Industry News
Kirk Todish Promoted At Bennett Lumber Products
Kirk Todish
After 40 years with Princeton, ID-based, Bennett Lumber Products and 10 years in sales, Kirk Todish was recently promoted to sales manager.
Bennett Lumber produces 150 million board feet annually of White Fir, Douglas Fir (8/4), Ponderosa Pine, Idaho White Pine, Engleman Spruce (4/4) and Inland Red Cedar (7/8 boards).
They offer pattern material and ship to all North American states in addition to Mexico.
Todish has spent 39 years with spouse Janice, has one daughter and one son, as well as two granddaughters and one great granddaughter.
Bennett Lumber Products is a member of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
To learn more, call 208-875-1321, email kirk@blpi.com or visit bennettlumbercompany.com.
Lumber Industry Veteran Joins Richardson Timbers
Jackie G. Craig
Jackie G. Craig recently joined the Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) sales and purchasing team at Richardson Timbers, based in Dallas, TX.
Sales regions for the company includes the United States. They produce between five and six million board feet annually in the following: Green Fir (No. 1 Common & Better), kiln-dried Fir (No. 1 Common & Better), appearance grade (APG) Western Red Cedar, Accoya, Red Grandis, Clear Fir Boards, Clear mixed grain and Clear vertical grain (VG); A&BTR VG Cedar Boards, 7/8” APG kiln-dried Fir Boards, Hemlock VG boards, truckload SYP and Kerto® S LvLs by Metsä Group.
Tru-Ruf, arches, corbels, S4S, custom moulding, wire brushing, net sizing, hand hewing and truckload remanufacturing are unique products and services offered by Richardson.
While Craig is new to Richardson, she has 46 years of experience in the forest products industry. She started her career with Grand Coteau Woodworks in Grand Coteau, LA, as an inventory clerk.
She has spent 12 years as an inside saleswoman for contractor lumberyards in Louisiana and Florida; 11 years buying and selling lumber and building products, and running the logistics department for Northeast Texas Wholesale, Greenville, TX, 11 years as a branch manager buying and selling lumber and building materials for DW Distribution in Greenville, TX; and 12 years as a branch manager with Klumb Forest Products in Tyler, TX.
Craig attended Arnaudville High School in Arnaudville, LA.
She has one son, one daughter and two grandsons who she enjoys spending time with. She and William have been married for 12 years.
Call Craig at 903-288-9472, email her at jackie@richardsontimbers.com or visit richardsontimbers.com for more.
Hunter Manning Adds “Sales” To His Role At Gates Milling
Hunter Manning
Hunter Manning is the logistics manager of lumber and mulch sales at Gates Milling, located in Gatesville, NC. Gates Milling is a wholesale manufacturer and distribution company that produces 12 million board feet of lumber annually. They offer their clients Cedar, Cypress and poplar in a wide variety of thicknesses and widths. They also offer these species in green rough, kiln-dried rough and finished, as well as surfaced green material.
Manning started in the forest products industry as a load puller at Kempsville Building Materials in 2019, he also gained experience as a warehouse supervisor and yard operations manager before he was hired on at Gates Milling in 2019. He started in mulch sales and has recently added lumber sales to his role.
Manning graduated from high school at Lord Botetourt High School in Botetourt County, VA. He went on to graduate from Roanoke College in Salem, VA, in 2019.
In his free time, Manning enjoys golf, spending time with family, travel and fitness.
Manning has been married to his wife, Kate, for two years and has one son.
Gates Milling is a member of the North American Wholesale Lumber Association, Hardwood Manufacturers Association and the National Hardwood Lumber Association.
For more information, call 757-670-8076, email hunterm@gatesmilling.com or visit gatesmilling.com.
Boise Cascade And James Hardie Expand U.S. Nationwide Distribution Partnership
Jeff Strom
Boise Cascade Company (“Boise Cascade”) (NYSE: BCC) and James Hardie Building Products Inc. (“James Hardie”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of James Hardie Industries plc (“JHI”) (NYSE / ASX: JHX), recently announced an expansion of their partnership under which Boise Cascade’s Building Materials Distribution division will become the sole nationwide distributor of James Hardie’s and its North American affiliates’ complete portfolio of exterior building products through its extensive network of strategically located distribution facilities across the United States.
Under the expanded agreement, Boise Cascade will distribute James Hardie’s comprehensive portfolio of products – including Hardie® siding and trim and now adding AZEK® trim and moulding and TimberTech® decking and railing – through its nationwide network of distribution centers. As the two companies fully align their focus and resources, Boise Cascade will transition away from distributing competitive siding, trim and exterior moulding products. James Hardie has designated Boise Cascade as its sole nationwide distribution partner and will consolidate its distribution network across all regional markets.
Specifically, because of the expanded partnership between the two companies, dealers and contractors will benefit from:
• Access to James Hardie’s complete portfolio of exterior building products through a national distribution partner
• Increased product availability and fulfillment consistency across key markets
• Coordinated sales, marketing and contractor engagement and training programs
• A simpler purchasing experience supported by a trusted distribution network
“This agreement is consistent with our focus on delivering the best products and service for our customers, which is at the core of every strategic decision we make at Boise Cascade,” said Jeff Strom, CEO of Boise Cascade. “Customers want trusted brands, reliable availability, and dependable service that makes their jobs easier. This expanded partnership will improve access to James Hardie’s industry-leading products through Boise Cascade’s nationwide distribution network, helping customers get what they need, when and where they need it.”
“By bringing our full exterior building products portfolio to market through Boise Cascade’s national distribution platform, we will create an even more seamless customer experience – from product selection through end use application,” said Aaron Erter, CEO of JHI.
James Hardie Building Products Inc. is a North American leader in fiber cement siding and exterior design solutions and part of the larger James Hardie group of companies that offer a portfolio of leading exterior and outdoor living brands including Hardie®, TimberTech®, AZEK®, Versatex® and StruXure®.
Boise Cascade is one of the largest U.S. wholesale distributors of building materials and a leading manufacturer of engineered wood products and plywood in North America and was recently named one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2026 by Forbes. This recognition highlights the company’s workplace culture built by their team of 7,500 associates across North America. Headquartered in Boise, ID, they operate more than 60 distribution and manufacturing facilities strategically located across the U.S. and Canada.
Learn more at bc.com.
16 Students Sign Career Offers With RoyOMartin Through Woodworks And Girls Can Too! Programs
Fourteen recent high school graduates from Central Louisiana have signed job offers with RoyOMartin through its WoodWorks and Girls Can Too! education programs. They will be trained as production team members at RoyMartin-Plywood in Chopin, LA, and RoyOMartin-OSB, in Oakdale, LA.
Sixteen students recently took an important step toward their future by signing job offers with RoyOMartin through the company’s WoodWorks and Girls Can Too! workforce development programs.
Fourteen Central Louisiana students signed during a Career Signing Day celebration, joining two students from Corrigan-Camden Independent School District in Corrigan, TX, who signed their offers earlier this month.
These recent high school graduates represent Oakdale High School, Oak Hill High School, Grace Christian High School, Hicks High School, Natchitoches Central High School, Simpson High School, Pineville High School, and Peabody Magnet High School (all located in Central Louisiana), as well as Corrigan-Camden ISD, located in Corrigan, TX.
Before stepping into their roles as production team members, each signee will complete specialized training designed to prepare them for success. RoyOMartin provides a paid scholarship for every WoodWorks and Girls Can Too! new hire to attend Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) for six weeks. During the program, students build on their manufacturing knowledge, strengthen their workplace safety skills and earn their OSHA 10 certification. Upon completing the training, they will begin their careers at RoyOMartin manufacturing facilities in Chopin and Oakdale, LA, and Corrigan, TX.
The signing event highlighted the impact of WoodWorks, RoyOMartin’s workforce development program that has helped connect students to career opportunities in manufacturing for nearly two decades. Now offered in more than 20 high schools across Central Louisiana and East Texas, WoodWorks equips students with practical skills in applied mathematics, industrial safety and workplace readiness while introducing them to careers in manufacturing through mentorship from RoyOMartin team members in safety, maintenance and operations.
Dr. Donna P. Bailey
“People often ask why we invest so much in students. The answer is simple: because we believe in them before they believe in themselves. WoodWorks and Girls Can Too! were created to open doors, remove barriers and show young people that extraordinary careers are possible right here at home. Every signature represents hope, opportunity and a future filled with possibilities,” said Dr. Donna P. Bailey, vice president of human resources and creator of RoyOMartin’s WoodWorks and Girls Can Too!
Students who complete the program earn course credit, receive a certificate of completion and are guaranteed an interview with RoyOMartin. Since launching in 2007, WoodWorks has helped open doors to meaningful careers, with approximately 70 program graduates currently building their careers across RoyOMartin’s operations.
This year’s signing day also marked an important milestone for Girls Can Too!, which celebrated its first two hires through the program. Now in its fourth year, Girls Can Too! partners successful women from RoyOMartin with young women in local middle and high schools to encourage confidence, expand awareness of career opportunities in manufacturing and inspire future success.
“The signing ceremony was a celebration of opportunity, hard work and bright futures ahead,” said Jessica Stewart, workforce development manager for RoyOMartin. “Through WoodWorks and Girls Can Too!, these students discovered that success doesn’t have to wait. They are stepping directly from the classroom into rewarding careers in manufacturing.”
Two recent high school graduates (center) from Corrigan-Camden ISD in East Texas have signed job offers with RoyOMartin through its WoodWorks education programs. They will join the Corrigan-OSB manufacturing facility as production team members.
These programs are built on a simple belief: when companies invest in young people, they help build stronger futures for their communities, their industries, and the next generation of leaders.
For more information about RoyOMartin’s WoodWorks and Girls Can Too! programs, visit our website royomartin.com/about/education/.
RoyOMartin is a family-owned, American manufacturer of wood products headquartered in Alexandria, LA. For more than a century, the company has been dedicated to responsible forestry, operational excellence and investing in people and communities.
Visit royomartin.com to find out more.
Culpeper Wood Preservers Reopens Elizabeth City, NC, Plant Following Upgrades
Jonathan Jenkins
Culpeper Wood Preservers recently completed a multi-phase capital upgrade at its Elizabeth City, NC, treating facility and returned the plant to full operation. The location, which was taken offline earlier this year as part of a planned upgrade program, is now producing CCA (chromated copper arsenate) and CA-C (copper azole) marine treated lumber.
The plant was taken offline to complete a series of upgrades aligning the facility with Culpeper’s operational, safety, and quality standards. With the work now finished, Elizabeth City is back online as the company’s dedicated CCA and CA-C marine hub for coastal North Carolina and the Tidewater/Virginia Beach region.
“We closed Elizabeth City to make the right long-term investment in the facility and the markets we serve,” said Jonathan Jenkins, president and CEO of Culpeper Wood Preservers. “From the Outer Banks to Virginia Beach, the coast depends on a reliable supplier of CCA and CA-C marine wood.”
Strategically located to serve coastal North Carolina and the Tidewater/Virginia Beach market, the Elizabeth City facility supports applications in which CCA and CA-C-treated lumber are specified for marine, agricultural, and heavy industrial use. With the plant back online, dealers in the region benefit from:
•A full range of CCA and CA-C marine products, including dimensional lumber, timbers and pilings
•CCA retention levels of 0.80 pcf (ground contact) and 2.5 pcf (marine and heavy-duty applications)
•CA-C retention levels of 0.15 pcf and 0.31 pcf (ground contact)
Chris Brown
“Our focus is on supporting dealers with the products, programs and service they need to grow their treated lumber business,” said Chris Brown, executive vice president of Culpeper Wood Preservers. “With Elizabeth City back online and continued investment across our network, we’re well-positioned to serve coastal North Carolina, Tidewater and the broader Mid-Atlantic.”
“Culpeper Wood Preservers has been a trusted supplier of pressure-treated lumber for more than 50 years and is one of the largest independent producers in the United States. With locations across the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest, the company serves residential, commercial, industrial and marine markets exclusively through independent lumber dealers,” shared a Culpeper company source.
For more information, visit culpeperwood.com.
Jones Lumber Commissions New McDonough 6′ Linebar Resaw System
Matt Tietz
A new McDonough 6′ Linebar Resaw system recently began operating at Sandy Hook, MS-based, Jones Lumber Co. Inc., according to Matt Tietz, owner of McDonough Manufacturing Co.
The installation replaces an existing horizontal resaw and is designed to improve material flow, increase production efficiency and enhance lumber recovery throughout the resaw line.
At the center of the system is McDonough’s 6′ Linebar Resaw, engineered to deliver accurate, consistent sawing at high production speeds. The line is designed to process a broad range of cant sizes while maintaining precise cutting performance and dependable operation in demanding sawmill environments.
McDonough 6′ Linebar Resaw system at Jones Lumber
Supporting the resaw is an integrated material handling system that moves product efficiently through each stage of the process. The MAXX infeed accurately positions incoming material, while the run-around system, cant turners, roll cases and three-press roll work together to maintain continuous flow and reduce unnecessary handling. The three-press roll can process cants measuring up to 24” x 24” providing flexibility for larger timber applications.
The new installation complements the McDonough OptiFit Edger commissioned at Jones Lumber in 2023, further expanding the mill’s processing capabilities with modern sawing and material handling technology. Together, the systems support improved production efficiency from cant processing through finished lumber.
The resaw system was engineered and manufactured at McDonough’s facility in Eau Claire, WI, before being installed and commissioned at Jones Lumber. As with all McDonough Manufacturing systems, the equipment was configured to meet the mill’s production requirements and operating objectives.
The new resaw line provides Jones Lumber with an integrated solution designed to support efficient material flow, consistent sawing performance and long-term reliability in day-to-day production.
Visit mcdonough-mfg.com for more details.
A Redesigned Generation Of Transverse Lumber Scanning For North America
New MiCROTEC Goldeneye Transverse installed at Two River Lumber’s greenfield project in Alexander City, AL.
As sawmills continue to push for higher recovery, increased throughput and consistent product quality, the demand for downstream scanning and optimization systems has never been greater. At the trimmer, edger and planer, every detail can impact value recovery, making precision scanning essential to maximizing every board.
The recently redesigned Goldeneye Transverse is engineered by MiCROTEC specifically to address these North American production challenges, according to the company. An evolution of an existing platform, the redesigned system is built to deliver higher accuracy, greater reliability and easier operation in demanding mill environments.
One of the most significant advancements is its high-precision snapshot scanning technology. “The new system instantly captures highly accurate measurements. This approach delivers exceptional dimensional accuracy regardless of board movement or vibration, providing more reliable data for downstream optimization decisions,” shared a MiCROTEC company representative.
The system also features a robotic calibration unit, built into the scanner itself, that automates the calibration process at the touch of a button. By reducing manual intervention, mills can minimize maintenance time and keep production runningconfidently.
The redesigned Goldeneye Transverse includes full four-sided scanning, providing comprehensive color and laser imaging of every board. By evaluating all four faces in a single instant, the Goldeneye Transverse delivers highly reliable quality grading and optimization for trimmer and edger applications. Combined with high-resolution cameras facilitating enhanced MiCROTEC Ai technology, the system transforms this data into optimized grading decisions that improve value recovery while maintaining high production speeds.
“The result is an evolution of transverse lumber scanning that combines precision, automation and intelligent optimization. Designed around modern production, the redesigned Goldeneye Transverse helps North American producers improve grading consistency, maximize yield and achieve operational efficiency from every board,” added the source.
These advancements are already being adopted by leading sawmills across the United States and Canada, including recent installations with Charles Ingram Lumber in Effingham, SC, and Two River Lumber’s greenfield project in Alexander City, AL.
See the full product portfolio and learn more about the company by visiting microtec.com/en-us.
Innovative Wood Technology’s Newest Installation At Griffin Lumber & Hardware
The newly installed dimensional lumber and fire-retardant treating plant at Griffin Lumber & Hardware.
Innovative Wood Technology (IWT-Moldrup), a Danish owned company, recently announced a new and modern installation of a dimensional lumber and fire-retardant treating plant at Griffin Lumber & Hardware in Cordele, GA.
The IWT-Moldrup treating plant is with Moldrup’s fully automatic material handling for up to eight charges per work shift and will be used for water-based treatment of lumber and plywood. The plant is state-of-the-art including a new flushing system to automatically clean the system when changing from one type of preservative to another without a plant operator work being required. The yearly capacity exceeds 20 million board feet in one shift operation and with only one plant operator. The commissioning of the plant was completed within two weeks with the assistance of the engineering group from IWT-Moldrup.
Griffin Lumber is a new treater in Georgia wanting to treat dimensional lumber and construction sheets with fire retardants. Griffin Lumber is part of a new group of treating clients who have all taken the step into the modern pressure treatment technologies choosing IWT-Moldrup as their treating plant supplier. The group of companies are now all benefiting from using the latest treating technology available, noted IWT-Moldrup.
IWT-Moldrup plant equipment is sold and marketed in North America by American Wood Technology in Jefferson, GA.
Visit or moldrup.com or americanwoodtechnology.com to learn more.
Exports That Keep Southern Pine Moving
Southern Pine lumber producers have a growth story worth telling, and it is happening outside the U.S. housing market.
New export data shows that Southern Pine lumber shipments to other countries have grown steadily since 2023. That growth matters right now. It shows that export markets can carry strong volume on their own.
The Numbers:
Export volumes are measured in thousand board feet, or million board feet (MBF). Here’s how they’ve grown year after year:
• 2023: 510,144 MBF total, or about 42,512 MBF a month
• 2024: 563,727 MBF total, up 10.5 percent from 2023
• 2025: 569,080 MBF total, up almost one percent from 2024
• 2026, January through May: 256,560 MBF, up 12.2 percent compared to the same months last year
Growth was fastest in 2024, slowed in 2025, and is now picking back up in early 2026.
A Pattern That Repeats Every Year:
Exports follow a clear seasonal pattern. Spring and early fall are the busiest shipping months, while winter is the slowest.
• Busiest months: May, October, July and August
• Slowest months: December, January and February
Mills and shippers can plan around this cycle. The winter slowdown aligns with holiday shutdowns and year end shipping schedules, and it does not mean demand actually drops.
Why This Matters:
The key point is that export demand does not rise and fall with U.S. homebuilding. Export markets serve as a second, independent engine for demand that is not tied to domestic housing cycles.
Some of this export strength likely comes from repair and remodeling overseas, non residential building projects and rebuilding after natural disasters. These uses do not fluctuate the way new home construction does.
For producers, this is good news. Export markets provide another outlet for products, helping make the industry more stable and diversified.
Looking Ahead:
The strong start to 2026 is a good sign. But December is historically the slowest month of the year, so the full 2026 picture won’t be clear until fourth-quarter numbers are in. This information originated from the Southern Forest Products Association, which will continue tracking this data and will share updates throughout the year.
Visit southernpine.com to learn more.
Matt Pomeroy Named Incoming President Of NELMA
Jeff Easterling
The Cumberland Center, ME-based, Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (NELMA) board recently named Matt Pomeroy as the next president of the 93- year-old wood association. Pomeroy, who currently serves as NELMA’s director of inspection services, will assume the role on January 1, 2027, following the retirement of current NELMA President Jeff Easterling, who has held the job for 25 years.
Matt Pomeroy
Pomeroy started his career at NELMA in November 2007, rising to his current position in January 2013. As director of inspection services, Pomeroy oversees NELMA’s inspection staff, including daily operations, territory management and report review.
NELMA serves as the primary lumber grading agency and wood packaging inspection service throughout New England and into the Great Lakes region.
Prior to joining NELMA, Pomeroy spent a decade working in a New York sawmill founded by his father, where he began by stacking lumber before working his way up to production manager.
“NELMA has a long-standing reputation in the wood industry as being a leader in innovation across lumber inspection and the marketing of Eastern White Pine and SPFs lumber,” said Pomeroy. “I am honored by the board’s confidence and grateful for the opportunity to serve. I have inherited an association built by outstanding leaders, and my goal is to leave it even stronger for the next generation.”
NELMA is the authoritative voice of Eastern White Pine, providing grading standards, technical resources, marketing and education to support its use throughout the building industry.
For more information, visit nelma.org.
