International Paper is selling its Decorative Products Div. to an affiliate of the investment firm, Kohlberg & Co. The Decorative Products Div. manufactures and markets high and low pressure laminates, particleboard, veneer and foam based graphics and insulation products. This business includes 10 manufacturing sites, nine distribution sites and 2,100 employees in North America.

Located at the northernmost range of the (loblolly) pine belt, J.V. Wells Lumber Co. is ideally positioned to service large metropolitan markets expeditiously. Markets like Philadelphia, Boston and upstate New York are only hours away. Company principals J.V. Jr., President, and Phil Wells, Vice President, take pride in their ability to fill custom orders with a minimal turnaround time.

By now you’ve probably heard that the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) basically endorsed the U.S. Dept. of Commerce’s earlier finding that Canadian softwood lumber coming into the U.S. should be hit with a 27% duty to cover unfair stumpage subsidization practices in Canada and “dumping” of Canadian lumber in the U.S.

Less than four years away from its 100th birthday, the former Willamette Industries’ (now Weyerhaeuser) sawmill here on the western edge of Oregon’s Willamette Valley has undergone extensive renovations the past few years, beginning with a curve-sawing gang and new edger installations in ’97 and ’98, respectively, and ending with major modifications to downstream lumber handling systems and the planer mill—plus yet another edger.

In the past few years, optimized log bucking in the Southeast has started to come into its own. Many systems have been and are being installed. PME Consulting, Inc. has been involved with six optimized log bucking projects in just the past three years. We have produced layouts and budgets for several more that haven’t been built yet due to the negative wood products economy.

Thirty years ago my military indoctrination included severe reprimands for making excuses. Bottom line, there were no excuses. When asked why something was wrong, we quickly learned the only acceptable response, “No excuse sir.” As Canadian timber subsidies is a common excuse for the troubles in the U.S. lumber industry, I wonder if the lesson I was taught 30 years ago might not apply here.

Progress Industries is offering two new styles of knife assemblies for its 48", 60" and 70" wastewood chippers. The Quick Change System allows 1 person to replace the babbitted knives from the front of the chipper. The Disposable Knife System also requires only 1 person to replace the knives. Instead of the traditional knife that is sharpened and babbitted, this 2 sided knife can be honed several times before discarding.