Pacific Lumber Co. (PALCO), the long-time California coast-based redwood lumber operation, has reached a settlement in its bankruptcy case allowing it to walk away from two lawsuits demanding $1 billion in damages for allegedly defrauding the state of California and the federal government.

Lumbermen typically use bad times in the marketplace as opportunities to retool and reposition themselves to be more competitive when the next cycle of good times rolls around. They know that cycle is coming. The question is how soon and can “we” be ready? The current downturn coupled with rising costs on all sides has made that strategy more challenging than usual as some lumber prices hit 20-year lows.

You’ve heard the news by now—that sawmill machinery designer Ron McGehee, he of curve-sawing gang esteem, has partnered up to form a new machinery manufacturing business, 2RS Inc. The name stands for the R in Ron, the R in partner Rory Mitchell, and the S in partner Scott Bye, both of the latter having worked with McGehee Equipment many years ago (Bye going all the way back to Ukiah Machine).

In December, Wagner Lumber Sawmill partners Les Wagner and Steve Schaeffer officially completed the acquisition of Pomeroy Lumber in Nineveh, NY, bringing the company’s annual production total to 50MMBF with three locations, each of which operate as separate entities. The original sawmill in Owego, founded in 1974, and Wagner Hardwoods in Cayuta, which was purchased in 2001, each produce 20-22MMBF annually.

Exhibitors have been preparing for the 2008 Wood Technology Clinic and Show to be held March 12-14 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. This year’s event is themed “Reinventing the Mill,” focusing on the technology and innovation required on the mill floor to combat the current soft markets. More than 250 exhibitors will fill 80,000 sq ft. of exhibit space, an increase from the 2006 show, according to organizer Nielsen Business Media.

The Collins Companies, headquartered in Portland, Ore., has been a family owned business since 1855. Throughout the years, as their commitment to responsible management has been steadfast, they have grown their wood products business to include softwood and hardwood lumber, particleboard, as well as hardboard trim and siding. Their softwood sawmill in Chester, Calif. has been operating since 1943, and like many others in the industry has experienced good times and difficult times.

Moco Engineering & Fabrication’s new green lumber stacker features 10 fully synchronized Bosch electric servo motors. Everything from the stick feeder through the main hoist is operated from a single virtual master—a completely servo-driven stacker that delivers substantial power use savings. The operator has the capability to turn the speed of the stacker up or down much like the dimmer on a light switch.