Industry News – October 2025
Greg Barnes Rejoins Hermitage Hardwood Lumber Sales
Greg Barnes recently returned to kiln-dried lumber manufacturer Hermitage Hardwood Lumber Sales in Cookeville, TN, as a green lumber purchaser.
Barnes’ first position in the forest products industry was as a lumber puller in 2004 and from 2005 until 2023, he was a lumber inspector. Barnes started at Hermitage as a lumber inspector, a position he held from 2016 to 2023. Prior to working for Hermitage, he was with McMinnville, TN-headquartered, Cumberland Lumber & Manufacturing Company as a lumber purchaser and inspector. He was also employed as a lumber inspector at both Coastal Lumber, based in Charlottesville, VA, and at White County Lumber Co. in White County, TN.
Barnes was a member of Warren County High School’s graduating class of 2003 in McMinnville, TN. In 2005, he graduated from the National Hardwood Lumber Association Inspection School in Class 148.
He is passionate about fishing, hunting and spending time with his wife Ashley, nine-year-old daughter Sienna and seven-year-old son Gavin.
For more details, call 931-526-6832, email greg@hermitagehardwood.com or visit hermitagehardwood.com.
New River Hardwoods Inc. Welcomes Bryan Marbert
Bryan Marbert recently joined New River Hardwoods Inc. as a sales manager. This position involves strengthening their local and national customer base, growing millwork operations and renewing focus on the marketing of products and services.
The company operates three, high-tech Appalachian hardwood sawmills in Tennessee and Virginia. They handle between 30 to 40 million board feet of kiln-dried Cherry, Ash, Poplar, Red and White Oak and Hard and Soft Maple in all grades and thicknesses. They market eastern white pine in all grades and thicknesses as well.
Marbert mentioned the company’s versatility regarding their ability to tailor to the specific needs of their customers by way of their planers, moulders, kilns, sanders and more.
Value-added processes offered by New River Hardwoods include millwork services such as surfacing (S4S), straightline rip, ripstock, moulding and sanding.
Marbert began his career as a biologist until settling into a role as department head at a local community college. As his family grew, he transitioned out of the public sector into the softwood lumber industry, where he first worked as a salesperson for Troy Lumber’s southern yellow pine sales team learning markets and mill production. Recently, he spent the last six years as a lumber trader at East Coast Lumber developing markets for industrial and high-grade lumber products.
Marbert holds a Master’s of Science degree in Biology, as well as dual degrees in marketing and natural resource management that support his interest in the hardwood lumber market.
Outside of work, Marbert enjoys spending time with his wife Leigh Anna, son Max and daughter Dot while trying to squeeze in time for some flyfishing on an Appalachian stream.
For more information, visit newriverhardwoods.com.
Timesavers, LLC Installed New Haas Multi-Axis Milling Center
Investment reflects commitment to excellence and customer responsiveness.
Timesavers North America recently completed the installation of a fourth Haas multi-axis milling center at their Maple Grove, MN, headquarters, signaling a serious commitment to boosting production efficiency and responsiveness. These machines are known for their precision and versatility, which means faster turnaround times and more flexibility in manufacturing complex replacement parts.
Company President, Paul Ostlund stated, “Timesavers has long been a leader in sanding and finishing solutions for metal and wood. This expansion directly supports faster lead times and equipment up time for our growing list of customers across North America, while reinforcing our reputation for innovation and reliability.”
Visit timesaversinc.com for more details.
Comact Releases New Generation Single Step Log Pusher For Durability And Efficiency
Comact, a global leader in wood processing solutions based in Saint-Georges, QC, recently announced the release of its new-generation log pusher, featuring a patent-pending single step design for heavy-duty applications. This new model expands Comact’s existing range of log pushers, which also includes double-step and multi-step designs, providing mills with tailored solutions to meet specific operational needs.
“Engineered to withstand the harshest operating conditions, the single step pusher design significantly extends equipment lifecycle while simplifying maintenance and improving operational safety. Traditional log pushers work under extreme conditions, receiving and handling heavy materials, which can lead to wear and costly replacements. The new single step pusher is built for durability, allowing operators to replace only the step when needed, eliminating the need to change the entire pusher,” according to a company spokesperson.
To further protect the equipment, the system incorporates dampers for enhanced shock absorption, ensuring smoother log reception with reduced mechanical stress. In addition, an integrated camera system monitors the presence of logs in the pocket, preventing the pusher from operating when a pocket is empty. This smart safeguard avoids direct impacts on the step and reduces unnecessary wear.
“At Comact, innovation is not only about technology, it’s about delivering practical solutions that keep our customers running at their best. With the single step log pusher, we’ve created a product that not only extends equipment life but also makes maintenance faster and easier, helping mills operate more efficiently, day after day,” said David Gourde, senior vice president of engineering, product line management, project management and mechanical service and reliability at Comact.
The single step log pusher is available immediately for new installations and can be retrofitted to existing systems, making it a versatile solution for mills seeking improved efficiency, reduced maintenance and longer equipment life.
For over 100 years, Comact has been a leading OEM in high-caliber wood processing equipment, digital technologies, cutting solutions, project services and aftermarket support. Driven by innovation and excellence, Comact is dedicated to helping customers address their most pressing operational and business challenges in today’s industry.
“Whether for brownfield or greenfield projects, Comact’s expertise provides wood processing facilities with the confidence that their investments will yield superior performance, throughput and ROI. This ensures they remain competitive and achieve sustained growth in an ever-evolving market. Trust Comact to deliver exceptional performance every time,” said a Comact company representative.
For more information, visit comact.com.
MiCROTEC Acquired By Clessidra Private Equity
Clessidra Private Equity SGR – one of the largest Italian private equity firms focused on the upper-mid market and part of Clessidra Group, a leading alternative investment operator in Italy – recently announced the acquisition of MiCROTEC, a leading player in wood and food scanning solutions, from the Austrian GSS GmbH. Federico Giudiceandrea, founder and Chairman at MiCROTEC, will retain his stake in the company and continue his crucial involvement in the company’s R&D strategy, shepherding the business through its next wave of innovation.
Since its foundation, MiCROTEC has secured its competitive edge thanks to a complete in-house development – conducted by a skilled team composed of more than 150 engineers – of all relevant key components and software solutions. Today, MiCROTEC is able to offer integrated scanning solutions for both the wood processing and the food quality control markets.
MiCROTEC has established long-standing relationships with global top-tier sawmills and food players, and the business is well-positioned to continue its attractive historical growth trend recording today around Euro 100 million of revenues, with around 95 percent in exports.
MiCROTEC, headquartered in Brixen, Italy, has direct presence in Italy, Northern America, Sweden, Finland and Germany and employs approxmately 450 people across the world.
Learn more at microtec.com.
DMSi Announces Transitions And Promotions
Henry German has transitioned to the role of chief revenue officer at the Omaha, NE-based, software manufacturing company, DMSi. German began his career at DMSi in 2011, where he worked in support and implementation for Agility ERP, making significant contributions to customer service and product development.
His leadership as president of DMSi Log & Lumber, where he guided the acquisition of multiple niche software companies, played a crucial role in the formation of the DMSi Log app and desktop system. As CRO, German will focus on aligning growth strategies across all DMSi products, overseeing sales, marketing, and business development.
In other news, Scott Stringer will take on the role of Product Manager for DMSi Log & Lumber. Joining DMSi in 2023, Stringer brings over 15 years of experience in the lumber industry, from grading lumber to operational management.
Over the past two years, he has worked closely with the DMSi Log & Lumber team to ensure the software meets customer needs. Stringer’s deep industry knowledge and customer-focused approach make him well-suited to drive the development and success of the DMSi Log app and desktop system.
DMSi provides software solutions for the building materials industry, offering a range of products designed to streamline operations and drive growth. With a focus on customer satisfaction, DMSi is committed to helping businesses in the hardwood, lumber, and millwork sectors thrive in a competitive market.
To learn more about DMSi, visit dmsi.com.
Bill To Boost Wood Markets Introduced
According to the Hardwood Federation, Senators Jim Justice (R-WV), Steve Daines (R-MT), Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) recently introduced the Forest Bioeconomy Act. This bipartisan legislation directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with the Department of Energy, to expand research on the uses of low value commercial timber to support new wood products markets, sustain the wood products manufacturing sector and explore the viability/scalability of using wood and biomass as a feedstock for sustainable fuel.
A centerpiece of the bill would create a dedicated Office of Technology Transfer at the Forest Service to expand its commercialization of research findings and support the development of products using Forest Service research. The legislation also establishes a mass timber science and education program under the Forest Service.
The program would be specifically targeted at responding to the needs of architects, real estate developers and the forest products industry. The program would, for example, connect researchers with private industry to make improvements in mass timber construction techniques for improved wildfire performance, structural stability and energy use. This research would complement the existing Wood Innovations Grant program.
A press release announcing the bill’s introduction can be found at this link: justice.senate.gov/press-
releases/senators-justice-daines-heinrich-warnock-introduce-the-forest-bioeconomy-act.
For more information about the Hardwood Federation, visit hardwoodfederation.com.
Hartman Cabinetry Announces New Facility
Hartman Cabinetry, a high-quality cabinet manufacturer headquartered in High Hill, MO, recently announced that it will build a new facility in Jonesburg, MO, investing more than $1.3 million and creating three new jobs. The company’s decision to expand operations will help meet the rising demand for high-quality custom cabinetry.
Hartman Cabinetry’s new facility will accommodate advanced cutting-edge technology needed to produce its high-quality cabinets. According to a company spokesperson, the cabinet manufacturer handles Cherry, Hickory, Hard Maple, Red and White Oak and more.
Hartman Cabinetry launched in 1993 when owner Tim Hartman turned his love of woodworking into a successful custom cabinetry business. The company has steadily expanded since opening its doors and now employs 10 people. New jobs added as part of Hartman Cabinetry’s expansion will pay an average wage well above the county average.
Hartman Cabinetry offers high-quality custom cabinetry and wood products to both residential and commercial clients. The company is known for its detailed craftsmanship, precision, and care given to each of its projects.
To learn more about Hartman Cabinetry, visit hartmancabinetry.com.
