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DID IT EVER HAVE A CHANCE?

Though I knew it was coming, it still caught me by surprise—the announcement earlier this summer that an asset liquidation firm had taken over the “orderly sale” of all machinery at the bankrupt CalPlant facility in Willows, Calif.

“Offers are being accepted for entire lines or individual pieces. This is a unique opportunity to purchase very late model machinery of a major MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) manufacturing facility,” the announcement stated, while listing a continuous press, refiners, hammermills, the sander, handling systems, even the switchgear and substations.

Of course this wasn’t going to be just any MDF plant. It was a rice strawbased MDF plant, which began making some board in 2021 with $380 million of difficult investment behind it.

Through the years, about 25 of them actually, Panel World wrote about the long and winding roads, and the roadblocks therein, to reach the financial and physical realization of the plant— how California legislation in 1991 banned open field burning of rice fields to dispose of post harvest rice straw; while flooding the fields for the same purpose drained a precious resource in a drought prone region.

CalAg, as it was initially called, was founded in 1996 by rice industry people to develop MDF out of the straw waste and provide a previously non-existent market to the farmers. Goodness gracious, how I recall the capital raising ups and downs and the ceaseless negotiations with equipment companies. But then there it was, a 325,000 square foot facility ready to produce 140MMSF annually of MDF.

The fact that COVID hit certainly didn’t help with startup, but then word creeped in that there were issues with processing the raw material and some other problems (including the smell of the product?), to the point that we didn’t know what to believe, or whom to believe, and suddenly we had that awful

feeling that it wasn’t going to make it, and that was before we even considered the capability or not of the actual board product finding a home in the marketplace.

Recent history was working against it. Remember the small Acadia Board sugar bagasse-based composite board plant that started up in New Iberia, La. in 2000? Or the Isobord wheat straw panel plant that started up in 1998 in Elie, Manitoba, Canada? It was comparable in production capacity to CalAg. Dow Chemical bought it out of bankruptcy in 2001 but closed it several years later. Or the wheat-waste based PrimeBoard particleboard plant that started up in 1995 in Wahpeton, ND? In 2005, the ownership behind PrimeBoard sold the operation to Masonite, which converted it to an internal door components factory. Probably not a big part of the original game plan for the product, but it was something.

I visited all of those plants and we ran articles on them in Panel World We’re not experts in product properties and applications, but in the back of our minds we always wondered why the market would risk it when there’s plenty of wood-based panel to be had?

As far as the dreamers, the ones behind these projects, as the Roman philosopher Seneca said: “Admire those who attempt great things, even though they fail.” PW

Panel

is published bimonthly by Plywood & Panel World, Inc., P.O. Box 2268, Montgomery, AL 36102-2268 (334) 834-1170, Fax (334) 834-4525. Subscription Information— PW is sent free to owners, operators, managers, purchasing agents, supervisors and foremen at veneer operations, plywood plants, composite products plants, structural and decorative panel mills, engineered wood products plants and allied exportimport businesses throughout the world. All non-qualified U.S. subscriptions are $50 annually; $60 in Canada; $95 (Airmail) in all other countries (U.S. funds). Single copies, $5 each; special issues, $20 (U.S. funds). Subscription Inquiries TOLL-FREE 800-6695613; Fax 888-611-4525. Go to www.panelworldmag.com and click on the subscribe button to subscribe or renew via the web. All advertisements for Panel World magazine are accepted and published by Plywood & Panel World, Inc. with the understanding that the advertiser and/or advertising agency are authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The advertiser and/or advertising agency will defend, indemnify and hold Plywood & Panel World, Inc. harmless from and against any loss, expenses, or other liability resulting from any claims or lawsuits for libel violations or right of privacy or publicity, plagiarism, copyright or trademark infringement and any other claims or lawsuits that may arise out of publication of such advertisement. Plywood & Panel World, Inc. neither endorses nor makes any representation or guarantee as to the quality of goods and services advertised in Panel World. Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to reject any advertisement which it deems inappropriate. Copyright ® 2023. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Printed in USA.

PELICE 2024 ANNOUNCES FIRST WAVE OF KEYNOTERS

Organizers of the ninth Panel & Engineered Lumber International Conference & Expo (PELICE) announced commitments from several industry personnel to deliver keynote presentations. Hosted by Panel World magazine and Georgia Research Institute, the event will be held March 14-15, 2024 at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta, site of all the previous PELICE events.

“Having started in 2008, I guess we can say that PELICE is getting some legs under it,” comments Rich Donnell, co-chairman of the conference and editor-in-chief of Panel World . “But it doesn’t compare to the longevity of the companies that two of our early keynoters represent.”

Donnell is referring to panel and lumber producer, RoyOMartin (Martco), and wood products machinery manufacturer and technology supplier, Dieffenbacher. In fact, Martco and Dieffenbacher have been celebrating 100- and 150year anniversaries, respectively, in 2023.

Roy O. Martin III, Chairman, CEO and CFO, will deliver a keynote entitled: “Empowering Culture: Navigating Change while Preserving a Culture of Excellence.”

As RoyOMartin is amid growth and will be facing upcoming organizational transitions, Martin will discuss how sustaining current company culture and empowering leadership will be crucial in navigating these changes. He’ll highlight the need to empower individuals within the organization to adapt and thrive while preserving the core values that define the current culture of excellence.

“With the opening of RoyOMartin’s state-of-the-art OSB mill expansion in Corrigan, Texas, and 100-year anniversary celebration, it is imperative that our commitment to excellence continues as we look forward to the next 100 years,”

Martin says. “Change should not be viewed as a threat to the established values and principles but rather as an opportunity for growth and adaptation.”

Martin is highly thought of for his business and economics development expertise and has led numerous advisory groups.

Traveling from headquarters in Eppingen, Germany will be Dieffenbacher CEO Christian Dieffenbacher, who will deliver a keynote entitled: “Future-Oriented by Tradition.”

Dieffenbacher will discuss how one of the threads that runs through the fam-

transition of management responsibility from the fourth to the fifth generation of the Dieffenbacher family.

Stuart Gray, current Chief Operating Officer at Roseburg, who will become President and CEO of the legendary Northwest-based company on October 1, will deliver a keynote entitled: “Looking Back to Look Forward: the History and Future of Roseburg Forest Products.”

Gray will speak about how the history of Roseburg illuminates its future, and how the key strengths that enabled the company to survive and thrive over the decades will pave the path to continued growth, making more lives better from the ground up.

Gray joined the company in 2017 as senior vice president and general counsel, overseeing the company’s strategic business development, legal, compliance, and environmental teams. In January 2022, Gray was appointed chief operating officer and assumed responsibility for the company’s manufacturing business.

Matthew O’Malia, co-founder of TimberHP and principal at OPAL Architecture, will talk about: “Prefabricating the Future with Wood.” He will address a new generation of building products encompassing wood fiber insulation and discuss their efficiency, environmental and performance attributes, ability to be effective in a variety of building types and their potential to be scaled to meet the growing renovation and new construction demands in North America.

ily-owned German company’s history is transformation—Dieffenbacher presses transform a variety of materials into useful products, while Dieffenbacher the company has permanently transformed itself to help industry and society address increasingly complex challenges. Among those challenges is the careful use of the earth’s valuable resources. Sustainability has been part of Dieffenbacher strategy since 2019 and is one of its most important corporate goals. Another complex challenge is digitalization. Introduced in 2021, Dieffenbacher’s digital platform EVORIS has established itself with more than 20 references worldwide.

Christian Dieffenbacher is a graduate in economics and engineering from RWTH Aachen University. He joined Dieffenbacher in 2014 and oversaw Asia operations, before joining the corporate management team in 2016, responsible for the Wood Business Unit, and in 2019 became CEO and Spokesman of the Management Board, completing the

O’Malia’s award winning architecture has earned him a nationwide reputation for innovation and expertise in the design of passive house residential and institutional buildings. In 2016, he teamed up with TimberHP’s other cofounder, materials chemist Joshua Henry, to look for a better domestic solution and determined carbon negative insulation from wood residuals, a successful product in Europe, could be manufactured affordably in the U.S. GO Lab, Inc.—TimberHP’s parent company—purchased a former paper mill in Madison, Maine in 2019 and raised more than $130 million to renovate the facility and turn it into the first wood fiber insulation manufacturing plant in North America. With renovations nearly complete, TimberHP will be selling all three of its products— TimberFill, TimberBatt and TimberBoard—on the North American market by early 2024.

PELICE will announce additional keynote participants in the next issue of Panel World PW

O’Malia

Dieffenbacher

Martin Gray

ROSEBURG ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT/CEO

As part of the company’s planned leadership succession, Roseburg’s board of directors unanimously elected current Chief Operating Officer Stuart Gray to become President and CEO, effective October 1. He succeeds Grady Mulbery, who will retire from his position as President and CEO effective September 30. Mulbery will remain on Roseburg’s board of directors through the end of 2023 and serve as an executive advisor through 2024.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve Roseburg and I look forward to life’s next chapters,” Mulbery says. “I am very grateful for the many opportunities and experiences I’ve had here. I am extremely proud of our leadership team and our team members, and their unwavering commitment to safety, each other, and our customers.”

During 12 years of service to the company, Mulbery held increasingly senior roles, first as vice president of composites, then as vice president of operations, and since 2016 as President and CEO. During his time as CEO, Mulbery presided over a period of exceptional growth for Roseburg, including expansion of the company’s

timberland holdings into the Southeastern U.S. and addition of manufacturing operations on the East Coast and into Canada. Mulbery led the company’s entry into medium density fiberboard manufacturing, and oversaw the construction of new engineered wood product and lumber manufacturing facilities in North and South Carolina.

“During Grady’s tenure, Roseburg has grown considerably and established a stronger and more diversified portfolio in the timber and wood products industry,” Roseburg owner and Chairman of the Board Allyn Ford says. “His deep industry experience and focused leadership during his time as CEO have earned him the utmost respect of Roseburg’s team members, customers, board of directors, and owners, as well as key constituents

Mulbery had a good run at Roseburg.

Gray becomes new leader at legendary company.

UPDATE

throughout the wood products industry.

“With the company well positioned for continued success, we believe now is the time to begin the transition to the next generation of leadership,” Ford adds. “At the conclusion of a multi-year development and succession process, we are confident in Stuart’s leadership, commitment to our culture and team members, and demonstrated ability to drive continued growth.”

With deep roots in the construction and building supply industry, Gray joined Roseburg in 2017 as senior vice president and general counsel, overseeing the company’s strategic business development, legal, compliance, and environmental teams. In January 2022, Gray was appointed chief operating officer and assumed responsibility for the company’s manufacturing business.

Gray earned his law degree from Emory University School of Law and an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management.

Mulbery began his wood products ca-

reer as a facility manager for Willamette Industries at its Eugene, Ore. MDF facility in 1999. He held various management positions at Weyerhaeuser Co. from 2002 to 2007. Before joining Roseburg, he served as director of operations for SierraPine.

FLETCHER ORDERS FINE OSB PLANT

New Zealand’s Fletcher Building Ltd. has ordered a complete plant for the production of Fine OSB from German machine manufacturer Dieffenbacher. The plant will be built at Fletcher Building’s Laminex site in Taupo, in the center of the country’s North Island. The new plant will include Dieffenbacher new belt dryer.

The belt dryer is one example of how Dieffenbacher technology will support the sustainability of the new plant. Along with digitalization, advanced plant engineering and operational excellence, sustainability is one of the four pillars of Dieffenbacher smart plant

concept, CEBRO. The belt dryer has a low thermal energy consumption.

“It’s only a small part of our new plant, but the belt dryer is a perfect example of Dieffenbacher’s advanced solutions,” says Paul Thorn, Fletcher Wood Products Capital Works Manager. “We chose Dieffenbacher for this important project because we are assured that they will help us move our business forward.”

Fletcher Building’s new CEBRO plant

Hamish McBeath, Chief Executive Building Products at Fletcher Building, left, and Dieffenbacher CEO Christian Dieffenbacher

UPDATE

will have the flexibility to produce Fine OSB and conventional OSB. Fine OSB is a special type of board consisting of an OSB core layer covered top and bottom by layers of particleboard. It combines OSB’s excellent mechanical properties with the surface quality of particleboard.

Besides the new belt dryer, Dieffenbacher will supply an energy plant, a debarking line, purchased material infeed, strand production, a Maier impact mill, screening and air grading, material recovery, glue preparation, glue dosing and gluing systems, forming station and forming line, a CPS+ continuous press with press emission control system, raw board handling, pneumatic systems, electrics and automation, the digitalization solution EVORIS and the digital service platform MyDIEFFENBACHER. Dieffenbacher subsidiary B. Maier is responsible for engineering the entire wood yard up to the strander.

The new plant will replace a particleboard production line featuring an almost 50-year-old single-opening press supplied by Dieffenbacher to Fletcher

Building in 1974. “It’s remarkable that our old press served us so well and for so long. With the right maintenance, we believe our new Dieffenbacher plant will last at least as long,” Thorn says.

Construction in Taupo will begin in early 2024. Startup is scheduled for the fourth quarter of the same year, with full-scale production by mid-2025.

APA ANNOUNCES SAFETY AWARDS

APA—The Engineered Wood Assn. announced the winners of its 2022 Safety and Health Awards. Structurlam Mass Timber (now owned by Mercer International) and LouisianaPacific won Safest Company awards in their respective categories, while the Innovation in Safety Award went to two winners: Tolko Industries’ Plywood Div. in Armstrong, BC as recipient of the Equipment-Based Innovation Award with its Veneer Load Marking Robot; and Boise Cascade Wood Products, LLC of Lena, La. as

recipient of the Jeff Wagner ProcessBased Innovation Award for its New Hire Mentorship Program.

Other competition categories include the Annual Safety and Health Award, Safety Improvement Award (20202022) and 3-Year Safety Award (20202022). Those awards divide into three divisions based on the type of product manufactured at the mill.

Seventy-two APA-member structural wood panel and engineered wood prod-

Safety awards will be recognized at the APA annual meeting in October in Palm Desert, Calif.

UPDATE

uct facilities participated in the 2022 program. A total of 11 facilities representing seven APA member companies earned awards.

Structurlam Mass Timber won for companies with three or fewer mills and posted an average Weighted Incident Rate (WIR) of 0.00 for 2022. LP earned top honors among companies with four or more mills, with a WIR of 4.59.

Other winners and categories included:

Annual Safety and Health Honor Roll: Division I, Plywood, first place RoyOMartin, Chopin, La.; second place Tolko Industries, Armstrong, BC. Division II, OSB, first place LP—Ponta Grossa, Brazil; West Fraser Timber, Nacogdoches, Texas; Division III, Glulam, CLT/I-Joist/LVL/SCL, first place Structurlam Mass Timber, Penticton, BC; second place Boise Cascade, St. Jacques, New Brunswick.

Three-Year Safety Award (20202022): Division I, Plywood, RoyOMartin, Chopin, La.; Division II, OSB, LP—Ponta Grossa, Brazil; Division III, Glulam/CLT/I-Joist/LVL/SCL,

first place Resolute Engineered Wood, Larouche, Quebec.

Safety Improvement Award (20202022): Division I, Plywood, Boise Cascade Wood Products, 55.1% improvement, Florien, La.; Division II, OSB, West Fraser Timber, 100% improvement, Jefferson, Texas; Division III, Glulam/CLT/I-Joist/LVL/SCL, Boise Cascade, 82.8% improvement, White City, Ore.

Incident Free Honor Society: Anthony Forest Products, El Dorado, Ark. (Glulam); Anthony Forest Products, Washington, Ga. (Glulam); Boise Cascade, St. Jacques, New Brunswick (IJ); LP, Dawson Creek, BC (OSB); LP— Ponta Grossa, Brazil (OSB); LP, Tomahawk, Wis. (OSB); Resolute Engineered Wood, Larouche, Quebec (IJ); Resolute Engineered Wood, St. Prime, Quebec (IJ); Structurlam Mass Timber, Penticton, BC (Glulam); West Fraser Timber, Bemidji, Minn. (OSB); West Fraser Timber, Jefferson, Texas (OSB); West Fraser Timber, Nacogdoches, Texas (OSB).

The APA Safety and Health Awards

Program is the premier safety award program for North America’s engineered wood products industry. The program’s goal is to promote and recognize operational excellence and reduce injury and illness rates. 2022 is the 15th year of the program, which is guided by the APA Safety and Health Advisory Committee.

BROWN BECOMES USNR CEO

Wood Technologies International announced that President Dale Brown has been appointed CEO of the company, succeeding Craig Tompkins who now serves as a Strategic Advisor to the Board of Directors of Wood Technologies.

“We are proud to have Dale step into this role after eight years of leadership at the company,” comments Rob Sivitilli, Chairman of the Board of Wood Technologies. “We thank Craig for his efforts at leading the effective integration efforts after the merger of USNR and Wood Fiber Group and for

GP

PUTS

AUTOMATION INTO NEW POLY PATCH LINES AT MADISON PLYWOOD

tive job, according to Madison Plant Manager Tony Brown (who was promoted three months ago to a regional manager position, meaning he now oversees not only Madison but also G-P’s plywood facility in Gurdon, Ark.).

Most plywood mills patch unsawn panels, but G-P opts to patch sawn panels. It’s a more efficient approach, Brown believes. “It allows us to grade that panel visually at the panel saw so we come to the patch line with just the panels we know fit a certain grade and can be fixed.” This method, he says, prevents a lot of wasted time kicking out panels with too many defects to be patched or panels that don’t need to be patched.

Another benefit: greater precision and less error. With a manual operation, employees visually determine if defects fall within grade rule size parameters for patching. “So I am depending on a human to make that judgment call,” Brown says. “A computer can do that a lot better than a human eye can. With imaging software, it knows exactly within a millimeter what diameter that knot is, the length of that split, and it knows whether it meets grade rules or not, in a fraction of a second.”

labor is one of the huge costs in any facility. If we don’t adapt then high labor cost will make us less competitive. We have to evolve to survive.”

LABOR BENEFITS

The push for automation isn’t just about remaining competitive through increased efficiencies and reduced labor cost. It’s also a response to changing labor markets, aimed at remaining competitive in attracting high-quality skilled workers, who in many cases are less plentiful than in the past and have more options on the job market.

Brown says, “Georgia-Pacific under-

BY DAVID ABBOTT

MADISON, Ga.

This June, Georgia-Pacific’s Madison plywood plant started up two new Raute automated poly patch lines, part of an ongoing shift towards automation company-wide. Since 2016, G-P has invested well over $65 million in capital projects at Madison, much of it in automating formerly manual positions. Previously, the mill repaired small de-

The automated system also has fewer downgrades downstream at the sander, where the operator used to downgrade 10-15% of the panels for being mispatched, or having knots bigger than the patching spec. “On the manual patching, on a good day we were getting what I would call a disappointing yield number,” Brown says. “Since we’ve gone to auto-patch, we are moving 1015% more panels, which has a direct impact on improving our margin.”

Brown believes the only way to stay competitive is through automation. “Obviously there is a cost factor there;

G-P Madison replaced manual patching with two Raute automatic patching lines this summer.

Both patch lines are set up side-by-side, with infeed on the left (green) and outfeed on the right (orange x-lift).

With a focus on automation at high-turnover positions, the plywood mill is replacing its manual patch lines with a new Raute system.

After the system scans, routs and patches defects, plywood sheets transfer to an indexed vertical tray system; gaps between each sheet allow the compound to dry before sheets are stacked at the bottom outfeed.

stands that the type of worker today is different.” The current generation of workers, he notes, are comfortable with technology and accustomed to using gaming systems, computers and the internet. Fewer people have grown up on farms, for example, and developed skills with operating machinery.

“We could do either of two things: We could complain that people just don’t work like they used to—and if we do that, we’re at risk of going out of business because we’re not adjusting; or, we can start catering to and building our business model around pulling that kind of worker in.” Thus: automation!

The timing is fortuitous: Technology is helping to phase out many manual labor tasks just as the availability of skilled manual laborers grows increasingly scarce. For Brown’s taste, the development of automation might even be a bit behind the labor market curve, but

solutions to free workers up for higher level problem solving.

J.T. Capps, G-P tech service group manager for Plywood Lumber, concurs: “The driving motivation to upgrade those processes is to give operators an opportunity to move into a technical role, for a better work experience, and to combat the high turnover.”

The number of employees needed to staff Madison has dropped roughly 10% over the past two years due to automation upgrades. Brown points out that layoffs have not been needed; normal turnover has taken care of that. “We’re not sending people down the road. We just recognize that in the factory of the future, we have to make the same or more with less. We have to depend on machinery and automation to get us there, because society is changing, the workforce is changing.”

For example, one upgrade, a pair of

one person per line to do a job that once would have taken five or more. Likewise, the two Raute auto patch lines have allowed Madison to reduce the number of people needed on each patch line from five to one per shift.

THE PROJECT

G-P Madison’s corporate automation team was very engaged back and forth with Raute on the design specifications of the system. “We couldn’t just buy needed auto patch equipment with a small footprint,” Capps says. “Raute offered a compact putty line which we worked with them to retrofit; replacing putty with synthetic patch, adding heated dams and curing-racks to be able to repair sawn panels.”

Instead of manually inspecting and patching defects by hand, patch line techs are now trained to monitor the automatic system and manage exceptions with an HMI touch screen if there is a problem. The system scans each panel to find defects, then positions the panel, routs and applies an epoxy chemical from Willamette Valley to repair each defect. It then transfers to the outfeed to dry.

Notably, the auto system takes up significantly less real estate on the mill floor than a manual line. “Raute designed these things really effectively regarding space requirements,” Brown says. On a manual line, after patching, each panel flows down a long conveyor at a slow rate under heat lamps while the patch compound cures before it can be stacked, so panels don’t stick together.

In assessing the problems inherent to a manual line, “Raute said, ‘We’re smarter than that, we’re all engineers, we’ll figure out something better,’” Brown says. So instead of going long,

In the spirit of automation, G-P is also testing AGV (Auto Guided Vehicle) unmanned forklifts to transfer packages from the veneer stackers to the dry warehouse.

The AGVs are fully automatic, communicating with the mill’s wireless network and guided by PLC and sensors.

Radian stenciling robot was another addition late last year.

they went up. Now, after patching, each panel slides over onto a vertical tray system that indexes downward. Each panel drops one position as a new one comes on above it, with a gap between every panel so the patch can cure as the panel goes down to be stacked at the bottom, moving out on tracks so forklift drivers can pick it up.

The auto patch upgrade is a campaign project for all G-P plywood mills, meaning the technology is being tested and proved at two mills (Madison and Dudley, NC) ahead of implementation at all eight sites. G-P’s method is to engage different sites in its fleet to prove different technologies, work out the bugs and deal with growing pains before moving it out to the rest of the sites. “It’s a good strategy,” Brown says.

G-P is happy with the line performance, Capps says. The test sites are still in a ramp-up learning curve, he says, so during that time there is still one manual patch line active in Madison. But, Capps adds, “We will be 90-100% robotic patch by the end of 2024.”

The same Raute auto patch system now in place at Madison and Dudley will soon be installed in other G-P plants. “We have 13 lines committed, and possibly 14,” Capps says. “By next year all 13 will be installed and running.”

MORE AUTOMATION

Madison still does manual grading on one dryer, Number 7, but has two new automated lines in which each veneer sheet is scanned as the system deter-

Vehicle) fully automated unmanned forklifts to transfer packages from one position in the mill to another. Multiple point laser positioning tied into the mill’s wireless infrastructure allows the

believe the plywood plant of the future has probably 10-20% of the lift drivers you see today,” Brown says, adding that G-P is also exploring another technology, auto conveyance, on the finishing end.

Another automation project at Madison was the addition of a Radian stenciling robot and strapper last November. “Again, that is replacing jobs that are not the most attractive to employees,” Brown says. “Who wants to do that? Automation lets workers fill more meaningful positions.”

And the upgrades are ongoing. In 2024 G-P has designated well over $20 million in capital investment to replace all three hot presses at Madison with new state-of-the-art 40-opening SparTek presses. This campaign project has already been tested at the Corrigan, Tex., and Taylorsville, Miss. plants, and will be rolled out in all eight G-P plywood mills next year.

MILL FLOW

Madison benefits from its position in central Georgia’s wood basin. “Most mills have to wet deck a lot of wood

Madison Plant Manager/G-P Regional Manager Tony Brown monitors system performance at the auto patch line’s HMI touch screen.

Keeping employees safe, comfortable and cool (in this summer’s often-extreme heat) has been a priority for G-P.

this time of year, but we have such a good basin we don’t have to wet deck due to the climate,” Brown says. “Loggers can get in and out and keep our yard full year-round.”

Incoming southern yellow pine logs are processed through a Nicholson ring debarker and then cut to 8 ft. lengths, 11-14 in. diameter. Blocks are then soaked underwater in vats treated in a mild caustic and heated to 200° and to a

9 PH for around 10 hours.

Out of the vat, conditioned blocks are centered on a Coe (USNR) 249D lathe, which chucks the log and spins it a quarter turn, using lasers to determine optimal positioning for the greatest yield. The lathe then peels it down to a 5 in. core.

Downstream, sheets flow through a Raute clipper line to green automated two-bin USNR stackers ahead of four

six-deck dryers (USNR 22-section and 12-section dryers and a 23-section Cremona dryer). Coming off the dryers, the conveyor sends pieces through a Metriguard density meter, UNSR moisture meter and USNR grader/scanner. All three systems combine to determine the characteristics of each sheet and tell the USNR sorter program to which bin of the Raute stacker it should be assigned. Off the smallest dryer, workers still

USNR dry veneer grading system follows density and moisture meters ahead of Raute stacker.

Sheets wait in the dry warehouse ahead of the five-ply and three-ply layup lines.

manually pull, grade and stack sheets into carts by hand.

The dryer outfeed leads directly into the dry veneer warehouse, where sheets wait a hold time before being moved onto the glue spray line, to one of two G-P spray layup lines, either a double five-ply line or a mini three-ply line. Panels are constructed with glue applied between each layer as it moves through the line, fully consolidated at the Superior prepresses and then fed individually by hand into the Superior hot presses within 30 minutes after the process starts.

At the outfeed deck, the product is slightly wide and long with rough edges before a Globe panel saw trims it into a 4x8 panel. After grading, and patching in some cases, the plywood is stenciled, strapped, and loaded on a truck to ship to end customers. (The line also operates a four-head Globe sander.)

Brown says management at G-P mills has become a more collaborative effort since Koch Industries acquired GeorgiaPacific. “Before, you never heard the term ‘challenge process,’” he says, but now, input of other perspectives is invited, even required. “We use it very effectively. Charles Koch encouraged us to respectfully challenge his thoughts and ideas. The best idea truly wins and drives policy.” PW

Finished package is ready for shipment.

Limab laser sensors measure dimensions and defects after the presses.

EMISSIONS

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following companies submitted these editorial profiles and images to complement their advertisements placed elsewhere in this issue. Please refer to those advertisements for web site and contact information. All statements and claims are attributable to the companies.

BÜTTNER

The Büttner Energie- und Trocknungstechnik GmbH –part of the Siempelkamp Group is well known globally for burners, drying and energy systems working at the highest technical level, efficiency and reliability. Countless Büttner facilities are in use around the world, particularly for the production of wood-based panels (particleboard, OSB, MDF and insulation boards), as well as for the production of pellets, in the sugar industry, in the field of biomass fuels and in various other industries.

In 2022, Büttner expanded its product range in the field of environmental technology, underlining the status as manufacturer of complete plants. By establishing the new competence center for environmental technology, a new branch office was founded in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Along with its experienced team of specialists at the new location, Büttner designs and manufactures both dry electrostatic filters (ESP) to separate ash from hot flue gases in energy plants, and wet electrostatic precipitators (WESP) to reduce particles and volatile emissions from the exhaust air emitted by drying and press systems.

This gives new customers the opportunity to focus on energy efficiency and the reduction of emissions during the planning and design stages of their plants. First-class environmental technology combined with heat recovery systems not only contribute to environmental protection, but also reduce operating costs through the use of residual heat.

The new competence team in Kaiserslautern will also be able to help current customers in regard to the modernization, conversion and extension of their existing ESP and WESP systems of every make.

Büttner also supplies spare parts for existing ESP and WESP from other manufacturers quickly, reliably and inexpensively.

To sum it up: Büttner Energie- und Trocknungstechnik GmbH is committed to setting pioneering standards in the fields of energy, drying and now also environmental technology.

DÜRR

Dürr is a global supplier of turnkey clean air solutions that meet stringent emissions regulations, improve process performance and protect thermal downstream equipment. The engineered wood products industry relies on Dürr for effective emissions control of particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from dryers and press vents.

With thousands of systems installed worldwide in many process industries, we have the knowledge to provide an optimized solution engineered to meet specific needs. Our designs are modular, operator-friendly, and cleanable, including alkali-resistant ceramics and corrosion-resistant materials of construction to suit the application.

Dürr is a single-source supplier offering optimized systems, including the Oxi.X RC regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) to control VOCs, combined with our Part.X PW wet electrostatic precipitator to remove sub-micron particulate and fumes from dryer and energy-system gas streams with unparalleled uptime and reliability. Wet scrubbers provide high-efficiency particulate removal for dryers, press vents, and energy systems, thereby preventing buildup on the connecting ductwork and downstream equipment.

We further confirm our commitment to the wood products industry with the availability of a pilot unit scrubber/wet ESP/RTO for testing process slipstreams to determine the optimal pre-filtration and RTO ceramic bed configuration.

The Dürr aftermarket services team delivers right-from-the-source expertise. Our people are skilled in helping you maintain your equipment by recommending upgrades and rebuilds of your existing equipment to optimize its efficiency and performance, which reduces energy costs.

Our full spectrum of service offerings includes preventative maintenance, parts and technical support, oxidizer media care, catalyst and carbon testing, and heat recovery solutions.

The new Büttner team in Kaiserslautern

UPDATE

helping drive two subsequent complementary acquisitions, all which built Wood Technologies into an industry leader today.”

Brown has had a 37-year tenure with Wood Technologies and predecessor company USNR, starting his career there in 1986 as an accounting data entry clerk, working his way up through various roles in USNR’s accounting, sales and executive operations departments. Past positions included chief accountant, controller, vice president, senior vice president, and CEO of USNR in 2018. Brown was named president of Wood Technologies upon the USNR/Wood Fiber Group merger in 2021.

ALC-IDAHO ROLLS OUT MEDICAL PLAN

Responding to concerns form its members, officials with Associated Logging Contractors-Idaho presented the organization’s medical insurance plan with special discounts and coverages designed for ALC-Idaho members, says ALC-Idaho Executive Director Shawn Keough.

The plan is open to ALC Regular members and is tailored for small businesses like logging and log truck driving. For example, groups as small as two are eligible, as long as both work at least 20 hours a week in the business. Employers can offer one to three different plans.

“The prices are competitive and the coverage is great,” Keough says. “The more people we get enrolled, the stronger the plan will be.”

Since she began working with ALCIdaho in 2000, obtaining affordable health insurance has always been an issue for association members, Keough says. The group tried a self-funded plan 40 years ago but wasn’t able to sustain it. She adds that ALC-Idaho members have always wanted some sort of health plan but their voices have become louder more recently as costs have risen.

The association was able to put the plan together by working with its longtime affiliated insurance company Associated Insurance Service, which in turn has coordinated with PacificSource Health Plans.

Emily Koleno, director of operations for Associated Insurance, notes that the ALC-Idaho board has been tremendous-

ly supportive of the formal process as the plan was developed over roughly 16 months. She adds that officials with the Idaho Dept. of Insurance were very responsive and ALC-Idaho’s experienced staff were a big help. PacificSource also has some of its business roots in the forest products industry and their people were excited about helping make the plan work, she says.

The issue of health insurance being offered—or not—by logging contractors is increasingly being raised as a big obstacle to both recruiting employees and retaining the ones already on the payroll.

In addition to Idaho several other groups are also working on health plans. North Carolina Forestry Assn. (NCFA) is putting together a health care plan that the group hopes to begin offering the first of 2024, pending a board vote in September.

Other logging groups are taking a closer look: An item in the Timber Bulletin newsletter from the Minnesota Timber Producers Assn. (TPA) noted that the group’s annual meeting included presentations on the steps required to put together a plan.

TPA Executive Vice President Ray Higgins reports that the association has begun working with Choice Plans to begin research about a potential plan.

SUGAR PELLETS COULD BE SWEET

Delta Biofuel confirmed a $100 million final investment decision for the construction and startup of a bagassebased pellet facility in Jeanerette, Iberia Parish, La. The company is expected to create 126 jobs and Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will also add 149 indirect jobs in the Acadiana region.

The facility will be the first of its kind in North America for its use of bagasse, a byproduct of sugarcane production, to manufacture biomass fuel pellets on a commercial scale used in power generation. When completed, the facility will produce 340,000 metric tons of pellets annually.

“Delta is thrilled to reach this milestone and begin construction,” Delta Biofuel CEO Phil Keating says. “We look forward to putting waste bagasse to good use, solving a serious problem for the sugar industry and reducing

GHG emissions.”

Player Design Inc. (PDI) reports it has been selected to provide two PDI 17 ft. x 70 ft. dryers (each with a 100 million BTU/hour furnace). Additionally, PDI is serving as the complete engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) provider for the facility.

Tyler Player, President, Player Design Inc., comments: “This is the natural growth of our capabilities as a fullservice provider of pellet plants. With the drying and energy systems being such a cornerstone of a successful pellet operation, the guaranteed performance and capital cost of the facility were already something we provided. Adding the PAL pellet presses and other systems was a logical step to rounding out our complete package.”

Delta Biofuel reports it has secured long-term agreements to acquire supplies of feedstock bagasse from five sugar mills in surrounding parishes; and the company has long-term contracts primarily with power utility companies across Europe for the sale of more than 1.8 million tons of pellets over the next several years.

UNIBOARD LOOKS GOOD AT VAL-D’OR

Uniboard reports its $350 million particleboard plant modernization program is going as planned at Val-d’Or, Quebec.

In June 2022, Uniboard announced the third phase of its modernization for its particleboard and TFL mill. More than $100 million was invested in Phase 1 and Phase 2, which were completed in 2017 and 2020, respectively. Uniboard broke ground on Phase 3 in September of 2022.

The first part of Phase 3 is a new distribution complex, which will be operational late this summer. The construction of the building for the new 10 ft. wide continuous press and finishing line has started. Installation of the new particleboard line will begin in early 2024.

The new line will expand Val-d’Or’s annual particleboard production capacity from 360,000 m 3 (205MMSF) to 550,000 m3 (310MMSF). The line will offer a range of panel formats and thicknesses, opening up new sales opportunities and applications for its customers.

Val-d’Or uses 100% post-industrial wood residuals primarily sourced from black spruce softwood.

PROJECTS

“Due to its strategic location, modernization and ample access to fiber, we believe the large-scale Allendale mill, with the help of our skilled OSB team, will be among the lowest cost mills in our OSB portfolio when it’s operating at full production,” says Kevin Burke, Senior Vice President, Wood Products.

With the purchase of Norbord in February 2021, West Fraser launched into a new role as a predominant supplier of OSB in North America. An important part of that emphasis was realized with the subsequent procurement of the 760MMSF Allendale facility in South Carolina in December of that year. Formerly operated by Georgia-Pacific, the mill was shut down in 2019 due to prevailing market conditions.

The $280 million dollar acquisition of the mill is believed by management to be a strategic investment to lower costs and benefit from the favorable location which is in proximity to both an abundant fiber supply and a significant

West Fraser recently completed an approximately $80 million dollar modernization project prior to the re-start of the mill in June. The effort upgraded and optimized processes to position the company to take advantage of future market opportunities.

An important part of this project was the installation and upgrade of the process fire protection systems in the plant consistent with the corporate emphasis on safety.

“Our approach to safety is a culture of continuous improvement, combining well trained staff with best-in-class technology advancements,” Burke says. “Our top focus is the mindset that all accidents are preventable and when coupled with best-in-class systems, we have preventative warnings and an immediate response, protecting our people, our reliability standards and our assets.”

Having a clear understanding of the fire hazards inherent in the production of composite panels, the company chose FLAMEX Inc. to provide the necessary protection systems to address the risk of fire in a number of critical areas throughout the facility. These systems include a MINIFOG Press Protect Water Mist system for the multiopening press, a foam system for the press pit, 95 zones of spark detection to monitor pneumatic material handling ducts and conveyor systems as well as 66 deluge valves for protection of the forming line, blender, weigh belt,

baghouses and cyclones. These systems utilize a variety of detectors such as heat, smoke, flame and spark detectors as deemed appropriate for the various protection applications.

The monitoring and supervision of the protection systems involve six independent control panels located throughout the plant which are networked by an INVERON HMI system to allow control of the plant process fire protection from a single computer.

“Since I joined West Fraser 24 years ago, I have been involved with seven FLAMEX startups of press fire protection systems in our divisions,” comments Avery Smith, General Manager, Allendale mill. “I have witnessed their continuous advances in technology, helping move West Fraser forward in asset protection. These changes have reduced downtime and improved recovery and startup from incidences of fire tremendously.”

Ed Pridgen, VP and MINIFOG Product Manager at FLAMEX, has been responsible for the supply, implementation and commissioning of the process protection systems at the mill. He states, “FLAMEX is proud of its partnership with West Fraser in protecting the mill and its employees from the recognized fire hazards inherent in the production processes found in engineered wood facilities. We appreciate the trust and continued confidence that they have placed in our systems and support over many years of a successful working relationship.” PW

Article and photos submitted by FLAMEX and West Fraser.

PROCESS FIRE PROTECTION IS A PRIORITY AT WEST FRASER OSB—ALLENDALE

Forming bin detection systems and deluge

Screening and conveyor deluge valves

PROJECTS

TIMBER HP GEARS UP WOOD FIBER INSULATION PRODUCTION

TimberHP welcomed a crowd of 350 to its mill in Madison, Maine on July 21 to mark the successful startup and operation of its first wood fiber insulation production line in a former paper mill shuttered in 2016. The line manufactures TimberFill, a loose fill insulation for attics, wall cavities, floors and ceilings. Two more lines, making the company’s TimberBatt and TimberBoard products, are expected to be op-

erational by year’s end.

Governor Janet Mills, Senator Susan Collins, Congressman Jared Golden, Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor Ali Zaid and Brian Brashaw with the USDA Forest Service joined TimberHP co-founders Joshua Henry and Matthew O’Malia in delivering remarks to a crowd of 350 TimberHP staff and investors, state and local supporters, and friends.

“I believe our strongest motivation in

life is to do something that matters,” commented TimberHP co-founder and CEO Joshua Henry. “And what we’re celebrating here today—a renovated mill, making renewable, nontoxic, carbon-storing insulation products—matters. Hiring talented local people—and paying them well to master a new wood products manufacturing process—that matters too. A lot.”

TimberHP already employs nearly 70 in Madison. Startup of the TimberFill line

Company hosted an opening ceremony at its plant in Maine.

Large crowds gathered to hear multiple speakers at TimberHP

It was dignitaries galore at the open house.

PROJECTS

comes after more than a year of renovation work inside the mill by Cianbro Corp.—a $150 million construction project to prepare the facility for wood fiber insulation manufacturing.

“My administration has been proud to partner with TimberHP to bring manufacturing back to Madison. Today, Maine becomes home to North America’s first manufacturer of wood fiber insulation—an historic achievement that will strengthen our economy and send the unmistakable message that Maine is on the cutting edge of innovation,” said Governor Janet Mills.

All three TimberHP insulations— TimberFill, TimberBatt and TimberBoard—are byproducts of Maine’s existing forestry sector—made from softwood chips, the residuals from milling lumber, and from low-value pulpwood removed from stands of timber throughout the state.

“Coming from a six-generation forest products family, I know there is no other industry that requires more respect for the past and faith in the future,” said U.S. Senator Susan Collins. “The possibilities are endless when new technology is combined with Maine’s traditional values of hard work and ingenuity.”

When the Madison mill closed in 2016, more than 200 people lost their jobs. The impact of the shutdown, though, reverberated out, hurting loggers, truck drivers, Madison’s tax base and the business owners in the town and

MDF PLANT ORDERS FIBER PREP LINE

Andritz reports it has received an order from Roseburg Forest Products to supply a complete fiber preparation line for Roseburg’s new medium density fiberboard (MDF) plant to be built in Dillard, Ore. Startup is planned for the third quarter of 2025.

Jim Salchenberg, Director of Engineering and Construction at Roseburg, comments, “Superior fiber properties are crucial to manufacture technically advanced medium density fiberboard products. We are convinced that the wellproven refining technology from Andritz will meet our expectations and look forward to a successful partnership.”

With a capacity of 40 bdmt/h, the

beyond. Over the next few years, the TimberHP team is expected to grow to as many as 140 employees. Among the company’s core group are several longtime veterans of UPM paper, who returned to the mill to help revitalize it.

A diverse coalition of largely Mainebased investors helped TimberHP raise enough equity to sell an $85 million solid waste and recycling green bond to finance buildout of the facility. In TimberHP’s early days, the company relied on state and federal grants and loans to get the business off the ground. One program that was especially helpful early on was the USDA Forest Service’s

Wood Innovations Grant program. TimberHP has received three separate grants through Wood Innovations, the most recent in June for $1.5 million.

TimberHP wood fiber insulation offers superior building envelope, thermal, and acoustic performance—a comprehensive, abovegrade product line to create windtight, vapor-open assemblies offering stable, long-term R-values, improved temperature stability, and premium sound protection—priced for mainstream adoption.

“Wood fiber insulation limits operational carbon emissions through energy savings, but also stores carbon when installed in a building,” said TimberHP cofounder O’Malia. “It can be used in new construction. And even more importantly, as a retrofit solution for the 97 million square feet of commercial buildings and 244 billion square feet of housing stock that must be upgraded to effectively reduce building emissions. With our successful launch here in Madison, we believe we must scale TimberHP and manufacture our products in other parts of the country to offer these solutions in as many markets as possible.”

TimberHP is actively looking at opportunities to scale its business and operate in other wood basket regions across the nation, especially those seeking outlets for wood waste. PW

new line will process timber from Roseburg timberlands. The pressurized refining system featuring an S2064 M single-disc refiner and a 74 in. digester including C-feeder will be the centerpieces of the new fiber prep line. An innovative 24 in. plug screw feeder will provide high dewatering efficiency ahead of the high-pressure zone to ensure low consumption of electrical and thermal energy.

CENTURYPLY STARTS UP REFINING SYSTEM

CenturyPly successfully produced first fibers with its recently installed Andritz pressurized refining system at its medium density fiberboard plant in

Punjab, India. At the same time, the company placed an order for another Andritz pressurized refining system for its MDF line in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Himanshu Shah, President MDF Business at CenturyPly, says, “We have been working with Andritz since 2016 and have always been impressed by the superior fiber quality we receive from Andritz’s well-proven technology. Our two existing lines are operating smoothly, and we appreciate the high energy efficiency throughout the entire process.”

The new fiber preparation system will have a design capacity of 37 tons per hour and process eucalyptus and poplar wood chips. Its startup is scheduled for later this year.

TimberHP CEO Josh Henry

PROJECTS

JIANGSU HUIDIAN RUNS WITH U-FLAKER

weight between 10-15%.

The U-flaker in Shuyang can process almost any type of raw material, such as logs, slabs and cores from the veneer peeling process.

PROJECT IN EGYPT IS TRULY UNIQUE

China’s Jiangsu Huidian New Materials Co, Ltd. put its Pallmann U-flaker into operation at its Shuyang site on June 9. This is the Siempelkamp Group’s third U-flaker that has been installed in China; two others are being operated at plants in Guangxi and Shandong.

The Asian market sees the U-flaker concept as revolutionary as it is a great response to the high value placed on hybrid board production, according to Siempelkamp. These special boards combine a core layer that consists of long and particularly thin flakes with a fine particleboard surface layer.

The U-flaker, developed by Siempelkamp subsidiary Pallmann, entails knife shafts using the one-step flaking process, yielding a superior flake quality with good bending strength. The flakes are cut in parallel to the grain to produce longer average lengths and thinner flakes, with a reduction in board

German companies WESER Industrie- und Anlagentechnik GmbH and Dieffenbacher are collaborating with Egyptian EPC contractor MT Mixers to supply a unique, eco-friendly plant for the manufacture of high- and medium density fiberboard (HDF/MDF) from date palm fronds to Egypt’s National Service Projects Organization (NSPO). The facility is being built in the Toshka region and is scheduled to produce its first board in fall 2025.

WESER is acting as general contractor for the turnkey project, which will cover an area of 400,000 m². Dieffenbacher scope of supply starts with a Maier chipping line consisting of a drum chipper with extra-large infeed cross-section specially designed for high-volume material, a feeding belt conveyor, a vibration dosing table and an integrated Maier rechipper. It also includes chip cleaning, the refiner, dryer and air grader, glue preparation and dosing, forming line and forming station, a CPS+ continuous press with press emission control system, raw board handling and the sanding line, strapping line and pneumatic systems.

The contract also includes a 29 MW energy system consisting of a solid-fuel fired steam boiler and a

thermal oil heater. “This is the first time since the acquisition of the former BERTSCHenergy in January 2023 that we have integrated a Dieffenbacher Energy solution into a project of our wood business unit,” explains Stefan Zipf, head of the wood business unit at Dieffen bacher. “Our Austrian and German energy experts from Bludenz and Eppingen have worked closely together to provide NSPO with a customized solution suited to the special requirements of burning palm waste.”

Adjacent a 40,000 acre date farm, the new plant will use date palm fronds to produce 125,000 m³ of MDF/HDF per year. WESER Managing Director Ahmed Amrou comments, “Usually, palm fronds are considered farm waste. In this case, however, instead of wood, which is hard to get in this region anyway, they will be used to produce MDF/HDF that can be utilized for flooring or by the furniture industry.”

The neighboring date farm that will supply the raw material for a new MDF plant in Egypt

Jiangsu Huidian puts U-flaker into operation at Shuyang.

EVO HANDLING SYSTEM

Biele’s high speed and accuracy handling system called EVO has been used many years in various sectors in high demanding production lines. In the newest generation of EVO, Biele has upgraded the system in a way that now becomes an all-in-one system for feeding, transferring and stacking different type of substrates.

The new EVO machine can realize an output of 40-50 cycles/min of continuous production. The system is able to feed one or multiple panels with a controlled gap in between them, such as for feeding/stacking to and from a highspeed painting line. The feeding/stacking/positioning accuracy can reach up to +/- 1 mm tolerances.

The machine is also able to play the

role of an automatic outsorting system for B quality or defect panels with high speed and compact footprint.

The EVO machine, following Biele’s philosophy of energy saving and optimization in all its designs, is demanding lower energy consumption compared to alternative machines for same applications. These energy savings are obtained by:

l Less moving parts: Compared to traditional feeders/stackers, the EVO system needs to move minimum parts to transport any panel instead of moving traditional vacuum heads (consequently needing bigger installed power and consumption).

l Controlled vacuum: The design of the system requires very low quantity of vacuum force compared to traditional systems for the handling of same products. In addition, the frequency drives installed in the turbines allow adjusting the vacuum according to the requirement (material, porosity, weight, shape) of each piece. Visit biele.com.

PANEL REPAIR

Now available in North America, Raute’s Panel Repair Station R5 leverages the most modern analyzer technology for defect detection and per-recipe quality targets to achieve up to 20% in repair material savings. It can handle panels as thin as 3 mm and as thick as 40 mm in sizes ranging from 4x8 ft. to 5x10 ft. to 8x13 ft. It is also a high-ca-

New products and technologies published here are submitted by the manufacturer and supplier companies or representatives thereof, and all statements and claimsare attributable to the submitting parties.

NEW WHAT’S

pacity machine, capable of repairing up to five panels per minute.

Raute has installed several Panel Repair Station R5 units across North America. “We designed this solution to be very plug and play,” explains Erkki Kauranen, Business Line Manager at Raute. “Each R5-Series station takes up only 80 square feet of your mill’s floor plan. Each station can also be fully functional within two weeks of delivery. Once up and running, it requires only a single operator.” Visit raute.com.

“GOT YOUR BACK”

Westmill designs and manufactures state-of-the-art veneer dryers as well as infeed, outfeed and stacking equipment. With superior insulating techniques, seal-welded housing and patented dryer humidity control system, Westmill has designed the most energy-efficient dryer.

Ask anyone from the plant manager, project engineer to the maintenance manager why they prefer to deal with

Westmill, and they will tell you that it’s because Westmill has a “got-your-back” attitude. Westmill not only stands behind the equipment it sells but also squarely behind the customer before, during and well after the warranty has expired. Westmill provides a level of support that only a family-owned company can, drawing upon decades of specific, subject-matter expertise.

Westmill designs and builds dryers with rugged, quality components to provide great performance with minimal downtime. Many years after completing a major dryer project, a long-time Westmill customer recently said: “My Westmill dryer is like a dependable old car. I can just jump in, turn the key and it al-

ways runs without a problem…I know I can trust it. My other dryers are too fussy!” Visit westmill.com.

PREPRESS BELTS

Highten prepress are designed to offer maximum performance, reliability and durability. Highten prepress belts are fray-less and are antistatic.

When using traditional prepress belts, there is a high probability of belt fraying, which can lead to damage to the belt, machine components, or even the wood product itself. With Highten belts, the fray-less feature ensures that there is minimal or no fraying.

Another advantage of Highten prepress belts is they are antistatic. Static electricity can cause significant disturbances and problems in the production process. Antistatic Highten prepress belts can significantly reduce this problem, allowing wood-forming manufacturers to work without interruption and with minimal wastage of time and materials. Visit highten.net.

HEROLD RETIRES FROM RAINIER

Rainier Veneer, Inc., Spanaway, Wash., announced that Plant Manager Jim Herold retired the first of June after 25 years as manager. Previously Herold worked at Roseburg Forest Products where he was plant manager of the Dillard plywood mill. He began his career at RFP after graduating from Oregon State University in 1974.

Rainier Veneer was built in 1992 on a 60 acre location 20 miles south of Tacoma. It became one of the largest softwood veneer manufacturing companies throughout the West Coast.

As good as he was a plant manager, Herold was an even better athlete. He was a champion wrestler at Astoria High School and Pacific University in the early 1970s. He transferred to Oregon State University to complete an impressive academic career.

Herold plans to travel and spend time with his family during retirement.

IS THIS COOL OR WHAT?

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following writeup is from the Roseburg web site.

Pop-up skate rolls— they’re not the latest trend in roller skating, but rather an important step in our improved processes at Simsboro Composites (in Loui siana) to improve safety for our team members.

Panel World magazine, global reporting authority on facilities that manufacture panel products such as plywood, LVL, MDF and particleboard, recently visited Roseburg’s Simsboro Composites plant to put together a

feature article for their July 2023 edition. The featured photo in the article shows off a recent innovation to Simboro’s particleboard process, pop-up skate rolls. That very photo also made the cover of the magazine!

Before the installation of skate rolls, team members had to lift full-size panels of particleboard and place them off the line in order to take measurements for quality control (QC).

Wade Ratcliff, Eastern Regional Safety Manager, noticed that this manual process was a potential safety hazard that could lead to a back injury, sprain injury, or other incident. In response, he devised a plan to install the pop-up skate

Pop-up skate rolls take center stage on Panel World.

CLIPPINGS

rolls, sunk below the line, that would pop up and protrude above the line at the touch of a button, allowing team members to easily manipulate the panel to take QC measurements—all without lifting the panel at all.

In collaboration with Roseburg’s engineering department, they were not only able to make this project happen, but they made it a success—the system works great, and is definitely worthy of its front-cover splash.

We are proud of the innovation and drive of our teams to eliminate potential hazards and further our mission of Safe to the Core. Great work!

ROM EMPLOYEES BETTER THEMSELVES

The RoyOMartin University (ROMU) program identifies emerging leaders and develops their potential to ensure that the company maintains a pipeline of leaders prepared to take the next step in their careers.

Recently, Louisana-based RoyOMartin recognized Luke Briley, dry end manager, RoyOMartin-Plywood; Brett Danzy, mechanical maintenance superintendent, RoyOMartin-Plywood; Jermaine Davis, corporate purchasing coordinator, corporate office; and Kelly Matthews, senior sales representative, corporate office, for completing RoyOMartin UniversityManagement. This program is designed for leaders already in place with the company at a supervisor, team leader, superintendent, or manager level.

The program utilizes four key components to develop the participants: experiential learning, formalized training, mentorship programs, and cross-departmental assignments.

“RoyOMartin is successful because of our people,” the company states. “We believe that growing people is essential to the future of the organization. Effective leadership is built on a solid foundation consisting of a clear mission, a vision for the future, strategy, and a learning culture.”

● The company also recognized a group of team members, who since January 2020 have participated in the Corporate College program at Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC), and have recently completed their Associate of Applied Science degrees, with concentrations in general office and accounting.

They include John Budnik, Land and Timber; Jenna Foster, RoyOMartin-Plywood; Brandon Granger, Land and Timber; Crystal Hoover, corporate office; Cale Parker, Land and Timber; Raymond Rollins, Land and Timber; and Robyn Smith, corporate office.

WEYERHAEUSER BUYS 22,000 ACRES

In July, Weyerhaeuser acquired 22,000 acres of timberland in Mississippi for $60 million. The company states that the highly productive timberlands are strategically located to deliver immediate synergies with existing Weyer-

CLIPPINGS

haeuser operations and offer incremental real estate and natural climate solutions opportunities.

LATE COACH LEAVES GIFT

Auburn University Real Estate Foundation (AUREF) and the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) have accepted a gift of 415 acres of Crooked Oaks Farm, the former homestead of legendary and deceased Auburn football coach Pat Dye. Located in Notasulga, Ala., the farm property includes Dye’s main house, a guest cabin, lodge, pavilion, gazebo, two barns and a nursery office.

“We had been longtime supporters of Auburn University through our charitable trust and in hosting fundraising events, and the timing was right to make the gift,” says Nancy McDonald, Dye’s longtime partner and retired nursing educator at Auburn University at Montgomery.

AUREF is holding the gift from the Dye/McDonald Trust and McDonald on behalf of the university and the college. The college plans to continue its operations as an event venue, while expanding its use for student instruction and community outreach.

“We both knew we would donate the farm to the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment and seeing the work CFWE leaders have done since accepting the proposal, I could not be more confident that the land will be valued and held to the standard Pat and I always wanted to see,” McDonald says. “I feel his spirit in this, and I know what’s happening is something he would be proud of.”

Pat Dye Jr. adds, “Given everything that Auburn has done for Dad and our family, he would be thrilled to know that Auburn will be great stewards of his beloved farm, hopefully for many generations.”

Dye began developing the property in 1998 and continued to improve all aspects of the land until his death in 2020. Ponds, pastures and woodlands contain numerous Japanese Maples, azaleas, camellias, native azaleas, boxwoods, gardenias, magnolias, oaks, pines, beeches, river birches and firs. Included in the area adjacent the nursery is a two-acre retreat of walking paths along a stream with falls and pools winding among 200 mature Japanese Maple specimen trees

CLIPPINGS

of 71 Japanese Maple cultivars.

When McDonald retired and moved to Crooked Oaks in 2004, the couple worked together on the farm and continued its development into a beautiful retreat and sanctuary for wildlife and rescued dogs, cats, donkeys and horses.

“To me, living on this place is like living in paradise,” Dye wrote of Crooked Oaks in his 2014 book, “After the Arena.” “The good Lord created it and then I just put a few touches on it so I can enjoy it and appreciate it, because no one can paint a picture like Mother Nature.”

When not in use for private events, leaders within the CFWE plan to conduct educational programs and other activities at the farm.

“This incredible gift will have a tremendous impact on the college, our students and our academic programs,” says Janaki R.R. Alavalapati, the Emmett F. Thompson Dean of the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment.

(Article from Auburn University communications.)

PARTNERSHIP FIGHTS FIRES

Weyerhaeuser Co. and Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance announced an expanded partnership on Fighting Fires Together, a campaign that provides support for wildland firefighters and their families. In its second year, the program is designed to provide resources and increase awareness around the importance of mental health assistance for these first responders.

“After launching last year’s inaugural Fighting Fires Together campaign with FBHA, we are proud to continue this effort to support wildland firefighters and their mental health as they risk their lives to protect our communities,” says Bill Frings, vice president of Western Timberlands for Weyerhaeuser. “Weyerhaeuser’s approach to wildfire preparedness, prevention and mitigation is a yearround strategy, and part of this work includes ensuring wildland firefighters have access to the resources they need.”

The expanded Fighting Fires Together online resource hub contains content specially designed for wildland firefighters, including new videos on the topics of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and suicide prevention, along with mental health tips, educational articles and contacts for occupationally aware support groups and counselors located in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

Weyerhaeuser and FBHA launched the campaign in May to commemorate Mental Health Awareness Month and Wildfire Awareness Month.

Jeff Dill, founder of FBHA, adds, “Last year’s campaign not only helped wildland firefighters access mental health information, but it also provided a like-minded community for families to find strength and support. We look forward to continuing this partnership to provide specialized education and critical resources for our communities’ heroes.” Visit www.wy.com/timberlands/ fighting-fires-together.

ZIEGLER GOES AFTER WOOD INSULATION BOARD

Icided to start producing wood fiber insulation board sold under the naturheld brand name. Grenzebach was awarded the contract for planning and supplying a complete production line for flexible wood fiber insulation board in Hütten, Germany, and in only 12 months had completed and handed over the plant.

current output of 6 t/h, the Grenzebach production line has one of the highest production capacities on the market. Grenzebach also included design and engineering provisions for expansion so the output can be increased up to 10 t/h when necessary.

For maximum productivity and efficiency of the new line, Grenzebach optimized available technologies and de-

Ziegler Group touts the ownership of the world’s largest production plant for wood fiber insulation board

The mill uses raw materials from other Ziegler operations.

PROJECTS

veloped a new fiber blending system that provides higher capacities and better blending results. The curing oven is also a new design, developed specifically for processing wood fiber material. The production line uses wood byproducts from the Ziegler Group’s own wood processing operations, generating additional synergies.

Sustainability is all-important to Ziegler Group, so Grenzebach designed the complete line for the lowest possible

energy consumption. In addition, the energy it requires is generated on-site by climate-neutral combustion of the owner’s wood waste. The plant complex meets the latest sustainability requirements regarding raw materials, energy usage, and environmental protection.

The greatest challenge the Grenzebach specialists faced in this project was the time factor. Not only was there outside skepticism that completing the planning and construction within the

The new production line was running in 12 months.

PROJECTS

12-month budget time would be impossible in the first place, what also happened was that the entire planning had to be wholly revised again just before construction started because Ziegler Group changed the plant location at short notice. And during the construction phase, the pandemic repeatedly caused shortages of materials and workforce that delayed construction. But despite the difficulties, Grenzebach managed to meet the schedule on time.

“Building the wood fiber insulation board plant within such an extremely short period was possible only thanks to the close cooperation with a renowned automation partner of international standing like Grenzebach,” explains Stefan Ziegler, Managing Director of Ziegler Group. “As a solution provider, Grenzebach supplied both the necessary product and technical know-how and expertise and was able to make the required capacities available at all times.”

GREENPANEL ORDERS CHIPPING LINE

Indian MDF pioneer Greenpanel Industries Ltd. has ordered from Dieffenbacher a Maier chipping line for an MDF plant to be installed in Routhusuramala, Andhra Pradesh. Scheduled to begin operating in summer 2024, the Dieffenbacher MDF plant is the third ordered by Greenpanel.

Highlighting the order extension is a Maier drum chipper with a rotor diameter of 1600 mm. The order also includes the drum chipper feeding line, consisting of a chain bed conveyor adapted for multiple crane feeding, a cleaning zone and a chipper belt conveyor with metal detector. Greenpanel will use the chipping line to process eucalyptus into wood chips for MDF manufacturing. The chipping line is designed to process up to 60 tonnes of bone-dry wood per hour.

The wood yard at Greenpanel’s production site in Routhusuramala, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Grenzebach built in additional production capacity capability.

Energy efficiency is part of Ziegler’s emphasis on sustainability.

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to 5'x12', Internal logistics for fast on-time deliveries

Contact us: Birchland Plywood-Veneer Ltd. TeL: 705-842-2430 • Fax: 705-842-2496 Visit www.birchlandplywood.com to view our “Live Log Program”

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Manufacturers of Decorative Hardwood Veneer Domestic and International Markets Species include: Walnut, White Oak, Red Oak, Hard Maple, Cherry and Birch

“Quality is the Lifeblood of our Business” 112 Shelby Ave. ◆ P.O. Box 7 Edinburgh, IN 46124 Phone: 812-526-2671 ◆ Fax: 812-526-5865

E-mail: info@amoshill.com

Website: www.amoshill.com

The mark of responsible forestry FSC Supplier: SCS-COC-002445 * SCS-CW-002445

Send your ad information on a separate sheet of paper, or send via email, and we will typeset it for you for FREE.

Please be sure to include appropriate contact information so we may contact you for questions and payment.

Make sure to send any artwork that should be included in your ad. It should be a good-quality print or high resolution logo. We will fax or email you a proof before final print for your approval.

5-8 • WMF: Shanghai International Furniture Machinery & Woodworking Machinery Fair, National Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai, China. Call (852) 2516 3518; visit woodworkfair.com.

12 • Pennsylvania Forest Products Assn. annual meeting, Wyndham Garden State College, Boalsburg, Pa. Call 717-9010420; visit paforestproducts.org.

17-21 • American Wood Protection Assn. Technical Committee meeting, Le Meridien Downtown, Denver, Colo. Call 205-733-4077; visit awpa.com.

20-23 • IFMAC WOODMAC Indonesia—the International Furniture Manufacturing Components and Woodworking Machinery Exhibition, Jakarta International Expo Kemayoran, Indonesia. Visit ifmac.net.

2-4 • American Forest Resource Council annual meeting, Skamania Lodge, Stevenson, Wash. Call 503-222-9505; visit amforest.org.

7-10 • Composite Panel Assn. Spring meeting, Omni Amelia Island, Amelia Island, Fla. Call 703-724-1128; visit compositepanel.org.

Listings are submitted months in advance. Always verify dates and locations with contacts prior to making plans to attend.

14-17 • APA-Engineered Wood Assn. annual meeting and Engineered Wood Technology Assn. Info Fair, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Desert, Calif. Call 253-5656600; visit apawood.org and engineeredwood.org.

22-24 • Composite Panel Assn. Fall meeting, Lansdowne Resort, Leesburg, Va. Call 703-724-1128; visit composite panel.org.

22-26 • IndiaWood 2024, Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, Bangalore, India. Call +91-80-4250 5000; visit indiawood.com.

5-7 • Dubai Woodshow, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Call +971 4 39 23232; visit dubaiwoodshow.com.

12-13 • Wood Bioenergy Conference & Expo, Omni Hotel at CNN Center, Atlanta, Ga. Call 334-834-1170; e-mail dianne@hattonbrown.com; visit bioenergyshow.com.

14-15 • Panel & Engineered Lumber International Conference & Expo (PELICE), Omni Hotel at CNN Center, Atlanta, Ga. Call 800-669-5613; visit pelice-expo.com.

This issue of Panel World is brought to you in part by the following companies, which will gladly supply additional information about their products.