Iberdrola Renewables announced the start of construction at its 26.8 MW Lakeview Biomass Cogeneration Plant in Lakeview, Ore., 90 miles east of the company’s existing Klamath Cogeneration Plant. The project is expected to finish construction and begin producing enough power for 18,000 homes by fall 2012. “The Lake­view plant will provide base load renewable energy, jobs and improve Oregon’s forest health while reducing wildfire danger,”says Ralph Currey, CEO of Iberdrola Renewables.

Maintaining saw filing capacity and saw performance is critical, even during slow production periods. During times of tough lumber markets, and especially during the past two-plus years that are almost unprecedented in the lumber industry in terms of production and price drop-offs, filing rooms are as heavily affected as any other mill area.

In general, things in Europe are a lot older than things in America—one of the reasons many Americans tend to be so fascinated with Europe and all things European. Europe has a richness of culture, history and architecture that dates back to before the U.S., as we know it, had its earliest non-native settlements.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Smith Sawmill Service, a family-owned saw and knife repair shop, cutting tools manufacturer, and equipment parts distributor. The year also saw a reversal of the sales slump of the last year or so, signaling what owner Paul Smith hopes is the beginning of another growth cycle in the economy.

The last few years may have been a roller coaster ride for anyone involved in the forest products industry, but with a quality product, a willingness to adapt to the market conditions, and a flare for ingenuity, the management team and staff at Cut Technologies have proven that you can be successful in a struggling market.

Caterpillar Forest Products added four employees to fill positions in operations, marketing and sales and announced two promotions. As operations and supply manager, Faith Wood is responsible for manufacturing and purchasing operations at the forestry equipment manufacturing plants in LaGrange, Ga., Owatonna, Minn., and Prentice, Wis. Michael Greco was hired as mill yard product specialist, a new position in Caterpillar Forest Products marketing.

Wright Machine Tool Co. has released a honing system for sawmill and other wood cutting band saws. The patented micro-honing system gives a razor edge to every tooth by honing both the face and top of each tooth with micro-grain abrasives. The concept of honing band saws will revolutionize the sharpening systems, says company President Duncan McLean.