Industry News – May 2026
Daniel Platts Serves As Lumber Buyer At O’Shea Lumber Company
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
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 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, 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 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.
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.
Bingaman & Son 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.
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 was 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.
NWFA Completes 84th Home With Gary Sinise Foundation
The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) provided flooring for its 84th home in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment (R.I.S.E.) program. 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 retired U.S. Army Captain Tyson Quink took place recently in Leesburg, VA. Flooring for the project was donated by NWFA member Mannington Mills.
After graduating from West Point, Captain Quink deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan. While leading a patrol to a checkpoint at an intersection of two scarcely traveled roads, his team found multiple explosive devices. He called for a specialist to sweep the area and, when he took a step back to let the specialist pass, an IED was triggered resulting in the loss of his leg.
“Captain Quink endured multiple surgeries following his injury,” said Stephanie Owen, NWFA president and CEO. “Following his recovery, he returned to West Point to help young cadets just beginning their military careers.”
In addition to the 84 homes already completed, NWFA currently is working with its members to source wood flooring for 14 additional R.I.S.E. homes in various stages of planning and construction. Currently, 163 NWFA member companies have donated product, logistics, and installation services in locations throughout the United States, with a total value of more than $7 million. A list of all NWFA R.I.S.E. participating companies can be found at nwfa.org/giving-back.aspx.
The National Wood Flooring Association is a not-for-profit trade organization with more than 3,000 member companies world-wide. The NWFA is located in St. Charles, MO, 63304, and can be contacted at 800-422-4556 (U.S. and Canada), 636-519-9663 (local and international), by email anita.howard@nwfa.org or at
nwfa.org.
USDA Announces $115.2 Million Investment
At the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference, U.S. Department of Agriculture Administrator for the Rural Business and Cooperative Service J.R. Claeys recently announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is guaranteeing $115.2 million across eight states through the Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program (TPEP) to ensure sawmills and other wood processing facilities have the necessary funding to establish, reopen, expand or improve their operations.
The announcement includes recipients in the states of California, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Oklahoma, Virginia and Wisconsin.
These investments represent a commitment by the Trump Administration to expand American timber production by 25 percent, reduce wildfire risk and save American lives and communities by strengthening domestic wood processing capacity.
A selection of project highlights from states receiving funding include:
- • $12.3 million loan to Beachcombers, LLC in Oklahoma to acquire two Teal-Jones southern yellow pine sawmills, located in Antlers, OK, and Liberty, MS. The first phase of the project is to restore the Antlers mill facility back to full operation, projecting an annualized production of 80 million board feet (mmbf). The second phase will bring the Liberty mill facility back online. The Antlers mill has a production capacity of 130 mmbf, while the Liberty mill has a capacity of 25 mmbf.
- • $800,000 loan to Timber Professionals Cooperative Enterprises in Wisconsin to assist in re-opening a sawmill in Shawano County, WI. Timber Professionals Cooperative Enterprises will use guaranteed loan funds to purchase over 49 acres of real estate and equipment. The equipment will allow them to improve the efficiency of manufacturing wood chips. The project also includes plans to expand capabilities of the site to manufacture new, higher-value products from the same raw materials. The project will create six jobs, with additional staffing added as the sawmill expands.
TPEP is made possible by a partnership between USDA’s Rural Development and U.S. Forest Service. The program helps address the wildfire crisis by investing in local sawmills that clear out dangerous fuel in our forestlands, helping to remove the most immediate threats to communities, critical infrastructure, and natural resources.
The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making RD’s investment data accessible to the public.
For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit rd.usda.gov/rural-data-gateway.
Haworth Acquires Tayco; Manufacturing Facility To Expand
Haworth, a leading global manufacturer of commercial furniture and interior solutions based in Holland, MI, has acquired a majority shareholding in Tayco, a large manufacturer of office furniture and casegoods. Species used by Haworth include but are not limited to Cherry, Beech, Walnut and Ash, according to their company website.
Tayco is a North American manufacturer of modern office furniture, with its main manufacturing facility and headquarters located in Toronto, ON. The company specializes in office systems, benching and workstations, and has recently expanded its facility to incorporate more advanced technology and automation.
While details of the acquisition were not released, Tayco revenue was reportedly $26.1 million (CAD) in 2022 when the company was purchased by BRC Business Enterprises. More recent Tayco sales have been reported as high as $58.9 million. Haworth is an FDMC 300-listed company, ranking No. seven with sales of $2.5 billion.
“Haworth has been active in Canada for more than 50 years. Hundreds of Canadian workers have played a vital role in bringing Haworth products to life through manufacturing, assembly and our dealer distribution,” said Franco Bianchi, president and CEO, Haworth. “With Tayco, even more Canadian workers will be part of our story through direct manufacturing at the Toronto facility.”
Tayco will continue to operate independently under the leadership of Bill Melnik and its senior management team, maintaining the same team, business model and open-line approach to the market.
Founded in 1975, Tayco is known across the industry for production of office furniture, work systems, storage, casegoods, tables and seating.
Tayco recently announced a 37,000-square-foot expansion of its main manufacturing facility to expand its production capabilities and better serve its dealership network. The expansion of the main production facility allows for the onboarding of additional employees and is a necessary step to create a seamless manufacturing process.
Tayco has a 200,000 square-foot factory in Ontario, and recently expanded production. Tayco has improved its manufacturing capabilities with the introduction of new equipment, technology and automation.
Michael Ramundi, vice president of operations, stated, “The plant expansion, reconfiguration, and technological improvements were vital steps to facilitate Tayco’s growth plans.
For clients, Haworth’s Canadian dealer network can now provide furniture and interior solutions that incorporate Canadian-manufactured products. The Canadian manufacturing capability offers additional benefits, including shorter lead times on key product lines, improved supply chain resilience and stronger ESG and local economic impact reporting.
For more information, visit haworth.com/na/en.html.
