Newswires
Tyler Smith’s Promotion At Cole Hardwood Inc.
Tyler Smith
Tyler Smith was recently promoted to the role of president at Logansport, IN-based, Cole Hardwood Inc. He is responsible for the overall direction and performance of the company, including strategic planning, customer relationships and day-to-day operations.
As a hardwood concentration yard specializing in kiln-dried hardwood, Cole Hardwood purchases lumber from regional sawmills, kiln-dries and processes the material before selling their products to domestic and international customers. Sales regions include the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and other international markets.
Cole Hardwood produces 10 million board feet of lumber annually and handles the following species: Ash, Red and White Oak, Walnut, Hard and Soft Maple, Hickory, Cherry, Poplar and other Appalachian and Midwestern hardwoods. Lumber is available in rough and surfaced formats across multiple grades, including thicker stock dimensions.
Unique services include the company’s ability to supply a broad mix of hardwood species and thicker stock dimensions.
Smith joined Cole Hardwoods in October 2024 and has been in his current position since early 2026. Prior to joining Cole Hardwoods, he worked for Pike Lumber Company in a sales role. There, he gained experience in customer relations and market development.
He has spent 12 years in the lumber industry. His first position was in production training before transitioning to hardwood lumber sales.
Smith graduated from North Miami Community Schools in Denver, IN, and received a degree in business from Indiana University.
He has been married to Amanda for 15 years and they have four daughters.
Cole Hardwood Inc. is a member of the National Hardwood Lumber Association and the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association.
Call 574-753-3151 or visit colehardwood.com for more.
Ready Pine Expands Distribution Network and Hires New Account Exec.
Chris Martin
Ready Pine, located in Waterloo, ON, recently announced an expansion of its distribution network through a new partnership with WS Building Materials. Ready Pine, manufacturers of pre-finished T&G Pine panels for interior walls, ceilings and exterior soffits is now available at WS Building Materials branches in Green Bay and Jackson, WI, Riverdale, IL, and Sioux Falls, SD. Ready Pine has been distributed from their Comstock Park, MI, branch since 2023.
This strategic expansion significantly increases accessibility to Ready Pine’s premium Pine products for designers, contractors and retailers across the Midwest. Customers in these regions will benefit from improved product availability, faster fulfillment times, and the trusted service standards of both companies.
“Partnering with WS Building Materials represents an important step forward in our growth strategy,” said Chris Martin, president at Ready Pine.
WS Building Materials will stock a range of Ready Pine products tailored to meet the needs of residential and commercial construction projects. The expansion is expected to support increased demand for quality wood products. The rollout across the four branches is effective immediately.
“At WS Building Materials, we are always looking to expand our offerings with products that meet the evolving needs of our customers,” said John Lesher, COO at WS Building Materials.
WS Building Materials is a building materials distribution company formed from the legacy organizations of Weekes Forest Products and Snavely Forest Products. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of MacArthur Company and 100 percent employee owned.
Connor Lund
In related news, Ready Pine recently announced Connor Lund was hired as an account executive.
Lund is new to the lumber/building products industry with previous experience in beverage sales. Lund graduated from the Advertising and Marketing Communications Management program at Mohawk College in Hamilton, ON, in 2022.
He has a passion for sales and providing solutions through building relationships. He is also an avid curling player and fan. Looking forward, Lund shared that he is excited to continue to learn and grow his knowledge and expertise in the world of lumber sales.
For more details, contact (519) 504-2939 email connor@readypine.com or visit readypine.com.
Cleereman Industries’ New Cleereman Premier Bandmill
Cleereman Industries, based in Newald, WI, recently announced the release of a new product. The 6’ or 7’ Cleereman Premier Bandmill is available as a single or double cut or right or left-hand version. An Air Strain System and a Double Column is included. An extended column is also available for tilted machines or for a larger throat opening, in addition to a 17-Degree Slant option. All 6’ bandmills have an oversized SKF Double Row Spherical Bearing Standard.
President of Cleereman Industries, Paul Cleereman, stated that the bandmill is “built to last, weighing over 29,000 pounds.” He described the new product as “engineered the Cleereman way – designed for higher production, greater flexibility, longer life and reduced maintenance. Built with the durability, reliability and performance sawmills demand.”
The new Cleereman Premier Bandmill
The new bandmill includes Cleereman’s Exclusive Dead Shaft Design with 6’ steel Premier Bandwheels for smoother operation. The machine’s bottom wheel design is crafted for increased stability with cooler bearing temperatures, while the shaft and bearings used in both bottom and top wheels are rated for 50,000 pounds of load strain.
“The bottom shaft deflection is non-rotating compared to those from other manufacturers live wheel designs, causing the shafts to have heat and vibration.
The machine is dynamically balanced for speeds up to 12,500 SFPM standard, allowing for the band-mill to run at higher RPM’s than cast wheels with less vibration than any competitor’s wheel design,” added Cleereman.
To learn more, call 715-674-2700 or visit cleereman.com.
Carbotech Strengthens Its Presence In South America Through Partnership
Carbotech, based in Plessisville, QC, recently announced the signing of a strategic agreement with manufacturer’s agent Innovación Nórdica to represent its solutions across key South American markets, including Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Uruguay. This partnership brings Carbotech closer to its customers by providing responsive sales support and tailored after-sales service.
A Strategic Move to Better Serve Local Markets
By partnering with Innovación Nórdica, Carbotech reinforces its presence with existing clients while unlocking new growth opportunities in a rapidly expanding market. “This collaboration is supported by a trusted local partner with a strong regional footprint and deep market knowledge. Through this partnership, we are also leveraging our recognized expertise to help sawmills and planing mills across Latin America optimize their operations and enhance their competitiveness on the global stage,” said Eric Michaud, vice president, sales and marketing at Carbotech.
Advanced Equipment to Drive Operational Performance
Innovación Nórdica will represent Carbotech’s full portfolio of wood industry solutions, including processing equipment for sawmills and planing mills, automation systems and AI-powered cutting optimization technologies.
“Welcoming a Canadian industry leader like Carbotech enhances our value proposition and broadens our portfolio of solutions for the South American market,” added Vasco Ortuzar, general manager of Innovación Nórdica.
In practical terms, Carbotech’s equipment enables companies to get the most out of every log by improving cutting precision and maximizing material utilization.
For nearly 40 years, Carbotech has been specializing in optimizing operations for sawmills and planing mills. The company designs and manufactures log and lumber handling equipment, sawing solutions, as well as optimization and automation systems.
Innovación Nórdica specializes in introducing advanced technologies to the wood processing industry across Latin America. Acting as both a commercial and technical partner, the company connects international manufacturers with key industry players and supports project development from design through implementation.
For more information about Carbotech, call 941-313-1296, email eric.michaud@carbotech.ca or visit carbotech.ca.
Comact Launches New Generation Miller Planer
Simon Potvin
Comact, a global leader in high-performance OEM wood-processing technologies, recently announced its new generation Miller Planer. This redesign introduces targeted improvements to support product quality, operational reliability, and maintenance.
“Engineered for high-speed production, the new generation Miller Planer transforms rough lumber into market-ready products with consistent dimensional accuracy and a uniform surface finish. The updated design preserves the core principles of the Miller concept while integrating enhancements aligned with current planer mill requirements,” stated a Comact company source.
“At Comact, we continuously work to ensure our equipment meets the highest performance standards in the industry,” said Simon Potvin, CEO of Comact. “This new generation Miller Planer reflects that commitment, building on a proven design while raising the bar for reliability, consistency and maintainability.”
The new generation Miller Planer is available for new installations and as retrofit solutions for existing equipment, allowing mills to modernize critical systems and extend equipment life without full replacement.
For over 100 years, North America-based, 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, we are dedicated to helping our 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,” continued the source.
For more information, visit comact.com.
DO2 Unveils New Robotic Innovation
DO2’s new robot.
Dolbeau Oxygène Inc. (DO2), based in Dolbeau-Mistassini, QC, recently introduced its newest robotic innovation for the wood processing industry. Powered by an intelligent 3D vision system, the robot is designed to detect, remove and reposition misaligned or non-compliant wood pieces in real time before they disrupt production.
This advanced technology helps reduce production stoppages, eliminate manual intervention, improve production flow and maximize operational efficiency. The system can identify crooked, overlapping or sideways pieces and quickly correct them without interrupting the line.
“Following the successful completion of our first installation, the results have confirmed the robot’s reliability and performance in demanding production environments. Designed to adapt to multiple wood applications, the system performs efficiently across various wood sectors, including both softwood and hardwood industries.
“With this new innovation, DO2 continues to push the limits of automation, vision technology and robotics for the future of wood processing,” stated a DO2 company representative.
For more details, visit do2.ca.
ISK Biocides Inc. Registers Newest Product – Cerberus™
Lance Johnson
ISK Biocides Inc. in Memphis, TN, recently received EPA registration of its newest anti-sapstain chemical, Cerberus™. Cerberus contains three proven active ingredients which provide performance similar to ISK Biocides’ flagship product, NeXgen, but at reduced cost. Named after the three headed dog of Greek mythology that guarded the gates of the underworld, Cerberus will guard sawmills and lumberyards from sapstain and mold.
“NeXgen has been on the market for over 30 years and has been the market leader for most of that time. We believe Cerberus has the potential to lead through the next couple decades,” said Lance Johnson, VP of sales and marketing at ISK Biocides.
Cerberus has been in testing for the last couple years, including over six months on air-dry yards monitoring brightness of the lumber. “Cerberus stands up to NeXgen well,” stated Johnson.
Cerberus™
“ISK Biocides is dedicated to and focused on the wood industry and strives to provide the best products, backed up by unmatched service. Boasting a sales force with well over 100 years combined experience in the sawmill industry, ISK Biocides has the technical expertise to support its customers,” added Johnson.
For more information, contact an ISK Biocides District Sales Supervisor, call customer service at 800-238-2523 or visit iskbiocides.com.
McDonough Manufacturing And Automation & Electronics USA Announce OptiX MAXX Resaw System And Ryan Marrs
McDonough Manufacturing and Automation & Electronics (A&E) partnered to create the OptiX MAXX Resaw System.
McDonough Manufacturing Company based in Eau Claire, WI, and Arden, NC-based, Automation & Electronics (A&E) recently announced a strategic partnership to introduce the OptiX MAXX Resaw System, a fully integrated, grade optimized solution designed to improve recovery, consistency and efficiency in modern sawmill operations.
Matt Tietz
The OptiX MAXX system combines McDonough’s AutoMAXX automated resaw with A&E’s OptiX vision optimization and grading technology, bringing scanning, decision-making and mechanical execution into one coordinated system. By connecting optimization directly to equipment performance, the system supports more consistent results while reducing reliance on manual input.
“By working together, we are able to offer a more complete solution at the resaw,” said Matt Tietz, owner of McDonough Manufacturing. “Integrating A&E’s optimization technology allows us to connect decision-making directly to system performance.”
A&E’s OptiX technology scans and evaluates material prior to cutting, determining the most effective sawing strategy based on geometry, visual defects and value. These decisions are then executed automatically by the AutoMAXX system, which receives inputs such as cant rotation, fence positioning, cutting speeds and outfeed routing.
Joe Korac
“Optimization is most effective when it is fully integrated into the process,” said Joe Korac, president of A&E. “With OptiX MAXX, we are combining vision-based grading with proven equipment to deliver consistent results at the resaw.”
The OptiX MAXX system is designed for both new installations and existing operations. It can be integrated into current McDonough resaw systems, allowing mills to upgrade performance without replacing their entire line. With the addition of automated turning, a new infeed system and OptiX optimization, mills can modernize incrementally while improving recovery and reducing variability.
McDonough Manufacturing, founded in 1888, and Automation & Electronics (A&E) bring together decades of experience in mechanical systems and optimization technology to deliver a practical, integrated solution for today’s sawmills.
Ryan Marrs
In other news, McDonough Manufacturing recently announced the hire of Ryan Marrs as a sales representative.
Marrs brings 22 years in the hardwood lumber industry, with a background that spans logging, lumber inspection, headsaw and resaw operations, sawmill and plant management, engineering, capital projects, and multi-site operations. He has worked his way through the business from the production floor to management, giving him a well-rounded understanding of how mills operate day to day.
He attended the National Hardwood Lumber Association Inspector Training School and completed a Project Management course through Syracuse University. Most of his knowledge, however, comes from years of working directly in mills and learning what works and what does not in real operating conditions.
Throughout his career, Marrs has managed multiple sawmill operations, led capital improvement projects, and worked closely with equipment suppliers. Now he’s able to bring that experience directly to customers, helping them make equipment decisions that make sense for their operation.
“I’ve spent my career working through many of the same challenges mills face every day,” said Marrs.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Marrs now lives in Western New York with his wife Beth and their seven children. Outside of work, he enjoys construction projects, operating equipment, working on his property, camping and spending time with his family, often supporting his kids in their many sporting activities.
Visit mcdonough-mfg.com to learn more.
TS Manufacturing Welcomes Back Rob Kittle
Lindsay, ON-based, TS Manufacturing recently welcomed back Rob Kittle, who has joined the company as a systems sales representative, serving customers across Canada and international markets.
Kittle brings nearly 30 years of experience in sawmill machinery and sales, including more than 10 years previously spent with TS Manufacturing and 13 years with Cleereman Industries. Throughout his career, he has developed extensive industry knowledge, strong customer relationships and a deep understanding of sawmill operations and equipment.
Originally from Fenelon Falls, ON, Kittle enjoys spending time with his family and making the most of the outdoors. In his spare time, he can often be found boating or golfing.
For more than five decades, TS Manufacturing has been offering a complete line of machinery, controls and software to fit mills.
For more information on their complete line of sawmill offerings, contact them at (705) 324-3762, email sales@tsman.com or visit tsman.com.
