Industry News – November 2025

Industry News – November 2025

Hermitage Hardwood Installs TS Manufacturing Course Layer System

Hermitage Hardwood Lumber Sales located in Cookeville, TN, is a concentration yard that manufactures kiln-dried Appalachian hardwood lumber. They are heaviest to Red and White Oak, Poplar, Walnut and Ash in all grades and thicknesses 4/4 through 8/4.

A TS Manufacturing course layer makeup system with a Samuel Packaging Systems automatic strapper was installed in early 2025 and began operating recently according to Hermitage’s Sales and Operations Manager Wesley Boles. The new equipment is expected to increase overall production up to 30 percent daily in addition to minimizing extra manual labor associated with packaging.

The packaging for items sent to customers is also expected to improve regarding precision and uniform presentation, which will allow Hermitage to offer products at an increased turnaround. The deciding factor behind the update is credited to Hermitage’s desire to quicken the rate at which they process kiln-dried lumber.

Hermitage Hardwood Lumber Sales was founded in 1979 and has been at the Cookeville, TN, location since 1990.

For more details, visit hermitage hardwood.com.

AHC Hardwood Group Offers New S4S Packaging Option

Recently, to match how smaller yards actually stock and sell, AHC Hardwood Group has “right-sized” S4S Poplar into 500-board-foot AHC Packs — prepackaged, shop-friendly units in random lengths across 1×4, 1×6, 1×8 and 1×12. “Developed with distributor input for independents and smaller retailers, the format cuts handling time, simplifies ordering and keeps racks turning without overbuying. Right-sized lumber packs also result in increased sales,” stated Hal Mitchell, president of AHC Hardwood Group.

According to Mitchell, “Since launch, this right-sized packaging has greatly increased S4S sales, telling us that the pack size aligns with how customers prefer to buy and resupply.” Produced exclusively at the AHC Cleveland, GA, facility, the configuration meets distributors’ and independents’ needs for right-sized, ready-to-shelve inventory.

Visit ahchardwood.com for more details.

Collins Appoints Brad Blickle As Chief Financial Officer

Collins Pine Company, headquartered in Wilsonville, OR, recently announced the appointment of Brad Blickle as chief financial officer.  Blickle brings extensive experience in finance, including leadership roles at Lovett, Inc. and Oregon Fruit Products, LLC., where he drove strategic growth, operational efficiency, and acquisition integration.

“Brad’s financial expertise and outstanding leadership qualities are a great addition to our executive team,” said Tom Insko, President and CEO. “His experience will be instrumental as we scale responsibly and invest across our operations.”

Based in Oregon and family-owned since 1855, Collins produces softwood and hardwood products. Collins upholds their long-standing commitment to land and resource stewardship with more than 370,000 acres of FSC-certified forest lands, three manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and one retail yard in California. Divisions are located in Chester, CA, Kane, PA, and Lakeview, OR. For more information, please visit CollinsCo.com.

Carriage Line Installed By Cleereman Industries At Timber Producers

Cleereman Industries, headquartered in Newald, WI, recently installed a second carriage line at Timber Producers LLC based in Hamburg, AR. The carriage line included a new, Cleereman LP-42-inch four headblock linear carriage with Cleereman Controls and a 3-D scanning option in addition to a new starter/dispatch counsel mounted in a new sawyer’s cab. Their new carriage is pulled by a Cleereman 125HP hydrostatic carriage drive and a Cleereman 42-inch log turner was purchased along with a new stop/loader assembly. Cleereman Industries supplied the new saw for primary break down and a drop belt along with a new headrig roll case and transfer decks.

To determine exactly what products were needed at the Selma location, Cleereman Industries Vice President Paul Cleerman and Sales Engineer Rob Kittle visited the site. The Lead Engineer at Cleereman Industries, Rod Chitko, then confirmed the measurements on site with drawings as a reference to ensure everything would fit.

“This is something that sets Cleereman Industries apart — our attention to detail after the sale and before equipment is manufactured,” stated Paul.

This second installation took place nearly 10 years after the first in 2016, when Phil Barnes reached out to Paul Cleereman to replace a competitor’s carriage line at their Selma, AR, sawmill. Despite using other brands, Barnes turned to Cleereman Industries due to praise from other sawmills who worked with Cleereman Industries. Today, Barnes and his sons run Cleereman Industries carriage lines at three different locations.

These projects between Cleereman Industries and Timber Producers resulted in a decade long friendship between Paul Cleereman, Phil and his sons Gene, Jim and Rob Barnes. The trio own and manage Timber Producers after purchasing it from their father, who had originally named the company Selma Timber. Paul later introduced his father, Fran Cleereman, to Phil Barnes, who, according to Paul, have much in common.

 Paul stated he visits the Barnes family, “whenever I’m passing through their area” and that “Phil has told us many times that in all his years in the sawmill business, and running different brands of equipment, that no other manufacturer of equipment comes close to the service after the sale as Cleereman does.”

2025 marks Cleereman Industries’ 70th year in business as a leading manufacturer of sawmill equipment.

Learn more at cleereman.com.

Stringer Industries Installs New 60-Inch Chipper

Rooted in tradition and driven by innovation, Stringer Industries has been a trusted name in the sawmill industry since 1964. Family-owned and operated in Tylertown, MS, the company has spent decades manufacturing high-performance waste wood equipment.

With a strong commitment to craftsmanship, quality and customer service, Stringer continues to serve the ever-changing needs of the industry. “Backed by a skilled workforce and deep industry knowledge, the company has earned its reputation as a go-to partner for operations looking for dependable, American-made waste
wood equipment solutions,” added Taylor Stringer, chief business officer at Stringer Industries.

One recent example comes from Rocky Mount Hardwoods in Ferrum, VA, where owner Layne Poff recently completed the installation of a new 60-inch Stringer chipper. Poff stated the installation began on a Thursday evening and was complete by lunch on Saturday.

“Stringer has workmanship that is second to none, and to put it plain and simple, it’s just a great chipper,” said Poff. “I haven’t had to do any major maintenance on it yet, but that’s why I chose Stringer. I appreciate the standout customer service and even receiving a call from someone with the last name on the building.” Poff also touts the huge improvement to the duration of his knives staying sharp.

To learn more about Stringer and its commitment to innovation and tradition, visit stringerind.com and follow @StringerIndustries on LinkedIn.

NHLA Class 209 Graduates At Missouri Walnut

Recently, the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) was proud to celebrate the latest group of graduates from an education session hosted at Missouri Walnut. The program was led by NHLA Instructor Roman Matyushchenko, whose guidance and expertise helped prepare the class for success in hardwood lumber grading and inspection.

Among the graduates were Michael Chandler of D&D Hardwood, Quinton Rogers of Missouri Walnut, and Jim Long of D&D Hardwood. Also completing the program, though not pictured, were Matthew Yoder and Jason Yoder of Yoder Hardwoods. Each participant brought energy and commitment to the class, making this session especially memorable.

As part of the graduation, several awards were presented to recognize outstanding achievement. Jason Yoder distinguished himself by earning both the Highest Overall Average and the Highest Board Run Average. Matthew Yoder earned the Highest Overall Average. Quinton Rogers of Missouri Walnut was honored with the Best Attitude and Citizenship Award — a reflection of the positive spirit and teamwork that helped define this class.

The dedication of these graduates is a reminder of how vital continued education is to the strength of the hardwood industry. By sharpening their technical knowledge and practical skills, they are not only investing in their own careers but also helping to ensure the long-term success of their companies and the industry as a whole.

That same opportunity is now available to others through NHLA’s upcoming education programs. This fall, classes include the Introduction to Hardwood Lumber Grading at UKY in Clayhole, KY, (September 15 through 26, 2025), followed by Hardwood Processing 101 in Memphis, TN, (November 5 through 7, 2025).

For those seeking a shorter, intensive experience, NHLA is also offering a three-day Introduction to Grading Hardwood Lumber in Memphis (December 3 through 5, 2025). Specialized courses will round out the year with $PC: Control the Process to Improve Lumber Value (December 10 through 11, 2025, in Memphis) and a Saw Filing Fast Course in Kahoka, MO, (December 10 through 12, 2025), which includes hands-on training, meals and accommodations.

“Whether you’re looking to deepen your knowledge, gain valuable hands-on experience, or connect with peers across the industry, NHLA’s education programs provide the tools and expertise to help you succeed. We congratulate our Missouri Walnut graduates on their achievements and look forward to seeing the next class of students take their place as future leaders in the hardwood industry,” said Dallin Brooks, executive director, NHLA.

Learn more at nhla.com.

Supreme Court Takes Up Trump Reciprocal Tariffs

Recently, the Supreme Court announced if whether the bulk of President Trump’s tariffs are legal, agreeing to quickly review a challenge to his signature economic policy in a case with worldwide financial and political implications. According to their order the justices will hear arguments in early November, an unusually aggressive schedule that suggests the court will try to resolve the case quickly. The tariffs remain in place for now, even though a federal appeals court ruled that Trump exceeded his authority by imposing them. The decision will impact the trade and tariff powers this President and his successors will have.

The Court will hear challenges to tariffs related to Trump’s April 2 “Liberation Day” announcement which impose levies of 10 to 50 percent on most U.S. imports depending on the country they come from. The appeal also covers tariffs Trump imposed on Canada, Mexico and China in the name of addressing fentanyl trafficking. The White House has said that regardless of outcome, they will continue to pursue aggressive tariffs through other measures. Like most of the business community (and all of Washington, D.C.), the Hardwood Federation will be closely watching for the Court’s decision in November.

This information was provided by the Hardwood Federation and to learn more, visit hardwoodfederation.com.