Klausner Eyes Three Sawmills; McCary Retires From H-B; EPA Finalizes Clean Air Regs

Timber Processing Contributing Editor Jennifer McCary visits Richwood Hardwood in Richwood, West Virginia. McCary notes that both green and dry end improvements are increasing Richwood Hardwood’s ability to offer the products that its customers truly want. In 2005, Collins Companies purchased the hardwood mill from Georgia-Pacific and began a multi-million dollar modernization and expansion program that has included installation of four new kilns; a horizontal twin resaw; combination gang edger; new planer mill and administrative offices. Richwood Hardwoods, here, and Kane Hardwoods, in Kane, Pa., make up the Collins Hardwoods division.

Timber Processing Associate Editor David Abbott discusses trends in the lumber industry that point towards a recovery in the market. In the article, sawmill management from operations of various types and sizes from around the U.S. respond to positive trends in the industry, while expressing concern with log supply and over-production. Abbott cites signs such as closed mills reopening, rising housing starts, new mills being planned, and skyrocketing lumber futures that seem to indicate that the industry is getting back on its feet. There have been some encouraging signs recently for an industry that has struggled in recent years waiting for a turnaround. It may be premature to call it the light at the end of the tunnel, but it is worth noting at least.

HMA Conference Bound For Charleston; Lake Erie Filers Meet In March; Southern Saw Filers Head To Vicksburg; KFIA Annual Meeting Scheduled For Lexington; Urania Is Site For Pellet Mill; Dieffenbacher Starts U.S. Service Company; Terex Name Change Reflects Strategy; Deere Intensifies Forestry Focus

Sawdust Diaries is a new column in Timber Processing that will appear in every other issue. Its author, Connie Grenz, has worked in the wood products industry for 34 years. Connie was Quality Control Supervisor for Crown Zellerbach; Director of Information Technologies for Cavenham Forest Industries; Executive reviewer for capital projects for Hanson PLC; and General Manager of Kane Hardwood for Collins Pine Co. She has recently consulted in people development projects at Columbia Vista Corp and is currently a mentor in a Washington State University Business School program.

Retired Air Force officer, pilot and freelance writer, Lauran Paine, recently made his first visit to a sawmill for Timber Processing—and not just any commodity 2x4 mill, either. Paine visited the definitely old-school Hull-Oakes Lumber Company in Monroe, Oregon. Hull-Oakes Lumber (we know you’ve heard of them) produces large log specialty lumber available nowhere else. Hull-Oakes has been in continuous operation at the same location since 1939. When they started, they used steam power. They’re still using steam power. Are they a museum? Well, yes and no. They’re on the National Historic Register and much of the equipment they’re using takes you back to a much earlier time in the lumber industry. But here’s the other half of that answer: They remain totally viable and an economic success story.

This article is comprised of two articles than appeared in a recent issue of Wood Bioenergy magazine. Industrial wood pellet capacity in the U.S. continues to zoom upward as new plants continue to come on line, while even newer plant projects are announced. An announcement in the United Kingdom appears to have further opened the door for Southern U.S.-based pellet exporters. The United Kingdom’s Dept. of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published a “consultation” decision on the direction of British renewable energy policy for the near future. The DECC decision cuts both ways: halting some projects in the UK, but providing the certainty to allow multiple pellet mill projects in the U.S. to go forward.

Sennebogen Names Regional Manager; Wood-Mizer Names Winning Sawmills; Idaho Forest Upgrades Planer Trimmer Line

Cut Technologies’ The Sawmill Kahny by Kahny Automation; Tigercat AC16 Articulating Carrier; KEEN Utility Industrial Footwear; Factory Sales & Engineering Renamed FSE Energy