Richard Vetter Becomes CEO Of RPM
Real Performance Machinery (RPM) announced a reorganization of its executive leadership team. Richard Vetter, one of the company’s founding members and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) since 2023, assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He will guide RPM’s overall strategy, operations, and long‑term vision, drawing on his deep background in technology development and his commitment to advancing the company’s engineering capabilities.
Shawn Guibergia, RPM’s current CEO and a driving force behind the company since its inception, will transition to the role of Founder. In this capacity, he will continue to provide strategic insight and mentorship while stepping back from day‑to‑day operations to focus on new product development and return to the hands‑on engineering work that has shaped RPM’s identity.
“This transition marks an exciting new chapter for RPM,” Guibergia comments. “Richard has been instrumental in shaping our technological edge, and I have full confidence in his ability to propel us forward. I’m thrilled to remain deeply connected as Founder and contribute to the legacy we’ve built together.”
Vetter adds, “I’m honored to step into the CEO role at this pivotal time. Shawn’s decades of machine design experience have fundamentally reshaped how sawmilling can be done, driving innovations that reduce maintenance, boost productivity, and elevate lumber quality. Under his leadership, RPM has built a strong foundation rooted in practical engineering and forward‑thinking design. I look forward to continuing that momentum with our talented team and delivering even greater value to our customers and stakeholders.”
Latest News
Wood Fiber Group Merges With USNR
USNR and Wood Fiber Group have announced their merger. USNR is an industry-leading global supplier of sawmill and plywood mill machinery, aftermarket parts, and technical and engineering services. Wood Fiber Group is the largest supplier of cutting tools and filing room equipment to the wood products…
Industry Patriarch Varn Passes
George W. Varn, Sr., who broke into the family turpentine business following World War II, and then along with a cousin built a chip mill and a sawmill in the late 1960s in Hoboken, Ga., called Varn Wood Products, and who became one of the patriarchs of the southern pine lumber industry, died September 4 in St. Vincent’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., the same hospital…
GP To Build New Sawmill At Pineland
Georgia-Pacific plans to invest $120 million and build a new sawmill at its existing sawmill site in Pineland, Tex. Construction is expected to begin early next year and completed in late 2022. The new sawmill will replace the existing stud mill that was built in the 1960s. The new mill will have the ability to produce 450MMBF of…
West Fraser Buying New SYP Sawmill
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. has entered into an agreement to acquire the Angelina Forest Products (AFP) southern yellow pine sawmill in Lufkin, Tex. for $300 million (U.S.). The new sawmill began construction in 2018, commenced operations in late 2019 and is expected to progress toward full production capacity of more than…
Find Us On Social
Newsletter
The monthly Timber Processing Industry Newsletter reaches over 4,000 mill owners and supervisors.
Subscribe/Renew
Timber Processing is delivered 10 times per year to subscribers who represent sawmill ownership, management and supervisory personnel and corporate executives. Subscriptions are FREE to qualified individuals.
Advertise
Complete the online form so we can direct you to the appropriate Sales Representative.