Industry News Roundup

As We See It: Tight Lines!

Danny Dructor

If someone would have told me back in 1975 that my decision to major in forestry would have led me to walking the halls of Congress in Washington, DC and attempting to educate our lawmakers on not only the forest products industry but in particular from a logging business perspective, I think I would have changed my major! All I wanted to do was to figure out how to make a living spending time in the woods and fishing and hunting on the weekends!

Life is full of interesting twists and turns, and if we are open to change, there is never a dull moment in the paths or directions that we may travel.

It has been an absolute pleasure to not only be a logger during the course of my career, but to also represent the hard-working, honest, professional timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses throughout the United States over these past 20 years. The relationships and friendships that have formed across the country mean more to me than any credentials that I might have received from any university.

From the bottom of my heart I wish to thank all of the volunteers who have, over the past 27 years, helped the American Loggers

Council (ALC) put a face on the timber harvesting industry not only in DC but across the nation.

Your voices are being heard, and while often change is slow to develop, change is happening.

I would like to thank the members of the ALC for spending the time to work with professionals to recruit a successor to my position.

Over the past 18 months, they have vetted out applications and candidates from across the country and made the decision to retain the services of Scott Dane, from

Gilbert, Minn., to take the reins.

Scott has spent considerable time working with loggers and log haulers in Minnesota as the

Executive Director for the Associated Logging Contractors and

Truckers of Minnesota and has been a passionate spokesperson for the industry, including much work in Washington, DC. I use the word “passion” because that is what is needed to successfully represent this profession that we call logging.

There will be highs and lows in

Scott’s future with the ALC, but with the continued support of the many volunteers who offer guidance, there is no doubt in my mind that Scott is the right choice to take the American Loggers Council to the next level. I ask that you please welcome Scott as the new

Executive Director for the American Loggers Council and support him, as you have me for the past 20 years.

It is time for me to go fishing, and with that I wish all of you a safe, productive and happy future in this profession we call logging.

Dructor

American Loggers Council is a 501(c)(6) trade association representing the interests of timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses across the United States. For more information visit www.amloggers.com.

Interest Building For Mid-South Show

Interest continues to build in the Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show, the South’s premier and

longest-running live machine demo event, set to unfold for two days on September 17 near Stark ville, Miss. As usual, it will be held on Mississippi State University’s John W. Starr Memorial Forest. Normally held in even years, the 2020 show was postponed until 2021 because of Covid-19.

Dozens of exhibitors have reserved space—among them dealers for John Deere, Tigercat, Barko, Morbark, Bandit and Weiler—and others are weighing the decision to come in as pandemic concerns decline.

“We have ample space available in most categories but we expect interest and bookings to increase as the time frame tightens,” says John Auel, Show Manager.

The event, which goes back to 1984, typically draws more than 5,000 participants, thanks to its appealing blend of demonstrations/ displays, continuing education op por tunities, contests, and familyfriendly features that include activities for children.

Online pre-registration opened in early June and closes on September

6. To pre-register, visit midsouthforestry.org. Pre-registration is $20 per person (18 and above). Spouses and children 17 and under are admitted free but must register. Registration at the gate is $25 per person.

According to Auel, the show layout this year will be much different, due to timber availability and considerations for both timber management and future show planning.

For more information, visit mid southforestry.org or contact Auel at 662-325-7948-

Louisiana Passes Logger Relief Program

Loggers across Louisiana are looking forward to receiving a $25,000 grant thanks to legislation passed this spring by the state legislature and signed in June by the governor.

The Louisiana Loggers Relief Program allows logging businesses to receive a grant of $25,000 following a tough year of pandemic concerns and hurricane impacts that have affected state loggers. The total $10 million program is administered through Louisiana’s Main Street Recovery Program with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Toni McAllister, Executive Director of the Louisiana Loggers Assn., said that “Louisiana loggers always make me proud to advocate for these amazing people who live quiet lives, working day in and day

out to provide for rural Louisiana. I’m speechless and I know this financial aid will help so many, in such a difficult time.”

The program also reflects logging’s role in the state as essential workers and businesses, said Buck van der Steen, Executive Director of the Louisiana Loggers Council. “It’s a good way to recognize people who often go unseen but are extremely vital.”

Resolute Forest Products, Inc. announced capital investments including $15 million at the Glenwood, Ark. and Cross City, Fla. saw mills to support fiber optimization and overall efficiency. The Cross City investment will also in crease capacity by up to 20MMBF.

The improvements at the U.S. sawmills build on the previously announced investments associated with the restart of the El Dorado,

Ark. sawmill. The company anticipates completing all the projects by the end of the third quarter of 2022.

Interfor Purchases Four GP Sawmills

Interfor is acquiring four saw mill operations in Bay Springs, Miss.; Fayette, Ala.; DeQuincy, La.; and Philomath, Ore. from Georgia-Pacific for $375 million.

Interfor says these sawmill opera tions are highly complementary to Interfor’s existing platforms in the U.S. South and the Northwest.

The four sawmills have a combined annual lumber production capacity of 720MMBF. The Bay Springs, Fayette and Philomath sawmills are currently operating

on a full-shifting basis. The DeQuincy sawmill, which was idled in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, has an annual capacity of 200MMBF.

Interfor reports its total annual lumber production capacity will increase to 3.9 billion BF, of which 3 billion BF or 77% will be U.S.based and not subject to softwood lumber duties. Interfor’s U.S. South production capacity will grow by 500MMBF to 2.2 billion, while pro-

Canfor Announces $160 Million Sawmill

Canfor Corp. announced it will invest $160 million to build a new sawmill near DeRidder, La. The facility will have an annual production capacity of 250MMBF on a two-shift basis and will employ 130. Startup is expected to commence late in the third quarter of 2022.

The investment in Louisiana is in addition to the $300 million of 2021 capital spending, including about $100 million for the solid wood operations in the U.S. South.

Given the decision to build a new facility in Louisiana, Canfor will not be proceeding with the greenfield project in Washington, Ga. that

Anthony Timberlands Investing In Malvern

Anthony Timberlands, Inc. (ATI) will invest $10 million in improvements to its pine sawmill in Malvern, Ark. this year.

“Our sawmill in Malvern has been in place for almost 75 years.

We have made numerous improvements over the years, ensuring the viability of the mill through technological and production enhancement measures,” according to

Steve Anthony, President of ATI.

The project will include an upgrade to the primary breakdown systems of the mill—the carriage headrig for large logs and the sharp chain small log side. The mill’s trimmer line will also be enhanced to handle the higher production volume afforded by the upgraded primary breakdown systems.

Anthony adds, “The windfall provided by recent record lumber markets will allow us to finance these, as well as major projects at other ATI locations, internally.”

Installation of the new equipment will take place on a staggered schedule between August 2021 and January 2022. Employment numbers will not be impacted, while hourly production levels are expected to increase by 25%.

Forest Service Chief Retiring In August

Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen announced her retire-

ment after a 40-year career as a professional forester, wildland firefighter, and land manager including 11 years of service at the Forest Service.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack comments, “Chief Christiansen’s contributions to the USDA Forest Service cannot be overstated. In her more than three years as Chief, she has provided steady, thoughtful leadership through multiple challenges, including increasingly challenging fire and hurricane seasons, strains on agency budgets and workforce, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, she has led with empathy, integrity and professionalism.”

“It has truly been a privilege and an honor to serve as the Chief of the Forest Service,” Christiansen says. “The time has come for me to spend more time with my family, my mom, my children, and my grandchildren. Most of my family lives a continent away, and I owe it to them to be closer so we can spend more time together.”

Barko Welcomes New President

Barko Hydrau lics is pleased to welcome Justin Rupar as President. Rupar assumed his new role effective June 15, 2021, bring ing over 27 years of equipment industry expertise in manufacturing, dealer development, sales and marketing.

“I’m very excited to join Barko, and I’m looking forward to getting to know our dealers and customers better,” Rupar says. “The Barko team and I are excited to continue working to improve our product and services offerings and to add exceptional value to both our dealer partners’ and our retail customers’ operations.”

Before joining Barko, Justin held leadership positions with Yamaha Motor Corporation, YANMAR America and ASV Holdings, overseeing global commercial, distribution and after-sales support activities.

As President, Justin will provide leadership to position Barko at the forefront of the forestry equipment market. He will be responsible for driving positive results for the business and developing a strategic plan that advances our mission and promotes long-term growth.

A native northern Minnesotan and Iron Ranger, Justin holds a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University (MN) and an MBA from the University of Georgia. In his spare time, he is an avid outdoorsman who loves spending time in nature hunting, fishing, or exploring with his wife and daughter. Justin also has a passion for ice hockey and cooking for friends and family. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and volunteers in the community whenever possible.

Weyerhaeuser Plans Infusion Into Holden

Weyerhaeuser Co. announced plans to make a two-phased $157 million capital investment at its southern yellow pine sawmill in Holden, La. Phase one includes nearly $19 million to upgrade lumber kiln drying capacity, while the second phase will include a major investment of $138 million to completely modernize the facility.

“This investment is a testament to each employee here at Holden,” says Brent Mitchell, Holden interim mill manager. “After years of planning this project, we’re excited for the sustained benefits it will bring to our people, our operation and the community.”

Work is expected to take place over the next three years. The Holden facility began lumber operations in 1980 under Crown Zellerbach, and Weyerhaeuser acquired the mill in 1996.