National Hardwood Magazine - May 2023

SCAN ME 

FIRST PLACE IN WOOD PROTECTION 

1-888-END-COAT sales@uccoatings.com uccoatings.com 

www.RealAmericanHardwood.org 

MAY 2023 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 1

INDUSTRIES 

CONTROLS 

CLEEREMAN LUMBER COMPANY 1930’s CLEEREMAN INDUSTRIES 1955 CLEEREMAN CONTROLS 2019 

TODAY 

For optimal efficiency. . . 

knows what a sawmill needs: 

Now, TWO ENTITIES TO SERVE YOU BETTER! 

CLEEREMAN the newest name in sawmill controls and optimization 

CLEEREMAN The most trusted name in carriages 

n Over 1240 Carriages sold 

n Lowest cost of ownership 

n All parts in stock and reasonably priced 

n In-house engineering department 

n Everything from single piece equipment to 

turn-key mills 

n Simple easy to use touch 

screen with additional 

tactile buttons 

n Remote access for 

troubleshooting 

n No custom electrical 

hardware, all parts are 

off-the-shelf components 

n Industry JoeScan 

JS-50X6 Heads 

n 3D data used for 

opening the log and 

estimating the back of 

log profile 

n Realistic views of the log 

n Sure Grip Joystick 

handles 

n Operational statistics and 

reports 

n Over 170 systems sold 

Cleereman Industries 

and Cleereman Controls 

715-674-2700 

www.cleereman.com 

STEFAN DRACOBLY PAUL CLEEREMAN DAN TOOKE 

President Of 

VP Cleereman Senior Optimization 

Controls 

Industries & Controls & Controls Engineer 

2 MAY 2023 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD Sales MAGAZINE info@cleereman.com 

www.RealAmericanHardwood.org

Shoo-wee! - Thanks to your support we are 

experiencing significant reductions in the 

occurrence of splinters and ringworm! 

Please...continue to buy loads of lumber from 

CLASSIC AMERICAN HARDWOODS, INC. 

1245 North 7th St. 

Memphis, TN 38107 

Please Contact Us! 

Phone: (901) 522-9663 

Fax: (901) 522-9664 

www.cahmemphis.com 

Memphis, TN Shanghai, China Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 



Contents 

National Hardwood Magazine MAY 2023 Volume 97 No. 4 

Features & Industry Events 

24 

26 

28 

Oak Pointe, A Quality Custom 

Manufacturer 

Gates Milling, Quality Products 

From People That Care 

Nyle Dry Kilns Innovates With 

30 New Kiln Optimization Equipment 

32 

M&M Lumber: A Legacy Of 

Service And Quality 

From Dry Kilns To Software, 

We’re Priming The Pump To Create 

An Ongoing Talent Supply 

Departments 

34 

44 

50 

52 

54 

HMA And Nashville Team Up For 

“Agents Of Change” 

58th Annual KFIA Meeting Features 

Exhibits, Legislative Updates 

ALC Learns Ways To Attract 

Gen Z Employees 

SCMA Holds Annual Meeting 

NELA Sets Sights On June Meeting 

Following Successful Winter 

Gathering 

8 Hardwood Calendar 

10 U.S.A. Trends 

12 Canadian Trends 

14 News Developments 

16 HMA Update 

18 AHEC Report 

20 WCMA Insights 

22 NHLA: Why Knot... 

79 In Memoriam 

80 Who’s Who 

84 Trade Talk 

90 Classified Profit 

Opportunities 

92 Advertisers Index 

2 MAY 2023 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmericanHardwood.org

About The Cover 

“U-C Coatings is a leading manufacturer and 

supplier of premium wood protection products. 

For over 50 years, our products have been used 

in a variety of industries, including hardwood and 

softwood logging and lumber production, wood 

products manufacturing, woodworking and wood 

decking markets. Our products are used worldwide 

to protect, conserve and enhance forest resources. 

Our goal is to help our customers achieve more 


with less waste and provide the highest level of 


protection for their products. 

The company offers Anchorseal ® end sealers 

and edge sealers for lumber and other wood 

products, as well as Gempaint ® for lumber branding. We continue to expand 

the Contechem ® product line with Britewood for mold and sapstain control 

in softwood and hardwood applications. The Contechem ® Sol-Brite product 

line provides excellent iron stain removal and brightening. Seal-Once ® is a 

line of eco-friendly, waterbased sealers for wood and concrete that provides 

excellent water repellant performance and protection from the elements. The 

Eco Chemical ® line of water-based wood stains and other coatings products 

is used by the pressure treating and fencing industries, as well as other 

prefinished wood manufacturing firms. The Bates line of glue releases help 

prevent glue buildup and make cleanup easier wherever adhesives are used 

while DPS protects finished parts from checking and delaminating while in 

storage. 

The company has operations in Buffalo, Portland, and Seattle. Contact us 

for any of your wood protection and finishing needs.” 

SCAN ME 

www.uccoatings.com 

U-C COATINGS 

Founded in 1927 by: O.L. Miller – 1894-1963 

Publisher: Paul J. Miller – 1963-2010 

• Forest Products Export Directory • Imported Wood Purchasing Guide 

• Import/Export Wood Purchasing News • Hardwood Purchasing Handbook 

• Green Books’s Hardwood Marketing Directory 

• Green Books’s Softwood Marketing Directory 

• The Softwood Forest Products Buyer 

Paul J. Miller Jr. – President 

Terry Miller – Vice President 

Zach Miller – Sales Executive 

Chris Fehr – Sales Executive 

Sue Putnam – Editor 

Matthew Fite – Staff Writer 

Cadance Hanson - Staff Writer 

Dolores Buchanan - Who’s Who Coordinator 

Rachael Stokes – Graphic Artist 

Camille Campbell – Graphic Artist 

Tammy Daugherty – Production Manager 

Jennifer Trentman – Green Book Market Sales 

Lisa Carpenter – Circulation Manager 

Lexi Hardin – Subscription & List Services 

ADVERTISING OFFICES: 

5175 Elmore Rd., Suite 23, Memphis, TN 38134 

901-372-8280 FAX: 901-373-6180 

Reach us via the Internet at: www.nationalhardwoodmag.com 

E-mail addresses: 

ADVERTISING: tammy@millerwoodtradepub.com 

EDITORIAL: editor@millerwoodtradepub.com 

SUBSCRIPTIONS: circ@millerwoodtradepub.com 

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENTS: 

Chicago, Los Angeles, High Point, Grand Rapids, Portland, Toronto 

Controlled circulation postage paid at Memphis, TN 

(USPS #917-760) 

The NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE (ISSN 0194-0910) is published 

monthly, except for two issues in December, for $55.00 per year and 

$65.00 (U.S. dollars) per year for Canada by National Hardwood Magazine, Inc., 

5175 Elmore Rd., Suite 23, Memphis, TN 38134. Periodicals Postage paid at 

Memphis, TN, and at additional mailing offices. 

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to National Hardwood Magazine, 

P.O. Box 34908, Memphis, TN 38184. 

Publications mail agreement No. 40739074. 

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 

P.O. Box 503, RPO W. Beaver Cre., Rich-Hill, ON L4B 4R6. 

The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject editorial 

content and Ads at the staff’s discretion. 



FOREST PRODUCTS 

EXPORT DIRECTORY 

TARGETING BUYERS AROUND THE GLOBE! 

89% Renewal Rate in the 47th Forest Products Export Directory 

*Denotes advertisers that have renewed 

**Denotes new advertisers 

*Abenaki Timber Corporation 

**Almond Brothers Lumber Co. 

*Allegheny Wood Products, Inc. 

*Ally Global Logistics LLC 

*Anderson-Tully Lumber Co. 

*Baillie Lumber Co. 

**Banks Hardwoods Inc. 

Bingaman & Son Lumber, Inc. 

Broadleaf Lumber Co. 

Cardin Forest Products, LLC 

Clark Lumber Co., Inc. 

*Cole Hardwood, Inc. 

*Crown Hardwood Co., Inc. 

*Cummings Lumber Co., Inc. 

Deer Park Lumber International 

*Devereaux Sawmill, Inc. 

East Ohio Lumber Co. 

HHP, Inc. 

Harold White Lumber Co. 

Hanafee Bros. Sawmill Co., Inc. 

Hermitage Hardwood Lumber 

Sales, Inc. 

*J.D. Irving Limited 

Kamps Hardwoods, Inc. 

*Kendrick Forest Products 

*King City / Northway 

Forwarding Ltd. 

*Legacy Wood Products LLC 

Matson Lumber Company 

*McClain Forest Products LLC 

*Merrick Hardwoods 

Midwest Hardwood Company 

MO PAC Lumber Company 

*NELMA (Northeastern Lumber 

Manufacturers Assoc.) 

*NWH 

*Nyle Dry Kilns 

*Parton Lumber Co., Inc. 

*Penn-Sylvan International, Inc. 

Prime Lumber Company 

*Primewood 

*Ram Forest Products, Inc. 

*Ron Jones Hardwood Sales, Inc. 

*Rossi Group 

*Roy Anderson Lumber Company, Inc. 

Salamanca Lumber Company, Inc. 

*SFPA (Southern Forest Products Assoc.) 

Snowbelt Hardwoods, Inc. 

*Softwood Export Council 

*TMX Shipping Company, Inc. 

Taner Timber Co., Inc. 

Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods 

*Turman Forest Products 

Two Rivers Timber Company, Inc. 

*Vexco, Inc. 

*Wagner Lumber Company 

*Wheeland Lumber Co., Inc. 

*WOODBOX 

“...the Most Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide for the International Buyer...” 

Call NOW to reserve your 

space in the 48th EDITION! 

Published in FALL 2023 

800-844-1280 

Full Page Rate: $2,950 

Half Page Rate: $2,500 

Color Additional 

forestproductsexport.com • exd@millerwoodtradepub.com

ONE SOFTWARE PARTNER 

FROM TIMBER TO CONSUMER 

TIMBER, LOGGING & LUMBER 

Handheld & desktop software 

DISTRIBUTION AND RETAIL 

Inventory and order management 

HARDWOOD END TALLIES 

Mobile app with A.I. 


VISIT DMSi.COM TO LEARN MORE 


Vol.49 No.4 Serving Forest Products Buyers Worldwide FEBRUARY/MARCH 2023 

The waters are choppy for lumber shipping companies, but they continue 

doing their due-diligence and seeing positive results. One shipper stated: 

“Our lumber shipments are lagging now, but we remain hopeful they will 

continue to increase as we move into the first quarter of 2023.” 

Another shipper mentioned difficulties, adding: “Our team was able to 

adapt within the confines of shipping, to not only make it work but to do so 

We, at AGL view 2022 as an erratic, yet successful year. The last two and a half 

years have posed very difficult challenges from a logistics perspective. Our team 

was able to adapt within the confines of shipping, to not only make it work but to 

do so successfully. The amount of effort input on a daily basis to accomplish what 

we were able to in 2022 was remarkable. 

In addition, 2022 was a success, as it opened our eyes in regards to areas of the 

supply chain that we previously had taken for granted, specifically the ports and 

Michael Snow 

By Michael Snow, 

Executive Director 

American Hardwood 

Export Council 

Sterling, VA 

703-435-2900 

www.ahec.org 

Webinars and Zoom calls have let us meet virtually with 

anyone in the world from the comfort of our home office, 

but as any sales rep will tell you, there’s just no substitute 

for meeting with potential customers in person. After a 

much more normal year of travel in 2022, The American 

Hardwood Export Council is looking forward to a busy 

schedule of events and opportunities for your company to 

meet directly with interested global buyers in 2023. 

successfully. The amount of effort input on a daily basis to accomplish what 

we were able to in 2022 was remarkable.” He also said that in 2023, “I believe 

the U.S. economy will head for a mini- (soft) recession before slowly 

making its way back.” 

If optimism is one part of success and hard work is another, then these 

shippers have put themselves in a position to do well in 2023. 

their receiving dates. 

Towards the end of 2022, we saw vessel schedules and receiving dates start to 

normalize, which was the exact opposite of what we saw at the beginning of 2022. 

I anticipate this will continue to be a challenge on certain lanes, specifically for 

inland rail shippers. 

Another challenge I expect to continue to deal with in 2023 is trucking capacity. 

There are only so many trucks, and so many moves drivers can do in a day. If more 

drivers aren’t added in the marketplace, I expect this to be a continued hot button 

issue. 

In 2022, we shipped over 34,000 loads, added 28 team members, moved into a 

new office space in our Jacksonville location and opened up a 52,000 square foot 

warehouse in Blakeslee, PA. 

I do not see any rate increases coming from steamship lines as of January 1st. 

We may see certain routings be increased, but as a market, we were at all-time 

highs for the last year. As the market normalizes, so will freight rates. In addition, 

Continued on page 14 

In addition to what we expect to be a full slate of design, 

marketing, educational and networking events, AHEC has 

also planned pavilions at eight of the largest wood trade 

and furniture trade shows in the world in 2023, as well 

as an AHEC Convention in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

These pavilions will make premier representation available 

to American companies at the busiest events of the year for 

just $500 per booth. 

In 2023 we plan to host a U.S. Hardwood Pavilion at these events: 

DelhiWood, New Delhi, India (Mar. 2-5) 

Dubai Woodshow, Dubai, UAE (Mar. 7-9) 

Interzum Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China (Mar. 28-31) 

(Possibly open to Chinese staff only) 

Interzum Cologne, Cologne, Germany (May 9-12) 

AHEC Convention, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (June) 

TechnoMueble, Guadalajara, Mexico (Aug. 16-19) 

FMC Shanghai, Shanghai, China (Sept. 9-11) (US Participation TBD) 

VietnamWood 2022, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Sept. 20-23) 

INTERMOB, Istanbul, Turkey (Sept. 30-Oct 3) 

Each year AHEC attends over 40 trade 

shows globally to promote American 

Hardwoods, research market potential 

and drive local purchasing behavior. In 

our experience these shows we have selected 

provide the best opportunity this 

year for an American company to connect 

with local buyers and build strong 

relationships. Of course, our participation 

in all of these events is subject to 

travel restrictions and health guidelines, 

and event dates are subject to change. 



Photos By Terry Miller 

Chris Armanini and Pino Pucci, Tolko Marketing & Sales Ltd., Vernon, BC; and Ken 

Hori, BC Wood Specialties Group, Vancouver, BC 

Kevin Cheung, Western Wood Products Association, Portland, OR; Jay Poppe, Western 

Red Cedar Lumber Association, Vancouver, BC; Jeff Easterling, NELMA, Cumberland, 

ME; Butch Bernhardt, Western Wood Preservers Institute, Vancouver, WA; 

and Eric Gee, Southern Forest Products Association, Metairie, LA 

Las Vegas, NV–Nearly 70,000 home building professionals from around the 

globe filled the exhibit halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center recently as 

the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) hosted the NAHB International 

Builders’ Show® (IBS), the largest annual light construction show in the 

world. 


The Southern Forest Products Association team includes: Rachel Elton, accountant; 

Linda Patch, administrative assistant and program coordinator; Eric Gee, executive 

director; Alaina Hanson, director of administration; and Christian Moises, communications 

manager. 


Want us in your email inbox? 

Scan to get it delivered, monthly - FREE. 

SCAN ME 


Check out these other titles you may like as well. 

IMPORT/EXPORT 

www.woodpurchasingnews.com 

PRSRT STD 

U.S. POSTAGE PAID 

JEFFERSON CITY, MO 

PERMIT NO. 303 

Lumber Shippers View Their Work Realistically 

And Optimistically 

Stephen Zambo, 

Ally Global Logistics 

Weymouth, MA 

Import/Export Wood Purchasing News 

P.O. Box 34908 

Memphis, TN 38184-0908 

Change Service Requested 

By Matthew Fite 

2023 AHEC Events And Pavilions Are Opportunities To Connect With 

Customers And Find New Buyers 

The 

Forest Products 

www.softwoodbuyer.com 

Vol. 38 No. 2 The Softwood Industry’s Only Newspaper...Now Reaching 36,034 firms (20,000 per issue) March/April 2023 

2023 Builders’ Show Draws Largest 

Attendance In More Than 10 Years 

A Preview of Forest Products 

EXPO 2023 

Do you want to be at the center of the forest products community? Are 

you ready to see how adaptive technology is influencing manufacturing 

decisions? Is your company part of the new manufacturing age at this 

critical moment for the industry? 

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, don’t second-guess 

attending the 37th Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Exposition. 

It’s the place to network with leading equipment manufacturing companies 

and industry professionals as they develop and share technologies, 

which adapt to new markets, adjust quickly to increased demand, and 

bolster operations for the future. 

EXPO 2023, set for August 23-25, 2023, in Nashville will provide you 

with solutions for nearly every stage of manufacturing. From raw material 

handling to crane operations; metal detection and scanning technologies; 

log optimization, drying, grading, sorting, packaging, and distribution, 

there’s an exhibiting company representative on site to explore 

these solutions with you face to face. 

Make no mistake, this new era of work has arrived. An era of connected 

systems, responsive manufacturing, and innovative technologies – it 

will all be under a single roof at EXPO 2023. 

The Softwood Forest Products Buyer 

P.O. Box 34908 

Memphis, TN 38184-0908 

Change Service Requested 

PRSRT STD 

U.S. POSTAGE PAID 

JEFFERSON CITY, MO 

PERMIT NO. 303 


One Success Story 

After Another 

“We at New River Hardwoods have seen the direct results of advertising in the 

Hardwood Purchasing Handbook, and National Hardwood Magazine, the 

premier publication serving the Hardwood industry that targets appearance grade 

manufacturers throughout North America. We want to have representation before the 

flooring, furniture, and cabinet manufacturers, as well as the millwork and moulding 

plants, etc., and the magazine is the publication we advertise in to market our Hardwood 

lumber, which has more than paid for itself! We have developed new customers from 

our advertising and know it is a solid investment!” 

Wayne Law 

New River Hardwoods 

350 Dry Stone Branch Rd. 

Mountain City, TN 37683 

Phone: (423) 727-4019 ext. 201 

www.newriverhardwoods.com 

Advertises in National Hardwood Magazine with 6-1/2 Horizontal Ads in four color 

and one Full Page, four color Ad in the Hardwood Purchasing Handbook. 

New River Hardwoods operates three modern high-tech sawmills producing 35,000,000 bd. ft. of 

Appalachian Hardwoods with a drying capacity of 500,000 bd. ft. Species include Red and White 

Oak, Hard and Soft Maple, Poplar, Ash, Hickory, Cherry, and Basswood. Specialties offered are KD 

Grade Appalachian Hardwoods, S2S and S4S products, and ripped to width boards. 

NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 

P.O. Box 34908 • Memphis, TN 38184-0908 • Toll Free: 800-844-1280 

Website: www.millerwoodtradepub.com 

Email address: tammy@millerwoodtradepub.com 


www.nationalhardwoodmag.com 


HARDWOOD CALENDAR 

National Wood Flooring Association, Expo, 

Wisconsin Center, Milwaukee, WI. 

www.nwfaexpo.org. May 2-4. 

May 

Penn-York Lumbermen’s Club, Meeting, Deer 

Park Lumber Inc., State College, PA. 

www.pennyork.org. May 22. 

Appalachian Lumbermen’s Club, Annual Beach 

Meeting, Avista Resort, North Myrtle Beach, SC. 

www.lumberclub.org. May 4-7. 

Hardwood Manufacturers Assoc., Spring 

Regional Meeting, Lexington, KY. 

www.hmamembers.org. May 24-25. 

Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Assoc., 

Hardwood University Class - Forest Taxation, 

Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and 

Conference Complex, Danville, IN. 

www.ihla.org. May 17. 

Wood Component Manufacturers Association, 

European Plant Tour, Northern Italy. 

www.wcma.com. June 12-16. 

j 

June 

j j j 

j 

Penn-York Lumbermen’s Club, Monthly Meeting, 

Emporium Hardwoods, Emporium, PA. 

www.pennyork.org. June 19. n 

BINGAMANLUMBER.COM 

PO Box 247, Kreamer, PA 17833 

☎ 570.374.1108 | 570.374.5341 



(800) 777-NYLE 

www.nyle.com 

kilnsales@nyle.com 


U.S.A. TRENDS 

Supplier news about 

sales, labor, prices, trends, 

expansions and inventories 

LAKE STATES 

Lumbermen in the Lake States who were recently interviewed 

said their business activity was good. 

A Michigan sawmill representative remarked that the 

market has been steady lately. “Sales have been pretty 

good,” he stated. 

However, he noted, business is not as good as it was a 

year ago. “Six months ago, sales were down,” he added, 

so, at the time of this interview, market conditions were 

“slightly better” than a half a year ago. 

He sells Hard and Soft Maple, Red and White Oak, 

Hickory, Walnut and Cherry in No. 3 Common & Better, 

NORTHEAST 

Throughout the Northeast region sources have said 

that their sales are better than they have been. 

In Maryland a lumber representative said that his sales 

are continuing to strengthen. “The grade lumber has gotten 

stronger and there is more demand,” he said. He 

believes that the shortage of logs in his area is why the 

demand has grown, causing his sales to be better than 

they were six months ago. 

His company primarily handles Poplar, as well as Red 

and White Oak and some mixed Hardwoods. They handle 

these species in Face and Better, No. 3A Common 

Please turn to page 68 Please turn to page 69 

JS-50 WX SCAN 

HEAD 

SIMPLY 

BETTER 


SOUTHEAST 

Throughout the Southeast region there seems to be 

mixed opinions on how the market is doing at the time of 

this writing. One source said that his sales aren’t doing 

very well, while other sources have said that their sales 

are up. 

In Kentucky a lumber spokesperson said that his sales 

were not doing well. “We can’t sell anything and it’s dirt 

cheap when we do,” he commented. He also noted that 

despite prices being low his sales are looking better than 

they were six months ago. 

His company handles all domestic Hardwood species 

WEST COAST 

West Coast lumbermen, when recently interviewed, 

voiced positive sentiments about their markets. 

“The market is starting to pick up, more so than a couple 

of months ago,” stated a lumber provider in California. 

“We are getting more business. 

“Business activity is the same as six months ago – it’s 

continuing to pick up some,” he remarked. 

He handles Walnut, White Oak and Hickory in FAS, 

No. 1 and No. 2 Common. White Oak was his best seller, 

at the time of this interview. 

He sells his lumber to flooring companies and retail 


Consistency. 

Yield. 

Trust. 

Specializing in Premium Pennsylvania 

Hardwood Lumber and Logs: 

• Red Oak 

• White Oak 

• Hard Maple 

• Soft Maple 

• Cherry 

• Poplar 

• Ash 

• Hickory 

® 

Matson Lumber Company 

132 Main St. 

Brookville, PA 15825 

Phone: (814) 849-5334 

Fax: (814) 849-3811 

www.MatsonLumber.com 

info@MatsonLumber.com 

Your trusted source for 

exceptional quality and consistency 

for more than 200 years. 



CANADIAN TRENDS 

News from suppliers about prices, trends, sales and inventories 

ONTARIO 

QUEBEC 

Spring has finally decided to show up, as winter held 

its grip longer than many of us preferred. Logging activities 

were constrained as a result of heavy snow and 

Glen Thompson and Tommy Stiles, A.W. Stiles Contractors Inc., 

spring McMinnville, thaw, TNseen throughout March and April in some 

areas. 

whose According topic was to several Growing contacts, the Global business Pie. has improved 

for At kiln-dried this year’s Ash, IHLA and Convention, inventories multiple have thus networking declined. opportunities 

With limited were Ash offered, being produced, and the association’s buyers were board purchasing 

developing held a business stock to session. replenish The their 2017 on-hand board supplies. president 

of directors 

for Prices IHLA were is Shaun stable. Cook, of C.C. Cook & Son Lumber Co., of 

Reelsville, Aspen demand IN. Tom is Oilar holding of Cole up, Hardwood, however there located are in am- Logansport, 

IN, is the 2017 1st vice president and Brett Franklin, 

of Tri-State Timber LLC of Bloomington, IN is the IHLA 

Business activity varied over the last few months for 

secondary wood products manufacturers. Some truck 

trailer flooring businesses were busy, as well as moulding 

Matt Taylor, U-C Coatings LLC, Buffalo, NY; Damon Graf, DR Graf 

Lumber 

and 

Co., 

millwork 

Lexington, 

producers. 

KY; and 

Flooring 

Tom Johel, 

manufacturers 

U-C Coatings LLCre- 

ported a slight improvement in sales. There has been 

a 2nd slowdown vice president. in the cabinet and furniture manufacturing 

sectors Additionally, due to in new conjunction residential with construction the IHLA meeting, being down the 

both Fellowship in Canada of Christian and the Lumbermen U.S. held a brief meeting. 

Ash 

IHLA 

orders 

is a non-profit 

are good 

trade 

even 

organization 

though there 

comprised 

is limited 

of sawmills, 

wholesale brokers, equipment vendors, secondary 

Ash 

being produced due to the Emerald Ash Borer having 

decimated most stands. Export markets for kiln-dried 

manufacturers, loggers and landowners, among others in 

stock are good, especially to the Far East, with prices 

the industry. 

Learn more at www.ihla.org. n 


Additional photos on next page 

NORTHERN & APPALACHIAN HARDWOOD 

NORTHERN & APPALACHIAN HARDWOODS 

[ WWW.SIMONLUSSIER.COM ] 

[ WWW.SIMONLUSSIER.COM] 

MATHIEU LUSSIER - Export Sales Manager m2lussier@simonlussier.com 

450.435.6591 - 16 BOUL. DE LA SEIGNEURIE EST, BLAINVILLE, QC CANADA J7C 3V5 

12 MAY 2023 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE APRIL 2017 n NATIONAL www.RealAmericanHardwood.org 

HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 51 

[ WWW.SIMONLUSSIER.COM ] 

NORTHERN & APPALACHIAN HARDWOOD

WE’RE CONFIDENT OUR 

AI FOR HARDWOOD IS #1 

WE’VE TACKLED THE COMPLEX ISSUES OF HARDWOOD 

AND ARE CONFIDENT OUR AI WILL TAKE YOUR 

PRODUCTION TO A SUPERIOR LEVEL! 

• Proper defect detection despite dirt, spots, and chain marks 

• No bottlenecks at wood grading 

• Consistent production quality 

• Labour-saving costs 

BID is the only company that developed its AI models using hardwood 

to offer unmatchable accuracy of defect detection. 

SEE OUR AI-POWERED SCANNERS 

IN ACTION! 

Call now to find out how you can 

maximize your production value. 

450-435-2121 | www.bidgroup.ca

NEWS DEVELOPMENTS 

MULLET CABINET EXPANDS IN OHIO 

Mullet Cabinet, Inc., located in Millersburg, OH, in collaboration 

with JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast Economic Development 

(OhioSE) and the Holmes County Economic 

Development Council, recently announced it has committed 

to investing at least $3.27 million to expand its existing 

manufacturing facility in Hardy Township, Holmes 

County. 

Mullet Cabinet uses solid U.S. Hardwoods in its manufacturing, 

which is carried out only in the U.S. Species 

of lumber used include Hard and Soft Maple, Red and 

White Oak, Cherry, Walnut, Hickory and Aspen. 

A family-owned and Ohio-based company founded 

in 1975, Mullet Cabinet, Inc. originally made cabinet 

drawers and doors for sale to other manufacturers. Over 

time, the company has established 

a dealer network in 13 states, selling 

complete custom-designed cabinets 

for residential and commercial 

applications. The company has 204 

full-time employees at its existing 

120,000-square-foot facility. 

The company’s manufacturing capacity 

is currently strained by business 

demands. Mullet Cabinet, Inc. 

will construct a 24,000-square-foot 

building addition, purchase new machinery 

and equipment to double its 

output of drawers and doors, and 

improve manufacturing flow through 

its facility. The project will result in 

the creation of 20 new jobs over the 

course of three years. 

To learn more, visit www.mullet 

cabinet.com. 

DURA SUPREME PLANS NEW 

MANUFACTURING LOCATION 

IN NORTH CAROLINA 

Dura Supreme Cabinetry, headquartered 

in Howard Lake, MN, has 

announced a multi-million-dollar 

initiative to launch manufacturing 

operations in Statesville, NC. The 

company expects the new manufacturing 

site to create over 200 new 

jobs in the first few years including 

cabinet making, furniture making, 

finishing, woodworking and machining 

skills. The North Carolina facility 

will enable Dura Supreme to meet 

growing demand with a regional 

manufacturing site, expanded manufacturing 

capacity, and advantageous 

delivery times, the company 

stated. 


NEWS ABOUT NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL 

HARDWOOD CONSUMERS INCLUDING MERGERS, 

PLANT EXPANSIONS & ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES 

Dura Supreme uses solid U.S. Hardwoods – including 

Cherry, Red Oak, quarter-sawn White Oak, Maple, 

Knotty Alder, Hickory and Rustic Hickory – in its manufacturing. 

Dura Supreme manufactures only in the United 

States. 

Recently, Dura Supreme acquired the manufacturing 

assets of another cabinet manufacturer and that equipment 

and machinery, along with considerable 

additional investments, 

will be installed in Statesville at the 

company’s newest manufacturing 

location. Dura Supreme expected 

to occupy the Statesville site in April 

and has anticipated starting production 

in the second half of this year. 

For more information, go to www. 

durasupreme.com. 

dicated in the graph (available when you click on the 

link) that compares the total Global Warming Potential 

(GWP) of wood flooring against all competing product 

categories that have created these tools (tile, vinyl, carpet). 

To learn more, visit www.nhla.com. n 

NEW STUDIES CONTINUE TO 

SHOW SOLID WOOD FLOOR- 

ING SUPERIORITY 

The National Hardwood Lumber 

Association (NHLA) reported: the 

Decorative Hardwood Association 

(DHA) and the National Wood Flooring 

Association (NWFA) recently 

released a new Life Cycle Analysis/ 

Environmental Product Declaration 

(EPD) for engineered wood floors. 

The new edition complements NW- 

FA’s previous solid wood flooring 

EPD. NHLA asks readers to please 

use and source the studies often to 

showcase the real scientific proof 

that separates our natural product 

from unnatural lookalikes. 

Both can be downloaded at: 

https://nwfa.org/environment/ 

The new study reports the environmental 

impacts of engineered 

wood flooring from raw material extraction 

to disposal (cradle to grave). 

EPDs have quickly become the international 

standard for measuring 

a product’s total greenhouse gas 

emissions, commonly known as carbon 

footprint. According to NHLA, 

the results couldn’t be better, as in- 



HMA UPDATE 

THE HMA ‘BIG PICTURE!’ 

In today’s confusing and unpredictable 

world, I continue to take comfort in the 

cyclical nature of HMA’s calendar of 

events. Don’t misunderstand. Each day 

typically includes a host of surprises that 

often makes HMA-life chaotic. But, when 

looking at the HMA ‘big picture,’ there is 

a systematic and methodical rhythm to 

the work we do for our membership that 

provides a calming sense of order. 

For as long as any of us can remember, March has 

been HMA National Conference and Expo month, and 

March 2023 was no exception. We’ve just closed the 

books on NatCon ’23, and based on feedback from 

our membership, it was an absolute win. Informative 

business sessions! A sold-out Expo! Plenty of networking 

and industry comradery! To all involved in making it such 

a crowd-pleaser, thank you! 

The advent of Spring triggers preparation for an 

HMA Regional Meeting. And later this month, May 

24-25 specifically, HMA members will be heading to 

the Bluegrass State for HMA’s members’ only Spring 

Regional Meeting in Lexington, Kentucky. (Meeting 

Registration and tour details are available at www. 

HMAmembers.org.) 

Many members tell us they belong to 

the HMA specifically to participate in the 

Regional Meetings. The value is that 

great. By touring Hardwood sawmills, 

concentration yards and secondary 

manufacturing facilities, they get to see the 

latest technology at work; witness working 

solutions to common problems; conduct 

their own field research; and exchange 

information with seasoned counterparts. (Up close and 

personal. It doesn’t get much better than that.) 

As summer rolls around, planning for next year’s 

National Conference and Expo kicks into gear, and so 

does the planning and activity involved in finalizing the 

details of a Fall Regional. Then before we know it, we’re 

closing out the year, and regrouping for what lies ahead. 

As I said, the calming cyclical nature of HMA’s calendar 

of events. 

Considering HMA membership? Visit www. 

HMAmembers.org. Then contact me, ljovanovich@ 

hardwood.org, to discuss membership criteria, member 

benefits, and the ins-and-outs of our storied Association. 

And yes, there is still time to register to attend our Spring 

Regional. It would be great to see you there. n 

BY LINDA JOVANOVICH, 

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, 

HARDWOOD MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION, 

PITTSBURGH, PA 

412-244-0440 

WWW.HMAMEMBERS.ORG 


The The Granite Valley Difference 

The Granite Valley Difference 

Our Sawmills 

Our sawmills in 

Wisconsin prepare 

raw timber for delivery 

to our finishing mills. 

Quality 

Processing 

We “rough grade” our kiln-dried 

woods to ensure the best appearance. 

Quality assurance on every load. 

Custom 

Work 

To help you streamline your 

production process, we 

can supply custom-cut 

pre-production blanks 

to your specs. 

Ready 

Inventory 

Our average on-hand 

kiln-dried supply is 

10 million board feet. 

Get the wood you need 

with quick turnaround. 

Granite Valley Forest Products keeps growing as a single-source supplier to 

better serve you. We sell rough, S2S, straight-line ripping, and offer 

NHLA grades and customer-proprietary grading based on NHLA guidelines. 

Our Sawmills 

Our Sawmills 


Our Wisconsin 

Sawmills 

in prepare 


Our raw Our timber sawmills for in in delivery 

Wisconsin prepare 

raw to Wisconsin our for 

finishing 

Offices prepare mills. 

in Wisconsin, Indiana 

raw timber for delivery 

to our 

raw raw timber timber for to our finishing mills. & for Colorado 

delivery 

to to our our finishing mills. mills. Quality 

sales@granitevalley.com Quality 

Processing 

Quality 

Custom products are available to your exact specs for width, length and color. 

Visit our website to learn more or email us at sales@granitevalley.com. 

To help you streamline your 

granitevalley.com We “rough Work 

Processing 

grade” our kiln-dried 

production process, we 

To help you woods to ensure the best appearance. To help To can To help help you supply you you streamline custom-cut streamline your 

your 

We We “rough we 

We Quality We “rough “rough grade” assurance grade” grade” our our kiln-dried 

our our on every kiln-dried load. production pre-production production process, process, blanks we we we 

Alder | Aromatic woods Cedar can woods woods to | to Black ensure to to & 

ensure ensure the White the best best 

the the Ash 

best appearance. 

best | Aspen appearance. | Basswood can can to supply can your supply specs. 

custom-cut 

Beech | White & Quality Yellow Quality Quality assurance Birch assurance | Bitternut on on every every 

on on | every Butternut every load. load. 

load. load. | Cherry 

pre-production blanks 

blanks 

Grey & Red Elm | Hard Maple | Hickory | Red Oak | White Oak to to your to your to your your specs. 

specs. 

Norway 

Granite 

Pine 

Valley 

| White 

Forest 

Pine 

Products 

| Poplar 

keeps 

| Red & 

growing 

Silver Soft 

as a 

Maple 

single-source 

| Walnut 

supplier to 

Granite White better 

Granite Granite Valley Valley 

Cedar serve 

Valley Forest Valley | Rift you. 

Forest Forest 

& 

Products We Quartered sell 

Products Products 

rough, 

keeps Red 

keeps keeps 

S2S, & 

growing White straight-line growing 

Oak 

as as a as a single-source as a a 

ripping, single-source 

and 

supplier offer 

supplier to 

to to to 

NHLA 

better better better serve better 

grades serve serve you. serve you. you. We We you. 

and 

sell We sell We 

customer-proprietary 

rough, sell sell rough, rough, S2S, S2S, S2S, straight-line S2S, straight-line 

grading based 

ripping, ripping, ripping, 

on NHLA 

and and and and offer 

offer offer offer 

guidelines. 

Custom 

NHLA NHLA NHLA grades 

NHLA grades grades grades 

products 

and and customer-proprietary and and 

are customer-proprietary 

available to your exact 

grading grading grading 

specs 

based based based 

for width, 

on on NHLA on on NHLA NHLA 

length 

guidelines. 

guidelines. 

and color. 

Visit 

Custom Custom Custom Custom 

our 

products products products 

website to 

are are available are are 

learn 

available available 

more or 

to to your your to to 

email 

your your 

exact exact exact exact 

us at 

specs specs specs specs 

sales@granitevalley.com. 

for for width, for width, for width, width, 

length length length 

and and and and 

color. 

color. 

color. 

Visit Visit our Visit our Visit 

website website our 

Offices our website website 

to to learn learn to 

in to learn learn 

more more Wisconsin, 

more more email email or or email email 

us us at us at Indiana us 

sales@granitevalley.com. 

at at sales@granitevalley.com. 

& Offices Colorado 

in in in Wisconsin, Indiana 

Offices in Wisconsin, Indiana 

& Colorado 

& sales@granitevalley.com 

& Colorado 

sales@granitevalley.com 

sales@granitevalley.com 

granitevalley.com 


Alder | Aromatic Cedar | Black & White Ash | Aspen | Basswood 


Beech | White & Yellow Birch | Bitternut | Butternut | Cherry 

Alder Grey Alder | Aromatic & | Aromatic Red Elm Cedar | Cedar Hard | Black Maple | Black & | Hickory & White 

White Ash | Ash Red | | Aspen Oak Aspen | | White | Basswood 

Basswood Oak 

Alder 

Alder 

| Aromatic 

| Aromatic Cedar | Black & White Ash Aspen | Basswood 

Beech Norway Beech | | White Pine White Cedar & | White & | Yellow Black 

Yellow Pine Birch & Birch | White Poplar | Bitternut Ash | Bitternut | Red | Aspen | Butternut & | Butternut Silver | Basswood Soft | Cherry 

Beech | White & Yellow Birch | Bitternut | Butternut | Cherry | Cherry Maple | Walnut 

Beech | Grey 

Grey White Grey & & Red 

& Red Cedar & Red Yellow Elm Elm 

Elm | Rift Birch | Hard | Hard 

| Hard & Quartered | Maple Bitternut | | Butternut | Cherry 

Maple 

Maple | Hickory 

| Hickory Red Hickory & | White | Red 

Red Oak 

Oak Oak Oak | White Oak 

| White 

| White Oak 

Oak 

Grey & Norway 

Norway 

Red Norway Elm Pine Pine 

Pine 

| Hard | White | White 

| White 

Maple Pine Pine 

Pine 

| | Poplar 

| 

Hickory | Poplar 

Poplar | | 

| 

Red | Red Silver 

& 

Oak & Silver 

Silver 

| White Soft Soft 

Soft Maple 

Maple 

Oak Maple | Walnut 

| Walnut 

| Walnut 

Norway White 

White Pine Cedar | Cedar White | 

| Rift Pine Rift & 

& Quartered | Poplar Quartered | Red Red 

Red & & Silver White 

White Oak Soft OakMaple | Walnut 

White White 

Cedar Cedar 

| Rift | Rift 

& & 

Quartered Quartered 

Red Red 

& & 

White White 

Oak 

Oak 

Custom 

Work Custom 

Work 

Work 

Ready 

Inventory 

Ready 

Inventory 

Our average on-hand 

kiln-dried supply is 

Our 10 Our average million average board on-hand 

on-hand feet. 

kiln-dried Get is 

kiln-dried the supply wood supply you is 

isneed, 

10 10 10 with 10 million million quick board board turnaround. feet. 

feet. 

Get Get the Get the the wood wood you you need, 

with with quick quick turnaround.

AHEC REPORT 

NEW NORDIC DESIGN PROJECT “THREE” TO PROMOTE 

RED OAK, MAPLE AND CHERRY 

As part of our ongoing promotion of underutilized 

species of American Hardwoods, 

AHEC is working with three designer-makers 

from the Nordic regions – Norway, Sweden 

and Denmark – in a three-timber making 

challenge. They will create a final piece/ 

object in either Red Oak, Maple or Cherry 

to be showcased in an exhibition that will 

be held at 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen in 

June 2023. The project aims to shine a light 

on these timbers’ versatility, aesthetics, and 

technical performance. 

To kickstart the project, AHEC hosted a 

workshop in Copenhagen to meet the designers 

involved and provide them with a 

technical briefing for Three. During this session, the designers 

were randomly allocated one of the three timbers 

to work with and briefed on its performance and characteristics 

to help inform their design process. Hand samples 

and copies of ‘A guide to sustainable American Hardwoods’ 

were supplied to the designers to provide further 

information and reference points. 

As part of the design phase, each designer will now 

carry out experimental research into their allocated material, 

testing its properties and learning more about how 

it can be used. They will document their experiences 

and process of working with the 

material and this content will be used as part 

of the exhibition. The 3daysofdesign event 

in Copenhagen is the latest in our outreach 

to European design, continuing the work of 

recent projects like SLOW and Natural Connections 

for the Madrid Design Festival earlier 

this year. 

From 2010 to 2015, the average value of 

Red Oak lumber exported to Europe was $8.5 

million per year. After years of outreach to the 

European industry through design projects, 

technical seminars, and industry networking, 

the United States doubled our European Red 

Oak market to an average of $19.9 million from 2016- 

2020, and since 2021, the market has doubled again - 

reaching exports of over $37.5 million in Red Oak lumber 

to Europe in 2021, and over $56 million in 2022. That’s 50 

percent from the previous record high. Compared to the 

average value from 2010 to 2015, this growth from $8.5 

million per year up to over $56 million has added over 

$125 million in new Red Oak exports to Europe since 

2010. n 

BY MICHAEL SNOW, 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, 

AMERICAN HARDWOOD EXPORT COUNCIL, 

STERLING, VA 

703-435-2900 

WWW.AHEC.ORG 




WCMA INSIGHTS 

BUSY YEAR AHEAD FOR WCMA 

It has been a busy spring, and I have 

enjoyed being back on the road attending 

several industry events and seeing 

members in person. I can always tell 

when business is good by the attendance 

rate at these events, and it has 

been a great spring! 

2023 European Plant Tour 

Event 

The WCMA is excited to once again be hosting our 

European Plant Tour event. The WCMA is partnering 

with SCM, CMS, Superfici and Friulmac to put together 

a truly unique opportunity to visit manufacturing facilities 

in Northern Italy. The event is being held June 12-16. 

Throughout the week, attendees will get an exclusive 

look into state-of-the-art cabinet, furniture, and machinery 

manufacturers, giving them an edge in discovering 

“what’s next” in the global woodworking industry. 

This event also provides an excellent opportunity to 

network with your peers. Conversations during the bus 

rides, shared meals, and during the debriefing at the end 

of each day will allow attendees to build camaraderie 

and the learning experience becomes even more valuable. 

Below are just a few comments from attendees at previous 

European Plant Tour events: 

“This was my second trip with the 

WCMA group to Europe and it lived up to 

our expectations. The combination of the 

plant tours, networking with other members, 

and just taking the time to see how 

other businesses operate was amazing. 

This will certainly help me in the future to 

make better decisions in our company’s 

growth in technology and manufacturing.” 

“I found the quality of the plant tours to be excellent. 

They offered a diverse view into the European philosophy 

of manufacturing by utilizing more automation and 

technology, replacing aging equipment quickly, and utilizing 

a wide range of wood composite materials. I saw 

levels of automation in action that I had often dreamt of 

but never believed were being applied in real woodshop 

applications. I left my week in Europe inspired and ready 

to apply aspects of what I learned in my own business.” 

Registration is now open. Maximum number of attendees 

for the event is 40 individuals, so visit the website, 

www.wcma.com to register today. 

2023 Fall Conference & Plant Tour Event 

We will also be collaborating on our 2023 Fall Conference 

& Plant Tour Event with WMMA for the third year in 

Please turn to page 77 

BY AMY K. SNELL, CAE, 


WOOD COMPONENT MANUFACTURERS ASSOC., 

LINDSTROM, MN 

651-332-6332 

WWW.WCMA.COM 


BE PART OF 

BUILDING 

SOMETHING 

BIG 

Where We’ve Been 

It’s no secret, the hardwood industry has been losing market share to 

products that look like wood, but have none of the natural benefits or 

authentic attributes of Real American Hardwood. In order to recapture 

market share and improve industry stability, hardwood organizations 

united to form the Real American Hardwood Coalition. 

Where We Are 

The goal is to develop a national consumer promotion campaign on a 

scale that’s never been seen before. And a lot has been accomplished 

in a short period of time—including the completion of an extensive 

consumer research initiative, establishing brand guidelines, registering 

trademarks, and launching social media profiles. 

Where We’re Going, Together 

The next steps will have the largest impact on the industry and require 

buy-in from all industry stakeholders. The Coalition is preparing to 

launch a comprehensive promotion campaign—including a consumeroriented 

website, in-store promotion at top big box stores, a broad 

media relations campaign, social media influencer partnerships, print 

and web advertising, and much more. 

How You Can Get Involved 

Moving the campaign forward and expanding its reach will take the 

support of the entire industry—for the benefit of the entire industry. 

■ Make a voluntary contribution to help fund the consumer 

promotion campaign. 

■ Use the Real American Hardwood logo on your sales and 

marketing communications, facilities and vehicles, products, 

and website. 

■ Follow @RealAmericanHardwood on Instagram and Facebook, 

and tag #RealAmericanHardwood in your social media posts. 

Visit RealAmericanHardwood.org to learn more and get on board.

NHLA: Why Knot... 

We tend to offer advice to others, 

including employees, even 

when it is not wanted. Do you like 

unsolicited advice? Me neither, 

but we must train employees on 

how to be more effective, efficient, 

and industrious. So, what 

is the best way? I think it’s like guiding a moose hunter. 

First, let me say something about hunters. We all know 

they think they are the best shooter, have the best gear, 

and can hunt better than anyone else, just because they 

shot a few deer or something. Most employees are like 

that too. The best way to guide an employee, is the 

same way to guide a moose hunter. You can tell them 

the things to do but, if they don’t care, they will never do 

the things you tell them. 

When I guide moose hunters, I always start by telling 

them why I am there. Seriously, I tell them this is 

my family business and I love to get away and have a 

chance to relax. I tell them about my family and my job 

at NHLA and how important it is for me to leave them to 

be a guide. This is true for sawmills and moose hunters; 

you must tell them what your business means to you and 

what you are sacrificing to build your business and why 

they should care. By doing this, you will help them buy 

in and establish credibility with them. 

I then try to relate with them and build on common 

ground. I ask them if they have hunted moose before or 

other big game. We share stories and relate to each other’s 

experiences. Here I do a lot of listening. You would 

be wise to do the same for your staff. Ask them about 

themselves and their experiences in their life. Don’t put 

down any of their experience’s no matter how crazy they 

are, just nod and ask them follow up questions about 

how it made them feel or where they went from there. 

As I start to share moose hunting advice and explaining 

how it is different than other types of hunting, I share 

with them the experiences I have had with other hunters 

BE AN EXAMPLE 

over the years. So and so did 

this, what’s his name did that, 

and it was crazy, or it was great. 

Experiences teach the hunter my 

preferred way of hunting without 

being bossy. You have had plenty 

of good and bad experiences 

with employees, tell them those experiences and laugh 

about it. And I always say, you can do what you want, it 

is your hunt, but my job is to give you the best possible 

chance of seeing a moose each time we go out. Your job 

is to help employees succeed by giving them the tools 

to do so but they must make their own decisions when 

grading or milling or selling Hardwood lumber. 

Most often I tell them about times when a hunter was 

not prepared. So, they need to be prepared for anything. 

They need to look around and become familiar with their 

surroundings. I warn them they have 8 seconds to shoot 

when I call a bull in hot, just like riding a bull at the rodeo. 

They can relate to that. They get the general idea; nothing 

goes as planned for a bull rider. 

When you teach employees, you need to share experiences, 

good and bad, again and again and again. Your 

experiences, your boss’s, your father’s, your past employee’s. 

It does not matter whose, it only matters what 

principle, habit, or behavior, you are teaching with the 

story. 

After all that, I tell them how nothing ever goes as 

planned when hunting, the moose is smart and never 

does what you think it will, so you must adapt. I then take 

them to a lake shore and show them how to call moose. 

It is an extended “EER—UGH—bellowed into a Birch 

bark bullhorn.” Calling a moose to come to you on a lake 

shore or in a meadow is the most effective way to hunt, 

seeking a moose by walking in the forest is hard, there 

are too many trees blocking your view and walking is too 

noisy. Finally, when a moose comes, I am prepared to 

back them up if they hit the moose. 


BY DALLIN BROOKS, 


NATIONAL HARDWOOD LUMBER ASSOCIATION, 

MEMPHIS, TN 

901-377-1082 

WWW.NHLA.COM 




A quick look through the Oak Pointe’s catalogue reveals dozens of species including Red and White Oak, Quartersawn White Oak, 

Hard and Soft Maple, Beech, Alder, American Cherry, Walnut, Poplar, Hickory, Jatoba and Sapele, as well as other species upon request, 

of which the company purchases over 100,000 board feet annually. 

Oak Pointe 

A Quality Custom Manufacturer 

By Scott Dalton 

Newcomerstown, OH – When David Weissman 

purchased Oak Pointe, located here, in July 

2007, he knew he was buying into a solid company. 

Weissman had done business with the company for 

some time, having worked for a building components 

wholesaler that specialized in windows, doors, stair 

components, and other millwork. He knew that Oak 

Pointe, which had originally opened in 1996, had quickly 

established itself as a regional leader in the manufacturing 

of stair parts. 

“Prior to Oak Pointe, I had a little wood turning shop 

and was trying to grow, and I needed a better facility,” 

Weissman recalled, adding that his company, Creative 

Custom Components, was focused exclusively on custom-made 

products, while Oak Pointe was almost entirely 

dedicated to manufacturing parts for stairways. “I 

needed an expanded, talented employee base and a 

bigger customer base.” 

It turned out to be a perfect match, with the re-focused 

Oak Pointe building on its reputation for consistent quality, 

but now with the additional feature of a dedicated 

custom approach. Weissman explained that the shift in 

approach provided a welcome jolt to the industry in general. 

“Before 2010, if you went and gathered up catalogues 

to all the stair component companies, they all looked the 

same as they had for years,” he noted. “Now imagine 


“Today, we can offer numerous designs and we have the equipment that 

allows us to make whatever a person wants. Just about every week, a customer 

finds a picture and wants to duplicate it or modify it. Our approach 

is, if you want high quality, if you want something different, here is our 

catalogue. If you don’t see it, we can make it for you.” 

David Weissman, President of Oak Pointe 

“When it comes to custom, not everybody has 

the stomach for this kind of business, but at Oak 

Pointe, we make parts like these all the time; we 

know what we are doing,” said David Weissman, 

President of Oak Pointe, located in Newcomerstown, 

OH. 

if you went into a car dealership and 

they were selling the same cars from 

10 years ago.” Instead of relying only 

on classic stairway components, Oak 

Pointe began introducing variations, 

driven by a desire to distinguish itself 

from the competition, but also by necessity, 

as Weissman remembered. 

“There was the housing market crash 

that came right after buying the company,” 

he said, adding that it turned out to 

be an opportunity to differentiate Oak 

Pointe. “Our business dropped and 

many other companies began importing 

rather than making their products. 

We were small and couldn’t do the im- 

ports; we couldn’t compete with imports 

from the other companies on 

price. We started making new designs 

of newels, balusters, and other 

components. We did that for several 

years and our catalogue ballooned 

up. It is an ongoing process.” 

A quick look through the company’s 

catalogue reveals dozens of 

species including Red and White 

Oak, Quartersawn White Oak, 

Hard and Soft Maple, Beech, Alder, 

American Cherry, Walnut, Poplar, 

Hickory, Jatoba and Sapele, as well 

as other species upon request, of 

which Oak Pointe purchases over 

Oak Pointe’s operations are housed in a single 30,000 square-foot building that includes 

the company’s plant and offices. Across the parking lot is another 15,000 square-foot facility 

that handles the warehousing and shipping operations. 

100,000 board feet annually. 

Weissman quickly pointed out 

that as with designs, if a customer 

wants something that’s not in 

the catalogue, Oak Pointe will do 

everything it can to source whatever 

wood is desired. 

“It changes over time, just like 

design changes,” Weissman 

said about wood preferences. 

“Back in 2007, Jatoba (Brazilian 

Cherry) was popular. Then it 

was American Cherry that was 

popular, and then that faded. Today, 

White Oak is very hot; some 

days it seems that 50 percent of 

the quotes we do are for White 

Oak. There’s been a shortage, 

however, because in addition to 

the construction industry, it’s also 

used for bourbon barrels and a 

lot of it is being exported.” 

He noted that White Oak also 

once enjoyed a nice price point 

relative to Red Oak, which has 

been a staple species for many 

years. Now, however, White Oak 

is much more than Red Oak. 

Hard Maple and Poplar are also 

popular, as well as Walnut. In 

terms of imported species, there 

are a variety of Mahoganies that 

are used consistently, including 

Sapele Mahogany and Genuine 

Mahogany, which is the same 

species of tree that used to come 

from Honduras. African Mahogany 

and European White Oak 

have also sparked substantial 

consumer interest. Weissman 

pointed out that while Oak Pointe 

does offer a wide variety of species 

and design options, most of 

the company’s success can be 

traced back to its most valuable 




Gates Milling is family owned and operated, (front row) Nancy Tuck, CEO, Mark Tuck, COO, (back row) Kelsey Kennedy, vice president 

of operations and marketing and Kaitlyn Wood, vice president of finance and sales. 

Gates Milling 

Quality Products From People That Care 

By Terry Miller 

“We like to operate like a Fortune 500 

company with that family feel. We are 

committed to the relationships that we have 

with our customers. When you buy from 

us, you are going to be dealing with a sales 

group that knows who else in your market 

has your product and where you need to 

be competitive. We bring you in on a level 

playing field.” 

– Gates Milling 

Vice President of Operations and Marketing 

Kelsey Kennedy 

Gatesville, NC – Gates Milling, located here, was 

founded in 1978 by Brian H. Martin. Martin bought 

an existing operation to become a producer and 

reman operation for Atlantic white cedar products. He 

envisioned a niche company that would allow him to go 

into the bigger mills and buy their products, that could 

then be remanufactured into custom millwork that these 

larger mills didn’t want to worry with. In 1981 the Gates 

facility was set on fire by burglars. This caused the company 

to rebuild and begin an expansion. Gates Milling 

began producing Poplar products in 1997, and Cypress 

products in 1999. 

Martin brought his son-in-law, Mark Tuck, on board to 

be the vice president of Gates Milling in 1988, and then 

his daughter, Nancy Tuck to oversee marketing and finance 

in 1992. Mark and Nancy bought the family business 

from Martin in 2012, and they now serve as COO 

and CEO, respectively. Mark and Nancy’s two daughters 


New Cleereman carriage installed in 2022 breaking down a Cypress log. 

are the third generation to be deeply imbedded in the 

business with Kaitlyn Wood serving as vice president of 

finance and sales, and Kelsey Kennedy serving as vice 

president of operations and marketing. 

Gates Milling isn’t just a family business in the sense 

that it is owned and operated by family, but they make it 

a point to make each of their employees and customers 

feel as if they are family as well! “We like to operate 

like a Fortune 500 company with that family feel. We 

are committed to the relationships that we have with our 

customers. When you buy from us, you are going to be 

dealing with a sales group that knows who else in your 

market has your product and where you need to be competitive. 

We bring you in on a level playing field,” said 

Kennedy. 

Gates Milling has created their own niche market by 

remanufacturing products that other companies weren’t 

looking to create, according to Nancy. “This really started 

when we brought on Cypress as a green product, 

and we sold it all green. We ended up buying kiln-dried 

products back. The initial point of the business was to 

do the profile side of it and not have the raw material 

produced. Then we built the sawmill in ’99 and we were 

able to expand on that,” Nancy said. “We’ve found ways 

to become the fully integrated mill that we are today, by 

reverse engineering,” she continued. 

The company just recently, at the beginning of 2023, 

installed two new dry kilns that will have a capacity of 


“Our ideal cutting schedule would be two weeks of American Cypress, 

one week of Poplar and a week of Atlantic white cedar,” 

said COO, Mark Tuck. 


American Cypress timber being sawn into boards on the CAE 

linebar resaw. 


Most of the M&M Lumber crew are shown in this 2022 Christmas picture. 

M&M Lumber: 

A Legacy Of Service And Quality 

By Scott Dalton 

Tulsa, OK—When Jim McKellar Sr. co-founded 

M&M Lumber, located here, back in 1964, he 

likely had no idea that one day his granddaughter 

would be co-running the company. 

McKellar started the business after serving in the 

Navy during World War II. In fact, it was during his military 

service that he was first exposed to the lumber 

industry; he ran a sawmill in Guadalcanal on behalf of 

the Navy during the War in the Pacific. 

When his son, Jim McKellar Jr., assumed leadership 

of the company, the younger McKellar integrated a 

number of changes to the business, modernizing production 

and helping to expand the company’s offerings. 

It was during this time that his children, Amy, Justin, 

Whitney and Audrey, were exposed to M&M Lumber, 

growing up with it as an integral part of their lives. As 

Whitney took on more responsibilities, she was joined 

in the business by her high school friend, Sean Stevens. 

“I was friends with the boss’s son for a long time,” 

This is the 2022 “Girls of M&M Lumber” Christmas photo. 


“We work with everyone, from the person 

building birdhouses to the contractor 

constructing multi-family apartments. 

We change with the times as the market 

predicates it.” 

– Sean Stevens, M&M Lumber 

This is the front of M&M Lumber as it is today. 

This rail car is one of many, laden with lumber, that M&M Lumber 

receives. 

Sean recalled, noting he joined the company in 1992, 

soon after graduating from high school. “Then I married 

my friend’s sister.” 

As much as the first two generations of McKellars had 

grown the business during its first 28 years, M&M Lumber 

has changed even more dramatically in the 30 years 

since Sean joined the business. That said, the ideals and 

company culture that set the standard for good business 

practices back in the 1960s remain intact today. Then 

as now, the company emphasizes the value of good relationships 

with customers and suppliers alike, and that 

sense of loyalty has been the foundation on which the 

Bicycles are the mode of transportation for several employees. 

They get you around quickly! 


business has continued to build success. 

Sean pointed out that the past is never far from the 

minds of those who work at M&M Lumber, and that 

those values and that sense of dedication are always on 

display at the company’s headquarters. 

“We keep a wall dedicated to Whitney’s grandfather. 

He persevered through thick and thin, sometimes in a 

hostile environment,” he said, noting that Jim continues 

to serve as president of the company. “We are happy to 

represent the third generation to operate the company.” 

That spirit of perseverance has been tested during the 

past couple of years as M&M and the rest of the industry 

navigated the challenges of the COVID pandemic. Sean 

said that he believes the experience has actually made 

the company stronger. 

“The pandemic, for us, has strengthened our core,” he 

said. “It hasn’t changed our values. In fact, it has brought 

us closer together as a group. We had some early retirements 

early on, and there was that element of the unknown. 

For the most part, though, we’ve been fortunate. 

We have been able to band together and make all the 

changes we had to make to handle the influx of business 

the demand and the volatility in the market.” 

Sean noted that one reason the company continues to 

do well is because it has always listened to the needs of 

its customers, especially as those needs have evolved 

and changed. 



In Indiana, four 82,000-board-foot kilns have recently been installed with the new NDK-R Control System. 

Nyle Dry Kilns Innovates With 

New Kiln Optimization Equipment 

From left are Adam Duplisea, Jeremy Pitts and Jeremy Howard of 

Nyle Dry Kilns. 

“We provide the tools to help your kiln 

reach its full potential no matter the manufacturer.” 

– Jeremy Howard, president, 

Nyle Dry Kilns 

Brewer, ME—Nyle Dry Kilns, based here, believes 

that in the current market, sawmills will start turning 

to their equipment suppliers looking for ways to 

make their equipment smarter and running as efficiently 

as possible. It is from that belief that they announced 

last year, their line of kiln optimization equipment. “We 

provide the tools to help your kiln reach its full potential 

no matter the manufacturer,” stated Jeremy Howard, 

president of Nyle Dry Kilns. The “tools” he is speaking 

of are their Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems and a 

new industry-leading NDK-R kiln control. “At Nyle, we 

believe that every company wants to improve their kiln 

drying performance, efficiency, and results, but sometimes 

they don’t always have a clear path to make that 

happen,” said Howard. “We believe we can help draw 

that map.” 

Heat loss through venting can be one of the most notable 

downfalls when drying lumber. Heat loss requires 

the kiln to use more energy to bring the chamber back to 

temperature. This energy loss also causes a delay in the 

schedule resulting in added drying time. Nyle believes 


A Nyle Heat Recovery Venting System (HRV) was installed on this 

kiln in the Northeast. 

Seven HRVs were recently installed on existing kilns in the Northeast 

as well. 

that their Heat Recovery Vents, or HRV, as it’s typically 

referred to, can become a valuable addition to any kiln. 

The vent utilizes the heat being vented from the kiln to 

warm the incoming air minimizing the need for “reheating,” 

reducing the overall fuel consumption and increasing 

overall production quality. “We have seen our customers 

save up to 80 percent of lost heat when switching 

to our HRVs,” said Howard. 

This past year, Nyle also rolled out a new industry-leading 

kiln control. “Our new NDK-R puts an advanced controller 

into the hands of the kiln operator, allowing them 

complete control over their kiln schedules and product 

quality,” noted Henco Viljoen, drying specialist for Nyle 

Dry Kilns and creator of the new control. “This new control 

system boasts the same features Nyle had had in 

their controls for years while adding advanced features 

such as: Electronic Wet-Bulb/Dry-Bulb, Mobile/Webbased 

controls, and advanced scheduling system.” The 

“R” in the controls name stands for “retrofit,” meaning 

their control will work with any kiln regardless of the 

manufacturer. 

A number of Nyle’s customers have already seen 

success with this updated control system. The NDK-R 

control utilizes five control modes: DH, Conventional, 

Hybrid, Heat Treating, and Dump Cycle mode. Viljoen 

explained, “The different modes allow for the operator to 

better suit their drying process to the particular species 

of wood that they are drying. Hybrid mode has proved to 

be an ideal mode for faster drying Hardwoods because 


Here is the hi-tech NDK-R Kiln Control remote access interface. 



From Dry Kilns To Software, We’re Priming The 

Pump To Create An Ongoing Talent Supply 

By Allison DeFord 

Executive Director 

North American Forest Foundation 

The North American Forest Foundation (NAFF) is on 

a mission to nurture the next generation through education 

– because helping kids become #exTREEmelysmart 

creates a healthier future for them, the industry, 

and the planet. We’re about science not slogans—dispelling 

the myths and inspiring with truth about sustainable 

forestry and wood products and the important role 

they play in the health of the planet. 

NAFF provides classroom teachers of grades K-3 with 

the Truth About Trees educational kits distributed free 

of charge. Age-appropriate interactive materials tell children–and 

teachers–the story and importance of wood. 

As of the end of 2022, more than 1,200 kits have been 

provided, reaching an estimated 300,000 kids. 

The Forever Forest traveling exhibit is another endeavor 

we support, through the Omaha Children’s Museum. 

Established in 2017, the exhibit is set to travel 

to 30 states in ten years, reaching more than 630,000 

children and adults to date, to teach the lumber journey 

and explore the value of sustainable forestry. 

The overwhelmingly positive response to both the 

Forever Forest exhibit and classroom kits has led us to 

the beginning stages of designing an App for junior high 

students (grades 6-8) that’s expected to launch in 2024. 

The more game-ified educational program will reinforce 

awareness and learning about sustainable forestry 

and wood products through age-appropriate topics and 

help kids see the potential for careers in the industry. A 

corresponding website will make them aware of all the 

companies, schools, and career paths available to them. 

The health of the industry—and the planet—demands 

that we close the skills gap and attract the energy, talent, 

and ingenuity of a new generation. Together, we’re 

priming the pump to create an ongoing supply of talent. 


German says it’s a message that “is difficult to sustain 

without dedication and dedication can be difficult 

to transfer from one generation to the next.” He values 

NAFF’s work teaching children because, “It takes a lot 

of education efforts from one generation to the next to 

ensure that [a] false message doesn’t propagate again.” 

Henry German 

Industry Support 

Support from dedicated individuals and organizations 

like Nyle Dry Kilns and DMSi Software helps make this 

mission a reality. On the topic of industry-related education, 

we had the opportunity to gather thoughts from 

Henry German, President of eLIMBS, a DMSi Company, 

and Jeremy Howard, President of Nyle Dry Kilns (and a 

current NAFF Board Member). 

Learning On The Job 

Neither Henry German nor Jeremy Howard set out 

looking for a career in the wood products industry. Instead, 

the job came first and deep industry knowledge 

was developed through their work experiences. 

The Sky Is The Limit 

Henry was introduced to the industry when he joined 

DMSi, the family business that provides business, accounting, 

operations and inventory management software 

to lumber yards and the building materials industry. 

Now, 10 years later, with diverse experience behind 

him, he is a champion of teaching kids the truth about 

sustainable forestry. 

When Jeremy joined Nyle Systems, a producer of 

Hardwood and softwood kilns and heat treating systems, 

he was trained as a software engineer. He began 

his career at Nyle Systems in 2004 as a programmer/ 

developer, hired to run equipment that dries lumber. 

Through a succession of various roles over the years, 

Jeremy worked with lots of great people and gained vast 

industry experience. Along the way, he says he’s done 

pretty much everything and “had the opportunity to see 

the equipment and the whole process.” 

Strong Support For Teaching Kids 

Both German and Howard are strong supporters of the 

NAFF’s work educating kids. Henry points out that it’s a 

natural human reaction to feel that cutting down trees is 

negative and sustainable forestry is a difficult concept 

for kids to grasp. “Especially as a child you don’t have 

the context to understand how complex of an idea that is 

and it’s just easier to think, trees growing is good which 

means cutting them down is bad.” He feels kids need 

“the proper context to understand the whole picture.” 


Jeremy Howard 

Building The Industry Through Education 

Jeremy supports NAFF’s education program and 

says, “there is great benefit in sharing education early 

with kids—to give them an understanding.” They need to 

learn “how is the table made or how are buildings constructed 

-- the way kids are taught about concrete, plastic, 

and steel.” He adds that his own kids “are intrigued 

to find out how things are made.” 

Nyle has a strong focus on education, especially at the 

college level, and Jeremy is excited to see younger engineers 

joining the industry. More and more young people 

have knowledge about wood being renewable, and 

he says the “development of CLT to build skyscrapers 

has excited younger people” because it helps the environment 

and allows them to create something that lasts. 

He notes that the wood products industry has many 

roles for people with all types of skills from manufacturing 

to finance, sales to welding. He feels the future looks 

bright, especially as more young people choose careers 

in the forest products industry, equipped with greater understanding. 

Keeping the industry strong and vibrant requires a 

continuing influx of new talent. Our chosen role involves 

cultivating an interest in the field through teaching 

youngsters all about wood. We want to help them understand 

how wood products are made and how wood is 

a wise and sustainable choice for many everyday items, 

from shampoo and toothpaste to furniture, decking and 

building materials. 

Join Us 

Accomplishments have been great since we embarked 

on this adventure. It’s a journey, one we’re happy 

to share with those interested in partnering with us: 

Donations: Purchase kits at any time. Partner with us 

as a matching sponsor for our Back-to-School Kit Drive 

in August, or for Giving Tuesday, November 28. 

Corporate Sponsorship of the Junior High App: 

Become a $10K or higher sponsor (total estimated cost 

is $250,000). We expect the app to be in constant use 

for five years before needing an update, giving sponsors 

broad exposure and an active role in expanding awareness 

and education across a wide population of young 

people. 



HMA And Nashville Team Up For 

“Agents Of Change” 

Nashville, TN–The Hardwood Manufacturers Association 

(HMA) recently brought their message of 

“Agents of Change” to the JW Marriott, located here, as 

the organization hosted its 2023 National Conference 

& Expo. The event was open to all industry Hardwood 

stakeholders and 230 registered to attend. 

The Board of Directors of the HMA elected Tommy 

Petzoldt, East Perry Lumber Company, Frohna, MO, 

as president of the HMA at their National Conference & 

Expo. 

Other HMA officers for 2023 are Vice President: Matthew 

Netterville, Fred Netterville Lumber Co., Woodville, 

MS, and Executive Vice President: Linda Jovanovich, 

HMA, Pittsburgh, PA. 

HMA Board of Directors also elected members to the 

Executive Committee. In addition to the officers, they 

are: Hal Mitchell, Atlanta Hardwood Corporation, Mableton, 

GA; Scott Cummings, Cummings Lumber Company, 

Inc., Troy, PA; Tripp Josey, Josey Lumber Company Inc., 

Scotland Neck, NC; Wayne Law, New River Hardwoods 

Inc., Mountain City, TN; and Tom Gerow, Wagner Millwork 

LLC, Owego, NY. 

Photos By Paul Miller Jr., Terry Miller and Chris Fehr 

Troy Brown, Kretz Lumber Company Inc., Antigo, WI, 

will serve on the Executive Committee as the immediate 

past president. 

During the Conference’s Thursday Business Meeting, 

HMA members elected the following Directors: Geoff 

Henderson, Anderson-Tully Company, Vicksburg, MS; 

Todd Breitenfeldt, Kretz Lumber Company Inc., Antigo, 

WI; Jim ‘Jed’ Miller, NWH, Frisco, TX; Brian Schilling, 

Pike Lumber Company Inc., Akron, IN; Jason Dallas, 

Stella-Jones Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA; and Truss 

Beasley, Thompson Hardwoods Inc., Hazlehurst, GA. 

The event began with a competitive golf tournament 

at the Gaylord Springs Golf Links. Twenty-three golfers 

participated in this inaugural golf event in conjunction 

with the HMA’s National Conference & Expo. Proceeds 

from the tournament, which totaled $2,400, were donated 

to the Real American Hardwood Coalition. Peter 

McCarty of TS Manufacturing Co. emceed the awards 

presentation. 

Tom Gerow, Wagner Millwork LLC, Owego, NY; Ray Wheeland, Wheeland Lumber Company Inc., Liberty, PA; Nordeck Thompson, 

Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods Inc., Huntland, TN; Bill Buchanan, Buchanan Lumber Company, Aliceville, AL; and Derek Wheeland, 

Wheeland Lumber Company Inc. 

34 MAY 2023 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 

www.RealAmericanHardwood.org

Flight winners were as follows: 

C Flight 5th place was Blake DeFrance 

C Flight 4th place was Jeff Lisk 

C Flight 3rd place was Brian Cruzen 

C Flight 2nd place was Tom Hughes 

C Flight 1st place was Bruce Horner 

B Flight 5th place was Tim Mosher 

B Flight 4th place was Robert Wagner 

B Flight 3rd place was Scott Ferland 

B Flight 2nd place was Mike Ballard 

B Flight 1st place was Alan Robbins 

A Flight 5th place was Peter McCarty 

A Flight 4th place was Matt Tietz 

A Flight 3rd place was Henry German 

A Flight 2nd place was Mike Goldston 

A Flight 1st place was Jeff Dougherty 

Peter McCarty, of TS Manufacturing Co., presented golf 

awards at the inaugural golf game held during the HMA 

National Conference & Expo. 

Please turn the page 

Dana Lee Cole, Hardwood Federation, Washington, DC; Michael Martin, National Wood Flooring Association, Chesterfield, MO; Linda 

Jovanovich, HMA, Warrendale, PA; Anita Howard, National Wood Flooring Association; and Ian Faight, SCMA, Warrendale, PA 



HMA Continued 

Day 2 of the Conference & Expo was packed with 

learning sessions and a robust exhibitor’s hall. 

Among the learning sessions were the following: 

•Implementing Agents of Change with Effective 

Communications and Leadership, presented by 

Steve James, CEO, Frank Miller Lumber Co. and 

certified John C. Maxwell coach, trainer and speaker. 

•Let’s Talk Hardwood Promotion, presented by representatives 

of the Real American Hardwood Coalition. 

•Global Market Update, presented by Michael 

Snow, executive director, American Hardwood Export 

Council. 

•Hardwood Markets: A Forward-Looking Conversation, 

presented by Judd Johnson, editor, Hardwood 

Market Report. 

•Hardwood Federation Update, presented by Dana 

Lee Cole, excutive director, Hardwood Federation. 

•Strategic Solutions for Your Operations, Panel 1, 

included conversations with industry experts Lindsey 

DiGangi, of Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual 

Insurance Co., Norvin Laudon, of MiCROTEC and 

Daniel Gravely, of Real Performance Machinery. 

Learning sessions were summed up on Day 3 and included 

the following: 

•Trends and Forecasts for the U.S. Domestic Economy, 

presented by Chris Kuehl, Armada Corporate 

Intelligence. 

•Strategic Solutions for Your Operations, Panel 2, 

included conversations with industry experts Robert 

Arnold, of USNR and Riley Smith, of TS Manufacturing. 

The Hardwood Manufacturers Association is a national 

trade organization with membership limited to U.S. 

Hardwood lumber producers and processors. HMA is a 

member-driven association providing member companies 

peer-networking opportunities, valuable information 

exchange and strategic management tools. The Association 

also conducts a focused, far-reaching promotion 

campaign, directed to both consumers and build professionals, 

extolling the beauty, environmental preference 

and lasting value of American Hardwood flooring, furniture, 

cabinetry and millwork. n 

To learn how to join the HMA, 

visit www.hmamembers.org. 

Kirby Kendrick, Kendrick Forest Products Inc., Edgewood, IA; 

Jeff Dougherty, Ally Global Logistics LLC, Jacksonville, FL; and 

Bruce Horner, Abenaki Timber Corp., Kingston, NH 

Eric Marchand and Carolle Theriault, Pichè Inc., Daveluyville, QC; 

and Stacy and Brian Schilling, Pike Lumber Company Inc., Akron, 

IN 


Judd Johnson and Brian Cruzen, Hardwood Market Report, 

Memphis, TN; Andy Nuffer, Ram Forest Products Inc., Shinglehouse, 

PA; and Steve Bruggeman, Bruggeman Lumber Inc., Sand 

Springs, IA 

Robert Kaebnick, Hartzell Hardwoods Inc., Piqua, OH; and Josh 

Davis and Boston Howe, Farm Credit Mid-America, Louisville, KY 

Tommy Battle and Katelyn Battle, Battle Lumber Co. Inc., Wadley, GA; Chris Rider, AHC Hardwood Group, Mableton, GA; Jim Howard, 

Atlanta Hardwood Corp., Mableton, GA; and David Messer, Cole Hardwood Inc., Logansport, IN 

Paul Miller Jr., National Hardwood Magazine, Memphis, TN; David 

Messer, Cole Hardwood Inc., Logansport, IN; and Troy Brown, 

Kretz Lumber Co. Inc., Antigo, WI 

Terry Miller, National Hardwood Magazine, Memphis, TN; Ted Rossi, 

Rossi Group, Cromwell, CT; and Bruce Horner, Abenaki Timber 

Corp., Kingston, NH 




HMA PHOTOS Continued 

Troy Brown and Todd Breitenfeldt, Kretz Lumber Co. Inc., Antigo, WI; Geoff Henderson and Richard Wilkerson, Anderson-Tully Lumber 

Co., Vicksburg, MS; and Ken Hardy, T & S Hardwoods Inc., Milledgeville, GA 

Cody Buchanan, Wood-Mizer LLC, Indianapolis, IN; Matthew Netterville, 

Fred Netterville Lumber Co., Woodville, MS; and Colin 

Campbell, Wood-Mizer LLC 

Pat Jenks, Deborah Jenks and Justin Jenks, Forestry Systems 

Inc., Summerfield, NC 

Barry Black, Taylor Machine Works Inc., Louisville, MS; Nordeck 

Thompson, Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods Inc., Huntland, 

TN; Skipper Beal, Beal Lumber Co. Inc., Little Mountain, SC; and 

Hal Nowell, Taylor Machine Works Inc. 

Mike Penner and Laura Townsend, Breeze Dried Inc., Tillsonburg, 

ON; and Jason Goodman, U-C Coatings LLC, Buffalo, NY 

Nancy Tuck and Kelsey Kennedy, Gates Milling Inc., Gatesville, 

NC; and Claire Getty, Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods Inc., 

Huntland, TN 

Jeremy Mortl and Craig Albright, Messersmith Manufacturing 

Inc., Bark River, MI; and Joey Nelson, JoeScan Inc., Vancouver, 

WA 


Matt Tietz, McDonough Manufacturing Co., Eau Claire, WI; Mark Willenborg, Heartland Hardwoods Inc., Effingham, IL; Travis Shepherd, 

McDonough Manufacturing Co.; Ryan Willenborg, Heartland Hardwoods Inc.; and Matt Frazier, McDonough Manufacturing Co. 

Stacy and Hayes Mellott, Mellott Manufacturing Co. Inc., Mercersburg, 

PA 

Mike Snow, AHEC, Sterling, VA; Lindsey DiGangi, Pennsylvania 

Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Co., Philadelphia, PA; John Hester, 

NHLA, Memphis, TN; and Scott Cummings, Cummings Lumber 

Company Inc., Troy, PA 

Jean Benoit Pichè, Marc and Carolle Theriault, Pichè Inc., Daveluyville, 

QC; Burt Craig, Matson Lumber Company, Brookville, 

PA; and Eric Marchand, Pichè Inc. 

Paul Miller Jr., National Hardwood Magazine, Memphis, TN; Marv 

Bernhagen and Paul Krotts, Lewis Controls Inc., Cornelius, OR; 

and Jim Burris, Corley Mfg. Co., Chattanooga, TN 





Lance Mustard and Joe Korac, Automation & Electronics USA, Arden, NC; Logan Josey, Josey Lumber Co. Inc., Scotland Neck, NC; 

Peter McCarty, TS Manufacturing Co., Dover-Foxcroft, ME; Riley Smith, TS Manufacturing Co., Lindsay, ON; Tripp Josey, Josey Lumber 

Co. Inc.; and Geoff Gannon, TS Manufacturing Co., Plymouth, NH 

Marshell Norris and Frances Cooper, Cooper Machine Company 

Inc., Wadley, GA; and Karen Pryor, Oaks Unlimited Inc., Waynesville, 

NC 

Tom Gerow, Wagner Millwork LLC, Owego, NY; Mark Metzger, U-C 

Coatings LLC, Buffalo, NY; Jed Miller, NWH, Frisco, TX; and Chris 

Fehr, National Hardwood Magazine, Memphis, TN 

Robert Wagner, USNR, Graham, NC; Terry Miller, National Hardwood Magazine, Memphis, TN; Melissa Berry, Continental Underwriters 

Inc., Richmond, VA; and Wayne Law and Tony Summerow, New River Hardwoods Inc., Mountain City, TN 

Steve Jones, Ron Jones Hardwood Sales Inc., Union City, PA; 

Andy Nuffer, Ram Forest Products Inc., Shinglehouse, PA; David 

Bailey, New River Hardwoods Inc., Mountain City, TN; and Ben 

Mathews, SII Dry Kilns, Lexington, NC 

Steve Merrick, Troy Jamieson and George Crawford, Merrick 

Hardwoods Inc., Somerset, KY 


Henry German, DMSi Software, Omaha, NE; Claire Getty, Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods Inc., Huntland, TN; Nate Jones, Ron 

Jones Hardwood Sales Inc., Union City, PA; Charlie Brenneman, Brenneman Lumber Company, Mount Vernon, OH; and Steve Jones, 

Ron Jones Hardwood Sales Inc. 

Blake DeFrance, Brad Michael and Joey Nelson, JoeScan Inc., 

Vancouver, WA 

Martin Vaillancourt, USNR, Plessisville, QC; Robert Wagner, 

USNR, Graham, NC; Pierre Compagna, USNR, Levis, QC; Alan 

Robbins, USNR, Jacksonville, FL; and Bob Arnold, USNR, Eugene, 

OR 

Jon Krepol, Industrial Vision Systems Inc., Broomall, PA; Bucky 

Pescaglia, MO PAC Lumber Co., Fayette, MO; and Mike Ballard, 

Sawmill MD, Crestview, FL 

Tim Brownlee, Brownlee Lumber Company Inc., Brookville, PA; 

and Michelle and Rob Kittle, Cleereman Industries Inc., Newald, 

WI 





Derek Wheeland, Wheeland Lumber Company Inc., Liberty, PA; Jeff Hardy, Cersosimo Lumber Co. Inc., Brattleboro, VT; Ray Wheeland, 

Wheeland Lumber Company Inc.; and Jos aan de Stegge and Matthias Harnisch, Brunner-Hildebrand Lumber Dry Kiln Co., Nashville, 

TN 

Tommy Petzoldt, East Perry Lumber Company, Frohna, MO; Steve 

James, Frank Miller Lumber Co. Inc., Union City, IN; and Skipper 

Beal, Beal Lumber Co. Inc., Little Mountain, SC 

Mike Goldston, Brewco Inc., Central City, KY; Woody Stanchina 

and Melissa Berry, Continental Underwriters Inc., Richmond, VA; 

and Dallin Brooks, NHLA, Memphis, TN 

Jim Howard, Atlanta Hardwood Corp., Mableton, GA; and Claus 

Staalner, American Wood Technology LLC, Jefferson, GA 

Andrew Timmer and Bob Hurst, Eagle Machinery & Supply Inc., 

Sugarcreek, OH 

Ben Mathews and Dan Mathews, SII Dry Kilns, Lexington, NC; Scott Ferland, Maine Woods Company LLC, Portage Lake, ME; Tom 

Gerow, Wagner Millwork LLC, Owego, NY; Bob Pope, SII Dry Kilns, Montpelier, VT; and Brian Turlington, SII Dry Kilns, Lexington, NC 


Tyler Bernsten and Lance Johnson, ISK Biocides Inc., Memphis, 

TN; and Chris Fehr, National Hardwood Magazine, Memphis, TN 

Paul Kemp, BID Group Technologies Ltd., Saint George, SC; Sylvain 

Dionne and Fèlix-Antoine Caron, BID Group Technologies 

Ltd., Mirabel, QC; and Jesse LaSon, Rossi Group, Cromwell, CT 

Vic Boeding, Bruggeman Lumber Inc., Sand Springs, IA; Henry German and Jason Bolstad, DMSi Software, Omaha, NE; Parker Dukas, 

Abenaki Timber Corp., Kingston, NH; David Messer, Cole Hardwood Inc., Logansport, IN; and Steve Bruggeman, Bruggeman Lumber Inc. 

Bob and Chelsea Bell, MiCROTEC, Erieville, NY; Norvin Laudon, 

MiCROTEC, Vancouver, BC; and Bruce Horner, Abenaki Timber 

Corp., Kingston, NH 

Jeremy and Tiffany Howard, Adam and Janie Duplisea, and Kim 

and Jeremy Pitts, Nyle Dry Kilns, Brewer, ME 

Bucky Pescaglia, MO PAC Lumber Co., Fayette, MO; Lindsey 

DiGangi, PLMI, Philadelphia, PA; and David Steen, Pike Lumber 

Company Inc., Akron, IN 


John Stevenson and Linwood Truitt, Thompson Hardwoods Inc., 

Hazlehurst, GA; and Hal Mitchell, AHC Hardwood Group, Mableton, 

GA 


Anthony Hammond, Roy Anderson Lumber Co. Inc., Tompkinsville, KY; Jim Black, Sam Carey Lumber Company, Germantown, TN; 

Chip Underwood, Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods Inc., Huntland, TN; and Keith Byrge, La-Z-Boy Inc., Dayton, TN 

58th Annual KFIA Meeting Features 

Exhibits, Legislative Updates 

Lexington, KY–Members and guests of the Kentucky 

Forest Industries Association (KFIA) met 

here recently at the Embassy Suites to celebrate 

the organization’s 58th Annual Meeting. This year’s 

theme was “One Team - One Goal.” 

The John C. Smith Memorial Golf Scramble, held at 

the Houston Oaks Golf Course, kicked off the event. 

U-C Coatings LLC sponsored a $500 cash shootout. 

KFIA’s Board of Directors also met to conduct a quarterly 

meeting to discuss business, along with the results 

of 2023 legislative session. The day ended with a 

welcome reception. 

The exhibitor’s hall opened the next day, which began 

with the Opening Session, featuring speakers 

who discussed legislative updates, the Real American 

Hardwood Coalition promotion, and endangered species 

and timber sales opportunities with Kentucky Fish 

& Wildlife. 

The KFIA/KY Tree Farm Awards Luncheon was held 

Photos By Paul Miller Jr., Terry Miller and Chris Fehr 

in conjunction with the KFIA Business Meeting, where 

new officers were elected and outstanding individuals 

were recognized for their achievements in the forest 

industry community. Also honored were the Kentucky 

Tree Farmer and Logger of the Year for their accomplishments 

to support forestry and the wood industry. 

The SFI/SIC Committee meeting held open discussion 

on certification issues and funding of current projects 

by SFI members. 

Additionally, the ever-popular Robinson Lumber 

Company/Houchens Insurance Group Hospitality Suite 

welcomed attendees for networking opportunities while 

enjoying fresh seafood from Louisiana and cocktails. 

The final day of the KFIA Annual Meeting included 

an Open Session that covered the tie markets, health 

insurance for businesses and the new Kentucky Forestry 

Works Program, which is designed to get young 

people more interested in working in the wood products 

industry. n 

Learn more about this organization by visiting www.kfia.org. 


Ron Nentwig, Logs 2 Lumber 2 You LLC, Nashville, TN; Paul Maxwell, 

Maxwell Brothers Lumber Co., Lewisport, KY; and Peter Mc- 

Carty, TS Manufacturing Co., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 

Chris Fehr, National Hardwood Magazine, Memphis, TN; Greg 

Hubble, Prime Lumber Company, Thomasville, NC; and Joey 

Gray, Prime Lumber Sawmill, Eastview, KY 

Steve Biggs, Somerset Hardwood Flooring, Somerset, KY; Chuck 

Underwood, Memphis International Trading Company, Campbellsville, 

KY; Craig Albright, Messersmith Manufacturing Inc., 

Bark River, MI; and Heath Long, Classic American Hardwoods 

Inc., Memphis, TN 

Tony Honeycutt, Mullican Flooring, Norton, VA; David Caldwell, 

Hardwood Market Report, Memphis, TN; Rob McCarthy, NWH, Apple 

Creek, OH; Chris Summers, Summers LLC, New Carlisle, OH; 

and Mike Price, Forestry Systems Inc., Summerfield, NC 

Renee Hornsby and John Hester, National Hardwood Lumber 

Assoc., Memphis, TN; and Dana Lee Cole, Hardwood Federation, 

Washington, DC 

Kirk Bachman, Missouri Walnut LLC, Neosho, MO; Jeff Caldwell, 

Missouri Walnut LLC, Robbins, TN; Kelly Hostetter, Robinson 

Lumber Company, New Orleans, LA; and Jim Higgins, SII Dry 

Kilns, Lexington, NC 

Jerry Renneker, Koetter Woodworking Inc., Borden, IN; Toto Robinson, 

Robinson Lumber Company, New Orleans, LA; and Robert 

Bauer, Executive Director, KFIA, Frankfort, KY 


Jay Engle, Smith Creek Inc., Borden, IN; Paul Miller Jr., National 

Hardwood Magazine, Memphis, TN; and Dewayne Feltner, Mac- 

Beath Hardwood Co., Edinburgh, IN 



KFIA PHOTOS Continued 

Jackie, Sherry and Isaac Rich, Macon Lumber Company LLC, Red Boiling Springs, TN; and Erika York, A & Y Enterprises Inc., Marrowbone, 

KY 

Travis Cox and Scott Anderson, Tarter Gate Wood Products Co., 

Dunnville, KY; Michael Peger, Cumberland Ridge Forest Products, 

Guthrie, KY; and Elias Royal, TYR Wood Products Inc., 

Happy Valley, OR 

Parker Boles, Hermitage Hardwood Lumber Sales Inc., Cookeville, 

TN; Tom Inman, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc., 

High Point, NC; and David Anderson, Roy Anderson Lumber Co. 

Inc., Tompkinsville, KY 

Kenny Knott, David Anderson and Anthony Hammond, Roy Anderson 

Lumber Co. Inc., Tompkinsville, KY 

Ed Grambusch and James Morton, Paw Taw John Services Inc., 

Rathdrum, ID 

Marty Cornett, Pierce Construction and Maintenance Co. Inc., Petal, 

MS; Kelly Hostetter, Robinson Lumber Company, New Orleans, 

LA; and Eric Renneker, Robinson Lumber Company, New Albany, 

IN 

Jim Burris, Corley Mfg. Co., Chattanooga, TN; and Keith Tarter, 

Tarter Gate Wood Products Co., Dunnville, KY 


Brian Lathrop, Wood-Mizer LLC, Indianapolis, IN 

Gavin and Alison Christ, Dunaway Timber Co. Inc., Fordsville, KY 

Chad McPherson and Rusty Hawkins, Roy Anderson Lumber 

Co. Inc., Tompkinsville, KY; and Cameron Merrick, Merrick Hardwoods 

Inc., Burnside, KY 

Troy Jamieson, Merrick Hardwoods Inc., Burnside, KY; Jerry 

Koetter, Koetter Woodworking Inc., Borden, IN; and Scott Anderson, 

Tarter Gate Wood Products Co., Dunnville, KY 

Rob McCarthy, NWH, Apple Creek, OH; and Brett Warriner and 

Jimmy Thornberry, Powell Valley Millwork LLC, Clay City, KY 

Chris Fehr, National Hardwood Magazine, Memphis, TN; Louis 

Reed, AHC Hardwood Group, Clarksville, TN; and Philip Fischer, 

Maley & Wertz Inc., Evansville, IN 

Barry Hamm, James Wells, Canon Vice and Keith Henry, Green- 

Tree Forest Products Inc., Wallingford, KY 

Jimmy Thornberry, Powell Valley Millwork LLC, Clay City, KY; 

Lowery Anderson, Roy Anderson Lumber Co. Inc., Tompkinsville, 

KY; and Michael Thornberry, Powell Valley Millwork LLC 




KFIA PHOTOS Continued 

Paul Miller Jr., National Hardwood Magazine, Memphis, TN; and 

Steve Merrick and George Crawford, Merrick Hardwoods Inc., 

Burnside, KY 

Jos aan de Stegge, Brunner-Hildebrand Lumber Dry Kiln Co., 

Nashville, TN; and Chuck Mullins, Kentucky River Properties LLC, 

Hazard, KY 

Ethan Whitecap and Craig Van Fleet, Stella-Jones Corp., Piketon, OH; Jason Burkhart, Danfoss High Pressure Systems, Stuart, FL; 

Mike Ballard, Sawmill MD, Crestview, FL; and Bill Steele, retired, Bowling Green, KY 

Justin Jenks, Patrick Jenks and Mike Price, Forestry Systems 

Inc., Summerfield, NC; and Chris Osborne and Chuck Mullins, 

Kentucky River Properties LLC, Hazard, KY 

Jeremy Pitts, Nyle Dry Kilns, Lenoir, NC; and Eddie Carson, Beasley 

Flooring Products Inc., Franklin, NC 

William Perry, Powell Valley Millwork LLC, Clay City, KY; Michele 

Brewer, KFIA, Frankfort, KY; and Joe Hobbs, Ohio Valley Veneer 

Inc., Piketon, OH 

Karen Gautier and Tammy Sue Donaldson, DMSi, Norwalk, WI 


Coby Short and Jared Free, Hartzell Hardwoods Inc., Piqua, OH 

Some of the photos taken at the Robinson Lumber/Houchens Ins. 

Group Hospitality reception follow: Keith Henry and James Wells, 

GreenTree Forest Products Inc., Wallingford, KY; Toto Robinson, 

Robinson Lumber Co., New Orleans, LA; and Barry Hamm, Green- 

Tree Forest Products Inc. 

Howell White, Walter M. Fields Lumber Company Inc., Bowling 

Green, KY; Ray White, Harold White Lumber & Millwork Inc., 

Morehead, KY; and Jerry Koetter, Koetter Woodworking Inc., 

Borden, IN 

Marty Cornett, Pierce Construction and Maintenance Co. Inc., 

Petal, MS; Matt Begley, BPM Lumber LLC, London, KY; and Rick 

Goodin, YesterYear Floors LLC, Campbellsville, KY 

Michael Embry, Koppers Inc., Jamestown, KY; Zach Grigsby and Troy Lovegrove, Robinson Stave Co., East Bernstadt, KY; George 

Crawford, Merrick Hardwoods Inc., Burnside, KY; Michael Ammerman and Chad Niman, UK Dept of Forestry, Lexington, KY; Isaiah 

Harville, Baillie Lumber Co., Leitchfield, KY; and William Larkey, Robinson Stave Co. 



ALC Learns Ways To Attract 

Gen Z Employees 

Roanoke, VA – Appalachian Lumbermen’s Club (ALC) 

members seeking workers in 2023 should change 

their method of reaching younger candidates, according 

to a speaker at the club’s recent meeting. 

Toye Oshoniyi, commercial risk advisor with Dominion 

Risk Advisors in Roanoke, VA, spoke about the latest 

generation of adults entering the workforce. Generation 

Z are people who were born from 1997 to 2012. 

Employers need to understand the group is different 

from previous generations, he said. 

Gen Z employees have grown up with the constant 

development of technology and the internet. 

Oshoniyi said this makes Gen Z more adaptable and 

open to change in the workplace. They are often able to 

learn new methods of completing tasks than older generations. 

He used a mock interview video that stereotyped the 

typical interaction between a Gen Z applicant and a 

Baby Boom generation employer. While poking fun, it 

did characterize the different thinking of the two groups. 

Gen Z has a shorter attention span than previous 

By Tom Inman 

generations because they absorb a continuous flow of 

content on the internet, affecting how they process information. 

Oshoniyi said studies show the span is approximately 

8 seconds. He said it affects the way they handle 

various tasks at work. 

Millennials, those born between 1981 to 1996, have a 

somewhat longer attention span and can discipline themselves 

when getting jobs done. He noted that millennials 

are more collaborative and build more connections at 

work and Gen Z is more resourceful and tech-savvy. 

Studies have shown that Gen Z workers want their 

time and effort to have an impact on whatever task they 

do. They often want to know what exactly is expected 

from them at work and how it affects the company. 

Oshoniyi encouraged employers to use social media 

to educate and attract new employees. He said simple 

methods can have positive results. 

The next meeting of the Club is the Spring Beach 

Meeting on May 4-7 at the Avista Resort in North Myrtle 

Beach, SC. 

Registration is available at www.lumberclub.org.n 

David Bailey, New River Hardwoods Inc., Mountain City, TN; Rick McCreary, ETT Fine Woods, Donalds, SC; Joshua Bond, Turman 

Forest Products, Bedford, VA; and Mike Turman and Ross Frazier, Turman Lumber, Salem, VA 


Tyler King and Wayne Law, New River Hardwoods Inc., Mountain 

City. TN; and Doyle Kitchings and Jim Burris, Corley Manufacturing 

Co., Chattanooga, TN 

Bruce Horner, Abenaki Timber Corp., Kingston, NH; Anthony 

Hammond, Roy Anderson Lumber Co. Inc., Tompkinsville, KY; 

Steve Benfield, Ocean Freight Express, Suwanee, GA; and Steve 

Leonard, Lawrence Lumber Co. Inc., Maiden, NC 

Eric Alanko and David Olah, Allegheny Wood Products, Petersburg, 

WV; Jamie Straka, NWH, Hickory, NC; and Ken Matthews, 

SII Dry Kilns, Lexington, NC 

Logan Josey, Josey Lumber Co. Inc., Scotland Neck, NC; Andrew 

Robinson, Penn-Sylvan International, Spartansburg, PA; Jack 

Matson, WoodWorks, Marietta, OH; Michael Oakes, ISK Biocides 

Inc., Roanoke, VA; and Stephen Beam, NWH, Staunton, VA 

Dave Sondel, U-C Coatings LLC, Buffalo, NY; Scott Scruggs, 

Drakes Branch Mfg., Drakes Branch, VA; and Robert Pittman, Bryant 

Church Hardwoods Inc., Wilkesboro, NC 

Jeff Dougherty, Ally Global Logistics, Jacksonville, FL; Erin Cox, 

GTL Lumber Inc., Ironton, OH; and Clark Delabar, Graf Custom 

Hardwood, Portsmouth, OH 

Jay Reese, Penn-Sylvan International, Spartansburg, PA; Scott 

Scruggs, Drakes Branch Mfg., Drakes Branch, VA; and Ken 

Scruggs, Koppers Inc., Pittsburgh, PA 


Anton Yang and Claire Xiao, AD Hardwoods, Mooresville, NC; 

and Bill Graban, Prime Lumber Co., Lexington, NC 


SCMA Holds Annual Meeting 

Nashville, TN – The Southern Cypress Manufacturers 

Association (SCMA) held its 2023 Annual Meeting 

recently at the JW Marriott, located here, in conjunction 

with the Hardwood Manufacturers Association’s National 

Conference & Expo. 

Twenty-seven members, promotion sponsors, staff 

and guests gathered together for a networking reception 

and dinner to open the two-day event. The next morning, 

attendees met to review the association’s promotion 

campaign, previewed upcoming projects, discussed other 

business items, and elected officers for the year. 

Cassie Lewis, Turn Bull Lumber Company, Elizabethtown, 

NC, was elected SCMA president. Lewis joined 

Turn Bull Lumber Company in 2011, working her way 

through the accounting and logistics departments, before 

joining the sales team in 2015. She now serves as 

the company’s account manager, and is responsible for 

all sales, as well as managing the green and kiln-dried 

inventories. 

Truss Beasley, Beasley Forest Products (BFP), Hazlehurst, 

GA, was elected SCMA vice president. He joined 

BFP in 2014 and currently serves as vice president of 

business development for the Beasley Group sawmills 

and flooring plants. Beasley earned a Bachelor of Finance 

and a Master of Business Administration from 

Georgia Southern University. 

The SCMA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the 

promotion of Cypress building products to design professionals 

and consumers. For more information, visit 

www.CypressInfo.org. Follow the SCMA on Instagram 

and Twitter at @cypress_info, and on Facebook at 

@southerncypress. 

If your company is engaged in the manufacture, processing, 

or distribution of Cypress building products, 

and is interested in joining, email member-services@ 

cypressinfo.org to learn about membership. n 

Joseph Haggerty, Williams Lumber Company, Rocky Mount, NC; 

and Logan Josey and Tripp Josey, Josey Lumber Co. Inc., Scotland 

Neck, NC 

John Haggerty and George Riley, Williams Lumber Company, 

Rocky Mount, NC; and Brooks Jeffords, Turn Bull Lumber Company, 

Elizabethtown, NC 

Truss Beasley, Beasley Forest Products, Hazlehurst, GA; Cassie 

Lewis, Turn Bull Lumber Company, Elizabethtown, NC; Kelsey 

Kennedy, Gates Milling Inc., Gatesville, NC; and Ian Faight, SCMA, 

Warrendale, PA 

Robin Little, McGriff Insurance Services Inc./National Forest 

Products Practice, Greenville, NC; Lance Johnson, ISK Biocides 

Inc., Memphis, TN; and Lee White, Turn Bull Lumber Company, 

Elizabethtown, NC 


John Stevenson and Linwood Truitt, Thompson Hardwoods Inc., 

Hazlehurst, GA; and Hal Mitchell, AHC Hardwood Group, Mableton, 

GA 

Terry Miller, National Hardwood Magazine, Memphis, TN; Christopher 

Sackett, Gates Milling Inc., Gatesville, NC; and Zack Rickman, 

AHC Hardwood Group, Mableton, GA 

Linda Jovanovich, Hardwood Manufacturers Association, Warrendale, 

PA; Ian Faight, SCMA, Warrendale, PA; and Cassie Lewis, 

Turn Bull Lumber Company, Elizabethtown, NC 

Rusty Logue, Battle Lumber Co. Inc., Wadley, GA; Nancy Tuck, 

Gates Milling Inc., Gatesville, NC; and Bob Miller, Hardwood Manufacturers 

Association, Warrendale, PA 

Premium 

Northern Hardwoods 

• 80-acre site; 95,000 sq. ft. under roof 

• 50,000 acres of our own forest lands 

in Wisconsin, USA 

• Sawing 18,400,000 board feet/year 

• 12 on-site KDS Kilns drying up to 

780,000 board feet/month 

• 1,500,000 board feet of inventory 

to meet your needs 

• We offer color, width & length sorts to 

your specifications behind our planer 

• Export prep capabilities 

• FSC certified of FSC Mix and 

FSC Controlled wood products 

From the forests of northern Wisconsin and Michigan, 

where rich soil, cold winters and a short growing season combine 

to create the perfect atmosphere for producing hardwoods 

of unrivaled excellence and beauty – Tigerton Lumber brings 

you a full line of northern hardwoods for flooring, kitchen 

cabinets, architectural millwork, moldings, door & stair parts. 

Contact Mike Schulke at 715.532.2182 today! 

mike@tigertonlumber.com • www.tigertonlumber.com 



NELA Sets Sights On 

June Meeting Following 

Successful Winter Gathering 

Woodstock,VT – The New England Lumbermen’s 

Association (NELA) recently held their annual winter 

meeting at the Woodstock Inn, located here. 

The gathering began with coffee and registration, 

which provided the membership the opportunity to reacquaint 

themselves after a long winter break. 

Lunch was served for approximately 80 members 

before Secretary/Treasurer Chris Castano, of Maine 

Woods Company, greeted the members and started 

the afternoon agenda. Bob Chase of Quabbin Timber 

moderated the “business discussion” session amongst 

members who shared their observations pertaining to 

industry markets and issues. 

Photos By Leslie Brienza 

Next, guest speaker Charlie Levesque, who is the executive 

director of the North East State Foresters Association, 

gave a primer on “Forest Carbon and Forest 

Carbon Markets,” which generated a lot of questions 

from the members. 

The afternoon concluded with a much-needed “Happy 

Hour” and a buffet-styled dinner hosted by the Woodstock 

Inn. 

The next NELA meeting is in June. For further information 

about the June meeting or regarding the New 

England Lumbermen’s Association, please contact 

Chris Castano at ccastano@mainewoods.net. n 

• Top Quality Kiln Dried Hardwood Lumber Rough/S2S 

• Specializing in: 4/4 thru 8/4 Red Oak 

4/4 thru 8/4 White Oak 

• Also: Cherry, Hard Maple & Soft Maple 

• Shipping Mixed Trucks/Containers Worldwide 

Sirianni Hardwoods, Inc. 

912 Addison Road 

Painted Post, New York 14870 

Telephone: (607) 962-4688 

Fax: (607) 936-6237 

www.siriannihardwoods.com 

Sales - Tom Armentano 

sales@siriannihardwoods.com 

Purchasing - Andy Dickinson 

andy@siriannihardwoods.com 


Bob Pope, SII Dry Kilns, Montpelier, VT; Loren Voyer, Kennebec 

Lumber Co., Solon, ME; Rob Hill, Holt & Bugbee Company, Tewksbury, 

MA; and Yvon Millette, Vexco, Plessisville, QC 

Cliff Clune, Clune Lumber and Flooring, Elkin, NC; Bob Cafiero, 

Blue Ridge Lumber Co. LLC, Fishersville, VA; and Russell Shamblen, 

Premier Hardwood Products Inc., Syracuse, NY 

Eric Desjardins, J.D. Irving Ltd., Clair, NB; Paul-Eric Tremblay, 

GVL Sawmill, Wotton, QC; and Jane Durst, Northland Forest 

Products, Kingston, NH 

Dave Williams, Retired, Champlain Hardwoods, Essex Junction, 

VT; and Chris Castano and Scott Ferland, Maine Woods Company, 

Portage Lake, ME 


Simple – we handle all the complexities that go into hardwoods to make 

life easier for you. Natural – we manufacture and supply only sustainable, high-quality 

products that breathe life into your work. Hardwoods – from harvest to delivery, 

we set the standard for what the hardwoods experience should be. 

nwh.com 



NELA PHOTOS Continued 

Pierre Champeau, J.M. Champeau, Saint-Malo, QC; Andrew Brassard, 

Appalachian Flooring, Cowansville, QC; and Mario Chicoine, 

Sciere Arbotek, Saint-Just-de-Bretenieres, QC 

Eric Porter, Abenaki Timber Corp., Kingston, NH; and James and 

John Goodfellow, J.W. Goodfellow Forest Products, Hemmingford, 

QC 

Eric Vezina, Alliance Hardwood Products, Québec City, QC; David 

Vigneault, Amex Hardwood, Plessisville, QC; Joey Goudreau, 

J.M. Champeau, Saint-Malo, QC; and Mark Metzger, U-C Coatings 

LLC, Buffalo, NY 

Bob Chase Jr., Quabbin Timber, Rutland, MA; Hunter Dickenson, 

Stella-Jones, Cortland, NY; and Sylvain Poirier, Stella-Jones, Delson, 

QC 


Andy Godzinski, Rex Lumber, Acton, MA; Steven French, Abenaki 

Timber Corp., Kingston, NH; and Jack English, Clear Choice 

Hardwood, Northville, NY 

J.F. Audet, Primewood, Drummondville, QC; Mario Chicoine, Sciere 

Arbotek, Saint-Just-de-Bretenieres, QC; and Patrick Gagne, 

Primewood 

Rob Hill and Kyle Stephens, Holt & Bugbee Company, Tewksbury, 

MA; Chris Breen, The A. Johnson Co., Bristol, VT; Chad Johnson, 

Baillie Lumber Co., Hamburg, NY; and J.F. Audet, Primewood, 

Drummondville, QC 

Enjoying the slopes at Saskadena Six Ski Mountains during the 

NELA meeting were: James and John Goodfellow, J.W. Goodfellow 

Forest Products, Hemmingford, QC; Chad Johnson, Baillie 

Lumber Co., Hamburg, NY; and Eric Vezina, Alliance Hardwood 

Products, Québec City, QC 



OAK POINTE 

Continued from page 25 

Oak Pointe design experts can help 

with concept designs for newels, 

handrail, balusters, and other components 

to create perfect scale and design 

details for any staircase concept 

or project. 

asset: its people. He noted that in the 

15 years since he purchased it, the 

company has expanded to almost 30 

people today. 

The expansion in product offerings 

was enabled, in part, by a commitment 

to reinvest in the company. Weissman 

noted that in recent years, Oak Pointe 

has added a number of enhanced 

capabilities to its already-impressive 

repertoire of equipment. For example, 

back in 2007, the company had a 

single CNC machine, today there are 

seven including routers, CNC lathes 

and a metal machining center for their 

stainless-steel program, all of which 

he described as “the backbone” of the 

company’s efforts. 

“Our CAD people can draw the design 

and send it directly to the machines,” 

he said. “In addition to those 

CNC lathes, we have the old rotary 

head lathes. The difference is you 

have to build a lathe head, for that 

specific pattern. They are great for 

volume work. In terms of turnings, we 

have a lot of capabilities and capacity. 

We have a guy who designs the rotary 

lathes, so we are self-sufficient.” 

In addition, Oak Pointe employs a 

couple of router tables, including a 

six-axis router. The advantage of the 

six-axis router over its more common 

three-axis counterpart is that its head 

can pivot and rotate in ways that enable 

it to create compound radius 

parts, offering the opportunity to develop 

more intricate designs. 

“That machine has been unbelievably 

helpful for us,” Weissman said. 

“We may need another one; it has 

been incredibly busy.” 

Oak Pointe also employs several 

skilled craftsmen to help ensure that 

the company can produce just about 

any component someone would need 

to build a stairway. By way of example, 

Weissman noted that box newels have 

become popular in recent years. 

“In essence, you take four boards 

and build a box with a lock-mitered 

joint, but you can do some pretty fancy 

ALL 

SYSTEMS 

G O ! 

BRING YOUR GROWTH GOALS 

TO WOOD-MIZER AND OUR 

SAWMILL SYSTEM SPECIALISTS 

WILL GO TO WORK FOR YOU. 

TV6000 TWIN 

VERTICAL SAW 

MR6000 

GANG SAW 

MATERIAL 

HANDLING 

EQUIPMENT 

From economic narrowband sawmill systems 

to high-throughput commercial sawing lines, 

Wood-Mizer designs the ideal system to reduce labor 

costs, meet your requirements and achieve results. 

STAND ALONE OR SYSTEM? WE CAN DO THAT. 

© 2023 Wood-Mizer LLC 

Contact your Wood-Mizer INDUSTRIAL specialists today. 

866.878.9101 | woodmizer.com 


stuff with that,” he noted, adding 

that the company welcomes a 

challenge. “Sometimes we get 

asked to make something completely 

different from stairs, such 

as table legs. One high-end designer 

company has developed 

these wall panels that we have 

to mill on our six-axis router. It 

was one of our biggest projects 

in 2022.” 

Most of Oak Pointe’s operations 

are housed in a single 

30,000 square-foot building that 

includes the company’s plant 

and offices. Across the parking 

lot is another 15,000 square-foot 

facility that handles the warehousing 

and shipping operations. 

“Today, we can offer numerous 

designs and we have the equipment 

that allows us to make 

whatever a person wants. Just 

about every week, a customer 

finds a picture and wants to 

duplicate it or modify it,” Weissman 

said. “Our approach is, if 

you want high quality, if you want 

something different, here is our 

catalogue. If you don’t see it, we 

can make it for you.” 

“When it comes to custom, not 

everybody has the stomach for 

this kind of business,” he said. 

“But at Oak Pointe, we make 

parts like this all the time; we 

know what we are doing. Our 

guys like the challenge and the 

variety, but in the heat of the 

battle, it can get pretty intense. 

We could not have the business 

we have without the people. The 

machines are an integral part of 

it, but if we didn’t have the people 

who had the vision to figure 

it out, it would not be possible.” 

Looking forward, Weissman 

said he sees Oak Pointe building 

on the company’s solid foundation 

of consistent quality custom 


According to David Weissman, President of Oak 

Pointe, large turned newels have become very popular 

in recent years. 

www.snowentities.com 

Northern KD Hardwoods 

• Aspen • Basswood • White Ash • Hard & Soft Maple 

• Red Oak • Birch • Cherry • Black Ash 

Export Packaging / Container Loading 

Phone: 715-561-2200 • Fax: 715-561-2040 

Snowbelt Hardwoods, Inc. • 345 Ringle Dr., Hurley, WI 54534 

Brady Francois 

BFrancois@snowbelthardwoods.com 

Tyler Francois 

Tyler@snowbelthardwoods.com 



OAK POINTE Continued 

Oak Pointe started expanding their catalogue by adding new 

designs, like these contemporary newels with stainless steel 

bands. 

manufacturing. 

“We’ve gone from making high quality pretty basic 

parts to making more and more complex and intricate 

parts that take more front end work, both on the quoting 

and the design side of it. That’s a good business model,” 

he said. “We typically sell to lumber yards, retail shops, 

and other mills. We also sell to stair people who have 

shops and who do some fabrication, but many do not 

Oak Pointe also employs many skilled craftsmen to help ensure 

that the company can produce just about any millwork component. 

make turnings; I don’t want to step on their toes and start 

installing stairs. I just want to make any complex parts 

that they need.” n 

For more information visit, www.stairpartsandmore.com. 

PATENTED 

MAXIMUM AIR FLOW DESIGN 

Sure-grip, anti-slip corrugated surface 

Angled design clears moisture more 

efficiently vs. straight fluted sticks 

Removes moisture, decreases dry time 

and increases drying quality 

Trusted quality & service for 20+ years 

Discounts for program customers 

“Often Imitated, 

Never Duplicated” 

Improved Yard Safety, 

Increased Drying Efficiency 

& Reduced Drying Costs 

20 + 

MILLION SOLD 

LUMBER DRYING STICKS 

 

•STICKS & CROSSERS 

•STANDARD & CUSTOM SIZES 

Dependable•Durable•Long Lasting 

The Company that Defeated Sticker Stain 

519.842.6841 | info@breezedried.com 

We Also Buy Lumber ! 

breezedried.com 


GATES MILLING Continued from page 27 

American Cypress has the most product diversity, ranging from 4/4 to 8/4, drying it down to 10-12 percent moisture. 

50,000 board feet each, adding to the vast amount of 

equipment that they already operate, which includes: a 

Cleereman carriage with 3D scanning, a Nicholson 6A 

debarker, a CAE line bar & resaw, a McDonough horizontal 

resaw, a Salem edger, a Kentwood high speed 

8-Head moulder with 12-inch capacity, a Weinig hydromat 

moulder, a Woods planer, a Stenner resaw and a 

Cornell drop saw trimmer. 

Gates Milling stays busy with their three main species, 

American Cypress, Poplar and Atlantic white cedar, 

occasionally cutting other species native to their area. 

The mill produces 12 million board feet of lumber annually. 

“We took the niche product approach that Martin 

had, starting with Atlantic white cedar, a very scarce resource 

and we thought, why don’t we apply his ideas to 

resources that are more attainable. So, we rolled it into 

the Cypress part of the business and we have become 


New River Hardwoods, Inc. 

QUALITY from start to finish! 

● Three Appalachian Hardwood Sawmills producing 35MMBF of lumber annually 

● 400,000 board feet of kiln capacity drying 12MMBF of lumber annually 

● Ripped and moulded products customized to meet each customer’s needs 

● Straight line ripped and sanded products also available 

Steve Staryak 

VP Sales and Marketing 

Office: (423) 727-4019, Ext.114 

Cell: 828-999-0198 

sstaryak@newriverhardwoods.com 

Species: 

Poplar, Red Oak, White Oak, 

Soft Maple, Hard Maple, Cherry, 

Basswood and Hickory 

www.newriverhardwoods.com 

4343 Highway 91 

Mountain City, TN 37683 

Phone: (423) 727-4019 

Fax: (423) 727-4438 



GATES MILLING Continued 

t Church 14_Layout 1 4/17/18 3:43 PM Page 1 

Gates runs 80 plus profiles regularly. They also 

produce a full product line, from interior paneling 

to exterior siding and mulch, completely inhouse. 

a pretty significant player,” said 

Mark. “Our ideal cutting would be 

two weeks of Cypress, one week 

of Poplar and a week of Atlantic 

white cedar, all within a four-week 

month,” he continued. 

In regard to the range of lumber 

thicknesses offered by Gates 

Milling, American Cypress has 

the most product diversity, ranging 

from 4/4 to 8/4, drying it down 

to 10-12 percent moisture. Poplar 

is cut to 4/4 and dried down to 

6-8 percent moisture and Atlantic 

white cedar is cut in 4/4, 5/4 

and 8/4 with 12-15 percent moisture. 

The company manufactures 

cants for various customers as 

well. Nancy noted, “Poplar is a 

true traditional random width. We 

try to get the most out of it, we 

width sort and width pull into an 

FAS board program for patterns 

such as S4S and nickel. We are 

willing to do width sorts and we 

are willing to run profile on this if 

you are at our minimum criteria 

in terms of board footage.” Gates 

runs 80 plus profiles regularly. 

They also produce a full product 

line, from interior paneling to 

exterior siding and mulch, completely 

in-house. 

“We want people that are thinking 

about buying our products 

from us to know that when they 

deal with us, they get people who 

care about the customer. We 

care about the quality of the product 

that we are putting out there. 

There are no surprises, we honor 

our timelines and short lead times 

have always been something that 

we have pressed for,” Nancy remarked. 

Mark and Nancy brought Christopher 

Sackett on board when 

they bought the company in 2012 

and he has been the president of 

sales and purchasing ever since. 

“He has an incredible knowledge 

about the species and different 

We at Bryant Church Hardwoods, Inc., located in Wilkesboro, NC, are proud of our modern Hardwood 

concentration yard facility that we constantly update to better serve our customers with the finest 

Appalachian Hardwood and Eastern White Pine lumber available. Call us at (336) 973-3691 when we can 

be of service. 

This is an aerial view of our modern 

Hardwood concentration yard where we 

process quality Appalachian Hardwood 

and Eastern White Pine lumber. 

Some facts about our company are, we: 

•Have a 30 acre Hardwood and Eastern White Pine lumber concentration yard 

that exclusively represents one sawmill. 

•Specialize in all thicknesses of kiln dried Eastern White Pine lumber. 

•Deal in Appalachian Hardwood species such as Red and White Oak, Poplar, 

Ash, Hard and Soft Maple, Steamed Walnut, Cherry, Basswood, Beech and 

mixed Hardwoods. 

•Market our Appalachian Hardwood lumber in 4/4 through 8/4 thicknesses that 

is green, air dried and/or kiln dried. 

•Specialize in mixed truck loads. 

•Have 9 steam dry kilns that have a combined dry kiln capacity of 630,000 bd. 

ft. per charge. 

•Own a Newman 382 planer. 

•Usually carry about 4,000,000 bd. ft. on our air drying yard. 

•Usually carry about 1,500,000 bd. ft. of kiln dried lumber in inventory. 

•Offer export preparation, container loading and package tally. 

•Offer the service of sorting lumber at special lengths, widths and grades 

according to customer specifications. 

•Use our own trucks and contract trucks for prompt delivery of your orders. 

•Have over 75 years of combined experience in the lumber business. 

Tim Church 

Mason Church 

Bus.: (336) 973-3691 

FAX: (336) 973-7993 

(800) 973-3380 

Web site: http://BCHI.com 

P.O. Box 995 • Wilkesboro, NC 28697 

Distribution Yard: 683 Buck Road • Wilkesboro, NC 28697 

Because we’ve been in business since 1953, we have many years of experience that helps us to ship your orders right the first time. 


markets, even the ones that Gates is not typically involved 

in,” said Wood. 

Mark also noted that, “He has all these relationships 

with these mills that he digs up. He’ll send us lumber 

from some little mill in the middle of Louisiana somewhere 

that we have never heard of and didn’t even know 

existed!” 

Gates Milling is one of the biggest buyers of rough Cypress 

lumber in the country, purchasing about eight million 

board feet, at its peak availability. Sackett is charged 

with purchasing the lumber if it is available at a decent 

price point. “The beauty of him doing sales and purchasing 

is that he knows the spread, so if it’s available, he 

buys it,” said Nancy. 

“One thing that we are really focused on right now 

is collecting data and being able to use it to forecast 

sales,” said Wood. Gates Milling has begun to streamline 

the whole process, allowing the employees to log 

the data right on the mill floor on a tablet. The streamlining 

process in data collection has also allowed them to 

run a very clean operation that makes it easy for them 

to stay organized and punctual with their documentation. 

“If a customer needs something, we are going to 

do everything in our power to get it to them as soon as 

possible,” Wood added. 

They not only want to streamline the process for their 

employees entering the quantities of lumber on the mill 

floor, but they want to make sure the process is easy for 

forklift drivers that have just received the lumber. “We 

use cardboard underneath our Poplar units so that their 

forks won’t damage the lumber when they pick it up. We 

also want to save them the trouble from getting on and 

off the forklift. We make it easy for them to see the tally 

on the tags that we put on each unit and it tells them the 

P.O. that it was purchased on,” said Nancy. 

Gates Milling’s products are sold all over the United 

States, with some being shipped into Canada. “We do 

not export logs. Quite honestly, we have developed and 

believe in the domestic market on all fronts,” Nancy said. 

She also noted that while they mainly deal domestically, 

they have occasionally dealt with brokers who have sent 

their products to the Caribbean Islands and their lower 

grades to Asia. 

Gates Milling is a member of the North American 

Wholesale Lumber Association, National Hardwood 

Lumber Association, Southern Cypress Manufacturers 

Association, Hardwood Manufacturers Association, 

North Carolina Forestry Association and the National 

Federation of Independent Business. n 

. 

Learn more at www.gatesmilling.com. 

Quality. Consistency. 

The best that money can buy. 

We specialize and manufacture Northern Appalachian kiln dried hardwoods such as 

Walnut, Red Oak, White Oak, Cherry, Ash, Hard and Soft Maple. Call us today! 

570-836-1133 | Fax: 570-836-8982 

3042 SR 6E Tunkhannock, PA 18657 

www.deerparklumberinc.com 



M&M Lumber Continued from page 29 

A sense of humor – in the form of this COVID Christmas card – is part of M&M 

Lumber. 

“When M&M Lumber was started by my wife’s grandfather – he 

partnered with a local developer – there were 40 local lumberyards. 

Now there are only four or five,” he said, adding that the company 

maintains a healthy sense of perspective in terms of its position in the 

overall marketplace. “We’re a small duck on the pond with the other 

guys in town.” 

Still, this small duck routinely purchases upwards of 10 million board 

feet each year, demonstrating that it has developed an approach that 

has allowed it to thrive even as many other 

similarly sized family lumber companies 

have either been bought out or gone under. 

“We work with everyone, from the person 

building birdhouses to the contractor 

constructing multi-family apartments,” 

Sean said. “We change with the times as 

the market predicates it,” he said, noting 

that composite material companies, such 

as Hardie, have made significant inroads 

into the traditional lumber market over the 

years. “We’ve adjusted as that’s become 

more market-driven.” 

This flexibility became especially important 

during the pandemic, when product 

availability became an industry-wide concern. 

Sean explained that the company 

culture at M&M Lumber was particularly 

well suited to meet these challenges. 

“We were pretty comfortable taking the 

extra step to find the products that our customers 

wanted, something that some of 

our competitors were not willing to do. It 

got a lot harder, but we had a unique op- 

Over 40 Years of Setting the 

Gold Standard in American Black Walnut 

4/4 thru 16/4 Walnut 

Proudly NHLA Grade Certified 

Phone: 660-248-3000 

MOPACLumber.com 

inquiry@mopaclumber.com 


Here is the store back in 1979. 

The sunrise was beautiful this day in the south yard of M&M Lumber. 

portunity to help our customer base in a way that many 

people were not interested in helping,” he said. “Some of 

our competitors were focusing only on the big contractors. 

We focused on the smaller, individual contractors 

as well.” 

In addition to their high standard for quality service, 

one of the other elements that distinguishes M&M Lumber 

from its competitors is the fact that it offers Poplar, 

Maple, Red and White Oak, Walnut, Knotty Alder and a 

little Hickory, Cherry and Birch – along with its biggest 

items Doug fir, yellow pine and cedar – in various grades 

and dimensions. They also keep some live edge 8/4 in 

a bois d’ ark (Osage orange) and White Oak, according 

to Sean. Most of the company’s wood comes from the 

northwest. 

Beyond the company’s warehouse facilities, the company’s 

campus has grown over the years to 10 acres, 

including a door shop, where customers can find a wide 

array of interior and exterior doors, as well as both custom 

and commodity options. M&M Lumber also offers a 

full range of building materials, including insulation, windows, 

siding, nails and pneumatic tools. 

Whitney continues to handle the retail side of the business, 

as well as the human resources, data collection, 

and regulatory compliance issues, while Sean joked that 

he tackles the lumber and the complaints. 

Sean said that he and Whitney plan to continue to take 

the company forward and build on its impressive legacy. 

“We’re excited about it,” he said of the future. “There 


䬀愀礀氀愀䜀愀氀氀攀爀愀渀椀 

䄀挀挀漀甀渀琀椀渀最 

吀䠀䔀 

䘀唀吀唀刀䔀 

䤀匀䈀刀䤀䜀䠀吀 

䄀渀搀爀攀眀䈀爀漀眀渀 

一䠀䰀䄀䜀爀愀搀攀爀 

䬀甀爀琀椀猀䴀愀栀漀渀攀礀 

䴀愀渀愀最攀洀攀渀琀⼀伀瀀攀爀愀琀椀漀渀猀 

䨀攀昀昀䔀戀椀琀猀漀渀 

一䠀䰀䄀䜀爀愀搀攀爀 

倀愀爀欀攀爀䐀甀挀愀猀 

匀愀氀攀猀⼀倀甀爀挀栀愀猀椀渀最 

䤀一嘀䔀匀吀䤀一䜀䤀一伀唀刀夀伀唀一䜀吀䔀䄀䴀倀䰀䄀夀䔀刀匀 



M&M Lumber Continued 

is a lot of opportunity in our marketplace. We approach 

that opportunity with a lot of integrity and are committed 

to remaining service-oriented. The companies that give 

good service to their customers, and who engage those 

customers, will thrive.” 

He noted that some businesses today rely heavily on 

electronic communications when it comes to staying in 

touch with their customers, whether it’s to communicate 

about new products or to resolve potential issues. Sean 

said that although technology may offer speed, it can 

also sometimes isolate people. 

“We try to individualize our customers. We can service 

those people who need or want that extra help,” he said, 

quickly adding that this does not mean that the company 

is stuck in the past. “When it comes to dispatch and delivery 

services, we embrace the technology. We’re excited 

to move forward using the old-school things we were 

raised on while also using technology to make sure we 

can do it better on a day-to-day basis.” 

Sean added that COVID also prompted the company 

to look at other ways of growing revenue streams, both 

out of financial and practical necessity. 

“We have definitely increased our capacity for specialty 

manufacturing,” he said, using craftsman style construction 

as one example. “We could not find things like 

screen doors, so we started making them ourselves. We 

increased our manufacturing capacity to fill the void of 

the stuff we could not find. It gave us an opportunity to 

get into a space we were not in, but which the market 

was asking us to be.” 

Sean said that this commitment has paid off, both in 

terms of customer longevity and employee loyalty. 

“We have very low turnover,” he noted. “Some of our 

seasoned counterparts find it challenging to find people. 

We start with good employees. We have found individuals 

who have the passion we do, and that makes a 

difference.” 

He said he believes that those relationships, both with 

customers and co-workers, have been at the heart of 

M&M Lumber’s success. 

“Service sometimes goes by the wayside when companies 

try to compete on price,” he observed. “We have 

found the right people and we work hard to retain them. 

We just enjoy every day that we are here together. We 

have a great customer base that understands what we 

are trying to do here. We’ve truly been blessed.” n 

To learn more, visit www.mmlumberco.com. 

25,000,000 BF of Quality Bandsawn Pennsylvania Hardwoods 

1,500,000 BF Kiln Capacity 

Export Packaging & Container Loading 

SPECIALIZING IN ASH, RED OAK, HARD MAPLE and CHERRY 

“We welcome your inquiries and look forward to serving your needs.” 

Mike Tarbell, Sales Manager - mtarbell@ramforestproducts.com 

Rus Gustin - rgustin@ramforestproducts.com 

(814) 697-7185 / FAX (814) 697-7190 

Andy Nuffer, Sales 

anuffer@ramforestproducts.com 

(336) 813-1512 

1716 Honeoye Road • Shinglehouse PA 16748 


NYLE DRY KILNS Continued from page 31 

it reverses the main function of the dehumidification system, 

from primary water remover and secondary heating 

to primary heating and secondary water removal. In 

other words, the primary function of ‘adding’ heat is controlled 

by running the compressor as a ‘heat pump,’ and 

the removal of moisture is controlled through traditional 

venting and, of course, the moisture removed by running 

the compressor anyway.” 

“Seeing our customers benefit from the advancements 

we are putting into the industry is truly what inspires us,” 

Howard stated. “We’re not just looking to sell a kiln and 

then move on. Sure, we can install new systems, but 

we’re interested in helping our customers increase efficiency 

and quality wherever possible, including upgrades 

to third-party equipment that might have been in operation 

for years.” If you want to learn more about Nyle’s kiln 

optimization equipment or to talk to someone about how 

to increase your sawmill’s productivity and efficiency, be 

sure to reach out to the team at Nyle or visit their website 

at: www.nyle.com/kiln-drying-systems/. n 

NAFF - TALENT SUPPLY Continued from page 33 

Start the Conversation: Meet kids where they are – request 

a kit and volunteer to teach it in your area. 

We’re very optimistic about the future. Together we’re 

stimulating awareness and interest in the next generation 

to keep a steady stream of talent flowing into the 

industry for years to come. 

For more information about the North American Forest 

Foundation (NAFF) or how you can support our educational 

endeavors, email adeford@northamericanfor 

estfoundation.org or visit www.northamericanforest 

foundation.org. n 

Scan and sign-up to get all 13 digital 

issues of National 

Hardwood Magazine 

FREE and delivered 

directly to your inbox. 



LAKE STATES Continued from page 10 

EXPERIENCE QUALITY DEPENDABILITY 

975 Conrad Hill Mine Rd. ~ Lexington, NC 27292 

Phone 336-746-5419 ~ Fax 336-746-6177 

www.kepleyfrank.us 

Facilities: 

3 Sawmills Processing 50 Million' • 750,000' Dry Kiln 

Capacity • 600,000' Fan Shed Capacity 

2 382 Newman Planer Mills • 50 Bay Bin Sorter 

Products Available: 

4/4-8/4 Appalachian Lumber • 6/4-8/4 Ship Dry Capacity 

Crossties (100,000 BF per week) • Timbers up to 18' 

1,000,000+ Average KD Inventory • 12,000,000+ 

Average AD Inventory 

Species: 

White Oak • Red Oak • Poplar • Ash • Hickory 

Elm • Beech • Gum • Hackberry • Pecan 

Jimmy Kepley, owner, and Bart 

Jenkins, lumber sales 

The firm manufactures 4/4 through 8/4 thicknesses. 

Sales: 

Bart Jenkins 

bjenkins@kepleyfrank.us 

Jimmy Kepley 

jkepley@kepleyfrank.us 

4/4 through 8/4. His best sellers, he noted, are Red and 

White Oak, Walnut and Hickory. 

His customers are evenly divided between end users 

and distribution yards. His customers’ sales have increased 

in the last month or so, he stated. “So, things 

are better.” 

He said transportation is “fine.” The weather is getting 

better for logging, he added. 

A Wisconsin lumberman, speaking for his sawmill, stated 

that his sales are “decent. Overall, all of our lumber is 

moving, just not as much as we want. Some of the prices 

are pretty depressed, but it could be a lot worse.” 

Compared to a few months earlier, market conditions 

are “better,” he said. “I’m getting a lot more calls, a lot 

more demand than four to five months ago.” 

He offers Red and White Oak, Basswood, Hard and 

Soft Maple, Aspen, Cherry and Hickory mostly in 4/4, 

some 5/4 and No. 3 Common and Better. His best-sellers 

are Red and White Oak. 

He sells his lumber to both distribution yards and end 

users. “The manufacturers are taking orders as they get 

them. For them, nothing is for sure in terms of sales. Distribution 

yards have been going strong for a long time.” 

Transportation, he noted, is “very good. Even export 

containers are coming in well.” 

An Illinois lumber provider said, “The market has been 

much better. It’s going pretty well. Kiln-dried sales have 

picked up. Pricing has stabilized, and with some species, 

prices have increased. It’s very encouraging to have shipments 

go out. Also, our exporting has picked up some. 

Procuring green lumber has been a little more difficult but 

it’s still out there. Outbound shipments have increased.” 

Looking back, he said, “Business activity was going 

well until September 2022. From the fourth quarter of last 

year until now, there has been a definite improvement in 

the lumber market.” 

He provides Red and White Oak, Ash, Poplar and Cottonwood. 

His lumber comes in No. 1 Common and Better, 

primarily, 4/4 through 8/4. 

His customers include both end users and distribution 

yards. “Distribution yards still really haven’t had a slowdown 

that much,” he remarked. “Their business is pretty 

strong. They’re still busy. End users, from the flooring 

industry to the furniture industry to the RV industry have 

been hot and cold, and are softening. I see the residential 

flooring business picking back up a little bit. Also, the furniture 

industry is steady. 

“Transportation has definitely improved,” he observed. 


“Availability is good, but the rates have not come down 

much. 

“Hopefully we can keep the momentum going through 

summer,” he concluded. n 

NORTHEAST Continued from page 10 

and Better in Oaks and No. 3B and Better in Poplar. They 

offer these species in 5/4 thickness. They cut timbers out 

of the mixed Hardwoods, and the side cuts being 1 1/2 

inch truck mat material or 5/4 if it’s not truck mat material. 

At the time of this writing, all of 

his predominate species are selling 

well. 

His company mainly sells to distribution 

yards, and a small percentage 

to exporters. “They have 

relayed to me that their sales are 

steady and consistent but their supply 

is off. Some of these mills have 

cut back to running only one or two 

days a week since they can’t get 

logs or they are cutting something 

different than grade lumber since 

they can only get low grade logs out 

of the woods,” he said. 

He noted that his company isn’t 

having issues with transportation 

but they are having trouble keeping 

experienced skilled workers on 

staff. 

A Pennsylvania sawyer said that 

his company is doing better than 

they were six months ago but that 

their sales seem to be relatively flat. 

“It’s reasonably steady. We aren’t 

accumulating a lot of inventory but 

we also aren’t depleting it either,” he 

mentioned. 

His company handles Cherry, 

Hard and Soft Maple, Red and 

White Oak and Poplar in grades 

Prime FAS to No. 3 Common and 

in thicknesses of 4/4-12/4. He noted 

that while no one species is selling 

better, Red Oak and Cherry seem to 

have improved. 

He said that most of their orders 

are for full truck loads or containers 

that will be shipped throughout 

Clarksville Facility 

both the North American and world markets, with their 

customers varying from companies that stock materials, 

distribution yards, end-use manufacturers and importers. 

“Most of my customers are saying that their sales are 

steady at this point. They don’t seem to really be doing 

better or worse,” he commented. 

He mentioned that transportation isn’t difficult to book 

but that it continues to be expensive. He also noted that 

labor isn’t difficult to find but that it is hard to find quality 

employees that are willing to show up consistently. 

The Latest Technology. 

Expanded Capacity. 

No Supply Chain Issues. 

Your Partner in Meeting Record-breaking 

Market Demand. 


S4S & Architectural Mouldings 

Cabinet & Furniture Components 

Siding & Exterior Trim 

Shiplap & Nickle-gap Paneling 

1,000+ Finished Profiles 

Atlanta, GA 

Cleveland, GA 

Crystal Spring, PA 

Clarksville, TN 

www.hardwoodweb.com 

800.476.5393 



NORTHEAST Continued 

“We hope that sales improve as the weather improves,” 

he said. 

In Connecticut, a lumber spokesman said that after a 

tough end to 2022 this year seems to be going back to 

normal. “Sales are definitely better than they were six 

months ago. Everyone’s inventories seemed to have 

whittled away. Not only are our customers short on product 

but prices are starting to go up so they are trying to 

get in while the prices are still low,” he said. 

His company handles Red and White Oak, Hard and 

MCDONOUGH MANUFACTURING 

ACQUIRES 

B.I.D. CANADA LTD. 

Soft Maple, Cherry and Poplar in all grades and in thicknesses 

of 4/4-8/4 with some 10/4 and 12/4. “White Oak 

and Poplar are selling best right now. We have also been 

selling a decent amount of Hard Maple and some Cherry,” 

he mentioned. 

His company mainly sells to importers and distributors, 

but also to some end-use manufacturers and traders. He 

said that his customers have been pleasantly surprised 

with how well their sales are, as they thought that with 

inflation being as high as it is their sales would be a lot 

slower. 

He said that over the past six 

months their issues with transportation 

have improved and that they 

have noticed their freight costs have 

come down considerably. 

“We hope that these trends will 

continue for the rest of the year. I 

am worried for the summer. We 

tend to over produce in the summer 

so I’m worried about what will happen 

then,” he said. n 

Eau Claire, WI 

McDonough Manufacturing 

continues to expand 

operations to improve 

customer experience. Our 

acquisition of B.I.D. Canada 

Ltd. will serve our 

customers through 

improved delivery times, 

an expanded product line 

and continued superior 

craftsmanship. 

For Immediate Release 

BULK MATERIAL 

HANDLING EXPERTS 

mcdonough-mfg.com/bidcanada (715) 834-7755 

SOUTHEAST 


in all grades with thicknesses of 4/4 

and 5/4 and some occasional 8/4. 

“Walnut and Red Oak seem to be 

selling the best right now,” he said. 

He mentioned that his company 

sells to a variety of customers including 

flooring and cabinet manufacturers. 

“I haven’t really heard 

many comments from my customers 

lately. I suspect that they want 

to buy lumber right now because it’s 

so cheap,” he commented. 

His company isn’t currently having 

issues with transportation. 

A sawmill representative in Tennessee 

said that the market in his 

area has picked up from where it 

was the last quarter of 2022. “Lumber 

seems to be moving a lot better 

than it was six months ago,” he 

noted. He went on to say that he 

thought that the uptick in movement 

that his company has seen is most 

likely due to the lack of supply, at 

the time of this writing. 


His company handles all major Appalachian species, 

including, Red and White Oak, Hickory, Hard and Soft 

Maple, Cherry, Poplar and Ash. “We handle grades Face 

and Better, No. 1 and 2 Common in all species and No. 

3A Common in Red and White Oak. We cut Poplar in 

4/4-6/4 thickness, White Oak 4/4 and 6/4 thicknesses 

and all our other species are cut in 4/4 thickness,” he 

said, mentioning that there isn’t one particular species 

that is selling better than another. 

His company sells to distribution 

yards, moulding and trim companies, 

flooring manufacturers and 

brokers. “They seem to be hanging 

on to the hope that the market 

is currently doing better. They are a 

little bit skeptical of the future and 

once production starts to pick up 

that their sales will slow,” he said. 

His company hasn’t had any issues 

with transportation since they 

have a small fleet of their own trucks. 

“We run trucks to haul logs back to 

the mill and to pick up green lumber. 

We probably have five trucks that 

handle delivering the kiln-dried lumber 

and grade lumber,” he noted. 

He also said that he often gets calls 

from people daily that are trying to 

help with freight. 

In Georgia, a lumber salesman 

said that his sales are trending up. 

“Our sales are better than they were 

six months ago. The last six months 

of 2022 we were trying to create 

new markets and switch back from 

the export markets to the domestic 

market. Our sales really started 

moving at the beginning of the 

year,” he said. 

His company handles Red and 

White Oak, Poplar, Ash, Soft Maple 

and Cherry in grades FAS to pallet 

lumber and in thicknesses of 4/4, 

5/4, 8/4 and 10/4. 

His company sells to Hardwood 

distribution yards, end-use manufacturers 

and flooring plants. “I haven’t 

heard any direct comments 

from my customers on how their 

sales are but I can assume that they are doing better. My 

inventory is moving and I am able to be more particular 

on what price I sell my products for,” he commented. 

He said that his company is still having some issues 

with transportation, but they aren’t as challenging as they 

were this time last year. “My customers have just had to 

come to the realization that they are going to have to pay 

freight bills if they want to buy lumber,” he continued. n 

Patrick Lumber Company 

Over 100 Years in Business 

Est 1915 

Patrick Lumber Company is a secondary manufacturer and exporter of niche 

high-grade wood products sold to a network of worldwide distribution. 

Products: 

Doug Fir 

Western Red Cedar 

Southern Yellow Pine 

Western Hemlock 

Alaskan Yellow Cedar 

West Coast Softwoods 

West Coast Hardwoods 

Services: 

Remanufacturing 

Packaging & Transport 

Consultation 

Procurement 

317 SW Alder Street, 

Suite 1050 

Portland, OR 97204 

503-222-9671 

sales@patlbr.com 

Follow us on Instagram 

@Patricklumber 

patlbr.com 



WEST COAST Continued from page 11 

lumber yards. “Business is improving for some of them,” 

he said. “They’re getting more inquiries and more orders. 

“Transportation is not a problem,” he observed. “In 

Northern California, snow and rain there have affected 

our business,” he remarked. “Some orders have been 

put on hold.” 

To the north, in Oregon, a lumberman stated, “Our 

business activity is all right. It’s a little soft; it’s not robust. 

But we are doing pretty well. Some people are nervous 

Any Way 

You Cut It... 

ISK Protects It. 

Proven Mold Control...Powerful Sapstain Protection 

Trust ISK for Your Wood Solution. 

NeXgen ® End Coatings & Paint PQ-80 ® 

1-800-238-2523 • 416 E. Brooks Rd. • Memphis, TN 38109 • www.iskbiocides.com 

NeXgen ® , Tuff-Brite ® and CosPaint ® are registered trademarks of ISK Americas Incorporated. PQ-8 ® and PQ-80 ® 

are registered trademarks of IBC Manufacturing Company. 

about the economy but we have customers who are 

booked out through the end of the year with jobs.” 

Asked to compare current business activity with several 

months ago, he replied, “That’s a really good question. 

A few months ago interest rate hikes were a concern. 

Now, dealing with our market is day to day but about the 

same as several months earlier. There are some indications 

of market softening. You have interest rates that 

have risen that have deterred people from doing projects. 

We’re doing good in spite of all 

that. 

“We handle virtually all domestic 

and some exotic species of lumber, 

primarily in Select and Better and 

4/4 with some 12/4 and 16/4,” he 

said. 

He sells lumber to distribution 

yards, manufacturers and end users, 

“the whole gamut,” he commented. 

“From what we hear, a lot 

of manufacturers are still busy. They 

are short-handed, doing the same 

amount of work with fewer employees. 

Portland is different from other 

cities. There’s a lot of red tape 

required to build houses. So, Portland 

never overbuilt like other big 

cities. We haven’t seen a dramatic 

decrease in home prices; they’ve 

gone flat. 

“I don’t know what the next three 

months will hold. People are nervous. 

There’s not a lot of confidence 

in the market. We’re preparing for a 

recession. I don’t know if it’s going 

to be that severe.” 

He said, “Transportation is expensive. 

We’ve relied on our own trucking 

and have pushed it to the limit 

because we can make it work with 

what we have now in trucks and 

drivers.” 

Further north in Washington, another 

lumberman noted that he had 

“increased activity this month. Last 

month was slow as far as booking 

orders. Looking forward, business 

looks stronger.” 

Compared to a few months earli- 

72 MAY 2023 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmericanHardwood.org 

ISK BIOCIDES ISLAND.indd 7 

5/18/17 3:14 PM

er, he said, the market was “weaker.” 

He sells lumber in all thicknesses, mostly 4/4, in Select 

and Better, No. 1 Common and No. 2 Common. Species 

include Hard and Soft Maple, Poplar, Red and White Oak, 

Beech, Alder, Hickory and “any eastern Hardwoods,” he 

remarked. Poplar is his best seller, followed by Hard and 

Soft Maple, all in upper grades and No. 1 Common. 

His customers include both end users and distribution 

yards. “Our feeling is still that their order files have been 

reduced. They’re not ordering quite as much as they did 

in the past. Their orders from their 

customers are down 35 percent, I 

would think, based on their orders 

to us. 

“Transportation has been good,” 

he stated. “Lumber is moving at a 

reasonable rate. However, interest 

rates are the killer. People are 

financing furniture for their homes, 

and the interest rates have slowed 

purchases down. We’re trying to 

weather the storm.” n 

were moving into the marketplace. Secondary manufacturers 

reported, however, that business was slow; thus, 

less lumber was needed to meet their immediate needs, 

and prices were still in a downward slide. Kiln-dried inventories 

are up, note contacts. 

Soft Maple reports are mixed, with some saying business 

is decent while others say it is not a good seller for 

them. Buyers for green production are hard to come by, 

with prices in a wide spectrum. 


More than 

70 Years 

of Producing Appalachian Hardwoods 

ONTARIO Continued from page 12 

ple kiln-dried supplies on the market. 

Competition for orders has increased 

resulting in price pressures. 

Contacts note green Aspen production 

has moderated, as sawmills are 

focusing on more salable species. 

Basswood reports are mixed. 

Some contacts indicate green stock 

is moving, while others struggle to 

find outlets for their total production, 

with prices varying. Kiln-dried 

Basswood sales are purchased for 

replacement needs; thus, supplies 

are ample. 

Birch demand is down on domestic 

markets. With Hard and Soft 

Maple prices declining rapidly and 

sharply, thus impacting Birch pricing 

downward, inventories are high relative 

to buyers’ needs. 

Hard Maple is a key species for 

most businesses in Ontario and 

Quebec, and south of the border. 

It was noted that steady supplies 


Lowery Anderson 

landerson@ralumber.com 

14.4 million 

board feet 

Warehouse & Shed Capactiy 

1.1 million 

board feet 

Kiln Capacity 

Anthony Hammond 

ahammond@ralumber.com 

50 million 

board feet 

Annual Production 

14 countries 

Lumber Shipped 

Ling Walker 

lwalker@ralumber.com 

“Our relationship with Roy Anderson Lumber has grown 

into a strong partnership. Because of their quality 

and pricing, we have certain categories we exclusively 

source from their operations. We always receive 

timely service and communication from their team.” 

Joe Alcathie, Branch Manager Hood Distribution – Mobile 

Rusty Hawkins 

rhawkins@ralumber.com 

1.800.577.5576 | INFO@RALUMBER.COM 

FACEBOOK.COM/ROYANDERSONLUMBER 


ONTARIO Continued 

As wholesalers and secondary manufacturers worked 

to replenish inventories, green Red Oak was in demand, 

thus outpacing developing supplies. Sawmills focused 

on Whitewood logs and were processing less Red Oak 

at this time. Markets for kiln-dried Red Oak were reported 

as flat on the domestic front, while demand from international 

markets improved and had reduced inventories. 

Prices are reported to be firming. 

Business has improved for kiln-dried White Oak on the 

domestic front, and exports to Southeast Asia are gaining 

traction, and so supplies are low. Prices for upper 

grades are firming, noted contacts. 

Black Ash was classified as an endangered species in 

Ontario, and the government is currently considering all 

input to determine the best way to balance the recovery 

and protection of Black Ash, said Gary Wheeler, Ministry 

of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). 

According to Wheeler, the projected decline in the total 

number of trees is greater than 70 percent over the 

next 100 years. Decisions will be made before the end 

of January 2024, when the two-year 

temporary pause of protections is 

scheduled to conclude. 

By law, a strategy must be put in 

place, and it can use a wide range 

of tools to preserve an endangered 

tree, from seed banks and replanting 

in identified ideal habitats, to 

insecticides aimed at controlling 

insect species, to full protection of 

habitats where one or more trees 

are found, which could potentially 

place areas of Northern Ontario off 

limits to forestry activities. 

The ministry considered and analyzed 

information received from 

Indigenous peoples, stakeholders, 

other ministries and the public in 

its decision. The government will 

reach out to relevant stakeholders 

and provide public notice of any 

proposed policy and regulatory approaches 

to address Black Ash, and 

provide time to comment prior to 

making any associated decisions. 

The MECP will continue to take into 

account the social and economic realities 

of life in Northern Ontario in 

the coming months; hence the reason 

for suspended protections for 

Black Ash. 

Protecting these trees, which are 

found throughout Ontario, could 

have economic impacts on the forestry, 

development, infrastructure, 

and agriculture industries, as the 

species is broadly distributed and 

may not be easily avoided when undertaking 

these activities. 


Several forestry companies who operate their businesses 

in Northern Ontario agreed that protections were 

needed for the endangered Black Ash species, but expressed 

concerns regarding the economic challenges 

that the proposal could bring to local sawmills and logging 

operations. They said forestry businesses already 

face enough barriers and challenges, and with the proposal, 

it could make things harder for them, and become 

significantly less efficient. With wood supply constraints 

to surrounding mills, the mills directly, and also indirectly, 

employ a lot of people in the district. They would like the 

economic impact to be considered 

in the current proposal and what it 

would be bringing. The policy’s impact 

on the mills would hinder bush 

operations from their ability to cut 

logs efficiently and effectively, thereby 

causing a potential increase in 

the cost of logs to offset operation 

costs. The potential impact is only 

theoretical until the final protection 

policy is put in place, they noted. 

They are hoping for a gentler policy 

that takes in all the considerations, 

rather than a blanket policy for all. n 

Whitewood logs are being sawn quickly to avoid stain 

damage. Markets for the regionally important Hard Maple 

are weak and there is ample production, even an 

oversupply of this species with price pushback being experienced. 

Soft Maple is also not performing well, although it is 

moving better than Hard Maple at present but more effort 

is required to generate orders. 

There has been an improvement in business for Oak 

residential flooring manufacturers since the beginning of 


QUEBEC Continued from page 12 

C 

being slightly higher for some common 

grade items. 

M 

Y 

Basswood wholesalers and end 

CM 

users are restricting their purchases 

MY 

as demand for this species is slow. 

It is noted that supplies are ample to 

CY 

meet demand, with prices trending CMY 

lower. 

K 

Cherry use is not very strong both 

here and in the U.S. border states by 

regular end users such as the flooring, 

furniture, moulding and millwork 

and cabinet sectors. Most sales are 

to the Chinese market with sales reported 

as holding up well since the 

beginning of the year. 

Hickory is selling well with activity 

reported as decent, while some 

in the industry are experiencing 

slower business, with export sales 

low. Inventories have pretty much 

remained the same as sawmill production 

is low. 

With warmer weather conditions, 


MERRICK GROUP : Merrick Hardwoods • 

Somerset Pellet Fuel • Kentucky Hardwood Lumber 

Company, Inc. • Interstate Hardwoods, Inc. 

+1 (606) 561-4146 • merrickhardwoods.com 


QUEBEC Continued 

Quality Appalachian Hardwood Lumber 

1,200,000 B.F. Kiln Capacity 

Quentin Moss, KD-Lumber Sales/ 

GR-Lumber Sales/Purchasing 

quentin@gfhardwoods.com 

9880 Clay County Hwy. Moss, TN 38575-6332 

PHONE: 1-800-844-3944 FAX: 1-931-258-3517 

www.gfhardwoods.com 

the year, but it is not robust. It is challenging for them to 

obtain their raw materials as sawmill production remains 

low. 

Sawmills and wholesalers state there is more interest 

in Red Oak from a wide range of buyers. The consumption 

of this species on both domestic and international 

markets has not grown much, but rather the low supply 

is fueling competition for available lumber. This has resulted 

in most grades and thicknesses moving well, including 

thicker stocks, which in turn has raised prices for 

Red Oak. 

White Oak demand was consistent the past couple 

of months. Demand is stronger, but production has not 

kept up with the pace due to the weather struggles to 

get White Oak logs and the high competition from stave 

plants. 

Green Poplar is moving well to wholesalers and millwork 

and moulding plants, say sawmill operators. Contacts 

note supplies of green Poplar have tightened, including 

common grades, and prices are edging higher. 

Kiln-dried Poplar is good on domestic 

markets with some improvement being 

felt in export markets. 

Green Walnut volumes are improved, 

with wholesalers having ample 

supplies. There is interest in this 

species domestically, in the Far East 

and in China. 

In March, the Bank of Canada 

opted against further interest rate 

hikes, despite a labor market, which 

over recent months has exceeded 

expectations, adding close to a 

quarter of a million jobs between 

October and January, stated the 

Conference Board of Canada in its 

Canadian Economics insight report. 

Alongside flat-lining GDP growth in 

the final quarter of 2022, the early 

March results signal that momentum 

may be waning and higher rates are 

working. The announcement by the 

Bank of Canada contrasted with the 

path set out by the Federal Reserve 

chair, who signalled the need for 

more rate rises in the U.S. The prospect 

of higher interest rates south of 

the border caused the U.S. dollar to 

strengthen, increasing the cost of imports 

for Canadians. Central bankers 

in Canada will be conscious that a 

widening gap between Canadian and 

U.S. interest rates risks devaluing the 

Canadian dollar further and stoking 

import-linked inflation. 

Job vacancies in Canada are trending 

down, continued the report, indicating 

that Canada’s labor demand 

is moderating. The removal of most 

pandemic restrictions in the spring of 

2022 led to a rehiring frenzy, pushing 


job vacancies to over a million. In December, this number 

had fallen to 750,000. While still roughly 50 percent 

higher than the pre-pandemic level, job vacancies are 

expected to fall further as higher interest rates cool the 

economy. Sky-high labor demand has helped to keep 

the unemployment rate close to record lows over recent 

months. However, as labor demand pressure subsides 

and high levels of immigration add to labor supply, the 

shifting demand-supply dynamics in the labor market will 

exert upward pressure on the unemployment rate over 

2023. n 

promotions, and educational opportunities. I believe every 

WCMA member and tech partner has something to 

contribute to the WCMA mission. Why not invite more 

wood component manufacturers and suppliers to our 

conversation? Below are several of the key benefits of 

being a member with the WCMA: 

•Networking/Information Exchange – One of the main 

reasons that members join and stay with the WCMA is 

because of the access that it provides to a wide range 


WCMA INSIGHTS 


a row. The event will be in Ohio this 

fall and offers numerous networking 

opportunities and gives attendees 

an excellent opportunity to learn 

how industry professionals stay updated 

in areas such as woodworking 

machinery, equipment, tooling, 

supplies, software, and overall business 

solutions. 

The event will be open to WCMA 

and WMMA member companies. 

Non-members are encouraged to 

attend to see what the WCMA is all 

about. We are sure that after participating 

in these excellent networking 

opportunities, you will be excited to 

join. 

Conference details and registration 

will be announced later this 

year, visit the WCMA website for 

more information. www.wcma.com 

WCMA Membership – If you 

are NOT a member, you are 

missing out! 

One of the topics discussed at 

a recent WCMA board meeting focused 

on membership growth. The 

board acknowledged that while it is 

important to retain our current members, 

it’s equally important to grow 

our membership. By welcoming new 

members and tech partners, we can 

expand current programs, develop 

new benefits, and add more variety 

to our networking, wood industry 


Preserving treasures. 

Collins Hardwood 

A family-owned business since 

1855, ours is a heritage of 

responsibility to the land and to 

the people. Today, our 370,000 

acres of FSC-Certified forests 

produce some of the finest 

lumber in the world—because 

like you, we care what we 

leave for future generations. 

Visit us at AWFS in Las Vegas. 

Booth #3232. 

Collins Pennsylvania Forest 

Forest Stewardship Council ® 

Look for our certified wood products 

Building heirlooms. 

The Joinery, Portland Oregon featuring Collins Cherry. 

The finest in responsibly sourced Hardwood, 

Softwood and Particleboard. 

CollinsWood.com | 814.366.1314 

@collinswood_1855 

facebook.com/CollinsCompanies 


WCMA INSIGHTS Continued 

of industry experts. Your colleagues are often your best 

source for in-depth insight and ideas. WCMA gives you 

the opportunity to connect with industry professionals 

across the United States and into Canada. 

•Virtual and Live Events – The WCMA hosts events designed 

with our members in mind. These events offer 

members a great chance to improve your knowledge 

of the industry and to connect with peers. 

•Exclusive use of Real American Hardwood Coalition 

branding and marketing resources. 

If you are a current WCMA member, participate in our 

“Member-Get-a-Member” campaign. We make it easy 

for you to share our information with colleagues, just visit 

our website and go to the “2022 Member-Get-a-Member 

Campaign” page under “membership.” 

If you are not a member, I would love an opportunity 

to discuss membership with you in more detail. Please 

email me directly at amy@wcma.com or call 651-332- 

6332. You can see more about membership and activities 

that the WCMA is working on at our website, www. 

wcma.com. 

Working with WCMA Members 

The benefits of working with WCMA member companies 

are clear. Manufacturers that outsource components 

are more profitable than those that do not, period. 

All independent studies since 1970 prove it. It’s just good 

business to outsource. 

Finding a supplier that can consistently produce quality 

components and be responsive to your needs is easier 

than ever before. Just give us a call at 651-332-6332 

or visit our source guide at www.wcma.com/source_ 

guide.html. You will be provided with a list of WCMA 

Member Companies that will meet your exact requirements 

for dimension and component products made 

from Hardwoods, softwoods, and engineered wood materials. 

It’s that easy! 

We look forward to hearing from you! n 

The National Solution to Your Local Risk 

contund.com 

If you’re in the Forest 

Products Industry, 

get to know us. 

WE PROVIDE INSURANCE TO PROTECT 

THE WAY YOU DO BUSINESS. 

Get the insurance coverage you need 

and the service you deserve. 

To learn how, call 804.643.7800 


In Memoriam 

Tito Gori 

Tito Gori was born in Italy on November 

23, 1941, and sadly passed 

away in his hometown of Newton, 

NC recently. 

His father, Lorenzo Gori, started 

ALA, the family’s Italian company, 

in 1946 after World War II, and the company started to 

succeed rapidly due to high demand for pine and Formica 

panels. 

At 23 years old, Tito lost his father, and the partners 

quickly nominated him the new president of ALA. So, he 

had to let go of all activities that a typical 23-year-old has 

and get to work to maintain what his father had started. 

As the years went by, ALA became one of the biggest 

lumber importers in Italy. Tito was traveling the world 

throughout the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s importing exotic species 

form Africa and Asia, softwoods from Northern and 

Eastern Europe, all the way to panels from Chile. He 

also imported U.S. softwoods and Hardwoods. During 

those years, he traveled to countries that no Italian lumber 

importer had gone to before and succeeded in building 

strong and long-term relationships. At one point, as 

there were still no containers, he was importing full ships 

of lumber just for ALA from Singapore and Malaysia. 

Finally, in 1993, he decided to open Lawrence Lumber, 

which was a simple purchasing office in Erie, PA, 

where he began importing Cherry and Northern Oak for 

ALA directly, without having to go through agents in Italy, 

as well as species from Canada. That led to moving 

south to North Carolina, where he began in 2000 

the Lawrence Lumber concentration yard that produced 

mainly Poplar for ALA and that is now known for exporting 

quality lumber with a name that is respected around 

the world. 


W11143 Cty Hwy G • P.O. Box 160 • Antigo, WI 54409 • EMAIL kretz@kretzlumber.com 

TOLL-FREE (800) 352-1438 • FAX (715) 627-4399 • www.kretzlumber.com 

INTERNATIONAL PHONE 00 + 1 + 715 + 6235410 • INTERNATIONAL FAX 00 + 1 + 715 + 6274399 



WHO’S WHO 

IN HARDWOOD PURCHASING 

Beth Murphy and Chris Murphy 

CHRIS MURPHY is the plant manager, as well as a 

lumber purchaser for Missouri Hardwood Products, located 

in Brighton, MO. Also, his wife, BETH MURPHY is 

a lumber purchaser, sales assistant, and office manager 

at Missouri Hardwood Products. 

Missouri Hardwood Products purchases approximately 

1.5 million board feet of lumber annually. The species 

that they purchase are Red and White Oak, Hickory, 

Walnut, Maple and Cherry. They primarily use 4/4 thickness 

but occasionally will purchase 5/4 for their parent 

plant, Acme Floor in Lenexa, KS. 

They manufacture both finished and unfinished Hardwood 

flooring. 

Missouri Hardwood Products is often able to deliver 

their products personally, which cuts the cost of freight 

for their customers, or they can pick up the green lumber 

from local wood vendors. They own their own semitruck, 

flat bed and walking trailer. They haul their own 

sawdust to a local pellet mill company. 

Chris Murphy started with Missouri Hardwood Products 

in 2011 in maintenance. He will have held his current 

position for two years. He also has experience in 

WORMY CHESTNUT • TROPICALS • QTR & RIFT • CYPRESS • ALDER 

Headquarters, Concentration Yard & Kilns in Hickory, N.C. 

Phone (828) 397-7481 FAX: (828) 397-3763 

www.cramerlumber.com 

3 million BF KD 

Inventory 

Atlanta, GA 

Warehouse 

770-479-9663 

“LIMBO” 

The Lumber Rule 

Hardwoods • White Pine • Cypress 

RGH • S2S • SLR1E 

4/4 thru 16/4 

thicknesses 

Export 

Sales 

706-736-2622 

HICKORY • HARD & SOFT MAPLE • POPLAR • RED & WHITE OAK • WALNUT • ASH 

WHITE PINE • BASSWOOD • BEECH • BIRCH • CEDAR • CHERRY 


A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE LEADING 

PURCHASING EXECUTIVES IN 

THE HARDWOOD INDUSTRY 

production supervision. He knows the ins and outs of 

the industry from maintenance and production to purchasing 

and sales. 

Chris is a high school graduate who continues his education 

by taking CE courses to help him improve his performance 

both as a supervisor and a lumber purchaser. 

Beth Murphy has worked for Missouri Hardwood Products 

for about four years and has held her current position 

for a year and a half. She went to college at Missouri 

State University and majored in Wildlife Biology. The 

courses that she took in college have helped her with 

lumber purchasing, as well as quality control and packaging. 

Her first job in the industry was a bundler. 

Chris loves to hunt, play golf, go to the masonic lodge 

and church. He spends a lot of time doing the things 

he loves with his wife, Beth, like horseback riding, fishing, 

camping and hiking. He and Beth were high school 

sweethearts and have been married for almost 25 years. 

They share two daughters who also work for the busi- 

ness. They have one granddaughter. 

Missouri Hardwood Products belongs to the National 

Wood Flooring Association and Bolivar, MO’s Chamber 

of Commerce. For more information email missouri 

hardwoodproducts@gmail.com, call 417-376-3225. 

Roger Feltner 

ROGER FELTNER is the lumber 

products manager for Atlantic 

Plywood Corp. of Woburn, 

MA, a company with 12 branches. 

Atlantic Plywood is a distribution 

yard, providing complete 

wood products, finishes and plywood 

distribution. The company 

purchases in excess of 900,000 

board feet of lumber per year. 

Atlantic Plywood offers all do- 


Carl rosenberry sons lumber, InC. 

CARL ROSENBERRY & SONS LUMBER, INC. 

Celebrating Over 100 Years in Business! 

7446 Path Valley Road Fort Loudon, PA 17224 Phone: (717) 349-2289 FAX: (717) 349-2044 

7446 Path Valley Road, Fort Loudon, PA 17224 • Phone: (717) 349-2289 • FAX: (717) 349-2044 

Two automatic circle mills and 

Two 

line 

automatic 

bar band 

circle 

resaw 

mills and 

Maintaining line bar 700,000’ band resaw K.D. inventory 

and 1,000,000 700,000’ K.D. bd. ft. inven- 

of 

Maintaining 

Green tory and 1,000,000 Air Dried bd. lumber ft. of 

300,000 

Green and 

bd. 

Air 

ft. Kiln 

Dried 

Capacity 

lumber 

300,000 bd. ft. Kiln Capacity 

KILN DRYING FINE 

Kiln Drying Fine 

PENNSYLVANIA 

Pennsylvania 

HARDWOODS 

Hardwoods 

ANNUAL 

ANNUAL 

PRODUCTION 

7,000,000’ 

75% 75% Red Red and White Oak 

www.rosenberrylumber.com 

www.rosenberrylumber.com 

Email Email inquiries to to Jackie Kriner at jackie@rosenberrylumber.com 



For 30 years, Thompson 

Appalachian Hardwoods, Inc. 

has manufactured and exported 

the highest-quality Appalachian 

hardwood lumber and logs. 

We have a firm commitment 

to steward our forests as well 

as our customers, employees, 

and families—and it is in this 

commitment that we are 

deeply rooted. 

Rooted In Commitment 

WHO’S WHO Continued 

mestic Hardwoods, imported species, stock S2S and 

R1Edge- through S4S in Yellow Poplar, Red and White 

Oak, Cherry and Hard and Soft Maple. They provide 

lumber in upper grades and No. 1 and No. 2 Common. 

Additionally, they offer surfaced lumber S4S products 

and thermally altered lumber in 4/4 through 8/4 stock. 

The company is a member of the New England Lumbermen’s 

Association, North American Building Material 

Distribution Association and Penn-York Lumbermen’s 

Club. 

Feltner has worked for nine years at Atlantic Plywood 

as the lumber products manager. Feltner has worked in 

the forest products industry for over 40 years, his first 

job being preparing lumber for export shipments. He 

also was a lumber grader and has been a regional sales 

manager, lumber quality control manager and purchasing 

agent. He graduated from Churchville-Chili High 

School in 1974. In 1978, he graduated from the University 

of New Hampshire with a BS degree in forestry 

management and a minor in business. He also attended 

Rochester Institute of Technology graduate business 

school. He is a nationally certified forester by the Society 

of American Foresters. This year Feltner was honored 

by the Washington, 

DC office of the Society of American Foresters for being 

a 40-year Lifetime Sustaining Member. 

Feltner and his wife of 42 years, Eileen R. Feltner, 

have two sons, Ryan and Christopher, and two daughters, 

Kerry and Colleen. Feltner and his wife have a 

grandson, Tyler Feltner. 

In his free time, Feltner officiates soccer matches (he 

is a certified soccer official on the Rochester Section V 

Board), and he likes running, hiking and cross-country 

skiing. 

Learn more about this company at www.atlanticply 

wood.com. 

Sales 

Todd Nelson 

todd@thompsonappalachian.com 

Chip Underwood 

chip@thompsonappalachian.com 

Juan Quintanilla 

juan@thompsonappalachian.com 

100 Harless Drive 

Huntland, Tennessee 37345 USA 

Office 931 469 7272 

thompsonappalachian.com 

TIM POLK is the lumber buyer 

for Buchanan Hardwood 

Flooring, located in Aliceville, 

AL, and has been with them for 

nine years. Buchanan Hardwood 

Flooring purchases 14 million 

board feet annually in Red and 

White Oak, in 4/4 thickness and 

grades No. 1 Common, No. 2 

Tim Polk Common and No. 3A Common, 

to manufacture flooring in widths 

2 ¼-inch, 3 ¼-inch, 4-inch and 5-inch. 

Polk has been the lumber buyer for Buchanan Hard- 


wood Flooring since he started there nine years ago. He 

has been in the forest products industry for 20 years, 

starting at Ashley Furniture buying wood products. 

Polk attended South Pontotoc High School in Pontotoc, 

MS. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business 

administration at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, 

MS. 

He enjoys traveling, hunting and fishing. He has been 

married to Shannon for 27 years. The couple has one 

daughter, Leanna, who is currently serving in the U.S. 

Air Force. 

For more information call 205-779-7045, email tim 

polk@buchananhardwoods.com, or visit 

www.buchananhardwoods.com. n 

NHLA: WHY KNOT... Continued from page 22 

The same holds true for employees. After sharing 

with them experiences and expectations you need to get 

them started or give them new responsibilities. When 

things don’t go as planned, and they won’t, they need 

to know who to call and know that you will back them up 

on good decisions. When employees solve a problem 

on their own, even if it wasn’t what you would do, you 

support what they did and tell them what they could do 

better next time. 

Unlike a mountain or a mostly barren wilderness where 

you spot and stalk, in a forest you sit and wait. I am sure 

many of you have done that in deer stands. While you 

wait, you think. This is what I do when moose hunting 

and its prime time to talk to myself and God. You don’t 

always have to be chasing after things, you can be calm 

and sit and ponder on things, look around and enjoy 

where you are. Your employees need some time to do 

that too. If they think about what they do and they buy in 

to what you are doing, they can help you solve problems 

you didn’t even know you had. 

A hunter who has been hunting a few days and hasn’t 

seen a moose quickly becomes discouraged. They 

start to complain. Don’t complain with them, compliment 

something else instead. A depressed hunter is often 

an unprepared hunter. The same is true for employees. 

Keep asking questions and let them talk it out, you 

will find they know more than you thought and are still 

hopeful things will get better. I have the moose stories 

to prove it. 

The only way to get better is to be prepared and change 

with the situation. Asking questions is more helpful for 

getting people to realize that they need to change then 

telling someone that they need to change. Don’t just tell 

people what to do but guide people to do it by sharing 

experiences and asking questions. 

Why knot be an example to your employees. n 


WALNUT 

ANOTHER SPECIES OFFERED 

IN A VARIETY OF WAYS 

PLAINSAWN 

4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 8/4, 10/4, AND 12/4 

5/4 > 12/4 90/70 

LIVE SAWN RUSTIC GRADING 

4/4 SORTED EVERY INCH, 6-10” 

5/4, 6/4, AND 8/4 - RANDOM WIDTH 

RIFT AND QUARTERED 

4/4 

sales@devereauxsawmill.com 

989-593-2552 

devereauxsawmill.com 


Register today! 

SFPAEXPO.COM 

TRADE TALK 

SOMERSET, KY—According to published reports, 

Merrick Hardwoods, located here, has acquired the assets 

of Southern Kentucky Hardwood Flooring, located 

in Gamaliel, KY. The company will remain in operation 

now selling unfinished Hardwood flooring under the 

name Bluegrass Wood Products. 

They will also continue to manufacture and sell premium 

grade Hardwood pellets under the name Country 

Boy White Lightning. 

Blake Gerughty will continue on as manager for both 

operations. 

Merrick Hardwoods is a diversified forest products 

company that manufactures and sells Hardwood lumber, 

unfinished Hardwood flooring and premium grade 

Hardwood pellets. 

To learn more, go to www.somersetwood.com. 

A PLACE FOR 

SOFTWOODS & 

HARDWOODS 

Bringing the sawmill 

industry together 

for more than 70 years. 

Music City Center 

Nashville, Tennessee 

August 23-25, 2023 

SFPA is proud to produce, organize, and sponsor 

the Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Expo 

Ply-Core by Graf Brothers is a new sub-straight product 

for Engineered flooring. 

SOUTH SHORE, KY—Graf Brothers Flooring & Lumber, 

located here, the world’s largest manufacturer of rift 

and quartered lumber and flooring products, recently introduced 

a new product, Ply-Core by Graf Brothers, a 

new sub-straight for Engineered flooring, according to 

Chris Moore, Vice President of Sales. 

This Hardwood flooring manufacturer is now making 

Engineered sub-straight for flooring with a three-ply construction. 

The top layer is White Oak, the middle layer 

is vertical grain Poplar, and the backing is made of Aspen 

or Basswood veneer. Graf Brothers is purchasing 

the Basswood and Aspen from other companies. It is 

supplying the rest of the wood from its own sawmills. 

However, Moore said that Graf Brothers is making plans 

to purchase Poplar for its Ply-Core line. 


AN UPDATE COVERING 

THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT 

HARDWOOD SUPPLIERS/VENDORS 

Moore said that in Ply-Core flooring, the wood grains 

run in opposite directions through the layers, increasing 

stability and performance. 

This new flooring is manufactured exclusively in South 

Shore, KY. 

To learn more, go to www.grafbro.com. 

A 60+ Year Tradition of Excellence 

Serving architectural woodworkers, cabinet and fixture 

manufacturers with vast inventories of premium quality 

domestic and imported hardwoods, from Alder to 

Zebrawood, 4/4 through 16/4 in many species. When you 

need Hardwood, think MacBeath. . . a name synonymous 

with fine quality and prompt, reliable service. 

Corporate Office & 

Concentration Yard: 

Edinburgh, Indiana 

800-322-9743 

Arizona: 

Phoenix: 602-504-1931 

Tempe: 480-355-5090 

Tucson: 520-745-8301 

Reload: 

Northern California: 

Golden State Reload Berkeley: 800-479-9907 

Perris, California 

Stockton: 844-490-5051 

800-322-9743 

Utah: Salt Lake City: 800-255-3743 

macbeath.com 

BID Canada Ltd. has 50+ years of experience in the design 

and manufacturing of bulk material handling systems, 

helping customers manage bulk material safely, efficiently JOSEY (JOCO) 2018 Christmas REV .qxp_Layout 1 11/19/18 2:42 PM Page 1 

and responsibly. 

EAU CLAIRE, WI—McDonough Manufacturing Company, 

headquartered here, recently welcomed BID 

Canada Ltd. into the McDonough group of companies. 

This acquisition partners two of New Brunswick’s premier 

manufacturing teams and facilities, combining them 

with the flagship location in Eau Claire, and allows Mc- 

Donough to increase production capacity, human resources 

and product offerings. 

McDonough Manufacturing was founded in Eau Claire 

in 1888, expanding operations to Mactaquac, NB, in 

2017. Increasing demand for their machinery has necessitated 

a further expansion to increase capacity and 

meet changing market needs. 

BID Canada Ltd. has over 50 years of experience in 

the design and manufacturing of bulk material handling 

systems, making it one of North America’s leaders in 

the industry. Within close proximity to the Trans-Canada 

Highway and various seaports, BID has been a 

sought-after manufacturer in the coal, cement, potash, 

nickel, biomass and pulp and paper industries. The BID 

Canada location will remain focused on their existing 

customers and projects, while contributing to the production 

of McDonough sawmill machinery. 

This acquisition is part of McDonough’s business 

strategy to continue to offer the best machinery on the 



MacbeathREV 12-2018.indd 1 

JoCo Lumber, Inc. is a division of 

Josey Lumber Company, Inc. 

Tripp, Logan, and Joey Josey 

Our company offers: 

• 10,000,000 BF of annual production from 

our 6’ band headrig and 6’ band resaw. 

• Red and White Oak, Soft Maple, Ash, 

Poplar and Cypress in 4/4 through 8/4 

thickness. 

• rough, surfaced, air-dried and kiln-dried 

lumber in random widths and lengths. 

• export prepping, container loading of logs and lumber, 

anti-stain dipping and end coating lumber. 

• 500,000 BF of dry kiln capacity. 

• 65,000 SF of enclosed warehouse for storage and loading of 

kiln-dried lumber. 

For Quality Appalachian Lumber Contact: 

JOsey Lumber COmpany, InC. 

JoCo Lumber, InC. 

476 Lees meadow rd. • p.O. Drawer 447 

scotland neck, nC 27874 

TeL: (252) 826-5614 • FaX: (252) 826-3461 

COnTaCT: 

emaIL: joseylbr3@gmail.com 

saLes: Logan Josey 

MAY 2023 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 85 

6/21/19 10:13 AM

“Looking for Premium Appalachian Hardwood? 

Harold White Lumber, Inc. is the supplier 

you can trust!” 

HWL 

HAROLD WHITE LUMBER 

Founded in 1968 by Harold White, we offer: 

• Bandsawn lumber 

• Excellent color and texture 

• 500,000 b.f. kiln capacity 

• Planing mill facility 

• On-site container loading 

• Dimension plant specializing in paneling, flooring, 

casing, doors and finger-joints 

For lumber and prompt worldwide shipping, 

contact Ray White: rwhite@haroldwhitelumber.com 

For dimension and/or millwork requests, 

contact Lee White: lwhite@haroldwhitelumber.com. 

Harold White Lumber, Inc. 

2920 Flemingsburg Road 

Morehead, KY 40351 

(606) 784-7573 phone 

(606) 784-2624 fax 

www.haroldwhitelumber.com 

TRADE TALK 

Continued 

market, while employing teams of experts to service 

their customers, a press release stated. BID Canada will 

continue to operate in their facility in Woodstock, NB, 

retaining existing team members under the McDonough 

umbrella. The experience of the McDonough sales and 

marketing teams will allow them to further expand BID 

Canada’s horizons across North America, according to 

the press release. 

“This is an exciting chapter in the 135-year history of 

McDonough Manufacturing, and we are grateful for the 

support of our many customers, vendors and supporters,” 

said Matt Tietz, vice president/owner of McDonough 

Manufacturing. “We are confident that this expansion will 

only serve to increase our capabilities and we look forward 

to welcoming in our new BID Canada team members.” 

To learn more, go to www.mcdonough-mfg.com. 

Your support changes 

hearts and minds 

about wood, for good. 

HAROLD WHITE 2016-2.indd 5 

6/6/16 2:40 PM 

Brian Turlington 

Ben Mathews 

Harvesting the Future through Education 

DONATE TODAY @ NorthAmericanForestFoundation.org 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION 

LEXINGTON, NC—SII Dry Kilns, located here, recently 

announced significant changes in the leadership 

of the company as they move into the future. SII is a 

family-owned and -operated U.S. manufacturer of lumber 

drying and sterilizing equipment and was originally 

founded in 1970 by Paul Mathews. 

As the company has grown through the years, top executives 

have valued having three members of the third 

generation involved in the leadership of the company: 

Brian Turlington, Ben Mathews and Mary Mathews. 

Effective April 1, 2023, Brian Turlington became the 

chief executive officer and Ben Mathews became president. 

Dan Mathews assumed the role of chairman of the 

board. 

“This has been in the works for quite awhile, and it is 

with a great deal of pride that we will have my father’s 

grandchildren take these leadership roles in the company 

he started. We all try to contribute to his legacy,” stated 

Dan Mathews. 


“As a company, we are very fortunate that Brian and 

Ben have very complimentary talents and make an excellent 

team,” Mathews continued. Brian Turlington has 

been with the company for 28 years and will continue to 

oversee sales and project management. Ben Mathews 

has 20 years of experience and will continue to oversee 

engineering and production. 

When asked about retirement, Dan said, “I enjoy what 

I do and am very fortunate to work with my family and 

have a lot of great friends in this industry. So, my retirement 

is still several years down the road.” 

To learn more, go to www.siidrykilns.com. 

Wood: The Natural Choice 

Stay on track: www.rta.org or 

A Cleereman LP-48 Extreme Duty Linear Carriage with 

Cleereman Controls 3-D Scanning is shown. 

NEWALD, WI— Cleereman Industries/Cleereman 

Controls, headquartered here, in cooperation with RTM 

Industrial Maintenance LLC recently carried out an extensive 

project at GreenTree Forest Products, owned by 

Greg Wells, in Wallingford, KY. 

The RTM crew removed the old carriage line that 

GreenTree had run for 27 years, an LP-42 Cleereman 

carriage, and replaced it with a new one. Wells decided 

that as long as he was replacing the carriage with 

a Cleereman LP-48 Extreme Duty carriage, he would 

also replace his scanning system with a new Cleereman 

Controls 3-D scanning system and Cleereman Controls 

Operator Start/Stop Dispatch Console with everything 

mounted in a new Cleereman sawyer booth. Wells also 

decided to replace his older, inefficient shotgun carriage 

drive with a new energy-efficient Cleereman 200 HP Hydrostatic 

carriage drive. A new Cleereman 42” Bar Log 




TRADE TALK 

Continued 

Connecting North American 

Forest Products Globally 

National Hardwood Magazine 

www.nationalhardwoodmag.com 

Hardwood Purchasing Handbook 

www.hardwoodpurchasinghdbk.com 

Greenbook’s Hardwood 

Marketing Directory 

www.millerwoodtradepub.com 

Greenbook’s Softwood 

Marketing Directory (on-line only) 


Forest Products Export Directory 

www.forestproductsexport.com 

Imported Wood Purchasing Guide 

www.importedwoodpurchasing.com 

Import/Export Wood Purchasing News 

www.woodpurchasingnews.com 




Special NAWLA Edition 


Turner was also installed. 

RTM Industrial Maintenance took out all of the old 

equipment and replaced it with new equipment in a little 

over a week’s time. Cleereman Controls engineers 

along with hydraulic engineer Jonny Cleereman of Cleereman 

Industries were on site for startup and training of 

the sawyer and mill maintenance crew. After a few days 

of sawyer training and final testing, the mill was ready to 

start running production. 

Also installed were a Cleereman Modular Track-Frame 

with 80# rail and a Cleereman Cable Tensioner. This 

project from start to finish took less than two weeks. 

To learn more, go to www.cleereman.com. 

CHESAPEAKE, VA—King 

City Forwarding USA, Inc. recently 

moved here from its former 

location in Pittsfield, MA. 

King City, specializing in forestry 

product exports out of North 

America, has been in business 

since 1977. 

Peter Lovett, vice president, 

said this move affords King City 

Peter Lovett 

several advantages. The new office 

space is larger, allowing more space for new hires. 

“We plan on adding more employees,” Lovett said. 

Chesapeake also is closer to King City’s partner-carriers 

in Norfolk and Richmond, VA. 

King City can book cargo, arrange truck and rail transport, 

conduct phyto inspections, carry out customs filing, 

produce export documentation and expedite cargo and 

coordinate delivery. 

Lloyd Lovett is CEO of the company. 

To learn more, go to www.kingcitynorthway.com. 

Forest Products Stock Exchange 

(on-line only) 


PLEASE VISIT US ONLINE FOR MORE 

INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PUBLICATIONS 

P.O. Box 34908, Memphis, TN 38184-0908 

(800) 844-1280 or (901) 372-8280 


info@millerwoodtradepub.com 

Amanda Huang 

RICHMOND, VA—Amanda 

Huang was recently named 

President of Continental Underwriters, 

Inc., headquartered here. 

She added this title to COO, 

which she has retained for five 

years. 

Huang began her career in the 

insurance industry more by accident 

than by plan. What began 

as a temporary administrative 


assistant position grew into a career serving the forest 

products niche and building a successful business. Playing 

an integral part in the formation and growth of Continental 

Underwriters Inc. over the years, she seized all 

opportunities to learn and grow, eventually becoming an 

MBA graduate and the company’s President and COO— 

all while raising two young children with her husband. 

In her current role, Huang oversees the day-to-day operations 

of the company, working closely with the internal 

CU teams to address their needs and ensure the company’s 

success. “Amanda’s journey was anything but 

straightforward, and learning more about Amanda’s story 

will inspire anyone who is working hard to improve their 

life and achieve success,” stated a company spokesperson. 

“Amanda is living proof that when there is a strong 

will, there most definitely is a way.” 

To learn more, go to www.contund.com. n 

In Memoriam Continued from page 79 

Tito had a very big influence in the lumber industry 

in Italy and brought that here to the U.S., where he enjoyed 

working and living. He was a respected, serious 

and honest man, and Lawrence Lumber will carry on his 

legacy with the same principles and teachings. 

He will be missed by many. 

His son, Giuseppe Gori, said, “Thank you, Dad, for 

everything you have taught us and for showing me the 

world. This article is in your honor as you were an honorable 

man. Love always.” v 

Steven Dale Thomas 

Steven Dale Thomas, 47, of 

Vanceburg, KY, passed away recently 

in Lexington, KY. 

He was born December 28, 

1975, in Portsmouth, OH, a son of 

Jack and Carole Meade Thomas of 

Vanceburg, KY. 

Steven was co-owner of Graf and Thomas Lumber 

Company and a lifelong member of the Vanceburg First 

Baptist Church. He enjoyed traveling, coaching, going 

to sporting events, going to Disney World, working and 

especially spending time with his children. 

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his lov- 

ing wife of 28 years, Marcia Erwin Thomas; two sons, 

Brady Thomas and Bailey Thomas; one daughter, Briley 

Thomas, all of Vanceburg, KY; one sister, Erin (Shane) 

Claypool of Lexington, KY along with many other family 

and friends who will sadly mourn his passing. 

Funeral services were held at Globe Family Funeral 

Chapel, 103 Dudley Avenue, Garrison, KY with Brother 

Chris Lawhun and Brother Howard Wilson officiating. 

Burial followed in the Skidmore Cemetery in Garrison, 

KY. 

David Kelly, Chad Sizemore, Mark Adams, Nick Adams, 

Pat McGlone, Bill Gullett, Russ Cottingham and 

Damon Graf served as pallbearers. 

Globe Family Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services 

in Garrison, KY cared for all arrangements for Steven 

Dale Thomas. v 



CLASSIFIED 

PROFIT OPPORTUNITIES 

To: Anyone involved in the sawmill controls industry 

SEEKING AN eLIMBS SPECIALIST 

DMSi is currently seeking a candidate to implement and support the eLIMBS inventory 

system. This person will use their industry and product knowledge to help customers 

improve their business processes with the software. 

Duties include 

-Manage implementation projects, including system set up and configuration 

-Train customers and other DMSi personnel on use of the system 

-Help resolve client cases by gathering information and researching issues 

-Create documentation to improve eLIMBS training resources 

Qualifications 

-Knowledge of the hardwood lumber industry and supply chain processes 

-Experience with training end-users (virtual and in-person) on new software procedures 

-Strong logical and problem-solving skills 

-The ability to positively represent DMSi/eLIMBS 

Position Details 

-Full-time position 

-Ability to work from home or Omaha office 

-Travel to customer locations required 

-Medical, dental, vision, 401(K) with match, PTO, and other benefits provided 

Reply to Kevin Peterson (kpeterson@dmsi.com) 

ALL CLASSIFIED 

ADS MUST BE PAID 

IN ADVANCE 

$45.00 PER INCH • 

Blind Box Number Fee: 

$10.00 

DEADLINE: 

30 Days Preceding 

Publication Month 

Classified advertising will not be 

accepted for Hardwood products such 

as lumber, dimension, turnings, veneer, 

carvings, new dry kilns or dry kiln 

equipment, etc. 

To: Anyone involved in the sawmill controls industry 

FOR SALE 

Dry Kiln Concentration Yard with 470,000 bdft Kiln Capacity 

and 400,00 bdft Predryer Capacity 

LOT – Western Pennsylvania 

26.47 – acre industrial site 

26.31 – acre wooded lot 

70,000 sqft asphalt lot 

100 x 80 vehicle lot 

Enough sq footage to openly store 2,000,000 bdft lumber. 

BUILDINGS: 

80 x 212 Steel storage building concrete floor (blue lumber storage) 

65 x 140 Wood frame equipment building concrete floor (green chain) 

60 x 130 Wood frame equipment building (stacker) 

60 x 80 Steel building high storage (sawdust) 

60 x 60 Wood frame equipment building (grading shed) 

130 x 80 Coe steel building (predryer) 

5 – 50,000 ft SII Kiln Building 

2 – 40,000 ft Irvington Moore Kilns 

2 – 80,000 ft Nardi Kilns 

25 x 160 Garage w/small office and wash area. Parts storage rooms. 

Block and wood structure. 

25 x 160 Open face wood storage shed, gravel floor. 

25 x 160 Open face steel storage shed with a 50 x 60 high overhang roof, 

gravel floor. 

104,000 sqft Asphalt lot 

OFFICE – Roughly 2,000 sqft working space. 

11 Individual offices 

2 large clerical offices 

1 large conference room 

Small kitchen 

2 Restrooms 

Reply to: nhm@millerwoodtradepub.com, put CMP #3578 in subject line. 

USED MACHINERY FOR SALE 

●USNR 4TA30 Top Arbor Three Shifting 

Saw Edger 

●Infeed Landing Deck 

●USNR – Lunden Cam Unscrambler 

S/N 41419 

●Even Ending Rolls 

●Queuing Hooks (2) ahead of Scanner 

●Queuing Hooks (2) after Scanner 

●Edger Infeed Model 600 Maximizer 

S/N 2951-A 

●USNR 4TA30 Edger with 200 HP Arbor 

Drive Motor 

●Outfeed Belt with Shifting Edging Shears 

●Specs – Hardwood 1” to 4” Thick x 4” to 24” 

Wide x 6’ to 16’ Long 

●Saw Kerf .160” x Saw Plate .120” 

●Two Hydraulic Units 

●Water Mizer Oil Mist Guide System 

●Set of Babbitt Guide Tools 

Contact: James Robbins 

Cell: (207) 322-3162 

Email: jarobbins@rlco.com 

Our Classified Advertising Works! 

FOR INFORMATION CALL: 

800-844-1280 


HELP WANTED 

SERVICES 

901.767.9126 

Certified Lumber Grader – Job Description 

Cardin Forest Products is a family owned sawmill and kiln drying operation located in South 

Pittsburg, Tennessee. We are currently seeking a candidate to fill a hardwood lumber grading 

position in our kiln drying operation. 

The ideal candidate will have: 

•Been NHLA certified 

•2 to 3 years of experience grading kiln dried hardwoods 

Duties will include, but not be limited to the following: 

•Grade and mark all lumber to be sorted according to NHLA rules/guidelines 

and industry standards 

•Communicate effectively with your team and other departments 

•Adhere to all safety policies and perform tasks in a safe and responsible 

manner 

Required Qualifications: 

•Minimum of one (1) year experience grading green and/or kiln dried domestic 

lumber 

•Must be NHLA trained or have equivalent knowledge. 

•Must be physically capable of performing all duties of the job and any other 

duties assigned by Crew Leader 

Position 

•Full time position 

•Company offers medical, dental, 401(k), and other benefit offerings 

We are an equal opportunity employer. Employment selection and related decisions are 

made without regard to sexual orientation, race, color, age, disability, religion, national origin, 

citizenship status and creed. 

Salary Negotiable 

Reply to: Jeremy Ball 

Cell: (423) 619-8056 

Email: jball@cardinfp.com 

or visit us at 

www.hmr.com 

Benchmark pricing and market 

commentary on the North American 

hardwood lumber industry. 

Go online at hmr.com for a sample copy. 

Our Classified 

Advertising Works! 

FOR INFORMATION CALL: 

800-844-1280 

MILL CLOSING SALE 

Accepting Best Offers 

2000 Yates E12 Yates 

American 

Wood end match machine for 

tongue and groove flooring. 

System includes: belt, 

straight-line blade, 3 blades, 

in-feed conveyor to the end 

match 

20’ conveyor to packaging 

machine 460 volts 

Condition is good 

Barr Mullin Opti Rip 

Wondersaw 

Optimizer w/computerized lazer 

controls 

Compu-rip scans the boards for 

width to determine the optimal 

cutting solution 

Floor space 21’ x 5’ 

(315 sq. ft.) 



1997 MAC 114LST100 

Dust Collector 

with 12x10 Heavy duty Rotary Air Locks, shopper and leveling screws 

Air Flow 18000 ACFM 

2000 sq. ft. of Filter media 

12 Ga carbon steel sealed exterior and stressed for 17” SP 


The main application is woodworking or any dust generating factory. 

This dust collector is UNASSEMBLED, on the ground and ready for shipment. 

omerk1@nationalhardwood.com 

Omer Katzir - 818-645-6320 


ADVERTISERS 

INDEX 

Abenaki Timber Corporation..................65 

Air Systems Mfg. of Lenoir, Inc.................. 

Ally Global Logistics................................... 

Anderson, Roy, Lumber Company, Inc...73 

Atlanta Hardwood Corporation..............69 

Autolog, Production Management Inc....... 

Automation & Electronics USA..............15 

Baillie Lumber Co....................................... 

Beard Hardwoods....................................... 

BID Group................................................13 

Bingaman & Son Lumber, Inc...................8 

BioLube, Inc................................................ 

Breeze Dried Inc.....................................60 

Carbotech International............................. 

Cardin Forest Products LLC....................... 

Church, Bryant, Hardwoods, Inc............62 

Clark Lumber Co......................................... 

Classic American Hardwoods, Inc...........1 

Cleereman Controls.............................. IFC 

Cleereman Industries........................... IFC 

Cole Hardwood, Inc.................................... 

Collins.....................................................77 

Continental Underwriters, Inc...............78 

Cooper Machine Co., Inc............................ 

Corley Manufacturing Co......................IBC 

Cramer, W.M., Lumber Co.......................80 

Cummings Lumber Co., Inc......................3 

Deer Park Lumber, Inc............................63 

Devereaux Sawmill, Inc..........................83 

DMSi Software..........................................5 

EXPO Richmond.......................................... 

EZLOG Company, Inc.................................. 

Fitzpatrick & Weller Inc.............................. 

Forcey Lumber Company, Inc..................... 

Frank Miller Lumber Co., Inc...................... 

GF Hardwoods, Inc.................................76 

Graf Bros. Flooring & Lumber.................... 

Granite Valley Forest Products..............17 

GTL Lumber Inc.......................................... 

Hardwood Forestry Fund............................ 

Hardwood Manufacturers Assoc .............. 

Hartzell Hardwoods, Inc.........................57 

Hermitage Hardwood 

Lumber Sales, Inc...................................14 

HHP, Inc....................................................... 

Hurdle Machine Works Inc.....................23 

Industrial Vision Systems, Inc................... 

Irving, J.D., Limited.................................... 

ISK Biocides, Inc....................................72 

JoCo Lumber, Inc....................................85 

JoeScan..................................................10 

Jones, Ron, Hardwood Sales, Inc.............. 

Josey Lumber Co., Inc............................85 

Kentucky Forest Industries Assoc............. 

Kepley-Frank Hardwood Co., Inc...........68 

King City Forwarding USA, Inc...............19 

King City/Northway Forwarding Ltd.......19 

Kretz Lumber Co., Inc.............................79 

Lawrence Lumber Company Inc................ 

Lewis Controls, Inc...............................IBC 

Lewis, Dwight, Lumber Co., Inc................. 

Limbo......................................................80 

Lumber Resources Inc............................... 

Lussier, Simon, Ltd.................................12 

MacBeath Hardwood Company..............85 

Maine Woods Company..........................67 

Mars Hill, Inc............................................... 

Matson Lumber Company.......................11 

Maxwell Hardwood Flooring...................... 

McDonough Manufacturing Company....70 

Mellott Manufacturing Co., Inc................... 

Meridien Hardwoods of PA., Inc................. 

Merrick Hardwoods................................75 

Messersmith Manufacturing, Inc............... 

MiCROTEC................................................... 

Middle Tennessee Lumber Co., Inc............ 

Midwest Hardwood Company.................... 

MO PAC Lumber Company......................64 

Montreal Wood Convention........................ 

Mueller Bros. Timber, Inc........................... 

Neff Lumber Mills, Inc................................ 

New River Hardwoods, Inc.....................61 

North American Forest Foundation........86 

Northern Hardwoods.................................. 

NWH........................................................55 

Nyle Dry Kilns...........................................9 

Oakcrest Lumber, Inc................................. 

OHC | Overseas Hardwoods Company....... 

O’Shea Lumber Co...................................... 

Patrick Lumber Company.......................71 

Paw Taw John Services, Inc...................... 

Pennsylvania Hardwoods Co...................... 

Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual 

Insurance Company.................................... 

Peterson, Keith D., & Co., Inc................87 

Pike Lumber Co., Inc.................................. 

Prime Lumber Company............................. 

Primewood.................................................. 

Quality Hardwoods Ltd............................... 

Railway Tie Association.........................87 

Ram Forest Products, Inc.......................66 

Real American Hardwood Coalition.......21 

Robinson Lumber Company........................ 

Rosenberry, Carl, & Sons, 

Lumber, Inc.............................................81 

Rustic Wood Products................................ 

Sawmill MD................................................. 

SII Dry Kilns................................................ 

Sirianni Hardwoods, Inc.........................54 

Smithco Manufacturing, Inc....................... 

Snowbelt Hardwoods, Inc......................59 

Southern Forest Products Assoc...........84 

Stiles, A.W., Contractors, Inc..................... 

Stoltzfus Forest Products, LLC.................. 

Taylor Machine Works, Inc......................... 

Thompson Appalachian 

Hardwoods, Inc.......................................82 

Tigerton Lumber Co................................53 

TMX Shipping Co., Inc............................56 

TS Manufacturing.................................. BC 

U-C Coatings, LLC.................................. FC 

USNR.......................................................74 

Western Hardwood Association................. 

Wheeland Lumber Co., Inc......................... 

White, Harold, Lumber, Inc.....................86 

Williams, R.J., Inc....................................... 

Wolverine Hardwoods, Inc......................... 

Wood-Mizer, LLC......................................58 

York Legacy Mill Inc................................... 

Note: Advertisers with no page number carry an alternating Ad schedule.

National Hardwood Magazine - May 2023

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?