TS Manufacturing Makes New Installation
TS Manufacturing, located in Lindsay, ON, has recently completed its installation and successful startup of a green stacker and patented AccuPlacer line at Gutchess Lumber Co., in Cortland, NY. This innovative installation utilized the first TS Stacker that incorporated Continuous Stacking hoist and AccuPlacer together to provide reduced cycle times between packages, resulting in a lower “peak layer rate” required overall. This improvement in “Stacking Uptime” allows Gutchess Lumber to maintain their focus on ensuring the courses stacked are manually “optimized” to ensure the finished lumber meets their exacting standards, according to Geoff Gannon, system sales, USA.
The installation involved a new Unscrambler, Course Makeup area and TS Servo stacker with Servo Lifting, Air Gapping and Servo forks, coupled with a secondary hoist uniquely positioned to allow the patented AccuPlacer Gen 2 to be optimally positioned to further minimize “cycle times” and ensure consistent stick placement on every layer.
This installation represents the 12th patented AccuPlacer installation for TS Manufacturing and the 8th one installed with a new stacker. The upgraded Generation 2 worked to reduce pneumatics without losing the industry leading capability of handling crooked sticks of the AccuPlacer. With its ability to handle crooked sticks, while ensuring that they are oriented correctly when being placed has enabled AccuPlacer customers to save millions of dollars in stick costs while increasing stacking efficiency. Gannon noted that it is for this reason that customers continue to upgrade their existing stackers with the addition of AccuPlacers, with upgrades including installations on competitors’ “Auto Stickering Stackers”, resulting in increased stacker production and decreased stick costs.
Coupling the precision of the AccuPlacer with TS Manufacturing’s unique servo “air gapping” and servo fork system allows Hardwood mills focused on quality to ensure their layers are stacked with optimized air flow for stable packs regardless of the grade of lumber. This ensures stackers can maximize the lumber in a pack without risking pack quality, resulting in flatter, better lumber without increasing the kiln costs.
TS Manufacturing offers a complete line of machinery, controls and software to fit their customers’ mills. For more information on TS Manufacturing’s complete line of sawmill and planer mill offerings, please contact them at sales@tsman.com or (705) 324-3762.
NWH Announces Alder Seedling Program
NWH, located in Frisco, TX, a premier Hardwoods supplier to North America, Europe and Asia, proudly announces the successful allocation of 35,000 Alder seedlings in its first year of its Alder Seedling Program. The initiative is part of NWH’s enduring commitment to ecological balance and forest diversity in the Pacific Northwest.
In recent years, commercial forests have seen a decline in Alder populations, overtaken by softwood species like douglas fir. The NWH Alder Seedling Program aims to address this imbalance by nurturing the ecosystem and promoting species diversity. “Alder trees play a crucial role in maintaining the natural balance of our forests,” said Nathan Jeppson, CEO at NWH. “Through this effort, we’re taking a significant step toward a more sustainable and biodiverse future.”
Working with PRT Nursery, the program has made strides in forest restoration by providing robust container stock seedlings, sourced from Weyerhaeuser to local foresters. These seedlings are specially adapted to thrive in various growing zones, enhancing their survival rates. Recipients also benefit from a best practices guide to ensure optimal planting and care.
The 2024 allocation was recently completed to recipients like Sarah Deumling, longtime owner of Zena Forest Products, an Oregon-based multi-generational family business. “My mission is to prove that you can do forestry ecologically and still make a living, and the NWH Alder Seedling Project is a big step towards making that happen,” said Deumling. “These trees are integral to the health of the forest and the health of the planet.”
NWH is already preparing for its next allocation later this year. Those interested are encouraged to sign up for updates on the 2025 program online. “Our dedication to the environment goes beyond a single project,” said Caitlin Wind, Log Procurement Specialist at NWH. “We’re invested long term in the longevity of our forests and the world we all live in.”
The company offers its thanks to everyone who is partnering on this journey towards a greener future. NWH’s Alder Seedling program is a testament to its commitment to leading the way in environmental initiatives within its industries and communities. People can learn more about and track the program’s progress at www.nwh.com.
Cleereman Industries Makes An Array Of Installations
Cleereman Industries Inc., located in Newald, WI, recently upgraded Rock Wood Products sawmill, as well as replaced BrownLee Lumber’s existing edger with a Cleereman 654 optimized edger.
Rock Wood Products, located in Bowling Green, VA, made an upgrade to their sawmill. They replaced their existing 24-year-old Cleereman model 40 carriage with a new Cleereman LP-36 linear positioning four headblock carriage. The new carriage has Cleereman Controls with 3-D scanning. They also replaced their existing board edger with a new Cleereman 642- 3-saw optimized board edger with Cleereman Controls.
BrownLee Lumber, located in Brookville, PA, recently replaced their existing edger with a Cleereman 654 optimized edger. This edger is a combination machine that features an optimized board edger on one side of the edger box and a gang on the other side of the edger box. The new edger has Cleereman Controls.
Cleereman Industries will display their new edger model, an 854-combination machine, at the Richmond Expo, April 12th-13th. This new edger model will be offered with or without optimization. This machine will have an 8-1/2-inch pass through. “Our customers have been asking for an 8-inch machine for some time now,” Paul Cleereman, vice president of Cleereman Industries, said.
For more information, visit www.cleereman.com.
NWFA Completes 75th Home with Gary Sinise Foundation
The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), located in Chesterfield, MO, has provided flooring for its 75th 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 Chief Warrant Officer 2 (Ret.) Patrick Scrogin took place recently in Chicago, IL. Flooring for the project was donated by NWFA member WD Flooring. Installation services for the project were donated by NWFA member Totallywood Flooring.
CW2 Scrogin joined the military following the 9/11 attacks. Upon graduating Basic Training with honors, he was assigned to the infamous 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, KY. He was deployed to Iraq and spent 13 ½ months in combat operations. Returning from combat, he attended Warrant Officer Candidate School and Army Flight School, finishing with honors. In 2007, while deployed in Iraq, he was involved in a helicopter crash, resulting in nine fractured vertebrae, a crushed pelvis and the loss of his left leg above the knee.
Today, he works as an Air Traffic Controller and co-hosts a podcast called Veterans’ Radio Hour. “We’re honored to partner with WD Flooring and Totallywood Flooring to provide beautiful wood floors for his new home,” said NWFA President and CEO, Michael Martin.
In addition to the 75 homes already completed, NWFA currently is working with its members to source wood flooring for 11 additional R.I.S.E. homes in various stages of planning and construction. Currently, 155 NWFA member companies have donated product, logistics and installation services in locations throughout the United States, with a total value of more than $6.9 million. A list of all NWFA R.I.S.E. participating companies can be found at http://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 3,000 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 at 14 Research Park Drive, St. Charles, MO 63304, and can be contacted at 800.422.4556 (USA & Canada), 636.519.9663 (local and international), or at www.nwfa.org.
5M Group Completes Acquisition of $70M Cox Hardwood Manufacturing Companies
Recently, 5M Group, led a joint venture as the managing partner and completed the acquisition of three Hardwood manufacturing companies: Cox Interior, Cox Shavings and Cox Dimensions. Brothers Mark Reiter and Marty Reiter are co-founders and principals of 5M Ventures, a private equity division of their parent company, 5M Group, a commercial real estate development and private equity firm based in Chicago, IL. The Reiters oversee real estate development, construction and brokerage teams as they expand 5M Group and the private equity investments of 5M Ventures.
Cox Interior, Inc., headquartered in Campbellsville, KY, the core business comprising 90 percent of the acquisition, manufactures and distributes milled building products using Hardwoods such as Poplar, Red and White Oak, Alder, Cherry, Maple and Walnut and pine. Products include mouldings, interior and exterior Hardwood doors, mantels, stair parts and systems, custom trim and custom millwork used in new construction, repair and remodeling.
Cox Shavings offers wood shaving byproducts used for animal bedding, and Cox Dimensions is a wood kiln drying and wholesaling company.
The acquisition of the Cox companies is a major step in fulfilling the mission of 5M Ventures to execute mergers and acquisitions within the real estate construction supplies industry across the country. The Cox companies produced $70 million of revenue in 2023 at 11 locations in the Southeast while utilizing a 937,000-square-foot facility on a 144-acre manufacturing campus south of Louisville, KY. Notable Cox Interior clients for custom millwork, wood doors and trim packages include Cracker Barrel, Churchill Downs and Maker’s Mark Distillery.
The strategic acquisition of the Cox companies is foundational to 5M’s long-range growth plan. 5M has announced 2024 expansion plans that include the opening of three additional Cox Interior locations in the key regional cities of Chicago, Charlotte and Miami.
For more information, visit www.5mgroup.com.
Allegheny Wood Products Ceasing Operations
According to MetroNews, The Voice of West Virginia, Allegheny Wood Products (AWP), a 50-year-old West Virginia-based internationally known Hardwood producer, closed its doors recently and eliminated hundreds of jobs held by state residents.
State Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael called the news “very sudden and unfortunate.” He spoke with company officials shortly after the company shuttered their doors.
AWP met with workers and told them about the decision to cease operations. The owners have been trying to sell the company but that recently fell through along with financing.
It was reported last fall that AWP had started discussions with several potential investors to avoid closing the company’s operations.
AWP is based in Grant County but has a number of locations and various operations around the state of West Virginia, including in Kingwood, where its largest mill is located. The company has an operation including its headquarters in an industrial park near Petersburg and a fumigation facility in Moorefield. The company employs about 600 people but also a few hundred contractors.
It’s the second major economic blow in the state in recent weeks following a string of significant positive announcements in 2023. Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. announced last week its decision to close its tin mill in Weirton in two months.
For more information and to read the full story, visit www.wvmetronews.com.
