National Hardwood Magazine - September 2019

Matt Weaber, Weaber

Matt Weaber, Weaber Inc., Lebanon, PA; Tom Inman, AHMI, High Point, NC; Galen Weaber, Weaber Inc.; and Steve Houseknecht, Wagner Lumber Co., Owego, NY AHMI Summer Conference Attendance Grows 25 Percent By Tom Inman White Sulphur Springs, WV–Attendance was up 25 percent from a year ago at the recent 2019 Summer Conference of Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc. (AHMI) at The Greenbrier, located here. The members and guests learned from five presentations about: ways to reduce costs and improve yield, learn of future potential for two key Hardwood species and hear remarks from West Virginia Governor Jim Justice about work with President Trump on trade. The program also included two updates on AHMI programs that offer 401K Multi-Employer Retirement Plans and Guidelines for Log Grading. Appalachian Poplar CLT The first Appalachian Poplar cross–laminated timber (CLT) structure in the United States has been completed in Radford, VA, and the architects who designed it spoke at the AHMI meeting. Virginia Tech professors Kay Edge and Edward Becker and their students designed and built two observatory buildings for public use overlooking the New River. They said the students learned of CLT and wanted to design the buildings from locally sourced Hardwoods. The Poplar was donated by Robert S. Coleman Lumber of Culpeper, VA, and Allegheny Wood Products in Princeton, WV. The concept was approved by Radford city planners APPALACHIAN M A N 2019 HARDWOOD based on research from Virginia Tech. The panels were produced in South Boston, VA, and one building was built on campus while SUMMER the second was constructed on site. The professors CONFERENCE said it was a great learning experience about the use of Poplar CLT and look forward to continued design. Attendees visited the site the next day. 42 SEPTEMBER 2019 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE NMAGAZINE UFACT I RERS . C Brandon Turman, Turman Lumber Co., Hillsville, PA; and Nathalie and Tripp Pryor, American Hardwood Export Council, Sterling, VA Lumber Grade, Sawmill Scanning Staff from Eagle Machinery in Sugar Creek, OH, and WoodEye of Sweden presented the latest technology for scanning Hardwood lumber for grade. While equipment has been in the marketplace for 10 years, Lief Erlandsson of WoodEye said there have been substantial improvements in the past two years. The software allows users to scan boards and use standard NHLA grade formulas or design their own for proprietary grades. Eagle Machinery’s Kirk Spillman said the equipment allows companies to grade more consistently and efficiently. Joey Nelson of JoeScan presented information on new technology for sawmills that allows companies to see inside

Judy and Wendell Cramer, W.M. Cramer Lumber Co., Hickory, NC; Iris Carr, Shenandoah Forests, Staunton, VA; and Julie Smith, Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual (PLM) Insurance Co. Inc., Philadelphia, PA Bill Campoll, Weaber Inc., Lebanon, PA; Tony Honeycutt, Mullican Flooring, Johnson City, TN; Mike Turman, Turman Lumber Co., Hillsville, VA; and Geoff Hillenmeyer, Middle Tennessee Lumber Co., Dickson, TN Stephen Hamer, Jim C. Hamer Co., Kenova, WV; Tom Crabtree, Great Barrel Co. of West Virginia, Lewisburg, WV; and John Crites II, Allegheny Wood Products, Petersburg, WV Donna and Steve Hamer, Jim C. Hamer Co., Kenova, WV; and Kim and Mark Vollinger, W.M. Cramer Lumber Co., Hickory, NC Chris and Christine Crucitt, PLM Insurance Co., Philadelphia, PA; and Nikki and Jay Hanna, Woodus K. Humphrey & Co., Shreveport, LA logs and gives saw operators better options for breakdown. The company has worked with dozens of mills to install scanners and software to improve yield and results. He said the technology has improved and the cost has reduced to make it a better return on investment. New line lasers allow for more accurate results which leads to increased information and yield. White Oak Initiative A coalition has been formed to increase White Oak growth across the U.S. White Oak Initiative Director Jordy Jordahl and the group has brought together landowners, foresters, manufacturers, state government and universities to determine the impact of harvesting on the White Oak resource. Forest inventory analysis data from the U.S. Forest Service shows variation in the availability and sizes of White 50-year AHMI members pictured with (on left) AHMI Chairman Lowery Anderson, East Anderson Hardwoods, Eubank, KY are: Mitch Carr, Shenandoah Forests, Staunton, VA; Wendell Cramer, W.M. Cramer Lumber Co., Hickory, NC; and Dan Parker, Tillinghast & Neely Inc., Danville, KY Oak trees growing in the U.S. There are a large number of older trees and a lower volume of trees in the 10-20” diameter size classes. The group hopes to improve management and harvesting practices for this valuable Hardwood resource. AHMI 401k Representatives from UBS Financial offered a breakout session on the AHMI multiple-employer 401K program. It began in March and has a dozen companies enrolled or completing the final steps. The AHMI MEP provides substantial savings for companies that offer retirement accounts for employees or are considering a startup. The program reduces costs while of- Please turn to page 71 SEPTEMBER 2019 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 43