GP UNVEILS LARGEST SAWMILL IN THE SOUTH

IT’S BEEN IN OPERATION for more than 100 years. Whether it was producing particleboard, plywood or lumber, Georgia-Pacific’s Pineland Lumber has been a mainstay in Pineland, Tx., since 1910. With the recent completion of a $120-million expansion, the East Texas mill is writing a new chapter in its history as it reportedly becomes the largest sawmill in the South.

On June 21, GP cut the ribbon on its newest sawmill that has the capacity to produce 450 million bd. ft. of lumber annually. The capital improvement project includes a modified log yard, a fully modernized sawmill, a continuous dry kiln, and a high-speed planer.

The new sawmill replaces a stud mill that was built in the 1960s. That product line has been incorporated into the new mill while those affected employees have transitioned into new roles at the facility.

With this investment, the Pineland facility now has the capability to accept more log trucks per day—and in less time. The modified log yard and the use of wheel loaders—that can unload a truck in one “bite” as opposed to two—will increase the mill’s truck traffic from approximately 250 to 300 per day.

The capital improvement project began last April with up to 350 contractors onsite. “We built a sawmill within an existing sawmill which presented a few challenges,” said Ronnie Comeaux, GP regional lumber manager. “However, we continued to successfully operate at full capacity through the entire construction process, and in the end, we were able to modernize our lumber complex that will sustain operations for years to come.”

Unique to the new mill is the application of cross laminated timbers (CLT) which were used to construct electrical control rooms and specialty equipment enclosures.

“We chose to install the CLT for a variety of reasons,” said Comeaux. “It is an environmentally friendly option to many traditional building materials, as CLT is a completely sustainable resource. CLT construction is strong, tough and lightweight due to the arrangement of the individual boards in a panel. The CLT panels also offer inherent properties for fire resistance, noise reduction and thermal performance. Finally, CLT buildings are a great way to support our lumber industry and showcase the natural beauty of wood construction.” BP

ADENTRA MERGES TEXAS DC’S

Adentra Inc. is consolidating Rugby Architectural Building Products’ San Antonio, Tx., distribution center into the local branch of Frank Paxton Lumber Co.

In preparation for merging, the Paxton facility is undergoing extensive renovations and upgrades. The merger should be completed by Aug. 1.

“We are very pleased to welcome Rugby customers and Rugby staff to the Paxton family,” said Paxton general manager Victor Del Toro. “The next few months will be exciting as the businesses are realigned to service our customers better. During this time, we will also update our website and issue a new product catalog.”

Ace Building New Dc In Kc

Ace Hardware has begun construction on a huge new distribution center in Kansas City, Mo., anticipated to be fully operational in 2025. With over 1.5 million sq. ft., it will be almost twice the size of the average Ace Retail Support Center and be equipped with state-of-the art technology, automation and WMS.

Beacon has added new greenfield branches in Ruskin, Fl.; Lebanon, N.H.; Elyria, Oh.; Jackson, Tn.; Killeen and Tyler, Tx.; and Roanoke, Va. Beacon has also acquired Crossroads Roofing Supply, with branches in Oklahoma City, Enid, Norman, Stillwater and Tulsa, Ok.

Musser Biomass and Wood Products, Rural Retreat, Va., will invest $7.5 million to expand its operation, more than doubling capacity.

Mickey, New York, N.Y., has launched Mickey | Contractor Direct, an LBM sourcing platform for contractors. The new division is headed by Jeffrey Crouse, VP of trading.

Carolina Atlantic Forest Products is now distributing Vista Railing Systems’ full line of aluminum, glass and cable railing products in northern Georgia.

Sunbelt Forest Products, Bartow, Fl., will begin supplying Deckorators products, starting with distribution of Deckorators decking, Aluminum Rapid Rail, and Contemporary Cable Rail to the Nashville market from its Athens, Al., facility.

Bingaman & Son Lumber Inc., Kreamer, Pa., is now packaging Nova USA Wood Products’ ExoClad QuickClip hidden siding fastening system with its Americana thermally modified rainscreen siding products.

The devil’s in the details, and Townsend knew CT Darnell’s deep LBM experience—and Sunbelt Rack’s racking systems—would provide significant savings and next-level value to the 9-acre LBM facility.

Carlisle Construction Materials has begun production at its new $100-million, 500,000-sq. ft. polyiso factory in Sikeston, Mo.

Weston Forest, Mississauga, Ont., has acquired Kings Wood Products, Paris, Ont.

Smith Lumber Co., Valley City, N.D., recently celebrated a century of business by hosting a weeklong, community event.

Erie Materials, Albany, N.Y., is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

84 Lumber accepted David Weekley Homes’ annual National Preferred Partner Award for the fourth year in a row.

Len Moscowitz, ex-Holbrook Lumber, has been appointed director of business development for CUTEK USA. He is based in Rochester, N.Y.

Jay Ramkumar has been promoted to executive director, national sales for Ruskin, Grandview, Mo.

Keith Wilkening, ex-Von Tobel, is the new general mgr. of R.P. Lumber, Beecher, Il.

Rob Julander is now in outside sales with Leachman Lumber, Des Moines, Ia.

Michael France, ex-Epicor, has been appointed director of business development & technology for Mid-City Lumber Co., Columbia, Mo.

Alex Acevedo, ex-Westlake Royal Building Products, is now Wake Forest, N.C.-based territory sales mgr. for MoistureShield decking.

Jenny Busby is a new millwork specialist with St. Landry Lumber Co., Opelousas, La.

Tony Sheffield, ex-Canfor, will join The Westervelt Co., Tuscaloosa, Al., as chief financial officer in the third quarter of this year. He replaces former CFO Mark Tobin, who left the company earlier this year.

Mike Siegel, ex-Instone, has joined Hoover Treated Wood Products, Thomson, Ga., as regional sales mgr. in Cleveland, Oh.

Scott Burney was promoted to sales mgr. for Manning Building Supplies, Jacksonville, Fl.

Scott Wodicka, ex-Home Depot, is a new architectural representative with Curtis Lumber Co., Ballston Spa, N.Y.

Jeff Ranes, ex-Idaho Timber, has been named VP/general mgr. of Clary Lumber Co., Gaston, N.C.

Jamie Swoyer, ex-Lezzer Lumber, was named sales mgr. for MRD Lumber, Bethel, Pa. Emily Biggerstaff, ex-J&L Building Materials, is new to outside sales with MRD.

Andrew Wamser has been named senior VP and chief financial officer-elect for BlueLinx Holdings, Marietta, Ga. He succeeds Kelly Janzen, who’ll stay on until Aug. 31 in an advisory capacity.

Carl Cosslett, Northeast regional lumber buyer for US LBM, has retired after more than 40 years in the industry, the bulk of it with Shelly’s Supply.

Tyler Davenport has joined the inside industrial sales team at Dixie Plywood & Lumber Co., San Antonio, Tx.

Shane Sinell, Jordan Sinell, and Ryan Schroer joined the ownership group of Siwek Lumber, LeSueur, Mn.

John McKenna has been promoted to millwork purchasing mgr. for LMC, Wayne, Pa.

Matthew Zolla, ex-Lowe’s, is a new kitchen & bath designer at East Coast Lumber Building Supply, Hampstead, N.H.

Yonancy Chaparro has moved to City Lumber, Queens, N.Y., as new business development mgr.

David Trexler, ex-Builders FirstSource, has joined the outside sales force at Carter Lumber, Charlotte, N.C.

Scott Stringer, ex-Baillie Lumber, has joined DMSi Software, Omaha, Ne., as product mgr.-neural grader.

Dustin Nielsen is new to inside sales at Tri-State Forest Products, Indianapolis, In.

Jacques Vauclain has been named VP of finance for LMC, Wayne, Pa.

Paul Vance, ex-C-Wood Lumber, has joined the sales team at Northern Hardwoods Lumber Co., Atlantic Mine, Mi.

Walker Scudder is the new logistics mgr. at Atlantic Plywood Corp., Woburn, Ma.

Taylor LaCour is new to Builders Supply Co., Bossier City, La., as operations mgr.

Wendy Livingston was appointed executive VP and chief human resources officer for Jeld-Wen, Charlotte, N.C.

Ken Farrish has retired after 20 years as president of Atlas Roofing Co., Atlanta, Ga. Ken Roberts, ex-Delta Faucet, succeeds him, effective July 31.

Luke Rushing is now logistics mgr. at Brown Wood Preserving Co., Kennedy, Al.

Mallory Bates was promoted to merchandise mgr. for Do it Best, Fort Wayne, In. Also promoted were Kendall Cooper and Megan Morgan, to associate merchandise mgrs.; Dan Wasvick, INCOM & sales product mgr.; Jakob Bowden and Amy Onion, INCOM & sales specialists; and Nathan Selvey, web merchandiser. New to Do it Best are Stephen Busch, as a pricing analyst; Dustin Clark, merchandise mgr.; and Kyle Cochran, demand forecasting analyst.

Doug Stringfellow, VP of operations, Gulfeagle Supply, Tampa, Fl., is retiring this fall after 28 years with the chain. Brad Powers was promoted to VP of sales & operations for the Southeast, with Bill Wilson now VP of sales & operations for the West. Ben Zwolski succeeds Powers as regional mgr. for north & central Florida. Kurt Schwahn is now EVP of sales & operations.

Carter Bingham has been named branch mgr. of L&W Supply, Jacksonville South, Fl. Other new branch mgrs. are: Richard Nelson, Lakeland, Fl.; Heath Hanks, Alpharetta, Ga.; Eduardo Velazquez, Mableton, Ga.; and Lupe Rivera, Medway, Ma.

Quonta Vance has been promoted to executive VP-pro & home services for Lowe’s Cos., Mooresville, N.C.

Earl Bernard has been named communications director for Orgill, Collierville, Tn. She succeeds Kristyl Lawson, who is now director, talent development.

Heather Summy is now St. Joseph, Mo.-based regional field mgr. for Northwestern Lumber Association.

Trina Forrest is new to log purchasing for Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv., report co-owners Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.

Mead Lumber Rebrands

Mead Lumber, Omaha, Ne., launched a rebranding initiative aimed at updating the company’s look and creating consistency across its business units, both with employees and customers.

As part of the initiative, Mead Lumber will unveil a new and modern logo, new website, and new web address—meadlumber.com. Some of its locations will also be changing their name to Mead Lumber, while others will keep their name but will follow the new logo and design scheme.