Ben C. Stimpson Sr., former president of Gulf Lumber Co. in Mobile, Ala., and a leader in forestland and wildlife conservation, died February 16 in Mobile. He was 79. Stimpson, along with his brothers, William (Billy) and the late Gordon (Dut) Stimpson, spearheaded one of the South’s most progressive southern pine lumber operations, meanwhile establishing a legendary reputation for their hunting and wildlife expertise and enthusiasm.

Long-time southern Oregon lumber manufacturer Sun Studs, LLC is currently operating with a potent mix of old and new during the first three years under its new owner, Swanson Group, based in Glendale, Ore. (see sidebar). By combining the mill’s existing skilled and well-trained work force with an infusion of upgrade capital, Swanson is developing a high-recovery operation that fits well with Swanson’s log procurement strategies by processing a wider mix of species and sizes than the company’s other two mills.

Composed of a triad of sawmills found here and in Cadiz and Grand Rivers, Ky., Averitt Hardwoods International produces 30MMBF of hardwood lumber annually from the three mills combined, with the Clarksville location manufacturing 6MMBF annually. The headquarters location has undergone continual improvements dating back to the construction of a 9,000 sq. ft. office in the late 1980s. The corporate office complex overlooks the hardwood-rich Cumberland River Valley.

Good times are upon us! At least that’s the sentiment revealed in a random survey of owners, executives and managers of softwood lumber and hardwood lumber operations throughout the U.S. The survey appeared with a selected number of January issues of Timber Processing magazine. An impressive ninety percent of the softwood lumber and hardwood lumber respondents combined expect their operations to experience some degree of profitability in the next two years.

Yates Construction is a familiar name in the forest products industry. Signs bearing the Yates name or one of several subsidiary companies are often found in front of wood product mills under construction or expansion. Yates’ involvement in construction in the forest products industry goes back to the ’60s. In the mid ’70s Yates was granted the site work for the Weyerhaeuser pulp mill in Columbus, Miss. “The Columbus project helped put Yates on the construction map,” says Jim Thomas, Business Development Manager for Yates’ Industrial/Forest Products Div.

Indianapolis-based portable and industrial band sawmill manufacturer Wood-Mizer has opened an authorized sales center in Palmer, Alas. The company held an opening ceremony in March. Wood-Mizer Alaska ASC will provide a place to see mills demonstrated and to receive new mill training. The location will also provide replacement parts, along with performing emergency service. The location will also play host to customer seminars and field days.

Vecoplan designs, engineers and manufactures screening machines and systems for high volume applications in the forest products industry. Vecoplan delivers precision screening through the use of application specific technologies including rotary trommel, oscillating, star and roller screens. A comprehensive range of standard sizes as well as custom designs are available. Up to 5 levels of classification are possible within a single unit.