The November/December 2023 issue of the Softwood Forest Products Buyer features the latest news on the softwood industry. This issue's stories include NELMA's 90th anniversary, BC Wood's Global Buyers Mission, the Lumbermen's Association of Texas' 137th annual Convention and Expo, the Landmark Lumber Group and much more.
Speed Dating III Is
Speed Dating III Is Focus Of NAWLA Regional Meeting Photos By Terry Miller ForestProducts EXPO Brings Global Sawmill Industry Together In Nashville Photos By Terry Miller Brad Bland, AHC Hardwood Group, Cleveland, GA; Doug Settele, Keiver-Willard Lumber Corporation, Newburyport, MA; and Kris Long, AHC Hardwood Group Bert and Bud Vaagen founded Vaagen Brothers lumber in the early 1950’s. Today, the company continues as a closely held corporation owned by members of the Vaagen family. This continuity of management, vision, and leadership has helped guide the company for more than half a century. Creating a culture of innovation, integrity, and cooperation that’s fueled Vaagen’s advancement, evolution and growth over the years. Vaagen Bros. Lumber 565 W. 5TH Ave Colville, Wa 99114 Sales - 509-684-5072 www.vaagenbros.com Jim Conlon, NAWLA, Chicago, IL; Alden Robbins, Robbins Lumber Inc., Searsmont, ME; and Steven Rustja, Weston ForestProducts Inc., Mississauga, ON Do you know how your lumber is made? Scan the QR Code below to see our fascinating step by step process Additional photos on page 24 The North American Wholesale Lumber Association (NAWLA) recently held a fall regional meeting at Samoset Resort in Rockport, ME while partnering with the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (NELMA) during their 90th annual meeting. Attendees enjoyed Speed Dating III on the Green, a one-of-a-kind event that brings together personnel from sawmills located in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions with lumber wholesalers, brokers and other individuals that wish to participate in quick, high-energy networking. To learn more about this association, visit www.nawla.org. n Scott Vande Linde, West Fraser, Germantown, TN; Vince Almond, Almond Brothers Lumber Co., Coushatta, LA; Eric Gee, SFPA, Executive Director, Metairie, LA; Mark Richardson, The Westervelt Company Inc., Tuscaloosa, AL; Will Lampe, Lampe & Malphrus Lumber Co., Smithfield, NC; Rich Mills, Hood Industries Inc., Hattiesburg, MS; and Craig Forbes,Weyerhaeuser, Hot Springs, AR Connecting. Exploring. Discovering. That was the agenda for the recent 37th ForestProducts Machinery & Equipment EXPO, held at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN, and feedback shows exhibitors and attendees alike were able to successfully check off all three items on that agenda. After five shows in Atlanta dating back to 2011, the Southern ForestProducts Association (SFPA), which hosts the biennial event, moved the show with all exhibitors and attendees applauding the new host city and venue. EXPO 2023 exhibit space actually sold out three different times before SFPA had to close booth sales because all available space was claimed. The final floorplan topped out at 217 exhibiting companies – a record number of exhibitors since 2007 – spread over 58,337 square feet of machinery, innovation, and solutions to meet with more than 1,200 attendees. “The move to Nashville exceeded all expectations," said Eric Gee, SFPA’s executive director. "It was great to see so many members of the forest products industry in attendance to be a part of this historic moment. I’m extremely proud of the exhibiting companies that helped transform the exhibit hall into a first-rate networking space.” Since 1950, ForestProducts EXPO has provided a place for both hardwood and Softwood sawmillers to gather, celebrate new technology, network, and learn about the industry’s latest machinery and equipment. The three-day tradeshow provided attendees with solutions for nearly every stage of manufacturing. From raw material handling to crane operations; metal detection and scanning technologies; log In today’s complex world at least one thing is plain and simple. At Cersosimo we provide you with the largest and most consistent supply of quality Eastern White Pine and hardwood – from the heart of New England forests. We’ve been doing it for over 75 years. You’ve come to count on us to be there and deliver the best – and do it consistently. It’s straight talk from folks who are easy to talk to, who know the business inside and out – and whose integrity is as solid as the lumber we provide. www.cersosimolumber.com Page 6 SoftwoodForestProductsBuyer • November/December2023SoftwoodForestProductsBuyer • November/December2023 Page 7 Continued on page 49 Lee Stiles, A.W. Stiles Contractors Inc., McMinnville, TN; Kayla Hatley, Tanner Stirewalt, Sherri Johnson, Lynn Stirewalt and Johnny Johnson, Piedmont Hardwood Lumber Co., Mt. Pleasant, NC; and Scott Hutton, A.W. Stiles Contractors Inc. Additional photos on page 24
