Industry News – January 2026
New Installations By Cleereman Industries At Summer Shade Mill
Cleereman Sales Engineer Rob Kittle met on site in Summer Shade, KY, with K&L Woodland Sawmill owner Brett Schultz to discuss what Schultz wanted out of his new Cleereman sawmill.
K&L Woodland Sawmill produces crane mats and industrial boardroad. They also have the capability to produce crane mats up to 50-feet long.
Information about Schultz’s biggest needs were passed to the Cleereman Industries engineering department, and a sales layout drawing was generated for the customer before heading to final engineering.
The best option for Schultz was a Cleereman LP-42” Linear four head-block main carriage line for doing 24-foot and shorter logs and a three headblock trailer carriage that quick couples to the main carriage when the mill does longer material. This carriage line is pulled with a Cleereman Hydrostatic 200-horsepower carriage drive and has a hydraulic cable tensioner.
Cleereman Industries also supplied a new, heavy duty, seven strand log deck with nose skids and two, Cleereman bar style log turners built into the head end of the log deck in addition to a pop-up saw for cutting long flitches into boards. Cleereman supplied a new heavy-duty track-frame with rail, circle saw husk with top saw, and a sawyer cab with Cleereman Linear Controls package.
Once the lumber or cants leave the saw, they travel onto a Cleereman 50-foot pull back roll case that allows waste to drop out and cants to sweep onto the Cleereman timber transfer deck and boards to travel down to a Cleereman landing table before reaching the green chain.
Cleereman Industries provided an engineered solution that included all the sub-steel and all the equipment supplied — just bolted together for quick and easy installation. Cleereman Controls provided mill-wide controls for everything supplied.
“This was an exciting project to be part of and Cleereman Industries, along with Cleereman Controls, would like to thank Brett Schultz and the team at K&L Woodland for choosing us for this project,” stated Cleereman Industries Vice President Paul Cleereman.
For more information, visit cleereman.com.
Nicholson Manufacturing Ltd. Welcomes Scott Miller
Nicholson Manufacturing, headquartered in Sidney, BC, recently announced the addition of Scott Miller as the newest capital sales representative for the Lake States region, covering Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. Nicholson offers a variety of ring debarkers.
Prior to his recent promotion to the capital sales team, Miller was employed for seven years as a Nicholson service technician and has a strong background in manufacturing engineering and facility maintenance. Overall, Miller has spent 25 years in the sawmill industry, including 20 years as the owner and operator of his own mill.
“Nicholson is proud to welcome Scott to the capital sales team and encourages customers to reach out to him with any debarking questions,” stated a Nicholson company representative.
Call 1-844-227-5633, email forestsales@nicholsonmfg.com or visit debarking.com for more details.
Brunette Machinery Acquires Salem Equipment
Surrey, BC-based, Brunette Machinery Company Inc. recently announced the asset purchase of Salem Equipment Inc., a leading U.S. manufacturer of sawmill machinery headquartered in Sherwood, OR. The acquisition strengthens Brunette’s North American growth strategy and reinforces its commitment to delivering solutions to customers and gives Salem Equipment deep support to continue its seven-decade tradition of innovation and quality in wood-processing machinery.
“This acquisition is a milestone in our continued growth and strengthens our position as a global leader in wood-processing solutions. Salem’s history of innovation, safety, and client value aligns perfectly with our principles. Salem Equipment will operate under the new name Brunette Salem USA Inc., delivering the same consistent and trusted service its clients have come to expect, now with the added support of Brunette’s resources and expertise,” said Kirk Forbes, president and CEO of Brunette Machinery.
The combined strengths of Brunette Machinery and Salem Equipment offer meaningful benefits for both the companies and their customers.
• Broadened International Reach: Brunette Machinery gains an expanded geographic reach, with a stronger presence in the U.S. and access to correlative markets, offering
localized manufacturing and service support.
• Expanded Capabilities for Salem: Salem will gain access to Brunette’s diverse product portfolio, and technical resources — unlocking new opportunities in the U.S., Canada, and beyond.
• Complementary Expertise: Combining Brunette’s diverse product line, engineering resources and technical support with Salem’s market experience will enhance client service, leveraging both companies’ safety, efficiency and reliability and create new value for existing customers while accelerating innovation across markets to attract new clients.
Brunette Machinery has specialized in wood-processing and material handling systems for more than 80 years, and is well known for its expertise in debarkers, hogs and chippers. Brunette has developed innovative wood processing machinery such as the new Retract-to-Load® Log Singulator, BioSizer® high speed grinder, Whole Log Micro Chipper, and Veneer Chipper. These products advance existing technologies and, along with a highly experienced work force and broadened customer service, will play a big part in future growth.
Founded in 1946, Salem Equipment Inc. has been a leader in providing complete sawmill systems and individual machine centers along with complete services in design, manufacturing, and technical support. Salem offers a full range of products including log debarking and bucking systems, primary breakdown systems, resaw systems, board and gang edging systems, trimming and sorting systems, and residuals processing and handling systems.
Visit brunettemc.com to learn more.
NWFA Completed 80th Home With Gary Sinise Foundation
U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Chad Ohmer and family
The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) based in St. Charles, MO, has provided flooring for its 80th 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 retired U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Chad Ohmer took place recently in Maineville, OH. Flooring for the project was donated by NWFA member Panel Town & Floors. Installation services were provided by NWFA members Panel Town & Floors, and Alford’s Custom Hardwood Floors.
In 2012, during Corporal Ohmer’s second deployment to Afghanistan, his unit was clearing explosives in the mountain villages and the Sangin Valley of the Taliban. A member of the unit detonated an IED, killing him and severely wounding others in the unit. Ohmer’s injuries resulted in the loss of his left leg below the knee.
In addition to the 80 homes already completed, the NWFA, according to data at press time, is working with its members to source wood flooring for 13 additional R.I.S.E. homes in various stages of planning and construction. According to the most recent details available at the time of this news, 161 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 NWFA is a not-for-profit trade organization with more than 3,000 member companies world-wide. The NWFA educates consumers, architects, designers, specifiers, and builders in the uses and benefits of wood flooring.
To learn more about the program, contact the NWFA at 800-422-4556 (U.S. and Canada), 636-519-9663 (local and international), e-mail them at anita.howard@nwfa.org or visit nwfa.org.
