Industry News – July 2026

Industry News – July 2026

Ryan Marrs Joins McDonough Manufacturing As A Sales Representative

McDonough Manufacturing recently announced the hire of Ryan Marrs as a sales representative.

Marrs brings 22 years in the hardwood lumber industry, with a background that spans logging, lumber inspection, headsaw and resaw operations, sawmill and plant management, engineering, capital projects, and multi-site operations. He has worked his way through the business from the production floor to management, giving him a well-rounded understanding of how mills operate day to day.

He attended the National Hardwood Lumber Association Inspector Training School and completed a Project Management course through Syracuse University. Most of his knowledge, however, comes from years of working directly in mills and learning what works and what does not in real operating conditions.

Throughout his career, Marrs has managed multiple sawmill operations, led capital improvement projects, and worked closely with equipment suppliers. Now he’s able to bring that experience directly to customers, helping them make equipment decisions that make sense for their operation.

“I’ve spent my career working through many of the same challenges mills face every day,” said Marrs.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Marrs now lives in Western New York with his wife Beth and their seven children. Outside of work, he enjoys construction projects, operating equipment, working on his property, camping and spending time with his family, often supporting his kids in their many sporting activities.

Visit mcdonough-mfg.com to learn more.

Carbotech Strengthens Its Presence In South America Through Partnership

Carbotech, based in Plessisville, QC, recently announced the signing of a strategic agreement with manufacturer’s agent Innovación Nórdica to represent its solutions across key South American markets, including Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Uruguay. This partnership brings Carbotech closer to its customers by providing responsive sales support and tailored after-sales service.

A Strategic Move to Better Serve Local Markets

By partnering with Innovación Nórdica, Carbotech reinforces its presence with existing clients while unlocking new growth opportunities in a rapidly expanding market. “This collaboration is supported by a trusted local partner with a strong regional footprint and deep market knowledge. Through this partnership, we are also leveraging our recognized expertise to help sawmills and planing mills across Latin America optimize their operations and enhance their competitiveness on the global stage,” said Eric Michaud, vice president, sales and marketing at Carbotech.

Advanced Equipment to Drive Operational Performance

Innovación Nórdica will represent Carbotech’s full portfolio of wood industry solutions, including processing equipment for sawmills and planing mills, automation systems and AI-powered cutting optimization technologies.

“Welcoming a Canadian industry leader like Carbotech enhances our value proposition and broadens our portfolio of solutions for the South American market,” added Vasco Ortuzar, general manager of Innovación Nórdica.

In practical terms, Carbotech’s equipment enables companies to get the most out of every log by improving cutting precision and maximizing material utilization.

For nearly 40 years, Carbotech has been specializing in optimizing operations for sawmills and planing mills. The company designs and manufactures log and lumber handling equipment, sawing solutions, as well as optimization and automation systems.

Innovación Nórdica specializes in introducing advanced technologies to the wood processing industry across Latin America. Acting as both a commercial and technical partner, the company connects international manufacturers with key industry players and supports project development from design through implementation.

For more information about Carbotech, call 941-313-1296, email eric.
michaud@carbotech.ca or visit carbotech.ca.

Cleereman Industries’ New Cleereman Premier Bandmill

Cleereman Industries, based in Newald, WI, recently announced the release of a new product. The 6’ or 7’ Cleereman Premier Bandmill is available as a single or double cut or right or left-hand version. An Air Strain System and a Double Column is included. An extended column is also available for tilted machines or for a larger throat opening, in addition to a 17-Degree Slant option. All 6’ bandmills have an oversized SKF Double Row Spherical Bearing Standard.

President of Cleereman Industries, Paul Cleereman, stated that the bandmill is “built to last, weighing over 29,000 pounds.” He described the new product as “engineered the Cleereman way – designed for higher production, greater flexibility, longer life and reduced maintenance. Built with the durability, reliability and performance sawmills demand.”

The new bandmill includes Cleereman’s Exclusive Dead Shaft Design with 6’ steel Premier Bandwheels for smoother operation. The machine’s bottom wheel design is crafted for increased stability with cooler bearing temperatures, while the shaft and bearings used in both bottom and top wheels are rated for 50,000 pounds of load strain.

“The bottom shaft deflection is non-rotating compared to those from other manufacturers live wheel designs, causing the shafts to have heat and vibration.

The machine is dynamically balanced for speeds up to 12,500 SFPM standard, allowing for the band-mill to run at higher RPM’s than cast wheels with less vibration than any competitor’s wheel design,” added Cleereman.

To learn more, call 715-674-2700 or visit cleereman.com.

Comact Launches New Generation Miller Planer

Comact, a global leader in high-performance OEM wood-processing technologies, recently announced its new generation Miller Planer. This redesign introduces targeted improvements to support product quality, operational reliability, and maintenance.

“Engineered for high-speed production, the new generation Miller Planer transforms rough lumber into market-ready products with consistent dimensional accuracy and a uniform surface finish. The updated design preserves the core principles of the Miller concept while integrating enhancements aligned with current planer mill
requirements,” stated a Comact company source.

“At Comact, we continuously work to ensure our equipment meets the highest performance standards in the industry,” said Simon Potvin, CEO of Comact. “This new generation Miller Planer reflects that commitment, building on a proven design while raising the bar for reliability, consistency and maintainability.”

The new generation Miller Planer is available for new installations and as retrofit solutions for existing equipment, allowing mills to modernize critical systems and extend equipment life without full replacement.

For over 100 years, North America-based, Comact has been a leading OEM in high-caliber wood processing equipment, digital technologies, cutting solutions, project services and aftermarket support.

“Driven by innovation and excellence, we are dedicated to helping our customers address their most pressing operational and business challenges in today’s industry. Whether for brownfield or greenfield projects, Comact’s expertise provides wood processing facilities with the confidence that their investments will yield superior performance, throughput and ROI. This ensures they remain competitive and achieve sustained growth in an ever-evolving market. Trust Comact to deliver exceptional performance every time,” continued the source.

 For more information, visit comact.com.

DO2 Unveils New Robotic Innovation

Dolbeau Oxygène Inc. (DO2), based in Dolbeau-Mistassini, QC, recently introduced its newest robotic innovation for the wood processing industry. Powered by an intelligent 3D vision system, the robot is designed to detect, remove and reposition misaligned or non-compliant wood pieces in real time before they disrupt production.

This advanced technology helps reduce production stoppages, eliminate manual intervention, improve production flow and maximize operational efficiency. The system can identify crooked, overlapping or sideways pieces and quickly correct them without interrupting the line.

“Following the successful completion of our first installation, the results have confirmed the robot’s reliability and performance in demanding production environments. Designed to adapt to multiple wood applications, the system performs efficiently across various wood sectors, including both softwood and hardwood industries.

“With this new innovation, DO2 continues to push the limits of automation, vision technology and robotics for the future of wood processing,” stated a DO2 company representative.

For more details, visit do2.ca.

PLM Announces Key Leadership Moves And Promotions

Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company (PLM), recently introduced several executive leadership changes and promotions across the organization. The executive-level changes demonstrate the company’s commitment to strategically prepare for the future with an eye toward continued profitability, growth and innovation.

Steve Firko, CPCU, a PLM veteran of over two decades, will assume the role of president, effective immediately. Firko will be responsible for executing the company’s strategic vision and overseeing key departments, including claims, accounting, regulatory, human resources and information technology. Firko succeeds John K. Smith, CPCU, as president. With over 27 years of experience at PLM, Smith will continue in his role as chief executive officer, with Firko reporting to him.

Firko joined PLM as a field manager and ascended into a variety of leadership roles across marketing, underwriting, claims, loss control, customer service and operations, most recently serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Throughout Firko’s nearly 40 years of experience, he has worked closely with insureds, brokers and industry associations within the wood and insurance sectors.

Other executive changes and promotions announced by PLM include:

• Lindsey N. DiGangi, CPCU, promoted to senior vice president and COO, succeeding Steve Firko. Previously serving in leadership roles across several departments, she will now oversee underwriting, field operations, loss control, marketing, customer service, operations and agency operations (Green Tree Risk Partners).
• BJ Gardner, promoted to assistant vice president of information technology. He most recently served as director of IT and brings nearly 20 years of experience at PLM across systems architecture, infrastructure and technology operations.
• Ray Rogers, promoted to assistant vice president of claims. He previously served as director of property claims and has more than two decades of experience at PLM, progressing through multiple claims roles since joining the company in 2001.

Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company is a property and casualty insurance carrier serving the lumber, woodworking and building material industries. Backed by over 130 years of experience, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based company protects over 5,500 businesses nationwide with property, general liability, inland marine, business automobile, commercial excess liability and equipment breakdown coverages.

For more information about PLM, visit plmins.com.

NWFA Completes 86th Home With Gary Sinise Foundation

The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has provided flooring for its 86th 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 U.S. Army Sergeant (Ret.) Mary Dague took place recently in Four Oaks, NC. Flooring for the project was donated by NWFA member Peachey Hardwood.

Sergeant Dague was moved to serve after witnessing the events of 9/11. During a deployment in Iraq in 2007, she and her team were called to dispose of an IED placed between a school and an apartment building. After the device was dismantled and prepared for transport, she noticed it rocking back and forth and instinctively hugged it to her body to shield her team. The blast resulted in the loss of both her arms.

“In addition to losing both her arms in service to our country, Sergeant Dague also has battled breast cancer,” said Stephanie Owen, NWFA President and CEO.

In addition to the 86 homes already completed, NWFA is, at the time of this writing, working with its members to source wood flooring for 13 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, dedicated to educating consumers, architects, designers, specifiers and builders in the uses and benefits of wood flooring.

 The NWFA is located in St. Charles, MO, and can be contacted at 800-422-4556 (USA and Canada), 636-519-9663 (local and international), or at nwfa.org.