Newswires
Bingaman & Sons Lumber Upgrades Their Lumber Processing Line
Bingaman & Son Lumber recently completed their new lumber processing line following the installations of a new Piche Inc. bin sorter, a Comact AI grading system and a Samuel Son & Co. Limited banding station.
These enhancements allow the company to accomplish, with one machine, what previously required four separate machines and substantially more manual labor, according to a company representative. The new equipment increases sorting capabilities, improves grade consistency, and provides better traceability for each board, noted Bingaman. The decision to modernize was driven by goals of improving processing efficiency, reducing physical labor, and leveraging advanced AI grading technology.
Founded in 1968 and now 35 percent employee owned through its ESOP, Bingaman & Son produces and processes 50 million board feet of hardwood annually. The company operates two processing yards (Clarendon, PA, and Kreamer, PA) along with three sawmills located in Mill Hall, St. Mary’s, and Nicktown, PA.
Additional company updates include the promotion of Tyler Shields to chief operating officer and plans to install two new dry kilns in the summer of 2026.
For more information, visit bingamanlumber.com.
Daniel Platts Serves As Lumber Buyer At O’Shea Lumber Company
Daniel Platts
O’Shea Lumber Company recently announced that Daniel Platts is now serving the company as a fully trained lumber buyer. The company announcement noted that Platts has been with O’Shea Lumber Company since 2023.
He brings hands-on hardwood industry experience developed through long-standing exposure to the business and practical, ground-up training. During his early tenure at O’Shea, Platts worked across grading, material handling and kiln operations. Over the past two years, he transitioned into purchasing responsibilities, working closely with long-time buyer Shawn Covalt and taking on an increasing role in lumber sourcing and supplier coordination.
Platts has been involved in the hardwood industry for much of his life. He is married with one daughter and enjoys hunting, fishing, skiing and spending time with his family.
Founded in 1971 by Mike O’Shea, O’Shea Lumber Company, located in Glen Rock, PA, specializes in Appalachian hardwoods, imported hardwoods and Northeastern White Pine in thicknesses from 4/4 through 16/4. The company purchases approximately 12 to 14 million board feet of lumber annually from sawmills throughout the Midwest and Northeast, as well as from Canada and international suppliers in Africa and Central and South America. Primary domestic species include Basswood, Hard and Soft Maple, Cherry, Poplar, Red and White Oak, Cypress and Eastern White Pine. Imported species include African Mahogany, Sapele and Spanish Cedar.
For more details, visit oshealumber.com.
Patrick Lumber Company Appointments And New 16-Foot Alder
Natalie Heacock
Patrick Lumber Company (PLC), a Pacific Northwest-based lumber wholesaler and specialty wood supplier, recently announced a series of leadership promotions and industry appointments. “These promotions reflect PLC’s commitment to growing talent from within and strengthening its role in the forest products sector,” according to Natalie Heacock, PLC president and CFO.
Chelsea Zuccato
Chelsea Zuccato was promoted to vice president of sales and marketing, where she now leads PLC’s trading team and marketing communications. She was also recently appointed to the North American Wholesale Lumber Association board of directors, further accentuating her leadership in the industry.
John Quast
John Quast, PLC’s president of export, has been elected president of the Portland Lumber Exporters Association. His appointment further solidifies PLC’s leadership presence in the lumber export community and highlights his commitment to expanding international connections and mentoring the next generation of traders.
Lena Jacobson
Lena Jacobson has been promoted to controller, overseeing PLC’s financial operations and accounting strategy. In her new role, Jacobson will focus on improving the company’s financial processes and supporting long-term stability.
In other news, Patrick Hardwood, also located in Philomath, OR, sits adjacent to Patrick Lumber Company’s manufacturing facility where any resawing and kiln-drying occurs. The company’s property totals 38 acres, and current capacity is 200 to 300 thousand board feet per month, but they are aiming for 500 thousand board feet per month.
They are adding 16-foot Alder in both knotty and clear grades to their product roster, which includes species native to Oregon such as Bigleaf Maple, White and Tan Oak, Myrtle, Golden Chinquapin and more. The new Alder line can be used by distributors and manufacturers in the flooring, door, window, furniture and interior application business.
Dave Halsey
Patrick Lumber CEO Dave Halsey stated, “We’ve been focused on supplying our core customer base with the product since we began cutting hardwoods in the R&D phase a couple years ago.”
Kalayna Crook
Kalayna Crook, a lumber trader at Patrick Lumber, shared that based on feedback from trusted customers, the products have been “well-received in the marketplace. Our niche is targeting longer lengths, particularly in the Alder, and we’ve been able to have a high production rate in the 12 through 16’ range. It’s come as a pleasant surprise for many of our customers as this volume currently doesn’t exist in the Alder market.”
Patrick Lumber Company’s Alder
In addition to the new Alder product, Patrick Lumber recently installed a log splitter and outfeed system to accommodate larger logs and increase their capacity for larger timbers. These new installations join a headrig, gang rip, edger, trim saw and green chain pull in the sawmill.
Founded in 1915, Patrick Lumber Company is a leading manufacturer and global supplier of specialty softwood and hardwood products headquartered in Philomath, OR.
For more information, visit patlbr.com.
Robinson Lumber Commissions Biochar Production System In New Albany, IN
The Biomass Energy Techniques PRD1000 biochar production system installed at Robinson Lumber Company’s New Albany, IN, yard.
Robinson Lumber Company has commissioned its first biochar production system at its New Albany, Indiana facility, advancing the company’s focus on innovation and higher-value use of residuals. The PRD1000 is a modular, containerized unit integrated within the footprint of Robinson’s flagship concentration yard. The system processes approximately 1,000 pounds of wood residuals per hour and is expected to produce about 700 metric tons of biochar annually.
“The decline in residuals markets threatens all of us,” said CEO Garner Robinson. “Our industry cannot afford to ignore that reality. We must build durable markets for residuals if we expect American hardwood manufacturing and forest communities to be competitive.”
The operation runs under Robinson Carbon, a recently formed venture focused on biochar production and carbon removal. In addition to manufacturing biochar products, the facility will generate verified carbon removal credits designed to meet growing corporate demand for durable, high-quality carbon credits.
Biochar is produced through pyrolysis, a high-temperature process that heats biomass in an oxygen-limited environment. The process converts wood residuals into a stable, carbon-rich material with a porous structure. In horticultural and agricultural applications, biochar improves moisture retention, nutrient efficiency, and soil health. Because the carbon in biochar is highly stable, the process enables long-term carbon storage. The Indiana facility will generate carbon removal credits representing more than 1,400 metric tons of permanent carbon storage each year.
“Robinson Lumber Company has been sequestering carbon for over 130 years, we just never got credit for it,” joked Brooklyn Legg, who joined Robinson Lumber Company in 2024 as its first sustainable products specialist dedicated full-time to developing the biochar initiative. Brooklyn was recently promoted to strategy lead.
With the recent additions of Fatima Haque as Carbon Science Lead and Larry Dodson as Principal Systems Engineer, the Robinson Carbon team now totals three members supporting operations, technical integration, and credit development. Robinson has expanded hiring in the greater Louisville, KY area and is seeking operators for the biochar reactor as well as a General Manager for the lumber yard.
Founded in 1893, Robinson Lumber Company is a fifth-generation family-owned lumber manufacturer and wholesaler.
For more details, visit roblumco.com.
McDonough Manufacturing Company’s Newest Installation At Devereaux Sawmill
Seven-foot slant band mill by McDonough Manufacturing Company
Devereaux Sawmill Inc., located in Pewamo, MI, recently installed a new seven-foot slant band mill along with a 62-inch horizontal resaw supplied by Eau Claire, WI-based, McDonough Manufacturing Company. The horizontal resaw features a 24-inch-wide by 18-inch-high capacity and is equipped with electric VFD drives and integrated controls to ensure smooth operation and precise performance. The feedworks system includes knurled and chromed hold down rolls, designed to deliver consistent material handling and improved control through the cut.
The installation builds on a long-standing relationship between the two companies. Devereaux Sawmill, which produces around 17 million board feet annually, has operated multiple McDonough band mills and resaws over the years, reflecting their confidence in the equipment. With the new systems now fully commissioned and running, the sawmill is positioned to enhance both production and cutting accuracy while maximizing uptime in the mill.
“Family-owned operations are the backbone of the forest products industry, and that commitment to long term growth is evident at Devereaux Sawmill. With deep roots in their regional forestry community, the Devereaux team continues to invest in modern, efficient equipment to support both production capacity and product quality,” commented Matt Tietz, owner of McDonough.
Tietz added, “Devereaux Sawmill’s continued expansion demonstrates the mindset that defines successful family run mills: reinvest in the operation, adopt proven technology and focus on long term sustainability. Projects like this highlight how thoughtful equipment upgrades can strengthen production while supporting the next generation of growth.”
Visit mcdonough-mfg.com or devereauxsawmill.com to learn more.
Jartek’s Installation At Western Forest Products
Jartek, headquartered in Lahti, Finland, recently signed an agreement to supply a thermal modification kiln to Vancouver, BC-based, Western Forest Products. The installation of the kiln is expected in May.
The kiln will support Western Forest Products’ plans to expand its thermally modified wood offering, with a strong focus on consistent product quality and efficient production. The solution delivered by Jartek is specifically designed to meet Western Forest Products’ production requirements.
Jeroen Hinnen, sales manager for North America at Jartek, highlighted the importance of the project for the company. “This project is particularly exciting for us at Jartek, as it represents one of our first thermal modification projects in this region,” said Hinnen. “Partnering with Western Forest Products allows us to demonstrate how our customizable technology can support local market needs and long-term production goals.”
The project also aligns closely with Western Forest Products’ five-year vision to expand manufacturing capacity, improve fiber utilization and add value to lower-grade materials — while fostering mutually beneficial partnerships to grow domestic demand.
Jartek’s thermal modification technology is designed to deliver flexibility, precise process control and long-term reliability, according to the company. This project reflects Jartek’s continued focus on providing customized solutions that meet the evolving needs of companies looking to enter or expand within the wood thermal modification market.
Visit jartek.com for more details.
