Patrick Lumber Welcomes Dan Edwards
Patrick Lumber Company, headquartered in Philomath, OR, recently welcomed Dan Edwards as their newest import/export lumber trader. Patrick Lumber is a secondary manufacturer and exporter of niche high-grade wood products, sold through a network of worldwide distribution. The company produces 40 million board feet of lumber annually.
Patrick Lumber offers Alder, Pacific Coast Maple, Western Red Cedar, Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Douglas Fir, Southern Yellow Pine, Eastern White Pine, Ponderosa Pine and Japanese Cedar in upper grades, No. 1 Common and Better timbers and Select Tight Knots, both rough and finished. They also offer both kiln-dried and green lumber.
Patrick Lumber is a full-service manufacturer that offers resawing, ripping, resizing, trimming, surfacing, custom patterns, kiln drying, packaging, grading, sorting and more.
Edwards first started working with wood in his high school cabinets class, and then went on to be a building contractor. He has officially been in the forest products industry since 2012 where he started as a trader at Evergreen Exporting. He then went on to be a trader at Western Lumber Company in Medford, OR, before joining Patrick Lumber.
Edwards went to South Whidbey High School in Langley, WA. He then went on to study business at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA.
In his spare time, Edwards enjoys golfing, spending time in the outdoors and anywhere that is quiet. He also enjoys cooking and projects that allow him to get his hands dirty.
He has been married to his wife, Hillary Edwards, for 21 years and has three children, Nolan, Sofia and Claire.
Patrick Lumber Company is a member of the North American Wholesale Lumber Association, Portland Wholesale Lumber Association, Pacific Lumber Exporters Association, Softwood Export Council, Bridge City Portland Hoo Hoo Club, Western Wood Products Association, National Hardwood Lumber Association, Southern Forest Products Association, Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau and the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association.
For more information, call 425-248-0413, email dedwards@patlbr.com or visit www.patlbr.com.
Goodfellow Inc. Increases Hardwood Capacity In The U.S.
In its third quarter of 2024, Goodfellow Inc. completed acquisitions of three hardwood processing assets in the U.S. These new facilities will trade as Allegheny Mountain Hardwoods (AMH) and are located in Pittsfield, PA, (purchased from Meridien Hardwoods), as well as in Petersburg, WV, and Hazelton, WV, (purchased from Allegheny Wood Products).
With millions of board feet of additional capacity, these new facilities will support Goodfellow’s long-term growth objectives by expanding the company’s U.S. platform to better serve customers in the U.S. and increase export volumes.
Goodfellow is a diversified manufacturer of value-added lumber products, as well as a wholesale distributor of building materials and floor coverings. Goodfellow has a distribution footprint from coast-to-coast in Canada servicing commercial and residential sectors through lumber yard retailer networks, manufacturers, industrial and infrastructure project partners and floor covering specialists.
Goodfellow also leverages its value-added product capabilities to serve lumber markets internationally. Goodfellow Inc. is a publicly traded company, and its shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “GDL”.
For more information, visit www.goodfellowinc.com.
Granite Valley Forest Products Brings Jeff Thebo Onboard And Installs Signode Auto Bander
Granite Valley Forest Products, based in New London, WI, recently brought Jeff Thebo onboard as their new operations manager. As operations manager, Thebo will have a hand in all aspects of the company, including sales.
Granite Valley produces Red and White Oak, Hard and Soft Maple, Walnut, Basswood, Aspen, Hickory, Chestnut, Poplar and Eastern White Pine in thicknesses of 4/4 through 8/4, all Forest Stewardship Council certified, BMSB certified in Australia and New Zealand, as well as European Union and United Kingdom compliant. They offer ripped to width lumber. Granite Valley has 40 dry kilns, 60 bay green bin sorters, 100 carts off their dry line and two sawmills. Granite Valley purchases 400,000 board feet of kiln-dried lumber monthly (5 million board feet annually).
Thebo’s first job in the forest products industry was as a rewinder assistant at Appvion, formerly known as Appleton Papers, in 1991. He went on to be a machine operator, shift supervisor, area manager and operations manager at Appvion. He then spent seven years at Thermal Value Stream as operations manager before joining Granite Valley.
Thebo went to high school in Clintonville, WI, and earned his associate’s degree from Fox Valley Technical College. Thebo is a Continuous Improvement Leadership Instructor, Conflict Resolution Instructor and the winner of the Chairman’s Award for Service and Quality in 2006 and 2007.
In his spare time, Thebo enjoys spending time with his wife of 31 years, his two sons, Jared and Austin and his grandson, Carter. He is a fan of all collegiate and professional Wisconsin sports.
In other news, Granite Valley recently installed and started operations on a Signode Auto Bander. The new auto bander will help Granite Valley increase its automation and improve packaging.
Granite Valley has continued to add value to their company by bringing in new employees and making plans for new equipment installations. “Our plans for the future will help reduce our operational costs and reassure our customers that they will get the highest quality lumber in the industry,” said Adam Hyer, sales and purchasing.
For more information, visit www.granitevalley.com.
AHC Hardwood Group Expands Sales Territories
AHC Hardwood Group, a division of Atlanta Hardwood Corporation, headquartered in Atlanta, GA, announced a realignment of sales territories to reflect a focus on value-added manufacturing.
Over the past four years, equipment has been added to the Clarksville, TN, facility to increase production of products to meet more specialized needs of customers, including hardwood mouldings, trim and cabinet components, cypress and thermo-modified siding and decking and shiplap and nickel-gap paneling.
Mark Levin has added Texas to his Tennessee and Kentucky territory and Jason May has added Oklahoma, Missouri and Iowa to his Northern Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois territory.
More information can be found at www.hardwoodweb.com.
Hancock Lumber Expands Manufacturing Capabilities With Tiny Homes Of Maine Acquisition
Hancock Lumber acquired Tiny Homes of Maine, an Aroostook County-based manufacturer of tiny homes on wheels, at the end of October.
The acquisition of Tiny Homes of Maine is a natural extension of Hancock Lumber’s manufacturing capabilities that includes Mainely Trusses roof and floor component manufacturing, wall panel production and their Eastern White Pine sawmills. An emerging segment of the housing market, tiny homes and accessory dwelling units help accelerate the building cycle and provide more affordable and flexible housing options. Together the teams will be able to leverage Hancock Lumber’s buying power, network of lumberyards and customers and manufacturing expertise to scale and grow the business while honoring Tiny Homes of Maine’s mission to make the tiny home dream attainable for more individuals.
A family-owned business established in 2016, Tiny Homes of Maine has built the business and brand designing, selling, manufacturing and delivering finished tiny homes, defined as movable structures that are 400 square feet or less. Current co-owners and co-founders, Corinne Watson and Tom Small, will plan to continue with Team Hancock and manage the Dyer Brook, ME, based manufacturing facility, daily operations and team.
Being in the lumber business since 1848 says more about Hancock Lumber’s commitment to the future than it does about their past, according to a company representative. Led by over 700 employees, Hancock Lumber has been named a ‘Best Place to Work’ since 2014, a testament to the energy and work they put into creating a culture that truly makes a difference.
For more information, visit www.HancockLumber.com.
PotlatchDeltic Announces Waldo, AR, Sawmill Construction Completed
PotlatchDeltic Corporation has completed the planned downtime at the Waldo, AR, sawmill to tie-in equipment for the modernization and expansion project. The modernization project construction has been completed and the facility is beginning its ramp-up phase, and it is anticipated that it will take 6 to 12 months to reach the mill’s new dimensional lumber capacity of 275 million board feet per year. The Waldo modernization and expansion project is a $131 million strategic investment that is expected to increase the mill’s annual capacity by 85 million board feet, improve recovery by six percent and reduce cash processing costs by approximately 30 percent. Once the ramp-up phase is completed, the mill is expected to generate approximately $25 million incremental adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization annually under a mid-cycle sales environment and an internal rate of return of approximately 22 percent in the company’s base case.
PotlatchDeltic has collaborated with Comact for this turnkey project. The project includes a new saw line, planer upgrade and a new continuous kiln. In addition, a Fulghum Industries, Inc. 170-foot 45-ton log crane was installed and commissioned as part of the modernization. “I am very appreciative of the PotlatchDeltic and Comact team members for their relentless efforts and focus on safety during this project. The productive working relationship with Comact and the contributions by the suppliers and contractors on this project were an essential part of the on-time start-up,” said Ashlee Cribb, vice president of wood products at PotlatchDeltic.
PotlatchDeltic Corporation is a leading Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that owns over 2.1 million acres of timberlands in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina. Through its taxable REIT subsidiary, the company also operates six sawmills, an industrial-grade plywood mill, a residential and commercial real estate development business and a rural timberland sales program. PotlatchDeltic, a leader in sustainable forest management, is committed to environmental and social responsibility and to responsible governance.
More information can be found at www.potlatchdeltic.com.
Comact Names New President And CEO And New Executive Vice President
Comact, with 16 locations across North America, recently announced that Simon Potvin has been named their new president and CEO, and that Travis McDonald has been named their new executive vice president of Strategy and Business Development.
Potvin was named the president and CEO of Comact after former President and CEO Alistair Cook announced that he would take on a new role to help prepare the next generation of Comact leadership as executive chairman of Comact. Before being named president and CEO, Potvin served as president of the company’s Wood Processing unit.
Potvin joined Comact in 1990 as an aspiring mechanical engineer and held various roles of increasing responsibility throughout his career, most recently with his appointment as president of the Wood Processing unit in 2021. Potvin and his team are responsible for developing industry changing technologies, value engineered solutions and differentiated aftermarket services for the wood processing industry.
McDonald has over 30 years of expertise in engineering and strategic capital investments within the wood processing industry, and having successfully led Comact’s Project Services teams since 2018, has been instrumental in driving Comact’s growth and delivering productive sawmills throughout North America.
These leadership changes mark a transformative chapter in Comact’s story. With a steadfast commitment to pioneering OEM technologies, the company is setting ambitious standards that continue to elevate the wood processing industry, said a company representative. Moving forward, the representative continued, Comact remains focused on empowering client success and pushing the boundaries of innovation and excellence in every product and solution it brings to market.
For more information, visit www.comact.com.
MiCROTEC Welcomes Todd Gibson
MiCROTEC is thrilled to welcome Todd Gibson as the new sales account manager, based in the southern United States. Gibson brings over 21 years of experience in the sawmill industry, including nine years in optimization. He played a key role in launching three Lucidyne scanners during his time at Weyerhaeuser. In his free time, Gibson enjoys hunting and cheering on Mississippi State University.
According to a MiCROTEC spokesperson, they are proud to offer leading scanning and optimization solutions backed by a team of industry experts, ex-graders, engineers and specialized technicians. MiCROTEC is a member of the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association, Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association, Southern Forest Products Association, National Hardwood Lumber Association, Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association and the Western Wood Products Association.
For scanning solutions in the southern United States, contact Todd Gibson at todd.gibson@microtec.us or to learn more about MiCROTEC’s scanning solutions visit www.microtec.us.
Continental Underwriters Welcomes Rollins Thompson
Continental Underwriters Inc., located in Richmond, VA, recently welcomed Rollins Thompson as their newest associate production underwriter. Thompson will help with the behind-the-scenes underwriting tasks with client-facing responsibilities. He will work directly with his colleagues to continue to build strong relationships within the industry.
Continental Underwriters Inc. is a Managing General Agency (MGA) and wholesaler providing the forest products industry in North America with a broad range of insurance and risk management solutions designed to safeguard against losses and protect the value of the businesses they insure. Their programs offer a portfolio of insurance coverages for the building materials, lumber, forest products and woodworking industries.
Thompson is an avid outdoorsman whose passion for hunting and fishing led him to pursue Forestry Operations and Business at Virginia Tech.
Outside of work, Thompson can be found hunting, fishing or golfing. His favorite quote from Heraclitus: “No man steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” His belief in constant growth and adaptability fuels both his personal and professional life.
Continental Underwriters is a member of Lake States Lumber Association, Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc., National Wooden Pallet and Container Association, Hardwood Manufacturers Association, North Carolina Forestry Association, Western Wood Products Association, Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association, Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association, Great Lakes Timber Association, National Hardwood Lumber Association, Virginia Forestry Association, West Virginia Forestry Association and Wood Products Manufacturers Association.
For more information, visit www.contund.com.
TS Manufacturing Makes Installation At Baillie Group
TS Manufacturing, located in Lindsay, ON, is proud to announce that the Baillie Group recently started up a new Dry Hardwood Sorting and Stacking line at their Leitchfield, KY, concentration yard. The line replaces a pull chain where packs were manually stacked.
The project consists of a 60 Bin Sorter with AccuTally sorter controls, an Automated Course Makeup System, Servo Electric Package Maker, Auto Strapping and an in-line VisionTally system. The system automates the entire process of making up finished packs with a minimal amount of labor.
The process begins after grading and trimming. The AccuTally software and controls take over from there, assigning boards to the proper bin. The Auto Bin Haul Out feature manages the discharge of lumber from the bins and the flow of lumber from the sorter to the stacker based on user assigned priorities. The lumber is singulated by a TS unscrambler and loaded on lugs via the patented Versa Cam Lug Loader. It is then scanned for dimensions and wane, based on that information the boards are transferred to one of several trays where boards are dealt in order to maximize both the course width efficiency and the appearance of the finished pack. When a course is finished it is released to the TS Electric Servo Package Maker with a Continuous Hoist to eliminate time lost waiting for a pack to discharge. When discharged from the stacker the pack is conveyed to an Auto Strapper with end bump and side squeeze functions and dunnage placement. Once strapped it conveys to a VisionTally system.
Working with the customer during the design phase TS was able to position the line so most of the machinery could be installed while the old line was running, minimizing downtime for installation and commissioning.
TS Manufacturing offers a complete line of machinery, controls and software to fit your mill.
For more information on their complete line of sawmill and planer mill offerings, email sales@tsman.com, call (705) 324-3762 or visit www.tsman.com.
Cole Hardwood Inc. Welcomes Tyler Smith
Cole Hardwood Inc., located in Logansport, IN, recently welcomed Tyler Smith as their new sales manager. As sales manager Smith will lead the company’s sales team, manage key client accounts and develop strategies to drive growth. He works closely with the company’s production to ensure they meet their customers’ needs with their high-quality hardwood products while expanding the company’s market reach and strengthening customer relationships.
Cole Hardwood specializes in producing a range of high-quality hardwood products, including Ash, Basswood, Beech, Cherry, Hickory, Hard and Soft Maple, Poplar, Red and White Oak and Walnut. They offer these species in various grades and thicknesses.
Before joining the team at Cole Hardwood, Smith spent nine years in the hardwood industry, starting with a year of training across various areas of lumber production as part of his training for a sales role.
Smith graduated from North Miami High school in Denver, IN, in 2003 and then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and management from Indiana University in Kokomo, IN. He is currently working on earning his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
Smith enjoys hunting, fishing and spending quality time with his wife and four daughters. He also enjoys visiting national parks and exploring the great outdoors with his family.
Smith has served in the Air Force Reserve for over 20 years and currently holds the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.
Cole Hardwood is a member of the National Hardwood Lumber Association, Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, American Hardwood Export Council and the Hardwood Distributor’s Association.
For more information, call 574-753-3151 or visit https://colehardwood.com.
Nyle Dry Kilns Installs Cutting-Edge Kilns at Steinkamp, Enhancing Production and Efficiency
Nyle Dry Kilns announced the recent installation of two 65 thousand board feet gas kilns at Steinkamp’s in Huntingburg, IN. These kilns are specifically designed to handle treated softwood lumber, offering superior performance and efficiency for Steinkamp’s operations, according to a company spokesperson.
Each kiln is equipped with indirect-fired gas heaters and high-efficiency heat recovery vents. These features ensure optimal energy use and precise control over the drying process, providing consistent and high-quality results. The kilns’ advanced control systems allow for detailed data logging, remote access and enhanced operational efficiency.
This installation significantly upgrades Steinkamp’s operation, enhancing their production capacity and operational efficiency. According to Nyle Dry Kilns, Steinkamp has invested in top-tier technology that not only boosts their production capabilities but also aligns with sustainable and cost-effective practices. The successful completion of this project marks a significant milestone for Steinkamp, demonstrating their commitment to quality and innovation in the wood processing industry.
For more information on Nyle Dry Kilns’ wide range of products and services, call (800) 777-6953 or visit www.nyle.com.
USNR’s Sister Company, Burton Mill Solutions Acquired Industrial Cutting Tools
USNR’s sister company, Burton Mill Solutions, located in Woodland, WA, recently announced its acquisition of Industrial Cutting Tools (ICT), based in Quitman, GA. ICT specializes in reconditioning industrial cutting tools for sawmill, chip and pellet operations throughout the Southeastern U.S. This acquisition significantly expands Burton’s geographic footprint and enhances its technical capabilities, enabling better service to primary wood producers who outsource the reconditioning of their circle and band saws and machine knives. With the addition of ICT, Burton strengthens its already comprehensive technical expertise in wood processing technology, including wide-band and circle saws, industrial knives, filing room equipment, reconditioning services and industrial wear parts.
Dale Brown, CEO of Burton Mill Solutions and sister companies USNR and Mid-South Engineering, commented, “I am pleased to be expanding our cutting tools service network. This acquisition aligns with our overall mission to provide innovative solutions that enhance productivity and efficiency in the wood processing industry.”
Chuck Wert, senior vice president of Burton, expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, saying, “We are thrilled to join forces with ICT, as this partnership will enable us to elevate our service offerings and better meet the needs of our customers in the region. Our teams share a dedication to innovation and excellence, and together we will set new standards in the industry.”
Walter Cowart, general manager of ICT, shared his thoughts on the merger, saying, “This is an exciting opportunity for both companies to build on our strengths and improve our service delivery.” While Cowart will remain with ICT’s prior owner, The Langdale Company, longtime employee Scott Mathis has agreed to take on the role of Operations Manager. Mathis expressed, “I am looking forward to writing the next chapter in our company’s story as we continue to provide exceptional solutions that genuinely benefit our customers.”
ICT’s southern Georgia location will complement Burton’s existing network of saw and knife reconditioning service centers in Maine, South Carolina, Louisiana and Alabama.
For more information, visit www.usnr.com or www.burtonmill.com.
Josey Lumber Installs New Cleereman Equipment
Cleereman Industries Inc., located in Newald, WI, recently made upgrades at Josey Lumber Co. Inc., in Scotland Neck, NC.
RTM Industrial Maintenance removed their old carriage line and installed the new Cleereman carriage line and related equipment. RTM was able to remove the old equipment and install the new Cleereman equipment over the course of a week.
Cleereman Controls engineer Dan Tooke along with Cleereman Industries hydraulic engineer Jonny Cleereman were able to commission the new equipment along with the new Cleereman Controls with optimization the following week and the mill was ready to run production two weeks later.
The new Cleereman equipment installed at Josey Lumber included a LP-42 heavy weight linear 4-headblock carriage, a linear carriage controls with optimization, a sawyer’s cab, a heavy-duty track frame, a hydrostatic carriage drive with electric controls, a cable tensioner, and a heavy duty bar log turner with electric controls.
For more information, call Josey Lumber at 252-826-5614 or visit www.cleereman.com.
