National Hardwood Magazine - Christmas Buyers Guide 2014

BATEY, LTD. Continued

BATEY, LTD. Continued from page 30 Logs for transport are set on the Mississippi River using the prehauler. The prehauler (shown here clearing a bridge log jam) is designed to reduce disturbances to the forest floor and can transport a full truckload of logs out of low lands. Somerset is a leading international resource. Not just because of our hardwoods. But because of the way we meet our customers needs. Every one. Every time. Let us meet yours. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. WE STAND BEHIND IT. Let us get behind your business. Call 606-561-4146 for a quote today. Appalachian Hardwoods Nature's Finest days behind as their willing crew moves toward the future. One thing the past has taught them…. “make hay while the sun shines!” Batey, LTD. continuously works with the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers, local foresters and landowners, selectively harvesting timber and improving the quality of existing timber stands. Precise records allow them to follow each tree from the stump to the final destination. Monitoring tree harvests ensure that Batey, LTD. and the landowners they represent, receive the most profitable harvest, while maintaining a quality future timber crop. Batey, LTD. takes great pride in producing quality lumber products efficiently. Their goal is to maximize log yields and eliminate timber stand waste, offering total timber utilization. Batey, LTD. focuses experience and resources to find new markets for both their lumber, and to recycle and utilize their wood by-products. The debarker is the basis of their mulch business. The debarked wood chip, which is generated from the log slabs cut during the lumber manufacturing process, is the basis of their pelletizing collaboration. In addition, Batey, LTD. uses their green sawdust to fuel the boiler that creates the steam for heat in their dry kilns, steamer, and heat exchangers that heat all of the buildings in the winter months. Todd Batey said, “Even though my dad (Robert Batey) retired several years ago, when he was active in our firm he and his team harnessed their creativity and forward thinking to develop some of the com- 52 CHRISTMAS 2014 ■ NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE

pany’s innovative machinery. One of the pieces of equipment, which is referred to as the “Yard Dog”, was built out of a garbage truck and a loader.” Todd continued, “My father also developed a floatation-type prehauler and barge system that meet the head-on demands that come with logging islands within the Mississippi River. The prehauler is designed to reduce disturbances to the forest floor and can transport a full truckload of logs out of low lands.” According to Todd, the prehauler and the barge system have proven to be very productive pieces of equipment for their company. All of these projects are the basis of the Batey business, but their goal is to further utilize their equipment and employees by expanding operations beyond the sawmill. Todd Batey explained, “We are branching out into other avenues, such as land clearing, debris removal, and rip/rap placement. For example, we use our barge system to go into rivers and remove debris that have lodged underneath bridges and threaten the bridge structure. (Several of these projects have been put up for bid due to the excessive rainfall over the last few years.) We recover the logs in the debris jam that can be salvaged. We approach every job by evaluating how much of the material can be utilized. We don’t like to see a timber stand wasted just because it’s hard to get to, or a debris jam that is simply burnt.” In closing, Todd and Sally said the future goal they have for their company can be summed up in one word…efficiency. “Having more efficiency here is our personal goal because when your sawmill operation is efficient in all areas, you’re more efficient in pleasing your customers. The more efficient you are, the fewer shortcuts you take. To us, efficiency is the beginning and the end to everything we strive to do here. It is important to us to be a better provider to our customers, to be a better provider to our employees, and to be a well-rounded corporation.” For more information visit Bateyltd.com. ■ Logs are being loaded from a landing along the Mississippi River. Happy Holidays midwesthardwood.com om • 763-425-8700 • inquiries@midwesthardwood.com ies@midwesthardwood.com 9560 83rd Avenue North, Maple Grove MN, 55369 CHRISTMAS 2014 ■ NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 53