ONLY THE FINEST

Columbia Vista specializes in kiln-dried Douglas fir 4 x 4s... high qualiry yet affordable alternatives to pine and cedar posrs. Available in 8-, 10- and l2-foot lengths, our 4 x 4s are produced by skilled, dedicated people during a single shift for maximum consistency.

Our commitment to the finest extends beyond the mill. Mills m consistently upgnded with state-of-the-art Wete proud to be certified to ISO 14001 standuds and by the EPA for environment-friendiy practices, 3-D scanning systems, mechmiad lumbcr-handling ststcms. md more. Posts including the usc ofnon-polluting sourccs ofclcctricity. Employcc-friendly workplace mcans our pcoplc takc Columbia Vista ensures quality in many my$.. pride in their work and producs. fT'S lr.'.';1 :ltitl lltrtl rttlrkittl lttttlhct' lis tu,rte ()l rul uft thlttt lt st'ir'ttr'c. Hon cvcr. thc cornpctitive rratirrc o1' lumbcl nrarkcts hcre in thc 2lst Centull'. as * e ll as the atlvuttccs in nriillillilL turins tr'r'ltttolorr. i\ rll(r\ illt tlrr' lrrnrhcr' nrililillil( tuIin! 1rl'()!c\\ closcr to scienec.

Onc of tl.rc rrcrrr'st initirrtircs in thc wcstcrn lurrbcr industr'1 is ultplr irtg nroclcrn quality control llllnl-genteltt tcchnicprcs to rlanufac1r.rling. Wcstcln Woocl Pnrrlrrcts Associltion has bcctt lclrcling thc inclustrr's cllot'ts in this arcil \\,ith its pionccling Quulitr Managcrncttt Systcrn. or QN'lS ltrog fllll-1.

Trarlitionullr in a sun ntill. cnrploy ccs in e uch area ol plocluctiort lirctts specificalli,, on thcir u olk centcr rr ith little conncctiorr to thc other' parts of the nranr.rf actllrins l)r()ccss.

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roluntlrr QMS proq.tiUD. evcfY lcvcl ol thc pro rlrrction proccss is tlocutucutccl llorrr thc log clcck 1o the shipPing clock. Ob.jcctir es arc clctelntincrl bltsccl ott hou' thc f'unct ions of clrch sPcc il'i.' u olk center al'l'ccts tlic l'inll rlLralit) ol tlrr' lLrrtthel Ir'rrtlttel. Tltett rt tttottttot' irrg ancl auclitin!'prosrlnr is inrplc mented to identify any adjustments that need to be made and ensure the stated objectives are being met.

"The QMS concept can be described as 'Say what you do and do what you say.' That sounds simple, but if a mill can do this in a systematic way, it can allow them to make their operations more efficient and give employees a better understanding of the entire process and the importance of their specific job in the final quality of the lumber they are making," noted Dr. Kevin Cheung, the WWPA technical director who helped establish the QMS program.

"Once in place, a QMS program can enhance the control mill managers have over the entire production process. while at the same time promoting continuous improvement throughout the plan," he added.

Dr. Cheung said the QMS program for lumber follows the same principles and concepts as ISO 9000 and similar programs, which are often touted in other manufacturing industries. He said the WWPA program was specifically designed for lumber manufacturing. with association member company quality control experts working for more than a year to establish a framework for the program.

Both Dr. Cheung and Chris Coleman, association wood technologist, have completed training as Certified Quality Auditors from the American Society for Quality, the world's leading authority on quality. Association lumber insoectors. who will help conduct the periodic audits at QMS mills, will be receiving ASQ training as well in the future.

To date, 13 mills have been certified by WWPA as QMS operations. The process for certification, which includes completing all the documentation, objectives and monitoring, can take as long as a year. WWPA provides all the basic materials needed, including sample manual. Association staff also conducts regular audits to provide independent verification of mill practices and suggest improvements in mill programs.

Jeff Webber, vice president of operations for Stimson Lumber Co., Portland, Or., said the pace of lumber manufacturing today creates significant challenges in managing operations. He said QMS has provided much more control for mill managers.

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