Landowners in South Carolina have filed a lawsuit against International Paper Corp. (IP), claiming the company implemented a widespread system of pulpwood price fixing that cost landowners in four states million of dollars in lost timber sale revenues under the auspices of the company’s “Quality Suppliers” program. The suit also names major IP timber supplier Canal Wood Corp. as a participant in the alleged scheme.

For years, the Yakama Nation in central Washington sold logs on the open market to the region’s lumber manufacturers. Now, less than 10 years after its formation, the tribal venture, Yakama Forest Products, has taken a major step toward its goal of better utilizing tribal timber resources while providing employment for tribal members.

China is a long way from the southern edge of the Appalachian Mountains, but it’s closer than you think. T&S Hardwoods, which operates three hardwood sawmills in the South, one of them just south of the Great Smoky Mountains here, has adjusted much of its export emphasis to complement China’s growing impact on the worldwide furniture industry.

Jack Swanner steps out of the front door of the T&S Hardwoods office here and says: “It doesn’t take me long once I walk outside to be reminded that I live in paradise.” Across the street, where Swanner is headed, is one of the company’s three hardwood sawmill operations. It’s not the sawmill that prompts Swanner’s comment about paradise.

It takes up the most area but is generally overlooked or ignored by visitors touring a sawmill. What is it? It is the decks and conveyor systems that transfer logs, lumber and wood materials from one machine center to the next. Quality Fabrication’s Vice President and General Manager Dale Dryden observes, “Nobody notices the transfer stuff because it’s not glamorous like the sharp chains, the curve-saws, Chip-N-Saws, or optimized edgers. But those machines are worthless if you can’t get material to them.”

In the U.S., most timber is measured in terms of board feet. The log scales currently in use to estimate lumber recovery from roundwood, however, were created in the 19th century according to sawmill technology, timber resource and lumber sizes used at the time. Because log scales have not been modified since to reflect changes in these factors, they are outdated and inadequately serve their purpose of accurately determining recoverable lumber volumes.

The new Perma Pro high tech lubrication system from Perma USA features a metal housing; digital programming (1 week-18 months); three reservoir sizes (250, 500, 750 cc); and LED function light. The digital display indicates the remaining lubricant level for optimal control. The Pro will deliver 25 bar or 360 PSI of output pressure and can operate in temperature ranges from 4° F up to 140° F.