The turn-key approach to lumber protection

A r DrncoN TecnNor-octss, the -CLfocus has always been on the science of lumber protection-in fact, that's the company's motto. However, Diacon is also interested in how information technology can strengthen this focus.

"Yesterday, Diacon was working hard to maintain the value of your lumber by preventing mold growth," says Konrad Tittler, managing director of sales and marketing at Diacon. "Today, and into the future, we are focusing on adding value to your lumber."

Since the early 1990s, Diacon Technologies has supplied North American mills with Mycostat lumber coatings that protect against mold, iron stain, and checking. Each year,

Mycostat is the preferred product for the production and delivery of 5 billion bd. ft. of mold-free lumber.

Diacon, which has dual headquarters in Vancouver, Wa., and Richmond, B.C., also developed a spraying system that ensures Mycostat is properly applied. Named Diaplex, the lineal and transverse spray systems are constructed of high quality stainless steel. Using the most advanced technology, the spray system is both reliable and easy to use.

"Our customers include the most sophisticated and environmentally responsible lumber manufacturers in the world," says Tittler, "We start by listening to our customers' needs, then offer the components that allow them to enhance the look of their lumber, safely and cost-effectively."

In the past, he says, a mill bought a drum of chemical and "we never heard from them again-unless there was a problem. We decided to become proactive, instead of waiting for a problem, by developing close relationships with our customers. The Diacon Service program is unique and unequaled in industry today and includes what is now the industry standard, the Diacon Retention program. We visit the mill, look at the situation, and collect samples of treated wood to test in our labs. Our customers love the idea of being able to measure the amount of Mycostat on their lumber and correlating that to protection time."

In addition to the Diacon Mycostat and Service programs, Diacon developed turn-key programs tailored to an individual producer's needs.

"We're the only company in the industry to do this," says Tittler. "We design, build, install and maintain the program, with the goal of making customers' lumber look more attractive and retain its fresh-cut appearance. Customers can opt for the total turnkey solution, or choose only those options that best fit their operation. "

A key component of this turn-key approach is Diacon's Smartflow computer control and measurement systemintroduced in 2008which provides real-time feedback on the performance of the Diaplex spray system. The software is updated and refined on a regular basis, to provide consistent and reliable feedback on the coating process.

"We developed Smartflow to ensure everything works exactly as it should, 2417 ," Tittler says. "The system monitors the whole process and automatically alerts mill managers and other key personnel if anything is not right. The turn-key approach allows us to deliver the most complete mold-prevention program in North America."

According to Tittler, the company has always operated with its customers' best interests in mind, especially when it develops and introduces innovations.

"When a mill is producing 1,000 bd. ft. every half minute, it doesn't take much for something to do wrong." he says. "lt's so easy to mistreat, ship the material out, and then have mold and stain claims. If you're not applying chemicals properly, you're not protecting the wood properly."

Future innovations, says Tittler, will include value-added products that are designed to change a regular 2x4 lumber commodity into a 2x4 lumber specialty product. "These projects are new and exciting to the lumber industry," he adds. "No one has done anythins like this before."