On October 4, Alabama Governor Bob Riley announced the formation of a task force to assist in the cleanup and salvage of timber across the state damaged by Hurricane Ivan. The Alabama Forest Recovery Task Force (AFRTF) is chaired by David Helm, Alabama region manager for International Paper.

The moment with the President in the Oval Office was incredible. I want to protect the memory because it was an intensely private moment between two men. At the same time I’d like to share it on a broader scale because I’d like others to know what I know about the man sitting at the desk in the Oval Office.

Almost a year ago, the ban on chromated copper arsenate (CCA) for residential use lumber went into effect. For a majority of treating plants, switching to the second-generation preservatives meant a costly conversion process. Some treaters made the adjustment as early as 2002 while others waited until the very last moment.

“We may be too stubborn at times, but if you’re not stubborn or persistent or very determined, there aren’t too many things you can accomplish anymore.” Dan Levesque, General Manager, Nexfor Fraser Papers-Sawmill Group, on the management style passed down from his father to himself and his brother.

Following almost a decade of incremental and major mill improvements, Pinecrest Lumber managers and employees are now settling in and operating fully fine-tuned new and improved sawing, lumber handling and planing systems. The mill recently completed its biggest series of projects to date, beginning in 2000 when it started work on $6 million in improvements.

Horsepower (HP), as a measurement unit, was first used by James Watt, inventor of the steam engine. It was established as the equivalent of one horse’s power in pulling; however, it became a physical unit of Power unrelated to the horse. As applied physics advanced and new machines of power were developed, the “horse” was left behind when 200 HP would take a 4000 lb. vehicle from 0 to 60 MPH in less than 10 seconds.

Hogue Industries has designed and built a dual carriage high speed stacker (patent pending) capable of up to 30 courses per minute. This machine features: a single temposonic drive and positioner for the dual stacking arms, and a single temposonic positioner for the stacking arms lift for precision control and adjustment. The clean and simple design ensures it is easy to adjust on the fly, with very little maintenance.