LUMBER 411

A Special Series from Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association

Pith Intergrown Red Oval Knot Encased Black Knot

Your Lumber Grading Glossary

Iu’ any time around lumber, and we know you have, you’ve probably picked up a bit of the lingo. But there’s more so much more than the words we all know, like knot, wane, bow, etc. Next time you’re hanging out with lumber people, drop a few of these words defi ned below and watch your cool factor rise.

Let’s start with the most well-known terms.

Bow. Part of warp, bow is a deviation fl atwise from a straight line drawn from end-to-end of a piece.

Cup. Part of warp, cup is the deviation in the face of a piece from a straight line drawn from edge-to-edge of a piece and is measured at the point of greatest distance from the straight line.

Burl. A distortion of gran, usually caused by abnormal growth due to injury of the tree. The eff ect of burl is assessed in relation to knots.

Checks. A separation of the wood normally occurring across or through the rings of annual growth and usually as a result of seasoning. Checks fall into the following categories: surface, through, small, medium, large, roller, light roller, medium roller, and heavy roller.

Grain. The fibers in the wood and their direction, size, arrangement, appearance, or quality. Can be broken down further into slope of grain, summerwood, springwood, vertical grain, edge grain, rift grain, fl at grain, slash grain, mixed grain, spiral grain, and diagonal grain.

Heart. Heartwood is the inner core of the tree trunk comprising the annual rings containing nonliving elements. In some species, heartwood has a prominent color that is diff erent from the sapwood. There are multiple kinds of heartwood, to include boxed heart, heart center, free of heart centers, and fi rm red heart.

Knots. A portion of a branch or limb that has become incorporated into a piece of lumber. In lumber, knots are classifi ed as to form, size, quality, and occurrence. But there’s more You might see a knot described as red, black, round, oval, spike, pin, small, medium, large, sound, pith, hollow, unsound, firm, tight, intergrown, watertight, encased, loose/not fi rmly fi xed, fi xed, cluster, star-checked, well-scattered, and well-spaced.

Sapwood. Outer layers of growth between the bark and the heartwood which contain the sap.

Warp. Any deviation from a true or plane surface, including bow, crook, cup, twist or a combination thereof.

And now a few that are more obscure.

Crook. Part of warp, crook is a deviation edgewise from a straight line drawn from end to end of a piece and is measured at the point of greatest distance from the straight line.

Moisture content. The weight of the water in wood expressed in percentage of the weight of the oven-dry wood.

Occasional pieces. This means not more than 10 of the pieces in a parcel or shipment.

Pitch streak. A well-defi ned accumulation of pitch in the wood cells in a streak. Pitch streaks are described as very small, small, medium, large, very large, or as a pitch seam.

Splits. A separation of the wood through the piece to the opposite surface or to an adjoining surface due to the tearing apart of the wood cells.

Trim. Trimming of lumber is the act of cross cutting a piece to a given length.

Wane. Bark of lack of wood from any cause, except eased edges, on the edge or corner of a piece of lumber.

We bet you’ve never heard of some of these!

Pith. Pith is the small soft core in the structural center of a log.

Pocket. A well-defined opening between the rings of annual growth which develops during the growth of a tree. It usually contains pitch or bark. Pockets can be classifi ed as very small, small, medium, large, very large, closed, through or open.

Stained wood and Firm Red Heart. Stained Heartwood or Firm Red Heart is a marked variation from the natural color: it can range from pink to brown, and it not to be confused with natural red heart. Natural color is usually uniformly distributed through certain annual rings, whereas stains are usually in irregular patches.

Stress grades. Lumber grades having assigned working stress and modulus of elasticity values in accordance with accepted basic principles of strength grading.

For more information on lumber and grading terms, please visit www.nelma.org.

– Matt Pomeroy is director of inspection services for Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association. Reach him at info@nelma.org.

Within days of each other, US LBM struck deals to add two formidable businesses to its stable six-unit Massachusetts dealer Mid-Cape Home Centers and two-branch Michigan dealer Northern Building Supply.

With its roots tracing back to 1895, South Dennis, Ma.-based Mid-Cape Home Centers supplies professional builders, remodelers and homeowners in Massachusetts’ South Shore, Cape Cod and the Islands with lumber and specialty building materials.

“We’re excited for this partnership with US LBM, which shares our focus on quality, service, community involvement and people,” said MidCape president and general manager Jack Stevenson, who will continue to lead Mid-Cape’s day-to-day operations. “Together, Mid-Cape and US LBM will set an even higher bar, as we remain committed to our loyal customers, local communities and mission to be the supplier of choice in Southeastern Massachusetts. Our customers will have access to a wider range of technologies, materials and off erings while relying on the team they know and trust.”

With the addition of Mid-Cape, US LBM now operates 25 locations across New England under several banners, including Deering Lumber, East Haven Builders Supply, Poulin Lumber, Ridgefi eld Supply, Universal Supply and Wallboard Supply.

Founded in 1904, Northern Building Supply has yards in Traverse City and Suttons Bay, Mi. They will now operate as part of US LBM’s Standard Supply and Zeeland Lumber, which will now have a combined 19 locations across Michigan.

“We’re excited to partner with US LBM,” said Ed Beuerle, who will continue to lead Northern Building Supply’s operations. “As part of the US LBM family, we get the best of both worlds, keeping our trusted team and the relationships we’ve built with customers and our community, while being able to off er our customers even more products and resources to help them get the job done right.”

Northern Building Supply’s owner George Cochran will be leaving the business to focus on other local ventures. “We’ve built something special, and I’m proud of our long service to the community and the building trades,” said Cochran. “It’s been a privilege to work alongside such a professional and knowledgeable team; they’re truly the best, and I look forward to the great success Ed and the entire team will have with US LBM.”

In total, US LBM has over 400 branches across the U.S.

BIP Introduces Component Manufacturing Division

Utilizing the just-acquired assets of SourceCut Industries, Osseo, Wi., Building Industry Partners LLC has formed a new specialty building products component manufacturing platform North American Specialty Laminations in partnership with Ted Rock, Brad and Zach Wiedenhoeft, and the business’ managers and workforce.

Founded in 1999, SourceCut manufactures laminated, composite and wood components serving the residential and commercial window, door, cabinet, architectural millwork, and fi xture/display industries.

The partnership and investment in SourceCut will help bring to life the Wiedenhoeft family’s vision for the business: investing in human and capital resources to bolster service of existing and new customers and position the business for signifi cant organic and acquisition-related expansion.

Brad Wiedenhoeft, founder of SourceCut, continues with American Laminations as chief revenue offi cer. Zach Wiedenhoeft continues in his current role of president, with responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the facilities in Osseo. Rock will serve as CEO of North American Specialty Laminations. The SourceCut name will be retained.

Two BIP operating partners Peter Stroble and Chris Kliefoth will be joining the board of North American Specialty Laminations as directors.

Woodgrain Buys NC Sawmill

Woodgrain, Fruitland, Id., agreed to purchase and expand the Independence Lumber sawmill near Elkin, N.C.

It intends to retain Independence’s workforce, while over the next two years creating 10 additional jobs and investing an additional $1 million in new machinery and equipment.

Milwaukee Adding Tool Plant

Milwaukee Tool is constructing a new manufacturing facility in Clinton, Ms.

Anticipated to open in November, the new $7-million, 357,000-sq. ft. plant will act as an expansion of its current facility in Jackson, Ms. Shaw/Stewart Lumber Co.,

Minneapolis, Mn., has purchased 106-year-old Kruse Lumber, Rochester, Mn.

Day’s Hardware, Denton, Tx., has been sold to Alan Walter, Jason Blevins, and Tom Knox by Barry Day, who will continue on in a staff role.

The new owners will rename the business Denton County Hardware and relocate in December to a signifi cantly larger space with room to add a 6,000-sq. ft. garden center.

Riverhead Building Supply,

Calverton, N.Y., has agreed to purchase Mozzone Lumber Co.,

Taunton, Ma., as its 19th location but fi rst in Massachusetts.

Effi ngham Builders Supply

has proposed building a 5,000-sq. ft. RentX store in Effi ngham, Il.

Elder’s Ace Hardware,

Chattanooga, Tn., is opening store #23 next month in South Inglewood (Nashville), Tn.

Nuts & Bolts True Value

Hardware is permanently shuttering its Overland Park, Ks., branch this month.

Aubuchon Hardware closed

its 80-year-old branch in Keene, N.H., on Sept. 7.

Carr Hardware, Pittsfi eld, Ma., has acquired longtime competitor Lee Hardware True Value, Lee, Ma.,

as its ninth location.

Hammond Lumber Co.,

Belgrade, Me., was recently named as one of the 2021 Best Places to Work in Maine.

US LBM raised more than $350,000 for multiple charities through the fifth edition of its charity golf tournament, held recently in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl.

Stewart Builder Supply, Dickson, Tn., and Fuller & Son Hardware, Little Rock, Ar., are both celebrating a century in business.

Hancock Adding NH Dealer

Hancock Lumber, Casco, Me., will acquire Winnipesaukee Lumber, an independent, family-owned LBM supplier that has operated in Wolfeboro, N.H., since 1985.

With a tentative closing date of Nov. 1, the two companies will work together in the interim to ensure a smooth transition for their employees and customers, carrying on the Quinby family legacy. Established in 1848, Hancock Lumber is a seventh-generation, integrated forest products company who is passionate about its people-first and values driven culture.

“I’m personally thrilled to welcome Winnipesaukee Lumber into the Hancock Lumber family,” said CEO Kevin Hancock. “Dick and Dianne Quinby have made an indelible contribution to the lumber industry in both New Hampshire and Maine since Dick began his career in 1959. It’s an honor to build off their legacy. From the very first time Dick and Dianne welcomed me into their home, I knew this was something we wanted to make happen.”

Strategically, both Winnipesaukee and Hancock are highly focused on contractor sales, high-quality products, and personalized service. Geographically, Winnipesaukee’s location in Wolfeboro complements Hancock’s existing locations in North Conway, Bridgton, and Kennebunk and allows Hancock Lumber to offer a strong set of products, services, and stores from the heart of New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. Finally, the family business culture that Winnipesaukee Lumber is built upon matches Hancock’s own values and mission in terms of employee-led teams and personalized service experiences.

“Being in this business for over 60 years, starting our own lumber company in Wolfeboro, and building our business in New Hampshire and Maine has been a life-long commitment,” said co-owner Dick Quinby. “When the time came to retire, we decided the next best step was to sell our business. From our first meeting together, we knew Hancock Lumber was the right fit.”

BSF Adds Apollo Software

Builders FirstSource has purchased the Apollo software platform from bankrupt CLT manufacturer Katerra for $4.5 million.

Introduced in early 2019, Apollo provides design collaboration and workflow, construction budgeting and scheduling, and field task assignment with mobile functionality.

BSF said the move complements its recent acquisition of WTS Paradigm, LLC.

“We are well-positioned to lead the digital transformation in home construction, which significantly lags behind other industries in the application of technology to drive efficiency,” said Dave Flitman, BSF president and CEO. “Our digital strategy focuses on how we can make our customers’ businesses better by shortening project timelines and reducing waste.”

Ace on Track to Open 170+ Stores This Year

Ace Hardware, the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world, has already opened 110 new stores in 2021, and is planning to open at least an additional 60 stores by the end of the year.

The co-op operates more than 5,500 locally owned hardware stores in all 50 states and 70 countries, with global sales topping $20 billion. Ace’s unique cooperative business model offers local entrepreneurs not only the ability to become owners of their local store operation, but they also become one of a limited number of shareholders of Ace Hardware Corp.

“Our proposition for consumers is that Ace is the most helpful store on the planet; for prospective new store owners, our proposition is that Ace is the most financially and emotionally rewarding opportunity available,” said John Venhuizen, president and CEO. “An essential business, rooted in people, that exists to serve others; we are blessed with local owners who genuinely serve the communities in which they reside.”

Globally, Ace has opened more than 900 stores in the past five years, while disbursing dividends of $293 million in 2020 a 46 return for the co-op’s shareholders.

Stock+Field Is Now RP Home & Harvest

R.P. Lumber Co., Edwardsville, Il., is rebranding all 22 Stock Field locations it acquired through the bankruptcy process this past spring to their new name, R.P. Home & Harvest. Starting Sept. 7, the company began the complete interior, exterior, and online rebranding, expected to be completed within 30 days.

After decades of operations, the stores known as Big R until acquired in 2018 and renamed Stock Field entered bankruptcy and liquidation under previous ownership in early 2021.

“These stores have a decades-long tradition as being a part of the fabric of the community, and our intentions remain steadfast,” said Jason Plummer, VP of R.P. Lumber and president of R.P. Home & Harvest. “We want R.P. Home & Harvest to be an extension of the culture of service we’ve cultivated at R.P. Lumber over the years.”

“Our customers played a key role in renaming our stores,” added Robert Plummer. “We received over 2500 suggestions via our website and social media pages and took each one into consideration. We now hope to pick up where Big R left off and will continue to earn the respect of our customers through good old fashioned hard work and customer service.”

SUPPLIER Briefs

Ferche Millwork, Rice, Mn.,

has been acquired by real estate firm Hoffman Family of Companies,

Naples, Fl.

L&W Supply consolidated its Englewood and Punta Gorda, Fl., branches into a new facility in Arcadia, Fl., better positioned to serve the Port Charlotte market.

ABC Supply opened a new location in Centreville, Md., managed by Ryan Laverdiere, mgr.

Huttig Building Products sold

its shuttered Selkirk, N.Y., distribution center to outdoor equipment dealer

Snow Joe.

McDowell Lumber, Asheboro,

N.C., in mid-2022 will add vision technology to its existing BioLuma Trimmer Optimizer.

Windsor Windows & Doors

proposed building a 500,000-sq. ft. facility in Monroe, N.C.

AZEK affiliate Vycom , Scranton, Pa., received the inaugural Environmental Impact Award from the International Association of Plastics Distribution, as well as the IAPD Marketing Gold Award.

GAF, Parsippany, N.J., has agreed to acquire roofing underlayment manufacturer FT Synthetics, Langley, B.C.

SRS Distribution, McKinney, Tx., has acquired Weatherpanel, Buff alo, N.Y., a leading distributor of residential and commercial roofi ng, siding, windows & doors, and other related products marking the 100th acquisition since SRS’s founding in 2008.

Founded in 1948, Weatherpanel will continue to be led under its existing name by president Frank Vacanti and VP Maria Wrafter.

“We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Frank, Maria, and the rest of the Weatherpanel team,” said SRS president and CEO Dan Tinker. “The company is one of the oldest and most respected independent distributors in New York and will be a perfect complement to our B&L Wholesale Supply branches in the region.”

DMSi Celebrates 45th Anniversary

DMSi Software, makers of the widely used Agility ERP inventory and order management solution for building material suppliers, is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year.

In the decades since its 1976 founding, the Omaha, Ne.based DMSi has grown to be a leading provider of inventory and order management software for the building material supply industry. Partners Cal German and Jim Hassenstab have led the company since 1986 and shepherded its growth from a staff of fi ve to over 230 employees. This consistent leadership helped DMSi develop its deep culture of service and passion for technology. Aided by a strong executive team, German and Hassenstab remain actively involved as CEO and Chairperson, respectively.

Along with excellent core software solutions, DMSi is consistently recognized by customers for delivering unparalleled service. The company supports 22,000 end users across 2,000 facilities and 800 enterprises that range in size from $1 million startups to $5 billion industry leaders. Because quality software and services require quality people, DMSi places a premium on recruiting and retention; bringing on board only those who thrive in a customer-focused, service-oriented culture.

“From our inception, DMSi has been hardwired to serve customers,” said German. “That focus is unshakeable. It is our north star and keeps us doing the right thing. Success to us is seeing our customers operate smoothly, grow easily, and adapt as the world changes. We look forward to the next 45 years of partnership with the industries and customers we so proudly serve.”

Hardwood Flooring Manufacturer Changes Hands

AHF Products, Mountville, Pa., has acquired certain assets of hardwood fl ooring manufacturer American OEM, the trade name of Cumberland Products Group.

From its plant in Only, Tn., American OEM manufactures Raintree, Hearthwood, Emily Morrow Home, and private label hardwood fl ooring.

The company was founded in 2013 by Don Finkell.

Construction Firms See More Growth Ahead

While construction companies continue to face supply chain disruption as a result of the pandemic, these companies are more optimistic (56 ) than the national average (52 ), expecting overall economic conditions in the U.S. will improve, according to a new study from Umpqua Bank.

The survey shows that construction fi rms tend to see improving fi nances in the year ahead. About 66 said they expect revenues to increase, compared with an average of 55 for all sectors, and only behind that of retail (67 ). The construction industry also expects profi ts to rise, with 52 saying so, compared with an average of 45 , and trailing only retail (67 ) and manufacturing (57 ).

Construction fi rms also said they will continue to retool their approaches over the next year. Remarkably, 73 said they plan to make signifi cant changes to pricing, more than any other sector, with others trailing well behind, such as manufacturing (50 ), business services (49 ), and wholesale (48 ). About 34 said they are likely to take on debt to grow in the coming 12 months, versus 29 of all those polled. About 31 are considering increasing their real estate footprint, similar in inclination to other industries (32 ).

“Construction fi rms of all sizes have shown remarkable resilience during the pandemic, and generally appear optimistic about the economy and their prospects for growth,” says Richard Cabrera, executive VP at Umpqua Bank. “They have faced volatile commodity prices and labor shortages, but strong demand for real estate, such as housing and warehouses, has allowed operators to pass much of the rising costs on to buyers.”

Like many enterprises, businesses in the construction industry have made changes and adapted in response to the pandemic. However, they are less likely than other fi rms to keep changes made long term: only about 37 of fi rms said they will maintain most or all of the changes they put in place since March of last year, the lowest among all sectors in the study. The national average was 54 .

About 95 of the construction industry said they had supply issues over the last 12 months, compared with an average of 88 for all sectors.

Roughly 20 of construction fi rms said they are more likely to acquire another business in the coming year, versus 26 of all companies.

Only 33 of fi rms said they would likely automate repetitive tasks over the next year, below the average of 44 , but 58 they would look for ways to digitize the business to improve effi ciency, in line with the average of 59 .