GBM — Continued from
GBM — Continued from page 1 tors, developers, engineers and specifiers this year, to participate in the popular accredited WoodTALKS program, held in conjunction with the GBM. This included two site tours, successful lunch and learn, and sip n’ learn presentations by renowned architects and industry members, as well as a series of Demonstration Workshops on the tradeshow stage Friday. These activities were well received by both the architect community and participating exhibitors. This year, BC Wood’s WoodTALKS at the GBM also featured a Mass & Heavy Timber Symposium with keynote speaker Michael Green, which was officially opened by BC’s Minister of State for Trade, the Honorable Jagrup Brar. Canadian products on display from across the country included timber frame structures, engineered wood products, treated lumber, reclaimed wood, cabinetry, building products and systems, Western Red Cedar products, and a variety of other value-added wood building products. BC Wood also organized Extended Mission programs for incoming international delegates that included site visits and factory tours in the lower mainland and on Vancouver Island. Besides helping buyers immediately source high quality, innovative, and competitively priced wood products, the tours helped build future business relationships by familiarizing potential customers with Western Canada’s wood species. Held annually at the Whistler Conference Centre, the GBM continues to be Canada’s largest event dedicated to promoting value-added wood producers. BC Wood extended many thanks also to its government funding Partners, who without their continued support, the organization would not be able to deliver this world class event: Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd. (FII), and Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Main corporate sponsors this year included The San Group Ltd., the Waldun Group, Daizen, Glandell Enterprises, Silva Panel, Acera Insurance, Live Edge Design and Kuehne + Nagel. Learn more at www.bcwood.com. n NELMA — Continued from page 1 year’s winners: 1st Place 4Some with a gross score of 64 – Adam Duplisea and Jeremy Howard (Nyle Dry Kilns), Michael Conlin and Jeff Evans (Pennsylvania Lumbermen’s Mutual Insurance). 2nd Place with a Team gross score of 66 – Chris Brochu, Jason Brochu, Alan Orcut and Toby Pineo (Pleasant River Lumber). Longest Drive – Adam Duplisea (Nyle Dry Kilns). Closest to the Designated Pin – Toby Pineo (Pleasant River Lumber). The first day concluded the opening of the Exhibits & Displays that included 16 tables of forest equipment and services vendors ready to meet and greet attendees with a wide variety of product information, which lasted throughout the evening’s Welcome Reception. The second day began with a Special Video introduced by Chairman Chris Brochu at the start of the first Business Session. The meeting theme of Real > Artificial quickly came into play with the use of AI that allowed the very first Chairman of NELMA from 1933-1935, E.R. Plunkett, to “speak” to the Opening Session audience about major events during his time at the helm. E.R. then introduced Raymond Young (1959-1961) who provided insight into his years as Chairman, followed by Thomas Plunkett (1974-1975) and his story. This opening surprise was followed by the annual “State of the Association” report by Jeff Easterling, President, then to the Board of Director Nominations, recommended by the Advisory Committee to the General Membership. Elected were Chairperson: Susan Coulombe of Irving Forest Products, Vice-Chair: Matt Duprey of Hancock Lumber, and 2nd Vice-Chair: Jason Brochu of Pleasant River Lumber, and Treasurer: Robert Moses of Britton Lumber. To the Board of Directors replacing the expiring term of Rick Wilson was Jeff Johanns (Hedstrom Lumber). This for a first of two, 3-year terms. And for the “At-Large” position on the NELMA Advisory Committee, B Manning of Sawmill Associates, a one-year term. The Business Session continued with highlights from this year’s marketing program and public relations activities, and insights into an ongoing discussion with architects regarding their product decision process. After a short break, the attendees were exposed to a lot more Artificial Intelligence information by guest speaker Rich Brooks of Flyte Media. He spoke along the topic of “How AI is Changing Everything!”. The Industry Luncheon brought together 14 past Chairman of NELMA as special guests and part of the 90th Anniversary celebration. Each were recognized in a brief ceremony for all their past service to the Association following lunch. Then it was back to business as perennial guest speaker, Paul Jannke of Forest Economic Associates, presented his economic program on “What Happened to the Recession?”. And the final business event of the day, “Speed Dating III on the Green” was presented by the North America Wholesale Lumber Association (NAWLA) and NELMA. This event serves as NAWLA’s Northeast Regional Meeting and has grown each year with its popularity as a one-of-a-kind, fast-moving, networking of lumber mills and lumber wholesalers and other industry-related individuals. A total of 11 NELMA mills participated as host tables that saw more than 45 visitors that gave it their all for 5 minutes each! With only the Board of Directors meeting the following morning, the 90th Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association celebrated into the evening with the Chairman’s Reception and Dinner held on the outdoor patio in a perfect September Maine coastal setting! Join NELMA next year at a location to be determined; check in with www. nelma.org and the annual meeting tab for details when they become available. n LAT — Continued from page 1 and professional development. LAT serves multi-generational family-owned businesses in the lumber and building industry. LAT also advocates for the Texas building material industry at both the state and federal levels. Next year's convention and expo will be held on Sept. 23-25. Visit www.lat.org for updates. n WHO’S WHO – SCHOFER Continued from page 2 Lethbridge, BC. Schofer started his career in the forest products industry as a lumber piler while he attended university. Previous positions he has held include forklift operator, trimmer man and lumber grader. Schofer and his wife, Allia, have two sons. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, camping and sports with his boys. For more information, visit www.jhhuscroft.com. n WHO’S WHO – MILLER Continued from page 2 from the Inland region, which IFG is said to be known for its tight growth rings and smaller knots, while also being less susceptible to cupping, twisting, bending and bowing. Miller’s first job in the forest products industry was with IFG when he started in August of 2018, and has been the Sales Coordinator for the company’s Lumberton branch since May of 2022. Miller went to Minico High School in Rupert, ID and then attended Boise State University in Boise, ID, where he received a bachelors in communications. Miller enjoys golfing and football, working out, spending time with his family and friends and occasionally skiing. IFG is a member of North American Wholesale Lumber Association, Inland Lumber Producers Council, Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, Mississippi Continued on page 42 PRODUCING CEDAR GRADED ROUGH BLANKS FOR REMANUFACTURE AND FINISHED PRODUCTS FOR DISTRIBUTION QUALITY PEOPLE CREATING QUALITY WOOD PRODUCTS • OFFERING QUALITY CEDAR PRODUCTS THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA AND OVERSEAS • 4TH GENERATION IN TRAINING A Family Business Producing First-Rate Products www.GSFPcedar.com CONTACT: 250-672-9435 acoyles@GSFPcedar.com GREEN & KD LUMBER GREEN TIMBERS ROUGH OR DRESSED ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR POPLAR OAK OVER 100 FINISHED PROFILES DISTRIBUTION NATIONWIDE & INTERNATIONALLY 252.357.0116 681 NC HWY 37 S. GATESVILLE, NC 27938 WWW.GATESMILLING.COM Page 40 Softwood Forest Products Buyer • November/December 2023 Softwood Forest Products Buyer • November/December 2023 Page 41
