Delta Forestry Group Makes New Installation
Delta Forestry Group’s Halo Sawmill, located in Pitt Meadows, BC, recently installed a Raptor automated trim line and 80 bin sorter with an automated stacker. The trim line is modified to allow up to 6 inch thick pieces as well as shorts and timbers.
This installation will enable the Delta Forestry Group to increase their production and add value with improved trimming decisions. This capital investment will also help to improve productivity and ensure long term employment for the company’s 100 valued employees, according to a company spokesperson.
Delta Forestry Group is a vertically integrated company offering premium timber products. With four divisions: Delta Cedar Specialties, Delta Cedar Sawmill, Halo Sawmill and Delta Timber, Delta Forestry Group works across the entire timber lifecycle. Delta Cedar has been processing Cedar, Hemlock and Fir logs into rough cut specialty lumber and grades for over 60 years.
For more information, visit www.deltaforestrygroup.com.
Nicholson & Cates Welcomes Brian Hornbostel
Brian Hornbostel has joined the team at Nicholson & Cates Ltd. as Pine Sales Manager within the Lumber and Building Materials Division. Hornbostel brings 24 years of Canadian National Pine Distribution experience to Nicholson & Cates (N&C), immediately establishing a presence and credibility in a new line of lumber products to the growing portfolio of N&C.
Hornbostel began in retail lumber while in high school in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. Hornbostel transferred to a Toronto store while attending college. That store offered Hornbostel a management position that drew Hornbostel away from college. That was the beginning of his lumber and building products career. Eventually, Hornbostel was hired by a supplier/ distributor where he honed his sales skills on a much larger scale. Within 10 years, those skills were parlayed into success as National Pine Product Manager within a significant corporate entity.
Along the way, Hornbostel returned to his roots in Southwestern Ontario. Hornbostel and his wife, Shelly, live in Port Stanley, on the north shore of Lake Erie. They have two grown children, ages 36 and 21. As if work and family aren’t enough, Hornbostel is an avid hockey player, dart player, bowler, golfer and fisherman. Additionally, Hornbostel gives back to his community by coaching and supporting the sport of Ringette. He coached his daughter for her 10 year career, and is further involved in convening both on local and regional Ringette boards.
Morgan Wellens, co-owner of Nicholson & Cates, has shown his enthusiasm for Hornbostel’s arrival at N&C by referring to Hornbostel as the “Professor of Pine”. Expectations are high for Hornbostel as he ushers in Pine to both new and established retail and industrial clientele. Nicholson & Cates is excited to have Pine in the lineup, including rough and dressed in all grades and sizes, as well as value-added and remanufactured. Orders will be shipping via N&C distribution and direct sales.
For more information, visit www.niccates.com.
Culpeper Wood Preservers Acquires Pleasant Garden Dry Kiln Company
Culpeper Wood Preservers, a leading producer of pressure-treated wood, recently announced that they have acquired Pleasant Garden Dry Kiln Company in Pleasant Garden, NC.
With this acquisition, Culpeper Wood Preservers adds additional drying capacity for Softwoods and hardwoods. This further enhances the capabilities and distribution coverage area for its pressure-treated wood into markets that stretch from the Southeast to the Northeast and through the Midwest. Culpeper Wood Preservers now has 18 facilities within its footprint.
“We are excited about the acquisition and adding additional drying capacity to our company. This will allow our company to further broaden the capabilities of certain products. Culpeper Wood Preserver’s continued growth highlights our commitment to excellence for our customers, suppliers and employees,” said Jonathan Jenkins, president of Culpeper Wood Preservers.
“My father started this company in 1966. For the 32 years he led this company, his vision was to ensure our employees and customers were always at the forefront of everything we do. And I’ve continued the same for the past 26 years. With this acquisition by Culpeper Wood Preservers, I am excited for the continued success of this facility,” said Jerry Millikan, owner of Pleasant Garden Dry Kiln Company.
In 1976, Culpeper Wood Preservers started from a single location in Culpeper, VA. Today, the company is a leading manufacturer of pressure treated products to the residential, commercial, industrial and marine markets. Culpeper Wood brand name products are sold exclusively through lumber dealers throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest and Southeast.
For more information, visit www.culpeperwood.com.
Tolko Announces Leadership Transition
After 14 years as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Tolko, and over 40 years with the company founded by his grandfather Harold, Brad Thorlakson has transitioned to the role of executive chair of the board. Further to Thorlakson’s transition, Pino Pucci has assumed the role of president and CEO.
Pucci joined Tolko in 2015 as vice president, sales, marketing and logistics, leading the implementation and growth of the company’s customer-centric distribution network across North America.
With 35 years of industry experience, his innovative approach to leadership continues to inspire and challenge his teams to be their best and deliver results.
“Pino’s unwavering commitment to safety, people and values have him well positioned to lead Tolko into the future,” said Thorlakson. “Tolko will remain a private, family-owned business and the family remains committed to the long-term success of the company.”
Pucci was appointed chief operating officer in September 2023. In that period, he prioritized listening and engaging with operational employees across the business, introducing Tolko’s new five-year strategy and becoming more familiar with Tolko’s production workforce, teams and assets.
“I’m honored to build upon the generational legacy of the Thorlakson family,” said Pucci. “For over 65 years we’ve maintained a strong customer and people focus. This, coupled with Tolko’s values, have been the foundation of our success and are what will lead us moving forward.”
Established over 65 years ago, Tolko Industries Ltd. has grown to become an industry leader in specialty, value-added, industrial and engineered wood products. Headquartered in Vernon, BC, Tolko is a multigenerational, family company built on foundational values of safety, respect, integrity, progressiveness, open communication and profit.
With manufacturing facilities in Western Canada and the Southern U.S., Tolko delivers incomparable customer value through its growing suite of sustainable wood products, integrated distribution network and value-engineering solutions.
For more information, visit www.tolko.com.
Patrick Lumber Co. Recently Hosted NAWLA and PWLA
Patrick Lumber Co. hosted the North American Wholesale Lumber Association (NAWLA) Spring Wood Basics students at their headquarters in Philomath, OR. This event included a comprehensive facility tour and an in-depth class on grade rules, providing participants with hands-on learning experiences in the heart of the lumber industry. Lumber for the grading class was generously provided by Wren Hill Lumber in Philomath, OR, and the class was expertly taught by Skeet Rominger of the Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau (PLIB). The Patrick Lumber headquarters served as an ideal location for this immersive learning experience. The NAWLA Wood Basics course is designed to equip employees with the training and confidence they need to excel in the forest products industry.
Additionally, Patrick Lumber Co. hosted the Portland Wholesale Lumber Association (PWLA) as part of their “Logs to Lumber” event. This initiative aims to foster new relationships and expand industry knowledge through tours of various industry partners. Participants toured an active logging site with Starker Forest Products and the Wood Science and Engineering labs at Oregon State University’s College of Forestry. The lunch, held at Patrick Lumber’s headquarters, provided a perfect interlude for networking and knowledge sharing.
Patrick Lumber manufactures and trades wood products to diverse markets worldwide. Learn more at www.patlbr.com or call 503-222-9671.
USNR Improves Kiln Efficiency at Toney Lumber
USNR, located in Woodland, WA, recently implemented several upgrades to the batch kiln at Toney Lumber in Louisburg, NC, that purchases 100 percent Southern Yellow Pine. This project included reskinning the kiln, replacing the doors and upgrading to more efficient materials. The all-aluminum door panels and skins with wrap-around style corners minimize leaks, improving drying times and providing better structural integrity to produce top-quality lumber products.
According to a company representative, USNR is proud to work with Toney Lumber in Louisburg on these essential maintenance and upgrade projects.
Visit www.usnr.com to learn more.
TUFF-STIKTM Releases “XS Series” Of Aluminum Kiln Sticks
TUFF-STIKTM, located in Lake Ozark, MO, announced the launch of its new, multi-patented “XS Series” a 3/4″ x 3/4″ aluminum alloy dry kiln stick.
This newly multi-patented kiln stick truly features a 4-Way “Universal” placement under the layers of lumber. Having a design that maximizes a smaller footprint while at the same time, an increased airflow and faster heat transfer through the lumber package, offering benefits to both the Softwood and hardwood industries. According to a company representative, several leading mills are already developing plans to upgrade their existing kiln stick systems with the new XS Series.
The new TUFF-STIK XS SeriesTM is designed to withstand the harsh conditions of lumber drying processes while maintaining their structural integrity and shape. This durability translates into direct cost savings for mills through reduced stick replacements and downtime, said a company representative.
Shuqualak Lumber placed the very first truckload order of XS Tuff-Stik in May of 2024 and began integrating the XS Series into their operations.
“The XS Series kiln sticks align perfectly with our mission to lead the industry not just in volume, but in innovation and efficiency,” said Charlie Thomas III, Vice-President of Shuqualak Lumber. “TUFF-STIK’s new aluminum sticks present a game-changer for us, enhancing our drying processes and improving the overall quality of our lumber.”
The XS Series sticks unique design ensures optimal airflow and maximum heat distribution during the drying process, which is critical for maintaining the wood’s quality and reducing defects. The aluminum material does not absorb moisture, which helps prevent the growth of mold and bacteria that can compromise wood grade quality.
For more information about the XS Series and other TUFF-STIK products, please visit them at www.tuff-stik.com.
SFPA Receives $1.24M in RAPP Funding for International SYP Promotion
The Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA), located in Metairie, LA, has received approval for $1.24 million in funding over five years from the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service’s (FAS) Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP).
The USDA recently announced the funding for the $1.2 billion program launched in 2023 to support market development activities to expand exports, address trade barriers, and showcase American agricultural products in new and diverse markets.
“The RAPP program allows SFPA to complement established pr motional efforts that educate trade and consumers about the benefits of Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) lumber in two important markets: Egypt and the Caribbean,” said SFPA Executive Director Eric Gee. “RAPP’s five-year award will expand efforts to lay a firm foundation of knowledge about SYP in Egypt and provide a long-term strategy of consistency and presence in the Caribbean region, where sustainably grown SYP from the United States is desired for its strength and quality.”
The RAPP program aims to diversify and expand market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products beyond the traditional top customers – Canada, Mexico, the European Union and China (including Hong Kong and Macau) – which collectively comprise nearly 60 percent of U.S. agricultural export sales, according to FAS. Instead, RAPP will focus on enhancing U.S. exports to new markets in parts of the world – including South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa – where the middle class is growing.
SFPA has facilitated international trade of Southern Pine lumber for more than 35 years, receiving federal funding to assist in foreign market development. The RAPP funds will bolster SFPA’s international program, which offers companies a variety of ways to get engaged and take advantage of the promotion opportunities.
SFPA is a nonprofit trade association that has represented manufacturers of Southern Pine lumber since 1915. Today, SFPA is the leading source of information about Southern Pine lumber products for design-build professionals and consumers.
For more information, visit www.sfpa.org.
Biden-Harris Administration Invests in Wood Products and Forests
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small announced that the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is investing nearly $74 million to spark innovation, create new markets for wood products and renewable wood energy from sustainably sourced wood, and increase the capacity of wood processing facilities as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
Made possible in part by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act – the largest climate investment in history — these investments fund 171 project proposals across 41 States and American Samoa and directly support forest health and the wood products economy.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to supporting innovation in the wood products and wood energy economies, which are at the heart of so many small towns, especially in Tribal and rural communities,” said Deputy Secretary Torres Small. “These investments will support good paying jobs for families and communities. It will increase the economy’s capacity to manufacture wood products. In turn, sustainably sourcing the wood used to manufacture these products will make our forests healthier and reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires.”
Sustainably sourcing materials for wood products directly supports efforts to improve forest health. Removing dead trees and overgrown vegetation reduces wildfire risk, improves forest health and creates wildlife habitat, all while supporting the forest products economy.
The Forest Service is awarding grants to entities across the public, private and non-profit sectors through its Wood Innovations Grant, Community Wood Grant and Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Grant Programs. Grant funding will support proposals that increase demand and create new and innovative uses for sustainably sourced wood. Funded proposals include converting heating systems in schools to sustainable biomass boilers, installing cutting-edge equipment in sawmills and processing facilities to increase efficiency, supporting innovative housing using mass timber and more.
The Forest Service will also be providing more than $7 million to 10 project proposals from Tribes that will directly support Tribally owned businesses and project proposals from Tribal governments.
For more information, visit www.usda.gov.
2024 APA Structural Panel & Engineered Wood Yearbook Now Available
Increases in housing starts should boost engineered wood demand, analysis says.
After dropping from near-record highs in 2021 and 2022, inflation has plateaued at around 3 percent in North America and Europe. What that means for the global economy in general and the engineered wood products industry in particular, is revealed in the 2024 Structural Panel & Engineered Wood Yearbook. The Yearbook focuses on factors impacting the demand for engineered wood products.
Economic growth exceeded analysts’ expectations in 2023, thanks to strong consumer spending and incentives for business investment in manufacturing facilities. This was especially true with plants for producing chips, semiconductors and electronics and government spending on defense and infrastructure. Homebuilders used mortgage buydowns to counteract rising mortgage rates, which supported greater new home sales than expected a year ago. With low unemployment, strong investment in artificial intelligence and continued incentives to drive sales by homebuilders, the economy and single-family housing starts are expected to grow in 2024. An upward revision to the outlook for U.S. single-family starts provides a slight lift for structural panel and engineered wood product demand in 2024.
The entire 2024 market forecast, including all market segments and production outlook, as well as statistical data, is included in APA’s 2024 Structural Panel & Engineered Wood Yearbook, form MKO-E189.
Founded in 1933 and based in Tacoma, WA, APA represents about 175 plywood, oriented strand board, glulam timber, wood I-joist, rim board, cross-laminated timber and structural composite lumber mills throughout North America. Its primary functions are quality auditing and testing, applied research and market support and development.
For more information visit www.apawood.org.
