noted that production for most <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
species are low at this time.<br />
Sales of Hickory for the thicker stocks to established<br />
customers are decent, while the green 4/4 No. 2B and<br />
Better grades are slower. Prices are stable for this species.<br />
Many flooring manufacturers stocked up before winter<br />
set in with most having reached their desired inventory<br />
levels and so had reduced purchases heading into the<br />
new year.<br />
Red Oak orders were reported as decent for green<br />
No. 3A and Better grades. Kiln-dried demand is weaker<br />
due to weaker global business and also due to the holiday<br />
period we just went through. Demand for White Oak<br />
is steady, however, providing the orders is a challenge<br />
as lumber is not readily available. It is also a result of<br />
low sawmill production and strong competition from the<br />
stave industry for logs. Demand from the cabinet sector<br />
has remained steady for this species in the past year.<br />
Poplar output is meeting domestic demand, and users<br />
were not rushing to purchase it before the new year.<br />
Those exporting are finding it challenging to get orders<br />
from existing customers in Europe and the Far East, and<br />
price concessions are being offered to stimulate business.<br />
Walnut demand continues to be steady but varied according<br />
to areas contacted. Sales based on grades and<br />
special color selections are moving more readily.<br />
According to published survey results on trends, the<br />
outlook for wood components remains relatively positive,<br />
especially for manufacturers of products used in interior<br />
applications, such as cabinetry, casework, closets, and<br />
furniture. And while solid wood remains the dominant<br />
substrate for these components, the popularity of composite<br />
panel products continues to grow.<br />
Warm neutrals, lighter wood tones and earth tones<br />
top the trends list for the next three years, according to<br />
respondents in the NKBA/KBIS <strong>2024</strong> Kitchen Trends<br />
Report. Texture is also “in.” As for species choice, Hard<br />
and Soft Maple, White and Red Oak, Walnut, Poplar<br />
and Cherry remain popular, with Hickory and Pecan also<br />
strong in items such as flooring and other millwork.<br />
For industrial products, wood continues to be a dominant<br />
material in many products, including crossties and<br />
pallets.<br />
This is encouraging news for the <strong>Hardwood</strong> industry as<br />
we move into <strong>2024</strong>. n<br />
60 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 61
INDUSTRY NEWS Continued from page 13<br />
proving forest health and reducing wildfire risks to communities.<br />
The new mill will be tooled to cut <strong>Hardwood</strong> lumber, an<br />
unusual move in Oregon where the vast majority of mills<br />
process softwoods. The forests of Oregon and Northern<br />
California contain large volumes of Oregon White Oak,<br />
Pacific Maple, Tan Oak, Madrone, Chinquapin, Myrtle<br />
and Oregon Ash.<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong>s have become a nuisance for land man-<br />
OUT WITH THE OLD<br />
IN WITH THE NEW<br />
All McDonough Factory Re-builds<br />
come with a 1-year warranty...<br />
just like a new machine!<br />
(715) 834-7755 | www.mcdonough-mfg.com<br />
agers working to improve forest<br />
health and are an increasing<br />
component of wildfire-threatened<br />
overstocked stands. “We saw a<br />
real opportunity here,” said Patrick<br />
Lumber CEO David Halsey,<br />
“We can produce and market<br />
products that are in demand<br />
while also making it possible for<br />
forest managers to more economically<br />
perform activities that<br />
David Halsey<br />
further the health of our forests.”<br />
Halsey believes the mill will be the<br />
only commercial-sized <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
mill in western Oregon that isn’t primarily<br />
cutting Alder.<br />
The mill likely will be the only commercial<br />
outlet for Ash trees threatened<br />
by a recent Emerald Ash Borer<br />
outbreak in NW Oregon. Logs for the<br />
mill will be supplied from private, tribal,<br />
state, and federal lands.<br />
In addition to milling underutilized<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong>s, Patrick will produce<br />
long-length Alder lumber that other<br />
manufacturers are unable to supply<br />
to the market. The majority of species<br />
Patrick intends to process at<br />
the mill are highly valued for their<br />
unique grain patterns and physical<br />
properties. The company expects<br />
most of the lumber it makes will find<br />
its way into end uses such as wood<br />
flooring, wall paneling, moulding and<br />
millwork, countertops and butcherblocks,<br />
as well as niche markets<br />
such as guitar heads and necks and<br />
picture frame manufacturing.<br />
When complete, the mill is expected<br />
to produce about 150,000 board<br />
feet of <strong>Hardwood</strong> lumber per month,<br />
a 4X increase over the smaller mill<br />
Patrick had been contemplating before<br />
the federal grant opportunity<br />
was announced. “The chance for<br />
federal support for the project was a<br />
game-changer,” Halsey said. “It allowed<br />
us to think bigger and consider<br />
how we could make a much more<br />
significant impact for the community<br />
and the forests.”<br />
For more information, visit www.<br />
patlbr.com.<br />
Jim Howard<br />
the world. Strategically, AHC <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
Group has focused on value-added<br />
manufacturing.<br />
Atlanta <strong>Hardwood</strong> Corporation<br />
has announced the sale of Crystal<br />
Spring <strong>Hardwood</strong>s LLC to Eby Sawmill<br />
based in Clearville, PA.<br />
The long-term tenure and excellent<br />
workforce in place at Crystal<br />
Spring were very important to Eby.<br />
The deal closed in January <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
This transaction offers growth opportunities<br />
for both parties.<br />
According to Atlanta <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
Corporation CEO, Jim Howard, “Eby<br />
Sawmill has been a long-term valued<br />
supplier to our drying yard in<br />
Pennsylvania and AHC <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
Group will continue to buy lumber<br />
from their production.” Howard added,<br />
“Our ability to change and adapt<br />
to meet the needs of our customers<br />
and the evolving landscape of our<br />
industry has allowed us to grow from<br />
a single drying yard to a world-class,<br />
value-added manufacturer.”<br />
Atlanta <strong>Hardwood</strong> Corporation<br />
has been producing premium Appalachian<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong>s since 1952.<br />
Over the past two decades, the company<br />
has diversified from kiln-drying<br />
yards to value-added manufacturing,<br />
offering a diverse mix of <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
lumber and finished products,<br />
including more than 1,000 moulding<br />
profiles, VikingWood® thermally<br />
modified <strong>Hardwood</strong>s and imported<br />
Lunawood siding and decking. For<br />
more information about AHC <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
Group, visit hardwoodweb.<br />
com.<br />
Atlanta <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
Corporation Announces<br />
Sale Of Crystal Spring<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong>s<br />
Atlanta <strong>Hardwood</strong> Corporation,<br />
located in Atlanta, GA, which<br />
goes to market as AHC <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
Group, specializes in providing<br />
premium domestic and<br />
exotic <strong>Hardwood</strong>s to customers<br />
throughout the U.S. and around<br />
Mary Mathews<br />
Offering fine kiln dried<br />
Pennsylvania <strong>Hardwood</strong>s<br />
John Pysh, President; Max Kutz, General Manager; John Toncich III,<br />
Accounting; and David Platt, Foreman<br />
Offering 4/4 Red Oak, White Oak, Cherry, Soft Maple,<br />
Hard Maple, Tulip Poplar, Walnut and White Ash<br />
2253 State Rte. 227<br />
Pleasantville, PA 16341<br />
Phone: (814) 590-6730 • Fax: (814) 589-7831<br />
WWW.PAHARDWOODS.COM<br />
SII Dry Kilns Promotes<br />
Mary Mathews And<br />
Makes An Installation<br />
At Gates Milling<br />
SII Dry Kilns, located in Lexington,<br />
NC, recently announced<br />
the promotion of Mary Mathews<br />
to Director of Human Resources<br />
and Marketing. The change took<br />
effect on January 1, <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Please turn the page<br />
62 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 63
INDUSTRY NEWS Continued<br />
“I am very happy to see this change take place for Mary<br />
but also for the SII family. She will bring a lot of energy to<br />
our marketing and human resources departments. I think<br />
my father would be very proud to see his legacy continue<br />
to grow” stated Dan Mathews, Chairman of SII Dry Kilns.<br />
Mary has been with the company 12 years and worked<br />
in many roles in the company. This experience has given<br />
her excellent insight into the various aspects of the overall<br />
business. While Mary has been a tremendous asset<br />
in inside sales, she will be stepping back from the sales<br />
360.225.8267 usnr.com<br />
SII Package Dry Kiln, with a capacity of<br />
60,000 board feet.<br />
position during the first half of <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
During this time, she is moving into<br />
a more significant role in the company<br />
with this change. Mary said, “Our<br />
inside sales team will continue to<br />
provide the friendliest service in the<br />
industry at the fairest prices and fastest<br />
response times.”<br />
In other news, SII recently installed<br />
two Package Dry Kilns, each with<br />
a capacity of 60,000 board feet at<br />
Gates Milling Inc., located in Gatesville,<br />
NC. The addition of these two<br />
kilns has increased the Gates’ drying<br />
capacity by a third.<br />
“We are already seeing an increase<br />
in weekly kiln rotations,<br />
shortened drying time and enhanced<br />
quality of certain items, expedited<br />
stick rotation and increased availability<br />
in kiln-dried lumber. SII provided<br />
extensive training as well as timely<br />
support in any times of need. Our<br />
Dry Kiln Manager learned the SII operating<br />
system very quickly and has<br />
expertly transitioned the new kilns<br />
into our flow of operations,” stated<br />
Kelsey Kennedy, Vice President of<br />
Operations and Marketing.<br />
According to Kennedy, the company<br />
is looking forward to continuing to<br />
reduce their lead time and increase<br />
the availability of kiln-dried items for<br />
their customers.<br />
Gates Milling produces American<br />
Cypress, Poplar, Atlantic White<br />
Cedar, as well as other <strong>Hardwood</strong>s.<br />
The company manufactures green<br />
lumber and timbers, kiln-dried lumber<br />
and finished profiles for interior<br />
and exterior applications. With 11 million board feet produced<br />
in the sawmill annually, they are able to process<br />
eight million board feet through their dry kiln operations<br />
per year.<br />
Gates Custom Milling Inc. was established in 1978 as<br />
a family-owned operation. First-generation founder, Brian<br />
H. Martin sought to remanufacture Atlantic White Cedar<br />
lumber into both interior and exterior products. Second-generation<br />
owners Mark and Nancy Tuck expanded<br />
the company under its new Gates Milling Inc. name into a<br />
full-service, fully integrated operation, taking control of all<br />
aspects of the milling process from<br />
the log to the finished profile. Today,<br />
with the addition of the family’s third<br />
generation, Gates has grown into<br />
one the largest producers of Atlantic<br />
White Cedar products in the country,<br />
as well as a high-quality producer<br />
of Poplar materials and the highly<br />
sought after trademarked Gates<br />
product, American Cypress.<br />
For more information, visit www.<br />
siidrykilns.com or www.gatesmil<br />
ling.com.<br />
Woodgrain Acquires<br />
Trimco Millwork<br />
Woodgrain Inc., a leading millwork<br />
and building products company, recently<br />
announced the acquisition<br />
of Trimco Millwork. The transaction<br />
closed in December.<br />
With the acquisition of Trimco<br />
Millwork, Woodgrain will increase<br />
its distribution center network to 35<br />
locations, expanding Woodgrain’s<br />
national footprint into the Rocky<br />
Mountain West. Trimco is a wholesale<br />
distributor of moulding, exterior<br />
doors, interior doors and other specialty<br />
building products with three lo-<br />
Beautifully Sustainable<br />
Lunawood*<br />
We’ve added thermally modified Nordic<br />
Lunawood to our wide range of products<br />
designed to meet your needs:<br />
Lunawood Siding & Decking<br />
Siding & Exterior Trim<br />
Mouldings, 1000+ Profiles<br />
Cabinet & Furniture Components<br />
Gang-Ripped & Defected Blanks<br />
Shiplap & Nickle-Gap Paneling<br />
64 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 65<br />
Kelly Dame<br />
*Limited Distribution<br />
cations in Boise, ID; Salt Lake City, UT; and Denver, CO.<br />
Kelly Dame, President and Chief Executive Officer<br />
of Woodgrain, stated, “We at Woodgrain have admired<br />
Trimco for many years and acknowledge the Hoff family<br />
legacy, and are proud to continue that legacy as a<br />
family-owned company. We believe that we will be better<br />
together.”<br />
Woodgrain is family-owned and one of the leading<br />
millwork and building products operations in the world<br />
with locations throughout the United States and Chile.<br />
Please turn the page<br />
Project: Maxx Royal Kemer, Turkey<br />
Architect & Photo: Baraka Architects<br />
Atlanta, GA<br />
Cleveland, GA<br />
Clarksville, TN<br />
www.hardwoodweb.com<br />
800-476-5393
INDUSTRY NEWS Continued<br />
With 69 years of quality craftsmanship and service, Woodgrain is a leading<br />
producer of moulding, doors, and windows, as well as a premier distributor of<br />
specialty building products. Woodgrain Inc. is headquartered in Fruitland, ID<br />
with six divisions and over 45 manufacturing and warehouse facilities in the<br />
United States and South America.<br />
For more information, visit www.woodgrain.com.<br />
Cleereman Industries And Cleereman Controls Builds<br />
New Sawmill For Maple <strong>Hardwood</strong>s<br />
Cleereman Industries along with Cleereman Controls, headquartered in<br />
Frank Miller half-island ad 10-03-17.pdf 1 10/3/17 1:08 PM<br />
head through Cleereman optimized board/gang edger.<br />
Cleereman supplied Precision Chipper and waste line<br />
with overhead truck loading systems, substructures under<br />
all equipment and material handling throughout the<br />
mill. Another service that Cleereman supplied was the<br />
electrical MCP cabinets for the entire mill.<br />
According to Andrew Jaroche, Cleereman Industries<br />
along with Cleereman Controls provided excellent customer<br />
service and support from start to finish. Andrew<br />
would recommend Cleereman to anyone that is considering<br />
a new sawmill or upgrade.<br />
For more information, visit www.cleereman.com.<br />
TS Manufacturing Installs Sorter Line<br />
With Latest Generation Of AccuPlacer<br />
TS Manufacturing, located in Lindsay, ON, announced<br />
the installation and startup of a new complete mill outfeed<br />
for Blue Triangle <strong>Hardwood</strong>s in Everett, PA. The new<br />
system replaces a manual pull chain that had become<br />
increasingly difficult to staff, hampering mill production.<br />
New machinery from TS Manufacturing included a<br />
Dropsaw Trimmer system, a 60 bin Sorter, a Servo electric<br />
stacker, TS Mfg.’s patented AccuPlacer Generation 2<br />
Please turn the page<br />
Cleereman Industries along with Cleereman<br />
Controls recently completed an installation<br />
and start-up of a 57,000 square<br />
foot mill at Maple <strong>Hardwood</strong>s.<br />
Newald, WI, recently completed an<br />
installation and start-up of a 57,000<br />
square foot mill, in Upper Michigan.<br />
Maple <strong>Hardwood</strong>s is located in Pickford,<br />
MI, and owned by Luke and his<br />
son Andrew Jaroche.<br />
In 2021 at the IHLA Convention in<br />
Indianapolis, Andrew and Luke met<br />
with Paul Cleereman vice president<br />
of Cleereman Industries, and sales<br />
engineer Rob Kittle about the possibility<br />
of building a new sawmill. After<br />
several site visits and meetings with<br />
lead engineers, Rod Chitko and Fran<br />
Cleereman, at Cleereman Industries<br />
about what type of equipment was<br />
the best fit for Maple <strong>Hardwood</strong>s, the<br />
decision was made to move forward<br />
with the new sawmill.<br />
Cleereman Industries has its own<br />
in-house engineering department<br />
that 3-D modeled the proposed new<br />
mill for Andrew and Luke to approve<br />
before getting into detailed building<br />
prints. Once everything was finalized<br />
the engineering department provided<br />
building contractors with steel<br />
embedment cement drawings along<br />
with electrical drawings. This mill has<br />
a Nicholson Ring Debarker feeding<br />
two Cleereman Linear Tilt Carriages<br />
with Cleereman Linear 3-D optimized<br />
controls. Each carriage line<br />
has its own Cleereman Tilt Band Mill,<br />
Log Turner and Cleereman Carriage<br />
Drive with cable tensioner. Once the<br />
log is sawn the lumber and cants<br />
Sawmill MD Installs<br />
Danfoss Dust Suppression<br />
System<br />
Sawmill MD, located in Crestview,<br />
FL, announced that Menomonee<br />
Tribal Enterprises (MTE) in Neopit,<br />
WI, has installed a Danfoss Dust<br />
Suppression System to control the<br />
dust on both of their Lumber Pro<br />
Bandmills & Edger.<br />
MTE’s tilted Lumber Pro moving<br />
headrigs join multiple other mills with<br />
moving headrigs that Sawmill MD<br />
has installed the Danfoss High-Pressure<br />
Mist for dust control. Controlling<br />
the dust on the moving bandmills<br />
was a bit of a challenge, but the<br />
Danfoss System is the most effective<br />
and efficient way to control the dust<br />
on this style of bandmill.<br />
Using high-pressure water, the<br />
Danfoss System controls the airborne<br />
dust with minimal use of water<br />
due to the patented atomization<br />
design of the Danfoss nozzles. By<br />
placing these nozzles to intercept<br />
the dust and direct it to the waste<br />
systems has made a significant impact<br />
to the air quality of the facility.<br />
The Danfoss High-Pressure Mist<br />
System has had great success in<br />
this and other dust control applications.<br />
The mills have seen a significant<br />
reduction in airborne particles,<br />
which improves air quality, working<br />
conditions and reduces cleanup.<br />
Contact Mike Ballard or Duncan<br />
Ferguson at SawmillMD@mind<br />
spring.com for more information on<br />
the Danfoss High-Pressure Mist system.<br />
Patrick Lumber Company<br />
Over 100 Years in Business<br />
Est 1915<br />
Patrick Lumber Company is a secondary manufacturer and exporter of niche<br />
high-grade wood products sold to a network of worldwide distribution.<br />
Products:<br />
Doug Fir<br />
Western Red Cedar<br />
Southern Yellow Pine<br />
Western Hemlock<br />
Alaskan Yellow Cedar<br />
West Coast Softwoods<br />
West Coast <strong>Hardwood</strong>s<br />
Services:<br />
Remanufacturing<br />
Packaging & Transport<br />
Consultation<br />
Procurement<br />
33415 Noon Rd.,<br />
Philomath, OR 97370<br />
503-222-9671<br />
sales@patlbr.com<br />
Follow us on Instagram<br />
@Patricklumber<br />
patlbr.com<br />
66 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 67
INDUSTRY NEWS Continued<br />
Automatic stick placing system and AccuTally sorter controls.<br />
The project also included <strong>Hardwood</strong> Vision Grading<br />
and a separate re-entry transfer to introduce purchased<br />
lumber into the system while simultaneously handling all<br />
of the sawmill production.<br />
Working closely with the Blue Triangle team, TS Mfg.<br />
was able to position the line so that it was possible to install<br />
and test most of the machinery offline while the mill<br />
was running to minimize downtime for the changeover.<br />
For more information on TS Manufacturing’s complete<br />
Any Way<br />
You Cut It...<br />
ISK Protects It.<br />
Proven Mold Control...Powerful Sapstain Protection<br />
Trust ISK for Your Wood Solution.<br />
NeXgen ® End Coatings & Paint PQ-80 ®<br />
1-800-238-2523 • 416 E. Brooks Rd. • Memphis, TN 38109 • www.iskbiocides.com<br />
NeXgen ® , Tuff-Brite ® and CosPaint ® are registered trademarks of ISK Americas Incorporated. PQ-8 ® and PQ-80 ®<br />
are registered trademarks of IBC Manufacturing Company.<br />
line of sawmill and planer mill offerings, please contact<br />
them at sales@tsman.com or 705-324-3762.<br />
Wood-Mizer Installs New System At<br />
Deep Woods Lumber Co.<br />
Wood-Mizer recently installed a complete industrial<br />
sawmilling system at Deep Woods Lumber Co. in Ohio<br />
including a WM4500 industrial sawmill, EG400 industrial<br />
board edger, and blade sharpening equipment that maintains<br />
their Turbo 7 band sawmill blades in-house.<br />
Wood-Mizer WM4500 Industrial Sawmill<br />
Deep Woods Lumber Co. mills<br />
Hard and Soft Maple, Red, White<br />
and Chestnut Oak species. Brandon<br />
Wooldridge, founder of Deep Woods,<br />
said the Wood-Mizer WM4500 sawmill<br />
was the best move he made in<br />
25 years of business. Bryce Wooldridge,<br />
a fourth-generation sawyer,<br />
said that it didn’t take him long to<br />
learn how to operate the new equipment<br />
that they installed in the mill.<br />
He also noted how the equipment<br />
has improved their system regarding<br />
material flow and efficiency. For<br />
more information, visit www.wood<br />
mizer.com.<br />
A&E Reaches New<br />
Milestone With 24th<br />
Optimizer Installation<br />
Automation & Electronics (A&E),<br />
located in Asheville, NC, a leading<br />
provider of industrial optimization<br />
solutions, announced the successful<br />
completion of its 24th optimizer<br />
installation.<br />
The latest installation at a <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
mill involved an advanced car-<br />
riage optimizer upgrade, utilizing<br />
state-of-the-art JoeScan scanning<br />
heads. This achievement<br />
underscores A&E’s commitment<br />
to technological innovation and<br />
its reputation for rapid, efficient<br />
upgrades.<br />
The <strong>Hardwood</strong> customer, a<br />
long-standing client of A&E, now<br />
boasts four A&E carriage optimizers<br />
and an A&E edger opti-<br />
Joe Korac<br />
mizer, all part of a series of retrofit<br />
upgrades designed to enhance productivity<br />
and precision in lumber processing.<br />
The most recent upgrade, seamlessly<br />
integrated during a short<br />
downtime window, exemplifies A&E’s<br />
expertise in minimizing operational<br />
disruptions, according to a company<br />
spokesperson. This installation<br />
mirrors the company’s experience<br />
where optimization and controls upgrades<br />
for carriages were completed<br />
within the span of a long weekend.<br />
“Our team is thrilled to reach this<br />
milestone, demonstrating our unwavering<br />
commitment to providing<br />
top-tier optimization solutions,” said<br />
Joe Korac, president at A&E. “The<br />
successful integration of JoeScan<br />
technology in our latest project not<br />
only enhances operational efficiency<br />
but also showcases our ability to execute<br />
complex upgrades swiftly and<br />
effectively.”<br />
For more information about A&E’s<br />
optimization solutions and services,<br />
please contact Automation & Electronics<br />
at (704) 200-2350 or sales@<br />
automationelecusa.com.<br />
BID Group Unveils<br />
AI-Powered Linear<br />
ResawExpert Optimizer<br />
BID Group, located in Maribel, QC,<br />
a pioneer in wood processing solutions,<br />
introduced its ground breaking<br />
innovation – the AI-Powered Linear<br />
ResawExpert Optimizer with vision.<br />
According to BID’s representative,<br />
this cutting-edge technology redefines<br />
wood transformation by com-<br />
bining precision, efficiency, and innovation in the pursuit<br />
of maximizing yield.<br />
BID’s ResawExpert is a game changer, especially in<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> processing, ensuring every inch of raw material<br />
is utilized efficiently, resulting in superior products<br />
and significantly reduced losses.<br />
Key features of BID’s AI-Powered Linear ResawExpert<br />
are as follows: independent optimization and grading,<br />
rotation validation scanner, optimization by units of clear<br />
wood, NHLA cutting grades and custom grades, quick<br />
PREMIUM NORTHERN<br />
HARDWOOD LUMBER<br />
Ryan Peterson – Sales Manager<br />
(715) 533-6193<br />
rpeterson@northernhardwoods.com<br />
Matt Grube<br />
(920) 740-9140<br />
mgrube@northernhardwoods.com<br />
Atlantic Mine, MI<br />
Newberry, MI<br />
Please turn the page<br />
www.northernhardwoods.com<br />
68 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 69<br />
ISK BIOCIDES ISLAND.indd 7<br />
5/18/17 3:14 PM
INDUSTRY NEWS Continued<br />
and easy installation on an existing line and more.<br />
The innovation doesn’t stop here, the resaw optimizer can be<br />
initiated in parallel with ongoing operations, and activation can occur<br />
once tuning is completed, minimizing downtime and ensuring a<br />
smooth transition to enhanced results.<br />
BID Group is currently implementing the first ResawExpert at a<br />
hardwood flooring producer in Quebec. The project is progressing<br />
seamlessly, marking a significant milestone.<br />
“We are thrilled to introduce the AI-Powered ResawExpert, a testament<br />
to BID’s commitment to driving innovation in the industry.<br />
BID Group’s AI-Powered<br />
ResawExpert.<br />
This technology not only enhances<br />
the value of our customer’s products,<br />
but also contributes to sustainable<br />
practices by minimizing waste,” said<br />
Simon Potvin, President of Wood<br />
Processing at BID Group.<br />
This latest addition to BID’s<br />
“AI-Powered Expert Optimizers”<br />
product family highlights the company’s<br />
commitment to pushing the<br />
boundaries of what is possible. In<br />
fact, the resaw optimizer complements<br />
the already existing range for<br />
trimming, grading and edging.<br />
Since 1924, the privately-owned<br />
BID Group has been providing industry-leading<br />
solutions for its highly<br />
valued customers. As one of the<br />
largest integrated suppliers to the<br />
wood processing industry, and the<br />
North American leader in the field,<br />
BID Group is your one-stop source<br />
for guaranteed, comprehensive, and<br />
innovative solutions. The ability to<br />
provide complete, smart connected,<br />
turnkey manufacturing facilities<br />
that includes engineering, project<br />
management, equipment, software,<br />
installation, startup and after sales<br />
parts and services is the BID Group<br />
companies’ strategic value to its customers.<br />
The company has offices<br />
in 17 locations situated to serve the<br />
predominant wood processing regions<br />
of North America.<br />
Learn more about BID at<br />
www.bidgroup.ca. n<br />
IN MEMORIAM Continued from page 55<br />
Beth Maxwell<br />
Sarah Beth Burchfield Maxwell,<br />
age 73, of Monticello, AR, passed<br />
from this earth recently. Beth was a<br />
native of Crossett but spent her last<br />
35 years in Monticello. She graduated<br />
from Crossett High School in<br />
1969, UAM in 1973 with a Bachelor<br />
of Science in elementary education<br />
and had a long career as a teacher<br />
in the Monticello School District.<br />
Never far from a football field,<br />
she was a Crossett Eaglet, a UAM<br />
cheerleader, a Razorback supporter<br />
and the #1 Billie fan. Her Lord gifted<br />
her with an ardent heart, lungs<br />
that could carry across the field and<br />
a laugh that would warm your soul.<br />
Beth was co-founder of Maxwell<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> Flooring, along with her<br />
husband, Tommy Maxwell, where<br />
she served as Vice-President of the<br />
company. She used her teaching<br />
skills in training and development,<br />
which was key to the success and<br />
growth of the company. She was<br />
an instrumental supporter of NOF-<br />
MA from the early years, believing<br />
strongly in its mission. She cowrote<br />
the NOFMA Flooring Sidematcher<br />
manual, which is used in<br />
mills across the country today. She<br />
worked tirelessly to help support the<br />
people who worked for the company<br />
and loved them dearly.<br />
Beth was a member of First United<br />
Methodist Church of Monticello.<br />
She served the Lord steadfastly.<br />
She was a fervent prayer warrior<br />
and showed His love to others in<br />
every way she could. In 2023, she<br />
finished her 31st year of supporting<br />
the Monticello High School football<br />
team and coaches, delivering over<br />
25,000 candy bars, encouraging<br />
messages, constant prayers, and<br />
her testimony of Jesus in her life.<br />
She spoke words of wisdom over<br />
more than a generation of young<br />
men in Drew County.<br />
She is preceded in death by her<br />
A CLEANER, GREENER CHOICE<br />
Our Specialized Services Include:<br />
2022 Impact Advertising • 22WLC-PFC-PA<strong>Hardwood</strong>s-ProgAd-Aug-B<br />
parents, Ecil and Sadie Gibbs Burchfield, a brother Kenneth<br />
Burchfield, niece, Ophelia “Opie’’ Baker, and her<br />
grandparents, Lonnie and Dora Lee Gibbs and Leroy<br />
and Ophelia Burchfield.<br />
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Thomas<br />
Vance Maxwell, daughter and husband, Kristi and Dustin<br />
Prince, son, Thomas Wilson “Wil’’ Maxwell, her four<br />
grandchildren, Sarah Marie Prince, Rachel Lee Prince,<br />
Adelyn Elizabeth Maxwell, and Andrew Wilson Maxwell,<br />
all of Monticello; a sister, Melonie Fineout and hus-<br />
• Shipping Dry Lumber<br />
• Kiln Dried Lumber<br />
• Clear Strips<br />
• Surfacing-2-Sides (S2S)<br />
• Gang Ripping / Parallel Sawing<br />
• Straight Line Ripping<br />
• Optimized Cross Cut<br />
• Molding Millwork<br />
• Edged & Face Glued Products<br />
• End Matching (Cabinet Parts & Flooring)<br />
Please turn to page 74<br />
Wheeland Lumber Company, Inc.<br />
3558 Williamson Trail • Liberty, PA 16930-0965 USA<br />
P: 570-324-6042 • F: 570-324-2127<br />
70 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 71
WHO’S WHO<br />
IN HARDWOOD PURCHASING<br />
A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE LEADING<br />
PURCHASING EXECUTIVES IN<br />
THE HARDWOOD INDUSTRY<br />
MUELLER BROTHERS<br />
TIMBER, INC.<br />
EXPERIENCE QUALITY DEPENDABILITY<br />
975 Conrad Hill Mine Rd. ~ Lexington, NC 27292<br />
Phone 336-746-5419 ~ Fax 336-746-6177<br />
www.kepleyfrank.us<br />
Facilities:<br />
3 Sawmills Processing 50 Million' • 750,000' Dry Kiln<br />
Capacity • 600,000' Fan Shed Capacity<br />
2 382 Newman Planer Mills • 50 Bay Bin Sorter<br />
Products Available:<br />
4/4-8/4 Appalachian Lumber • 6/4-8/4 Ship Dry Capacity<br />
Crossties (100,000 BF per week) • Timbers up to 18'<br />
1,000,000+ Average KD Inventory • 12,000,000+<br />
Average AD Inventory<br />
Species:<br />
White Oak • Red Oak • Poplar • Ash • Hickory<br />
Elm • Beech • Gum • Hackberry • Pecan<br />
Jimmy Kepley, owner, and Bart<br />
Jenkins, lumber sales<br />
The firm manufactures 4/4 through 8/4 thicknesses.<br />
Sales:<br />
Bart Jenkins<br />
bjenkins@kepleyfrank.us<br />
Jimmy Kepley<br />
jkepley@kepleyfrank.us<br />
DAVID JUNIOR LAUZON is<br />
the vice president of sales and<br />
customer service at Lauzon<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> Flooring, located<br />
in Papineauville, QC. Lauzon<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> Flooring is a manufacturer,<br />
distributor and sawmill<br />
that purchases over 5 million<br />
board feet of all <strong>Hardwood</strong> species.<br />
They manufacture solid<br />
David Junior Lauzon<br />
lumber flooring as well as engineered<br />
in thicknesses of 7/16 and 3/4. They offer a<br />
unique two ply construction, titanium finish and Pure<br />
Genius Technology.<br />
Lauzon’s first job in the forest products industry was<br />
at Lauzon <strong>Hardwood</strong> Flooring and has been with the<br />
company for 12 years, four of which he has served as<br />
vice president. During his summer breaks he gained experience<br />
in the industry by working in <strong>Hardwood</strong> flooring<br />
installation.<br />
Lauzon graduated high school from Seminaire de Sacre<br />
Coeur in Quebec, CN and then went on to get his<br />
Bachelor of Business, with a focus in marketing, from<br />
the University of Montreal.<br />
Lauzon has been married for four years and has two<br />
young daughters.<br />
Lauzon <strong>Hardwood</strong> Flooring is a member of the <strong>National</strong><br />
Wood Flooring Association and is a part of their<br />
engineered refinishable program, <strong>National</strong> Oak Flooring<br />
Manufacturer’s Association, Leadership in Energy and<br />
Environmental Design and ISO 14001.<br />
For more information, email info@lauzonltd.com, or<br />
visit www.expertlauzon.com or www.lauzoncollec<br />
tion.com.<br />
ED SCHLABACH is a lumber buyer for Rockwood<br />
Door & Millwork, located in Millersburg, OH.<br />
Rockwood Door & Millwork manufactures custom<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> doors and millwork. The company purchases<br />
approximately 150,000 board feet annually of Poplar,<br />
Walnut, Cherry, Red and White Oak, Hard and Soft Maple,<br />
Birch, Hickory and Alder.<br />
Schlabach is a graduate of East Holmes Local<br />
Schools, located in Berlin, OH, and is a member of the<br />
Architectural Woodwork Institute. He has been in his<br />
current position at Rockwood Door & Millwork for 16 of<br />
his 30 years at the company.<br />
Schlabach began his career in the forest products<br />
industry at Hiland Wood Products in Millersburg, OH,<br />
where he worked in cabinet door production.<br />
Schlabach and his wife of 33 years, Regina, have two<br />
sons, two daughters and six grandchildren. In his spare<br />
time, he enjoys bird watching and traveling with his family.<br />
For more information, please see www.rockwood<br />
door.com.<br />
FRANK FITTS III is president and CEO of Fitts Industries<br />
Inc., located in Tuscaloosa, AL.<br />
Fitts Industries is a manufacturer of stair components,<br />
including newels, balusters, handrails, treads and fittings.<br />
The company purchases 2.5 million board feet<br />
per year of <strong>Hardwood</strong> and softwood lumber, including<br />
Maple, Oak, Cherry, Poplar, Hickory, Alder, Beech, Mahogany<br />
and Sapele (No. 1 Common, FAS, 4/4, 5/4, 6/4<br />
and 8/4 dry to six percent EMC).<br />
Softwood species purchased by the company include<br />
antique heart pine and white pine.<br />
Fitts Industries also offers drying, ripping, chopping,<br />
gluing, moulding, turning, shaping, CNC routing and<br />
CNC turning services.<br />
Fitts graduated from Tuscaloosa High School in 1975<br />
and from the University of Alabama in 1980, both located<br />
in Tuscaloosa. His first position in the forest products<br />
industry was working as an operations manager in 1978.<br />
Fitts has worked for Fitts Industries for over 50 years,<br />
with the past 26 years spent in his current position as<br />
president.<br />
Fitts Industries is a member of the World Millwork Alliance,<br />
Wood Component Manufacturers Association,<br />
Appalachian <strong>Hardwood</strong> Manufacturers Inc., Stairway<br />
Manufacturers Association and the Society of International<br />
Business Fellows. Fitts has served on many a<br />
board position and mentorship programs within these<br />
organizations.<br />
Fitts is a recipient of the Chamber of Commerce award<br />
for “Teachers in Industry,” past president of the Tuscaloosa<br />
Academy Board of Trustees. He continues to be an<br />
innovator in the industry, designing and redefining the<br />
efficiencies of the construction process. Fitts possesses<br />
several patents from said innovations.<br />
In his spare time Fitts enjoys fishing, hunting and golfing.<br />
He has three children. His middle daughter, Madeline,<br />
came to work for the company in 2018 and is now<br />
vice president.<br />
For more information, visit www.fitts.com. n<br />
Tracey Mueller, Log Procurement; Kevin Mueller, Mill Manager;<br />
and Randy Mueller, Sales<br />
SAWMILL AND TWIN BAND RESAW<br />
Manufacturers of:<br />
4/4 - 8/4 Grade Lumber<br />
SPECIALIZING IN PLAIN SAWN:<br />
• WALNUT • COTTONWOOD<br />
• SYCAMORE • HICKORY • RED OAK<br />
• WHITE OAK• SOFT MAPLE<br />
• HARD MAPLE • ASH<br />
400,000’ DRY KILN CAPACITY<br />
1,000,000’ DRY STORAGE<br />
PLANER<br />
STRAIGHT LINE RIP<br />
GANG RIPPING<br />
DOUBLE END TRIM<br />
EXPORT PACKAGING<br />
CONTAINER LOADING<br />
Grooved sticks used on all<br />
whitewoods and White Oak.<br />
P.O. BOX 175<br />
OLD MONROE, MO 63369<br />
PHONE: 636-665-5193<br />
FAX: 636-665-5812<br />
Email: randy@muellerbros.com<br />
www.muellerbros.com<br />
NHLA<br />
72 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 73
Whatever your hardwood needs, our experienced<br />
sales staff will be happy to assist you with all of<br />
your lumber inquiries. Call for a complete list of our<br />
wood products.<br />
SERVICES<br />
n Direct mill, export and import shippers<br />
n Wholesale, distribution and dry kiln centers<br />
MILLING CAPABILITIES<br />
n S2S, carbide straight-line rips and gang rip<br />
n Custom mouldings<br />
SHIPPING OPTIONS<br />
n Our own trucks ship all quantities of lumber, from<br />
bundle lots to full tractor-trailer loads.<br />
n Our common-carrier network also enables us to<br />
quickly ship lumber all over the United States.<br />
www.oshealumber.com<br />
At O’Shea Lumber,<br />
your needs are our<br />
highest priority.<br />
We maintain a 3.5 million<br />
board for inventory of<br />
foreign and domestic<br />
hardwoods. Call to<br />
experience our excellent<br />
customer service.<br />
Since 1971<br />
Main Office and Yard<br />
11425 Susquehanna Trail<br />
Glen Rock, PA USA 17327<br />
1.717.235.1992 phone<br />
1.717.235.0200 fax<br />
E-mail: anton@oshea.com<br />
1.800.638.0296<br />
Connecting North American<br />
Forest Products Globally<br />
LIKE AND FOLLOW US ON:<br />
@millerwoodtradepub<br />
www.millerwoodtradepub.com<br />
IN MEMORIAM<br />
Continued from page 71<br />
band, Tommy, of Sulphur Springs,<br />
TX; nieces, Ana (Jesse) Lemons,<br />
of Plano, TX, Lily (Drew) Payne of<br />
Little Rock, AR, and nephew, John<br />
Thomas Fineout of Odessa, TX. She<br />
had many special friends, a wonderful<br />
small group, and a community<br />
that she touched forever. The family<br />
would like to issue a special thank<br />
you to her loving and caring caregivers,<br />
Shannon Pace, Mae Lee Miller,<br />
Cherry Miller, Liz Jones, Deonnia<br />
Brown, Laura Briseno and Lily Briseno.<br />
Serving as active pallbearers were<br />
Blake Maxwell, Jon Schell, Dr. Michael<br />
Fakouri, Derrick Johnson, Jonathan<br />
Bryant, Brian Hargis, Reggie<br />
Binns and Kerwin Coleman. Honorary<br />
pallbearers are Coach Johnny<br />
McMurry, Coach Van Paschall,<br />
Coach Buck James, Coach Marty<br />
Davis, Coach Rick Young, Coach<br />
Greg Tiner, Coach Robbie Coplin,<br />
Coach Randy Harvey, Coach Seth<br />
Oxner and Coach Imani Riley.<br />
Celebration of Life Services for<br />
Beth were held at First United Methodist<br />
Church with Rev. Brian Diffee<br />
and Rev. Lori Fallon officiating. A<br />
reception was held immediately following<br />
the service in the Church’s<br />
Family Life Center. Memorials may<br />
be made to the Billie Foundation<br />
Fund, First United Methodist Church<br />
and Hope Place.<br />
“All the Billies that I’ve been allowed<br />
to join their season and locker<br />
rooms, what an honor and privilege<br />
to go before Almighty God’s Throne<br />
to pray for each coach and player<br />
and their families!!! To God Be All<br />
The Glory!” n<br />
AHEC REPORT<br />
Continued from page 16<br />
techniques for timber, providing concise<br />
case studies through interviews<br />
with designers on the making processes<br />
behind specific projects.<br />
Travelling to Australia, the first Making Short of the season<br />
focuses on CNC milling, tracing its connections to<br />
traditional hand carving methods. Designer Trent Jansen<br />
and Tanya Singer and Errol Evans, First Nations woodworkers<br />
and artists, explain how they employed high-tech<br />
milling machines to create a series of sculptural furniture<br />
that tell stories about the climate crisis.<br />
Other highlights include Anna Maria Øfstedal Eng<br />
speaking about creating furniture with a chainsaw, and<br />
Inma Bermudez and Moritz Krefter reflecting on how<br />
making-by-hand opens up possibilities for working with<br />
waste timber.<br />
Photo By Tv2 Norge Tid For Hjem<br />
Photo By Fiona Susanto<br />
Words on Wood is developed by the American <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
Export Council (AHEC) in conjunction with Disegno,<br />
the international journal of design.<br />
You can listen and subscribe to Words on Wood on Apple<br />
podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.<br />
Editor’s notes:<br />
About American <strong>Hardwood</strong> Export Council<br />
(AHEC)<br />
For more than three decades, the American <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
Export Council (AHEC) has been the global face of the<br />
Please turn the page<br />
Wood: The Natural Choice<br />
Stay on track: www.rta.org or<br />
74 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 75
Dwight Lewis<br />
Co., Inc.<br />
Hillsgrove, PA 18619 • Phone 570-924-3507<br />
FAX 570-924-4233<br />
Kilns • Export Preparation<br />
Container Loading<br />
Company Owned Timberland<br />
3rd Generation Since 1941<br />
Appalachian <strong>Hardwood</strong>s<br />
Specializing in Cherry 4/4 thru 16/4<br />
Hard & Soft Maple<br />
Red & White Oak<br />
<strong>National</strong> <strong>Hardwood</strong> Lumber Association Certified<br />
Your support changes<br />
hearts and minds<br />
about wood, for good.<br />
Harvesting the Future through Education<br />
DONATE TODAY @ NorthAmericanForestFoundation.org<br />
JOIN THE CONVERSATION<br />
AHEC REPORT Continued<br />
U.S. timber industry, championing the performance,<br />
sustainability and aesthetic potential of American <strong>Hardwood</strong>s<br />
worldwide. As the leading international <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
trade association for North America, AHEC operates a<br />
non-profit programme representing thousands of businesses<br />
engaged in the production and export of timber<br />
– ranging from small family-run sawmills to major flooring<br />
manufacturers. Established to unite this wide-ranging<br />
spectrum of companies with a single global voice, AHEC<br />
has successfully built an internationally recognised<br />
brand, marketing more than 20 commercially available<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> species and increasing demand around the<br />
world.<br />
www.americanhardwood.org<br />
@ahec_europe<br />
About Disegno<br />
Disegno is an international journal dedicated to longform<br />
writing and photography around design. The team<br />
behind Disegno also publish Design Reviewed, a title<br />
devoted to experiential design writing and long-form reviews,<br />
with an emphasis on hands-on engagement. Both<br />
journals cover all design fields, exploring the political, social,<br />
environmental and industrial impact of the discipline.<br />
Each is published biannually. Disegno also publishes a<br />
mixture of long-form journalism and shorter news items<br />
on its website.<br />
www.disegnojournal.com<br />
@disegnojournal n<br />
NWFA REVIEW Continued from page 18<br />
The determination of MC is an essential part of quality<br />
control, particularly when it comes to wood flooring. It is<br />
important to know how much humidity is in the space,<br />
as well as the MC of the wood flooring, doorframes,<br />
moulding, and substrate. The MC of wood flooring<br />
should be adequately aligned with the environment<br />
where it will be installed. Each manufacturer should<br />
provide temperature and humidity requirements or<br />
recommended practices for acclimating their wood.<br />
The MC of the flooring and subflooring should be tested<br />
and verified using an appropriate meter or test method.<br />
A thermo-hygrometer should be used to measure the<br />
temperature and humidity in the room. The humidity of<br />
the environment also is affected by the region where<br />
the jobsite is located. Some areas will be more humid,<br />
whereas others will be more arid. All of this testing<br />
provides a comprehensive understanding of how the<br />
wood flooring will perform in its environment.<br />
The MC of wood below the FSP is a function of both<br />
the relative humidity and temperature in the surrounding<br />
environment. Optimal performance is achieved when<br />
wood is neither gaining nor losing moisture, which is<br />
referred to as its equilibrium moisture content (EMC).<br />
Wood performs best when the interior environment<br />
is controlled at recommended levels, and the wood is<br />
installed at a MC corresponding to the interior conditions.<br />
Most wood flooring manufacturers dry their flooring to 6<br />
percent to 9 percent MC, which directly coincides with<br />
a relative humidity range between 30 percent to 50<br />
percent and a temperature range between 60°F to 80°F<br />
found in most indoor environments.<br />
Dimensional stability is the degree to which a piece<br />
of solid wood maintains its original dimensions when<br />
subjected to changes in MC. How this change affects<br />
wood depends on the species and the grain angle at<br />
which the board was cut from the log.<br />
Dimensional Change Coefficient (DCC), published by<br />
the Forest Products Laboratory of the U.S. Department<br />
of Agriculture, identifies how dimensionally stable a<br />
specific species is, measured as tangential shrinkage<br />
or swelling within normal MC limits of 6 percent to 14<br />
percent.<br />
The DCC provides a way to calculate approximately<br />
how much a particular species of wood may respond<br />
to changes in MC. This is helpful for determining<br />
species suitability, planning appropriate expansion, and<br />
maintaining appropriate climate conditions.<br />
The <strong>National</strong> Wood Flooring Association has detailed<br />
information about moisture content and wood available<br />
through NWFA University, an online training platform<br />
that is convenient and affordable. More information is<br />
available at nwfa.org. n<br />
NHLA: Why Knot?... Continued from page 20<br />
side our industry and have them leave. Hopefully, we will<br />
leave a good impression on them.<br />
As for who to hire, I have made one determination: I<br />
will never hire another employee, as long as I live, who<br />
could not one day take my job. Sticking a warm body in<br />
a position doesn’t do you any good; I tried that for two<br />
months last year when we needed accounting help. It<br />
didn’t last. Then, I have to start training them to take<br />
my job, whether that is lumber grading, public speaking,<br />
business classes, or helping them get a degree. I must<br />
set them up for success, so they will take me with them<br />
as long as they stay. Who doesn’t want that great reference?<br />
Who doesn’t appreciate the boss that helps them<br />
achieve their dream? Who doesn’t want to hire the best<br />
possible candidate?<br />
Why knot hire your replacement? n<br />
JoCo Lumber, Inc. is a division of<br />
Josey Lumber Company, Inc.<br />
Tripp, Logan, and Joey Josey<br />
Our company offers:<br />
• 10,000,000 BF of annual production from<br />
our 6’ band headrig and 6’ band resaw.<br />
• Red and White Oak, Soft Maple, Ash,<br />
Poplar and Cypress in 4/4 through 8/4<br />
thickness.<br />
• rough, surfaced, air-dried and kiln-dried<br />
lumber in random widths and lengths.<br />
• export prepping, container loading of logs and lumber,<br />
anti-stain dipping and end coating lumber.<br />
• 500,000 BF of dry kiln capacity.<br />
• 65,000 SF of enclosed warehouse for storage and loading of<br />
kiln-dried lumber.<br />
For Quality Appalachian Lumber Contact:<br />
JOsey Lumber COmpany, InC.<br />
JoCo Lumber, InC.<br />
476 Lees meadow rd. • p.O. Drawer 447<br />
scotland neck, nC 27874<br />
TeL: (252) 826-5614 • FaX: (252) 826-3461<br />
COnTaCT:<br />
emaIL: joseylbr3@gmail.com<br />
saLes: Logan Josey<br />
“Quality <strong>Hardwood</strong> Lumber and Flooring”<br />
Quality <strong>Hardwood</strong> Lumber<br />
24 Million ft. Annually of Bandsawn Lumber<br />
One Million ft. of Kiln Capacity<br />
Planing Mill Facilities<br />
Straight Line Capability<br />
Width Sorting<br />
On Site Container Loading<br />
Serving you from our facilities in Georgia and Tennessee.<br />
Quality Solid <strong>Hardwood</strong> and Engineered Flooring<br />
Buena Vista, GA – 75,000 sf Solid <strong>Hardwood</strong> Flooring<br />
Facility Producing 3/4, 2-1/4, 3-1/4, 4 and 5″<br />
Humidity Controlled Warehouses<br />
Newport, TN – 85,000 sf Engineered <strong>Hardwood</strong> Flooring<br />
Facility Producing 5/8, 2-1/4, 3-1/4, 4, 5, 6 and 7″<br />
in Red Oak, White Oak and Hickory<br />
Humidity Controlled Warehouses<br />
Owner/Partner - Roland Weaver (229) 649-9328<br />
V.P. of Sales – Kevin Cloer (423) 623-7382<br />
Flooring Sales/Lumber Purchasing – Bobby Cloer (423) 623-7382<br />
Oakcrest Lumber, Inc.<br />
Ph: (229) 649-9328 FAX: (229) 649-9585<br />
Email: oakcrest@windstream.net<br />
Website: www.oakcrestlumber.com<br />
76 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 77
CLASSIFIED<br />
PROFIT OPPORTUNITIES<br />
To: Anyone involved in the sawmill controls industry<br />
SEEKING AN eLIMBS SPECIALIST<br />
DMSi is currently seeking a candidate to implement and support the eLIMBS inventory<br />
system. This person will use their industry and product knowledge to help customers<br />
improve their business processes with the software.<br />
Duties include<br />
-Manage implementation projects, including system set up and configuration<br />
-Train customers and other DMSi personnel on use of the system<br />
-Help resolve client cases by gathering information and researching issues<br />
-Create documentation to improve eLIMBS training resources<br />
Qualifications<br />
-Knowledge of the hardwood lumber industry and supply chain processes<br />
-Experience with training end-users (virtual and in-person) on new software procedures<br />
-Strong logical and problem-solving skills<br />
-The ability to positively represent DMSi/eLIMBS<br />
Position Details<br />
-Full-time position<br />
-Ability to work from home or Omaha office<br />
-Travel to customer locations required<br />
-Medical, dental, vision, 401(K) with match, PTO, and other benefits provided<br />
Reply to Kevin Peterson (kpeterson@dmsi.com)<br />
To: Anyone involved in the sawmill controls industry<br />
FOR SALE<br />
Dry Kiln Concentration Yard with 470,000 bdft Kiln Capacity<br />
and 400,00 bdft Predryer Capacity<br />
LOT – Western Pennsylvania<br />
26.47 – acre industrial site<br />
26.31 – acre wooded lot<br />
70,000 sqft asphalt lot<br />
100 x 80 vehicle lot<br />
Enough sq footage to openly store 2,000,000 bdft lumber.<br />
BUILDINGS:<br />
80 x 212 Steel storage building concrete floor (blue lumber storage)<br />
65 x 140 Wood frame equipment building concrete floor (green chain)<br />
60 x 130 Wood frame equipment building (stacker)<br />
60 x 80 Steel building high storage (sawdust)<br />
60 x 60 Wood frame equipment building (grading shed)<br />
130 x 80 Coe steel building (predryer)<br />
5 – 50,000 ft SII Kiln Building<br />
2 – 40,000 ft Irvington Moore Kilns<br />
2 – 80,000 ft Nardi Kilns<br />
25 x 160 Garage w/small office and wash area. Parts storage rooms.<br />
Block and wood structure.<br />
25 x 160 Open face wood storage shed, gravel floor.<br />
25 x 160 Open face steel storage shed with a 50 x 60 high overhang roof,<br />
gravel floor.<br />
104,000 sqft Asphalt lot<br />
OFFICE – Roughly 2,000 sqft working space.<br />
11 Individual offices<br />
2 large clerical offices<br />
1 large conference room<br />
Small kitchen<br />
2 Restrooms<br />
Reply to: nhm@millerwoodtradepub.com, put CMP #3578 in subject line.<br />
ALL CLASSIFIED<br />
ADS MUST BE PAID<br />
IN ADVANCE<br />
$45.00 PER INCH •<br />
Blind Box Number Fee:<br />
$10.00<br />
DEADLINE:<br />
30 Days Preceding<br />
Publication Month<br />
Classified advertising will not be<br />
accepted for <strong>Hardwood</strong> products such<br />
as lumber, dimension, turnings, veneer,<br />
carvings, new dry kilns or dry kiln<br />
equipment, etc.<br />
USED MACHINERY FOR SALE<br />
●USNR 4TA30 Top Arbor Three Shifting<br />
Saw Edger<br />
●Infeed Landing Deck<br />
●USNR – Lunden Cam Unscrambler<br />
S/N 41419<br />
●Even Ending Rolls<br />
●Queuing Hooks (2) ahead of Scanner<br />
●Queuing Hooks (2) after Scanner<br />
●Edger Infeed Model 600 Maximizer<br />
S/N 2951-A<br />
●USNR 4TA30 Edger with 200 HP Arbor<br />
Drive Motor<br />
●Outfeed Belt with Shifting Edging Shears<br />
●Specs – <strong>Hardwood</strong> 1” to 4” Thick x 4” to 24”<br />
Wide x 6’ to 16’ Long<br />
●Saw Kerf .160” x Saw Plate .120”<br />
●Two Hydraulic Units<br />
●Water Mizer Oil Mist Guide System<br />
●Set of Babbitt Guide Tools<br />
Contact: James Robbins<br />
Cell: (207) 322-3162<br />
Email: jarobbins@rlco.com<br />
Certified Lumber Grader – Job Description<br />
Cardin Forest Products is a family owned sawmill and kiln drying operation located in South<br />
Pittsburg, Tennessee. We are currently seeking a candidate to fill a hardwood lumber grading<br />
position in our kiln drying operation.<br />
The ideal candidate will have:<br />
•Been NHLA certified<br />
•2 to 3 years of experience grading kiln dried hardwoods<br />
Duties will include, but not be limited to the following:<br />
•Grade and mark all lumber to be sorted according to NHLA rules/guidelines<br />
and industry standards<br />
•Communicate effectively with your team and other departments<br />
•Adhere to all safety policies and perform tasks in a safe and responsible<br />
manner<br />
Required Qualifications:<br />
•Minimum of one (1) year experience grading green and/or kiln dried domestic<br />
lumber<br />
•Must be NHLA trained or have equivalent knowledge.<br />
•Must be physically capable of performing all duties of the job and any other<br />
duties assigned by Crew Leader<br />
Position<br />
•Full time position<br />
•Company offers medical, dental, 401(k), and other benefit offerings<br />
We are an equal opportunity employer. Employment selection and related decisions are<br />
made without regard to sexual orientation, race, color, age, disability, religion, national origin,<br />
citizenship status and creed.<br />
Salary Negotiable<br />
Reply to: Jeremy Ball<br />
Cell: (423) 619-8056<br />
Email: jball@cardinfp.com<br />
SALESMAN WANTED<br />
We’re looking to add a salesman<br />
to our team to grow our U.S. sales,<br />
and our Ontario, Canada westward<br />
sales.<br />
Knowledge of the <strong>Hardwood</strong> industry,<br />
logistics and supply chain<br />
process are important. Strong sales<br />
qualities and solutions oriented.<br />
Full-time and exclusive to our service.<br />
Location is not an issue – work<br />
remote from U.S. or in Ontario, Canada.<br />
Reply to:<br />
nhm@millerwoodtradepub.com<br />
Put CMP #3579 in subject line.<br />
national<br />
hardwood<br />
mag.com<br />
HELP WANTED<br />
SERVICES<br />
901.767.9126<br />
or visit us at<br />
www.hmr.com<br />
Benchmark pricing and market<br />
commentary on the North American<br />
hardwood lumber industry.<br />
Go online at hmr.com for a sample copy.<br />
Our Classified<br />
Advertising<br />
Works!<br />
FOR INFORMATION CALL:<br />
800-844-1280<br />
Connecting North American Forest Products Globally<br />
<strong>National</strong> <strong>Hardwood</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
www.nationalhardwoodmag.com<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> Purchasing Handbook<br />
www.hardwoodpurchasinghdbk.com<br />
Greenbook’s <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
Marketing Directory<br />
www.millerwoodtradepub.com<br />
Greenbook’s Softwood<br />
Marketing Directory (on-line only)<br />
www.millerwoodtradepub.com<br />
Forest Products Export Directory<br />
www.forestproductsexport.com<br />
P.O. Box 34908, Memphis, TN 38184-0908<br />
(800) 844-1280 or (901) 372-8280<br />
Imported Wood Purchasing Guide<br />
www.importedwoodpurchasing.com<br />
Import/Export Wood Purchasing News<br />
www.woodpurchasingnews.com<br />
The Softwood Forest Products Buyer<br />
www.softwoodbuyer.com<br />
The Softwood Forest Products Buyer<br />
Special NAWLA Edition<br />
www.softwoodbuyer.com<br />
Forest Products Stock Exchange<br />
(on-line only)<br />
www.millerwoodtradepub.com<br />
PLEASE VISIT US ONLINE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PUBLICATIONS<br />
www.millerwoodtradepub.com<br />
info@millerwoodtradepub.com<br />
78 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 79
ADVERTISERS<br />
INDEX<br />
...resources to get the job done...<br />
Abenaki Timber Corporation..................33<br />
AGL Group, The........................................8<br />
AHC <strong>Hardwood</strong> Group............................65<br />
Air Systems Mfg. of Lenoir, Inc..................<br />
Anderson, Roy, Lumber Company, Inc.......<br />
Atlanta <strong>Hardwood</strong> Corporation..............65<br />
Automation & Electronics USA..............13<br />
Bailey’s Inc.............................................32<br />
Baillie Lumber Co.......................................<br />
Beard <strong>Hardwood</strong>s.......................................<br />
BID Group................................................11<br />
Bingaman & Son Lumber, Inc.....................<br />
BioLube, Inc..............................................3<br />
Breeze Dried Inc.........................................<br />
Brunner-Hildebrand Lumber<br />
Dry Kiln Co..............................................44<br />
Carbotech-Autolog......................................<br />
Cardin Forest Products LLC.......................<br />
Church, Bryant, <strong>Hardwood</strong>s, Inc............54<br />
Clark Lumber Co.........................................<br />
Classic American <strong>Hardwood</strong>s, Inc........ BC<br />
Cleereman Controls.............................. IFC<br />
Cleereman Industries........................... IFC<br />
Cole <strong>Hardwood</strong>, Inc................................17<br />
Collins.........................................................<br />
Continental Underwriters, Inc...................<br />
Cooper Machine Co., Inc........................42<br />
Corley Manufacturing Co............................<br />
Cramer, W.M., Lumber Co.......................52<br />
Cummings Lumber Co., Inc................... FC<br />
Deer Park Lumber, Inc................................<br />
Devereaux Sawmill, Inc..............................<br />
DMSi Software..........................................5<br />
Eagle Machinery & Supply, Inc..............38<br />
EXPO Richmond........................................4<br />
EZLOG Company, Inc..................................<br />
Farm Credit Mid-America.......................34<br />
Fitzpatrick & Weller Inc..............................<br />
Forcey Lumber Company, Inc.....................<br />
Frank Miller Lumber Co., Inc..................66<br />
GF <strong>Hardwood</strong>s, Inc.....................................<br />
Graf Bros. Flooring & Lumber....................<br />
Granite Valley Forest Products..................<br />
GTL Lumber Inc........................................9<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> Forestry Fund............................<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong> Manufacturers Assoc ..............<br />
Hartzell <strong>Hardwood</strong>s, Inc.........................37<br />
Hermitage <strong>Hardwood</strong><br />
Lumber Sales, Inc.......................................<br />
HHP, Inc...................................................43<br />
Hurdle Machine Works Inc.....................46<br />
Industrial Vision Systems, Inc...................<br />
Irving, J.D., Limited....................................<br />
ISK Biocides, Inc....................................68<br />
JoCo Lumber, Inc....................................77<br />
JoeScan..................................................35<br />
Jones, Ron, <strong>Hardwood</strong> Sales, Inc..........58<br />
Josey Lumber Co., Inc............................77<br />
Kentucky Forest Industries Assoc.............<br />
Kendrick Forest Products..........................<br />
Kepley-Frank <strong>Hardwood</strong> Co., Inc...........72<br />
King City Forwarding USA, Inc...................<br />
King City/Northway Forwarding Ltd...........<br />
KopCoat Protection Products....................<br />
Kretz Lumber Co., Inc.............................39<br />
Lawrence Lumber Company Inc............49<br />
Lewis Controls, Inc.....................................<br />
Lewis, Dwight, Lumber Co., Inc.............76<br />
Lewis Lumber & Milling..............................<br />
Limbo......................................................52<br />
Lumber Resources Inc.............................1<br />
Lussier, Simon, Ltd.................................31<br />
MacBeath <strong>Hardwood</strong> Company..................<br />
Maine Woods Company..........................61<br />
Mars Hill, Inc...............................................<br />
Matson Lumber Company.......................45<br />
Maxwell <strong>Hardwood</strong> Flooring......................<br />
McDonough Manufacturing Company....62<br />
Mellott Manufacturing Co., Inc...................<br />
Meridien <strong>Hardwood</strong>s of PA., Inc.............47<br />
Merrick <strong>Hardwood</strong>s....................................<br />
Messersmith Manufacturing, Inc...........19<br />
MiCROTEC...............................................70<br />
Middle Tennessee Lumber Co., Inc............<br />
Midwest <strong>Hardwood</strong> Company....................<br />
MO PAC Lumber Company..........................<br />
Montreal Wood Convention....................10<br />
Mueller Bros. Timber, Inc.......................73<br />
Neff Lumber Mills, Inc................................<br />
New River <strong>Hardwood</strong>s, Inc.........................<br />
Note: Advertisers with no page number carry an alternating Ad schedule.<br />
Nicholson Manufacturing Ltd.................36<br />
North American Forest Foundation........76<br />
Northern <strong>Hardwood</strong>s..............................69<br />
NWH............................................................<br />
Nyle Dry Kilns................................ 40 & 41<br />
Oakcrest Lumber, Inc.............................77<br />
OHC | Overseas <strong>Hardwood</strong>s Company.......<br />
O’Shea Lumber Co..................................74<br />
Patrick Lumber Company.......................67<br />
Paw Taw John Services, Inc..................59<br />
Pennsylvania <strong>Hardwood</strong>s Co..................63<br />
Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual<br />
Insurance Company................................48<br />
Peterson, Keith D., & Co., Inc................75<br />
Piche, Inc................................................21<br />
Pike Lumber Co., Inc............................IBC<br />
Prime Lumber Company.............................<br />
Primewood..................................................<br />
Quality <strong>Hardwood</strong>s Ltd...............................<br />
Quebec Wood Export Bureau.................10<br />
Railway Tie Association.........................75<br />
RAM Forest Products, Inc..........................<br />
Real American <strong>Hardwood</strong> Coalition.......15<br />
Robinson Lumber Company....................53<br />
Rosenberry, Carl, & Sons,<br />
Lumber, Inc.................................................<br />
Sawmill MD.................................................<br />
SII Dry Kilns................................................<br />
Sirianni <strong>Hardwood</strong>s, Inc.............................<br />
Snowbelt <strong>Hardwood</strong>s, Inc......................50<br />
Southern Forest Products Assoc...............<br />
Stiles, A.W., Contractors, Inc.................56<br />
Stoltzfus Forest Products, LLC..............57<br />
Taylor Machine Works, Inc.........................<br />
Thompson Appalachian<br />
<strong>Hardwood</strong>s, Inc...........................................<br />
Tigerton Lumber Co..................................7<br />
TMX Shipping Co., Inc............................51<br />
TS Manufacturing...................................12<br />
U-C Coatings, LLC...................................60<br />
USNR.......................................................64<br />
Western <strong>Hardwood</strong> Association.................<br />
Wheeland Lumber Co., Inc.....................71<br />
White, Harold, Lumber, Inc.........................<br />
Williams, R.J., Inc.....................................6<br />
Wolverine <strong>Hardwood</strong>s, Inc.....................55<br />
From the forest to our broad product line, to delivery around the world,<br />
we provide exceptional value in every load of Pike Brand <strong>Hardwood</strong>s.<br />
PO Box 247<br />
Akron, Indiana 46910<br />
www.PikeLumber.com<br />
Sales@PikeLumber.com<br />
www.PikeLumber.com<br />
(800) 356-4554<br />
(574) 893-4511<br />
(574) 893-7400 Fax<br />
80 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 81<br />
R<br />
800-356-4554<br />
FINE HARDWOODS FOR AMERICA<br />
PRIVATE PROPERTY<br />
KANOUSE<br />
FOREST<br />
www.pikelumber.com<br />
NHLA<br />
MEMBER
WHO ELSE CAN GRADE, S2S, SORT, SCR, GANG RIP, OPTIMIZE, AND MERCHANDISE, PER YOUR<br />
SPECIFICATIONS, 125,000 BF OF HARDWOOD LUMBER IN ONE 8 HOUR SHIFT? Our fully optimized<br />
grading, sorting, surfacing, and ripping system is complete with two planers and an optimized high-speed<br />
gang ripsaw. After each board is viewed through a state-of-the-art 3D scanner, our technology allows us to<br />
maximize value, yield, and grade while reducing waste and saving time while meeting your specifications.<br />
3D Scanner<br />
One of two Newman Planers<br />
LICO Optimized Ripsaw<br />
Vision Tally and Bundle System<br />
Shanghai, China<br />
Classic American <strong>Hardwood</strong>s, Inc.<br />
Phone: (901) 522-9663<br />
Memphis, TN<br />
1245 North 7th St.<br />
Memphis, TN 38107<br />
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam<br />
www.cahmemphis.com<br />
82 FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong> n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmerican<strong>Hardwood</strong>.com/industry