Wolverine Hardwoods Introduces Their Newest Lumber Buyer
Nolan Mulder, of Wolverine Hardwoods, located in Allegan, MI, is a lumber buyer that is responsible for the procurement of green and kiln-dried lumber for orders destined for endusers.
Mulder has been with Wolverine for 40 months. He has been in his current position for 16 months, ensuring the acquisition of top-quality kiln-dried Hardwoods that meet the company’s stringent standards.
Mulder has been in the forest products industry since 2002. He held his first job at Budres Lumber in Bryon Center, MI, where he held the roles of piler, machine operator and forklift driver.
He then joined NWH, where he served as a machine operator and lumber grader. These skills, combined with his dedication and commitment, led him to his current role at Wolverine Hardwoods.
Mulder attended Hudsonville High School, where he earned his high school diploma.
Beyond his career, Mulder finds joy in spending quality time with his wife and children, as well as indulging in outdoor pursuits. Camping, hunting, fishing, and a passion for all outdoor sports.
For further inquiries or information, contact Nolan Mulder at 269-686-7004, or visit www.wolverinehardwoods.com.
Cleereman Installs At Multiple Sawmills Across The Country
Cleereman Industries, headquartered in Newald, WI, recently installed machinery at Hoffman Brothers Sawmill, Rutland Lumber, Berlin Lumber and Ashton Lewis Lumber.
Hoffman Brothers Sawmill, located in Richfield, PA, installed the LP-42 heavy duty Cleereman linear carriage, along with a new Cleereman sawyers cab and Cleereman optimized carriage controls with 3-D scanning.
Rutland Lumber, located in Collins, MS, installed the LP-42 extreme duty Cleereman linear carriage with a new track.
Berlin Lumber, located in Berlin, OH, installed a 150 H.P. hydrostatic carriage drive with Cleereman electric controls, replacing their older electric carriage drive.
Ashton Lewis Lumber, located in Northport, AL, installed a LP-42 heavy duty Cleereman linear carriage with a new track.
To learn more visit www.cleereman.com.
Scott Stringer Joins DMSi Software
DMSi Software, located in Omaha, NE, an industry leader in software solutions for the lumber and building materials industries, announces Scott Stringer will be joining its team as Product Manager – Neural Grader.
Stringer will head DMSi’s computer vision solutions, including TallyExpress and Neural Grader, where he will handle sales, service, implementations, and product management. He brings over 15 years of experience in the Hardwood industry including 12 years as a senior operations manager at Baillie.
“I am excited to join the DMSi team and be involved with such an important product,” said Stringer. “I know first-hand the importance of accurate and consistent grading on production lines. Neural Grader answers this critical need for manufacturers in lumber operations. DMSi is investing heavily in software applications that service the lumber supply chain, and it’s clear they care about bringing the best solutions to customers.”
“We feel very fortunate to have Scott join our team,” said Henry German, president of DMSi’s Log and Lumber division. “His experience and passion for the industry is what drew us to him. We can’t imagine a better person to help us launch our AI grading system.”
DMSi Software is a leading provider of inventory and order management solutions to the building materials industry. Founded in 1976, DMSi has grown to over 250 employees serving over 500 businesses and 20,000 users. Headquartered in Omaha, NE, DMSi remains independently owned and privately held, dedicated exclusively to the success of its customers.
Learn more at www.dmsi.com.
MiCROTEC Hires New Sales Account Manager
MiCROTEC, located in Corvallis, OR, hired Amy Coyner as Sales Account Manager. MiCROTEC specializes in scanning and optimization solutions for the Hardwood and softwood industries.
As a Sales Account Manager, Coyner is responsible for providing MiCROTEC’s innovative scanning solutions to customers across the Midwest United States and Canada.
Prior to joining MiCROTEC, Coyner owned and operated eLIMBS, LLC from 2003 to 2022. She has valuable experience in the industry, which she brings to her current role.
Coyner’s educational background includes bachelor’s degrees in English and Psychology from Queens University in Charlotte, NC.
Outside of her professional life, Coyner enjoys various hobbies and interests such as horseback riding, shooting, playing the piano and spending time with her family.
MiCROTEC is a member of Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association, Southern Forest Products Association, Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, National Hardwood Lumber Association and Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association.
For more information or inquiries, please contact Amy Coyner at amy.coyner@microtec.us or visit www.microtec.us.
Nyle Dry Kilns Welcomes Ingo Wallocha
Ingo Wallocha joined Nyle Dry Kilns, located in Brewer, ME, as their new VP of International Sales.
Wallocha brought more than 20 years of experience in the kiln drying industry to Nyle Dry Kilns. He started working for Brunner-Hildebrand out of Germany after finishing his MBA in economics in Heidelberg. There he gathered valuable experience in the international market and became responsible for the North American sales area. After that, Wallocha and his family took the opportunity to move to Canada, where Valutec AB, out of Sweden, wanted to open their first North American sales office. Within seven years, Wallocha established Valutec as a major supplier for continuous kilns in the North American market with customers such as Pleasant River Lumber, Hampton Lumber, and J.D. Irving Ltd.
Wallocha’s family – wife and three kids, all Canadian citizens – started to miss their homeland Germany and subsequently decided to move back, at least for a while. At the same time, Nyle Dry Kilns was looking for a Vice President of International Sales, and Wallocha’s experience and living in Europe again made him a good fit for that role.
Wallocha loves music, and in his spare time, he is a passionate drummer.
Nyle Dry Kilns is a member of Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc., Appalachian Lumbermen’s Club, Great Lakes Kiln Drying Association, Hardwood Manufacturers Association, Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, Kentucky Forest Industries Association, Lake States Lumber Association, Maritime Lumbermen’s Bureau, Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association, North American Wholesale Lumber Association, New England Kiln Drying Association, Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association, National Hardwood Lumber Association, Ohio Forestry Association, Pennsylvania Forest Products Association, Southern Forest Products Association, Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association and Western Hardwood Association.
For more information visit www.nyle.com.
Taylor Machine Works Appointed As Authorized Magni Telescopic Handler Dealer
Taylor Machine Works, Inc., located in Louisville, MS, the fourth-generation manufacturer of material handling equipment since 1927, was recently appointed as the Authorized Magni Telescopic Handler Dealer for the state of Mississippi, western Arkansas and select Louisiana parishes. Hal Nowell, Director of Sales, remarked, “We are so pleased to have the opportunity to sell this complete line of Magni Telehandlers in our home state of Mississippi and areas in these neighboring states. This addition will give our customers more lift capabilities allowing us to take care of their material handling needs.” Taylor will offer the complete range of Magni’s telehandlers. This will include the Rotating Telehandler (RTH), the Heavy Lift (HTH) and the Fix Boom Telehandler (TH) models. Also, Taylor Machine Works will offer the Magni models and attachments for rent across their network in North America.
“We are delighted to have Taylor Machine Works join our prestigious dealer network,” expressed Joe Leinwol, Chief Sales Officer at Magni America. “Their profound expertise in industrial equipment, encompassing application, sales, parts, and service, positions them as an ideal partner for us. We have full confidence that Taylor’s unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction harmonizes perfectly with Magni’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional quality and service.”
“Taylor’s industry knowledge, technical expertise, and commitment to customer success make them an excellent fit for our dealer network,” says Robert Cloud, Magni Regional Sales Manager. “Together, we will provide unrivaled support and solutions to meet the evolving needs of Taylor’s customers.”
Known for their exceptional performance, versatility, and advanced features, Magni caters to various industries, such as the wood products industry, concrete construction, masonry, steel erection, framing and more.
For more information on Magni Telescopic Handlers, visit www.magnith.com. For additional information on the extensive product lines Taylor offers, visit www.taylorbigred.com.
JoeScan Hires New Engineers
JoeScan has expanded their team again, by adding two new engineers to their roster, Mich Perry and Jack Wright.
Perry has over 15 years of software development experience, working in fields ranging from video game engines to commercial kitchen automation to augmented reality applications. He joins JoeScan as a Senior Software Engineer.
Wright is a recent graduate of the Oregon State University computer science program, with a minor in mathematics. He began as an engineering intern at JoeScan. Wright quickly proved his mettle and transitioned to Junior Software Engineer.
“We’ve seen a tremendous amount of growth in terms of sales,” said JoeScan president Joey Nelson. “So we have some additional demand on our engineers to answer support questions. But we also want to continue to develop new products and features to make 3D scanning even simpler and easier to use for sawmills.”
JoeScan has a full product development schedule underway, with a new “super snapshot” scanner model featuring 3-inch laser spacing slated for release later this year. “We designed the Z8 scanner for places in the mill where you can’t move the log or board at all,” Nelson says. “Getting data every three inches instead of every six gives you much more accurate models which means you get better solutions from your optimizer. But there are also instances when you need to run very, very fast, and the Z8’s smaller laser spacing can help you get there.”
The JoeScan engineering group is also working on a suite of software features to simplify start-ups including additional diagnostic and calibration tools. When they aren’t hard at work in the scanning lab, you’ll be able to find JoeScan engineers at the Western Hardwood Association annual convention in Oregon, the SFPA Expo in Nashville, TN and the NHLA annual convention in Louisville, KY. Be sure to stop by their booth and introduce yourself to the new guys!
For more information, visit www.joescan.com.
Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company Announces New Executives
Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company (PLM), located in Philadelphia, PA, announced the promotions of John Marazzo to Senior Vice President of Accounting and Corporate Treasurer, Steve Hicks to Assistant Vice President of Underwriting and Ed Nowak to Assistant Vice President of IT.
PLM is a nationally recognized property and casualty insurance carrier serving the lumber, woodworking and building material industries. Backed by 128 years of experience, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based company protects over 5,000 businesses nationwide with property, general liability, inland marine, business automobile, commercial excess liability and equipment breakdown coverages.
Since joining PLM in 2006, Marazzo has played a key role in PLM’s relationships with auditors, reinsurers and various business partners as well as PLM’s investment committees and actuaries. Marazzo’s accounting experience in the industry gives him a nuanced understanding of traditional accounting practices as well as reinsurance and financial reporting.
Hicks joined PLM in 2012, followed by Nowak in 2019. Since starting with PLM as an Underwriting Assistant, Hicks has staked his claim in PLM’s underwriting department. Today, he leads his team by example with strong analytical abilities to meet financial targets. He recently completed his master’s in business administration at Temple University’s Fox School of Business.
Under Nowak’s leadership, PLM’s IT team have streamlined and improved the organization’s data resources to offer the data information in the lumber niche. Most recently, Nowak spearheaded PLM’s customer service migration to systems with workflow and automation, closing over 3,000 tickets. He is currently studying for his CPCU.
To learn more about PLM, please visit www.plmins.com.
NWFA Completes 68th Home With Gary Sinise Foundation
The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), located in St. Louis, MO, has provided flooring for its 68th home in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment). The R.I.S.E. program builds mortgage-free, custom, specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders. The home dedication for Marine Corps Corporal & Police Officer (Ret.) Sharif Muzayen took place recently in St. Mary’s, GA. Flooring for the project was donated by NWFA member Mullican Flooring.
While responding to a report of a possible drunk driver in 2016, Officer Muzayen was struck by another oncoming drunk driver while pulling forms from his vehicle. The collision left him with a broken tibia, fibula, a severed femoral artery, and a brain hemorrhage. He went through two years of rehabilitation, physical therapy and surgeries, ultimately losing his left leg above the knee.
“In addition to his service as a police officer, Officer Muzayen served five years in the Marine Corps, including a deployment to Afghanistan,” said NWFA President and CEO, Michael Martin. “He served in several roles, including as a Non-Commission Officer in Charge in the Cross Unit Combat Operations Center as the liaison between American Armed Forces and the Afghan Units. We’re honored to partner with Mullican to provide beautiful wood floors for his new home.”
In addition to the 68 homes already completed, NWFA currently is working with its members to source wood flooring for 18 additional R.I.S.E. homes in various stages of planning and construction. Currently, 148 NWFA member companies have donated product, logistics, and installation services in locations throughout the United States, with a total value of more than $5.7 million. A list of all NWFA R.I.S.E. participating companies can be found at www.nwfa.org/giving-back.aspx.
To learn more about the program, and how you and/or your company can get involved, contact the NWFA at 800.422.4556, or e-mail them at anita.howard@nwfa.org.
The National Wood Flooring Association is a not-for-profit trade organization, with more than 3,200 member companies world-wide, dedicated to educating consumers, architects, designers, specifiers and builders in the uses and benefits of wood flooring. The NWFA is located at 111 Chesterfield Industrial Boulevard, Chesterfield, MO 63005, and can be contacted at 800.422.4556 (USA & Canada), 636.519.9663 (local and international), or at www.nwfa.org.
Real American Hardwood Website Earns Web Excellence Awards
The Real American Hardwood Coalition (RAHC), located in Washington DC, has announced that its website, www.RealAmericanHardwood.com, earned three Excellence Awards in the categories of Lifestyle, Services and Utilities and Sustainability from the Web Excellence Awards program. In its ninth year, the global competition recognizes the best of the best in web design and development.
“On behalf of the Real American Hardwood Coalition, we’re honored that www.RealAmericanHardwood.com was recognized with three Web Excellence awards,” said Michael Martin, president and CEO of the National Wood Flooring Association, and a RAHC Board member. “We set out to develop a website that helps homeowners envision their world built with Real American Hardwood® products and empowers them to make informed decisions by separating fact from fiction when it comes to real wood. These honors highlight our work and the entire industry can be proud of the website and these achievements.”
Designed by CANVAS United, with offices in New York City and Huntington Beach, CA, the website educates consumers and the design/build community on the advantages and benefits of Real American Hardwood® products in ways that make emotional connections. Interactive modules engage consumers and compare the appearance, durability, value, home health, and environmental attributes of real wood products to faux, wood-look alternatives. The site also serves as a hub for project ideas, maintenance tips, environmental facts and explores how Hardwood is influencing lifestyles and culture in the modern world.
This year’s Web Excellence Awards competition brought in more than 1,350 entries from 39 countries. Winners were selected by a panel of marketing gurus, advertisers, communications specialists and web experts. All entries were judged on their innovation, creativity, implementation and impact.
Experience the website and get inspired to Build Your World™ with Real American Hardwood® products at www.RealAmericanHardwood.com.
The Real American Hardwood Coalition (RAHC) inspires a stylish and healthy environment by educating consumers and the design/build community on the many benefits of Real American Hardwood® products—including appearance, durability, lifetime value, healthy home and sustainability. Visit www.RealAmericanHardwood.com for more information.
