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A Hatton-Brown Publication HATTON-BROWN PUBLISHERS, INC. Street Address: 225 Hanrick Street Montgomery, AL 36104-3317 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2268 Montgomery, AL 36102-2268 Telephone (334) 834-1170 Fax 334-834-4525 Publisher David H. Ramsey Chief Operating Officer Dianne C. Sullivan

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Vol. 68, No. 3: Issue 680

OurCover Virginia’s Wilbourne Land & Timber is part of a diverse operation that includes farming, logging, timber buying and land management, beginning on PAGE 14. (Jessica Johnson photo; inset, Carolina Loggers Assn.; design by Shelley Smith)

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Mills React To Virus Policies Affect Logging Operations

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Logging In A Viral Time Loggers Rise To Challenge

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Subscriptions are free to U.S. logging, pulpwood and chipping contractors and their supervisors; managers and supervisors of corporate-owned harvesting operations; wood suppliers; timber buyers; businesses involved in land grooming and/or land clearing, wood refuse grinding and right-ofway maintenance; wood procurement and land management officials; industrial forestry purchasing agents; wholesale and retail forest equipment representatives and forest/logging association personnel. 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 800-669-5613; Fax 888-611-4525. Go to www.timber harvesting.com and click on the subscribe button to subscribe/renew via the web. All advertisements for Timber Harvesting & Forest Operations are accepted and published by Hatton-Brown Publishers, 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 Hatton-Brown Publishers, 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. HattonBrown Publishers, Inc. neither endorses nor makes any representation or guarantee as to the quality of goods and services advertised in Timber Harvesting & Forest Operations. Copyright ® 2020. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

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MyTake DAN SHELL

Economic Impact Of Fighting Coronavirus Will Hit Loggers Hard—But For How Long?

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eeling all “critical and essential” yet? After congratulating themselves for maybe half a day after being deemed such an important part of the economy as much of the larger economy shut down this spring, loggers and their representative associations have continued the hard work of surviving the coronavirus economy and its pitfalls and perils.

The logging industry has two priorities, in order: first, staying healthy while protecting employees and families; and second, surviving financially during the lean months ahead.

Staying healthy must be priority number one, because if you’re sick you are definitely not working— no matter how essential you may be.

Carolina Loggers Assn. Executive Director Ewell Smith emphasizes, “The priority is the safety of our loggers, period. Without the loggers, all of this shuts down. So we have got to keep the loggers healthy.”

Safety and health policies vary by state and even county, as do guidelines and requirements loggers must follow to continue operating. As an example, Associated Oregon Loggers sent a 4-page PDF to its members detailing requirements to continue operating under six state executive orders that were issued during a two-week period and cumulatively closed much of the state’s economy—while other states have been less heavy-handed and left it up to businesses to develop their own virus safety policies.

Loggers need to map out daily work routines and identify interactions and potential exposures, among employees on the job and others such as drivers who interact with more people during the day. Find ways to eliminate or greatly reduce potential exposures through wearing masks and or gloves and using sanitizer and wipes when and where needed—then hold employees to the policies just like wearing hardhats and other PPE gear.

Another impact is the rescheduling of hundreds of safety training and logger 4

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certification sessions across the country.

Associated Logging Contractors-Idaho Executive Director Shawn Keough noted in a recent mailing that sessions throughout the state are being rescheduled and some accreditations will be extended. One issue is logging

Lumber and panel prices are headed downward and mills nationwide will be cutting back on hours and production.

companies that are seeking initial certification before being able to work might be looking at delays.

In addition to rescheduling work, Keough says she’s fielding calls and questions about what to do if an employee or family member tests positive for COVID-19 and sharing information from medical professionals.

Financial impact to loggers can’t be overstated: It’s going to get worse before it gets better, and loggers need to be prepared for lean months ahead.

Impacts on construction activity are a bit uneven so far, with the West Coast having more major market construction shutdowns and slowdowns.

However, with widespread unemployment and reduced economic activity, lumber and panel prices are headed downward and mills nationwide will be cutting back on hours and production.

Market dynamics and demographics are still in place for a strong recovery— when it happens (see news page 6). But turning and reopening such a large economy, getting 10+ million people back to work and putting industry in a strong demand position is going to take some time. Don’t hold your breath.

Associated Oregon Loggers Interim Executive Director Rex Storm says Oregon’s forest products sector is “reeling” after multiple mills closed or drastically reduced hours and began taking fewer logs and no gatewood.

“As goes curtailed mill production, so goes the log yard deliveries to the mill in a just-in-time marketplace,” Storm says, adding that with log prices dropping, many landowners don’t want to harvest now.

“It is not so much having a sick crew affected by the virus as it is the way the virus is affecting the market,” points out Arkansas Timber Producers Assn.

Executive Director Larry Boccarossa.

“The loss of production affects equipment payments,” Boccarossa says. “The payroll protection legislation from the federal government is good, but it is going to be a question of being able to go to the bank or having some grace period with the equipment company.”

The Great Lakes Timber Producers Assn. (GLTPA) sent out a good advice piece from associate member Compeer Financial about finding time—now—to contact bankers, creditors, vendors and discuss the future and how to survive the virus’ economic impact.

Communicate with employees, suppliers, wood-consuming mills and creditors to determine the full impact on your business, then develop plans and seek agreements enabling your business to survive.

Henry Schienebeck, GLTPA Executive Director, says loggers in the region will see more impact as they move past the spring thaw slowdown, and many are already applying for small business assistance in anticipation of future cutbacks.

So far, building products mills are taking downtime, while pulp and paper markets are still good, Schinebeck says. “I never imagined myself stating this but the challenge will be finding timber sales where the majority of product is pulpwood.”

Virginia Loggers Assn. Executive Director Ron Jenkins says many Virginia loggers are looking into the paycheck protection program (PPP), tax relief programs and low interest small business loans. “SBA lenders are very specific,” Jenkins says. “Fortunately VLA has four bank members, of which three process SBA loans.”

In his five years in his position, he relates, “This is the single issue with the most inquiries and requests for help.” TH TIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS

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NewsLines Sun Bio Pulls Out Of Pulp Mill Project

Timber Industry Fights Virus’ Economic Impact

The $1.8 billion Chinese pulp mill anticipated for a site near Arkadelphia, Ark. is officially terminated. Andrzej Bednarski, International Project Director of Shandong Sun Paper Co., Ltd., confirmed the development in a letter to the state of Arkansas AEDC and Governor Hutchinson.

The mill was expected to consume 3.5 million tons of southern pine chips per year and produce 600,000 tons of dissolving pulp.

“The current situation related to the coronavirus outbreak and continued political friction and economic instability make it impossible for us to proceed with the project within the timelines set forth in the environmental permit,” he stated. “With the likelihood of the project uncertain, it is also fair to allow the State of Arkansas to use its resources for other ventures that have less uncertainty in the medium term. At this moment, the collective uncertainties make it a better choice for both of us to abandon the project.”

Bednarski noted that over the past several years, the State of Arkansas and AEDC team and the Sun Bio team have worked tirelessly on the project, both investing large amounts of capital and labor. “Personally, we greatly appreciate your continued support for the project during the negotiation, site selection and environmental permitting phase. It is with regret and a heavy heart that we have reached the decision to terminate the project.”

The company said it is willing to cooperate in finding other suitable industrial partners for the project or the site.

Haulers Welcome Weigh Station Bypass Great Lakes Timber Professionals Assn. (GLTPA) members know the familiar sight of some general freight carriers bypassing weigh stations while their own trucks must stop. Historically, that has been the case for oversize/overweight carriers in most states, and certainly for forestry haulers in Wisconsin.

However, last year the State of Wisconsin and PrePass conducted a bypass pilot project at Superior and worked out the kinks so qualified forestry haulers can obtain the same by6

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If COVID-19 can be gotten under control, housing starts, following a threemonth skid, should gradually ramp up beginning this summer, and reach where they were pre-virus later this year and early next year, according to Loggers continue to operate, but will their customers stay open? comments and data from officials at Forest Economic Advisors (FEA) during a webinar hosted by FEA March 24 on the impact of the virus on the national economy and the building products industry.

U.S. housing starts could drop by 50% to an 800,000 annualized pace from the 1.6 million pace they were on before the onslaught of COVID-19, according to FEA principal Brendan Lowney. But Lowney added that “the boom has been delayed, not denied. The underlying fundamentals are strong over the next several years.”

Lowney said ultimately the U.S. housing industry will out-perform the wider economy due to favorable demographics, solid family financial health with regard to debt load and the fact that the U.S. has been “dramatically underbuilding” and too-slowly transitioning from old homes to new ones.

The degree of FEA’s forecasted dip, while severe, still sees twice the number of starts than occurred at the bottom of the Great Recession.

In the meantime, according to FEA, unemployment could reach 16% in May from nearly non-existent, with the food service, recreation, accommodation and retail industries taking huge hits. GDP could experience a 12.6% decline in the second quarter, according to FEA, before turning positive in the third quarter and becoming more robust in the final quarter of the year and early next year. pass privileges as other carriers. Simply put, qualified forestry haulers will no longer be required to pull in, get out of the cab and walk their RS permits inside.

That agreement led to the creation of the PrePass Safety Alliance, a nonprofit public private partnership, whose bypass program is now available to forestry haulers at the Superior weigh station.

Several forestry haulers have already qualified. To join their ranks, carriers must meet the following criteria: —Possess a valid WI RS permit.

—Vehicle weight of 98,000 lbs. or less.

—Vehicle has six axles.

—Carrier meets all PrePass safety score requirement and carries all required licensing and tax credentials.

Upon enrollment, qualified forestry haulers will receive PrePass transponders that can be electronically read at the highway speeds, identifying the

truck from a participating company.

Those trucks get a “green light” to keep travelling down the road.

Northwest Deal Brings Parties To The Table Oregon forest products industry companies and conservation groups have entered a Cooperating Parties agreement to hold a series of meetings over the next two years geared toward making changes to Oregon’s Forest Practices Act and implementing regulations that will provide a rational basis for an approvable Habitat Conservation Plan.

The agreement to cooperate stems from several current, competing petitions that could bog down state forestry and environmental operations such as aerial pesticide spraying.

The ensuing meetings will seek to provide a greater level of certainty to forest landowners and industries that depend on Oregon forests without TIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS

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NewsLines compromising the viability of Oregon’s manufacturing infrastructure; and provide a greater level of certainty for the survival and recovery of threatened and endangered species, and ensure that drinking water and aquatic resources are protected. “The Cooperating Parties will pursue a science-informed policy development process, rooted in compromise, to evaluate and jointly recommend substantive and procedural changes to Oregon forest practice laws,” the agreement states.

For example the mediated meetings will include discussion of forest practices that impact waters of the state and at risk species including, but not limited to, forest roads, near-stream operations, and steep/unstable slope activities affecting streams.

Forest products industry companies that signed the agreement include Hampton Lumber, Weyerhaeuser, Roseburg Forest Products, Seneca Sawmill Company and Stimson Lumber. Numerous environmental groups also signed the agreement, which puts the current petitions in question on hold.

U.S. Endowment Picks Madden As President U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities announced that Pete Madden has joined the staff as President.

“Our Board and staff are excited to share with our partners and collaborators that Pete will be coming aboard,” says Endowment President and CEO Carlton Owen. “This decision is the culmination of more than two years of thoughtful and deliberate succession planning to ensure that the Endowment continues to advance its dual mission of keeping working forests as forests and advancing family-wage jobs in forest-rich, rural communities.”

Madden joins the Endowment with more than 30 years of experience in the forest sector. He has held roles in land management, procurement, supply chain and logistics, and renewable energy within well-known and respected industry players including Westvaco, Georgia-Pacific and Plum Creek. Most recently, he led Drax Biomass, Inc. as President and CEO. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marlboro College in Vermont and both a Master of Science in Forestry and an M.B.A. from the University of New Hampshire.

Endowment Board Chairman Mark

Emmerson, who is Chairman of California-based Sierra Pacific Industries, notes, “We are fortunate to have had consistent, stable, and visionary leadership since the Endowment’s creation in 2006 and are happy to report that Carlton Owen will continue as CEO for an extended period.”

Madden will work out of the Endowment’s headquarters in Greenville, SC and plans to relocate his family there.

The Endowment was established in September 2006 at the request of the governments of the U.S. and Canada in accordance with terms of the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement.

Montana Project Uses State-Fed Co-Op Law The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest signed an agreement recently with the Montana Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation under the “Good Neighbor Authority” authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill. The authority allows the Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management to enter into an agreement with states to carry out timber and other projects on federal lands. The states handle the business of contracting and managing projects and also collect any revenues that come with the sale of timber.

State and federal authorities came to a Good Neighbor Authority agreement on the Brooklyn Bridge Sale south of Unionville, which is a portion of the Ten Mile-South Helena Project near Helena and just one of several timber and fuels reduction components slated for the coming years. It is the second project under the authority on the Helena-Lewis and Clark following a relatively small project at the Jumping Creek Campground near White Suphur Springs. In Montana, DNRC has 16 Good Neighbor Authority projects completed or under way with dozens more in the planning phase.

The Forest Service approved the project in 2018 and plans to implement it over the next 15 years. It calls for thinning, logging and burning on more than 17,500 acres within a 60,000-acre project area that includes a major source of water for the city. The agency has pushed the project as fire protection for Helena and outlying areas by creating breaks in forests where they believe firefighters may be safely deployed.

Although the Forest Service and

DNRC have worked together in the past under shared stewardship agreements, both federal and state officials believe the 2018 Good Neighbor Authority has streamlined the process. The state uses its contracting procedures which tend to be faster than the federal process, but the projects do remain under the purview of federal law.

“Primarily at the project level they’re following state rules as far as contracting, but all federal laws are applicable,” says Dan Hottle, spokesman for the Forest Service regional office in Missoula.

“But it’s a collaborative process with multiple funding streams with Forest Service agency funds, state funds, industry funds, so it’s pretty diverse.”

USFS Volumes Projected To Rise Timber sold on both the Superior and Chippewa national forests in Minnesota is expected to rise in 2020, according to projections from both forests.

On the Superior, timber sold this year is expected to be 70MMBF, a 6% increase from 66MMBF in 2019. The Chippewa expects to sell 50MMBF, a 5% hike from a year ago.

This year’s increase on the Superior would be the fifth consecutive yearover-year increase for the forest.

Achieving 70MMBF in 2020 would represent an increase of 49% from the Superior’s sold level of 47MMBF in 2015. As for the Chippewa, a rise in 2020 be the second straight increase for the Forest.

China Passes Log Export Law, Deadline On December 28, China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee revised the country’s Forest Law including language that bars Chinese companies and investors from trafficking in illegal timber. If effectively implemented, the new rules could boost international efforts aimed at curbing the sale of illegally harvested logs, which has been estimated to be worth as much as $150 billion per year.

Article 65 of the revised law now reads, “No unit or individual may purchase, process or transport timber that he/she clearly knows was piratically felled or indiscriminately felled in forest regions.” The revisions are set to come into force on July 1, 2020.

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NewsLines

Mills React To COVID-19

remain strong. I am confident that our strong balance sheet and operational agility will allow LP to effectively manSeveral forest products companies recontinue to earn income for their famiage through this period of uncertainty leased statements to employees, supplilies while manufacturing materials and thrive once the health and economic ers and customers on the COVID-19 used in affordable housing, emergency effects of COVID-19 have passed.” virus. Roy O. Martin III, chairman, shelter and hospital construction.”

Norbord Inc. began reducing producCEO and CFO of Alexandria, La.-based Roseburg has seven plants, two adtion across its portfolio of North AmeriRoyOMartin, in a three and a half minministrative offices, more than can OSB mills by reducing shifts and ute video posted on the company’s ins400,000 acres in timberland, and a running a number of its North American tagram page, hammered home the compulp chip export facility in the state, mills on alternating schedules to match pany’s absolute commitment to the employing 2,400 directly and supportproduction with an anticipated reduction safety and well being of its employees. ing hundreds more indirectly. The in OSB demand. “This approach will “Aren’t you glad that during this company ordered all employees who allow the company to continue to serve pandemic that your job is in manucould work remotely to do so. its customers, retain operating flexibility facturing?” Martin said. “Our order files Louisiana-Pacific CEO Brad Southand preserve jobs for as many employare full. Our production is good. Our ern said the company’s OSB and siding ees as is practicable, while at the same harvesting operations are normal. The manufacturing facilities in North and time being prepared to quickly resume housing industry is going strong. I want South America have instituted rigorous normal operations when economic conto assure you that RoyOMartin is still in cleaning and social distancing protocols. ditions improve,” the company stated. business, even though the world as we “While LP’s manufacturing processes This adjusted operating configuration know it has turned upside down. We do not lend themselves to the production will initially result in a 25% reduction to will persevere through this coronavirus of items needed to fight COVID-19, our Norbord’s North American mill capacpandemic.” ity. In addition, the comMartin addressed pany is reducing its 2020 changes to their operacapital expenditures budtions with regard to get by 25%. health and safety, such Peter Wijnbergen, has fewer team meetNorbord President & ings, limited visitor acCEO commented, “Our cess and increased disfirst priority remains the tancing. “That does not health and safety of our mean that your safety employees. Further, we switch should be turned Mills remaining open and taking deliveries are key to loggers maintaining operations. believe that reducing opoff. In fact, right now, erating schedules across with the distancing, we need to be mills do stock masks, gloves and other our mills gives us the best flexibility to more aware of our surroundings bepersonal protective equipment (PPE). adapt to the ever-changing demand cause our team members are farther Our mill leadership teams are donating landscape while still meeting our cusaway,” he said.

PPE supplies to local healthcare providtomers’ needs, reducing hardship on our He said the company’s occupational ers and first responders. While this panemployees and ensuring we are prehealth nurses and its Legacy Health & demic is unprecedented, supporting our pared for a return to growth when marWellness staff are well-equipped to lislocal communities is what we do at LP.” kets normalize.” ten to concerns and help with any perSeveral companies including LP anBoise Cascade has implemented sonal health issues. “We want to make nounced reductions in production and changes to reduce the volume of plythings as normal as possible for you capital expenditure plans. LP planned to wood and engineered wood products when you’re at work. That includes cut OSB production by at least (EWP) it will produce. The company is maintaining production and other opera100MMSF in April, or about a third of planning reductions in plywood productions at appropriate levels so you can total capacity, through a combination of tion of 25-35% and in EWP volumes of count on your paycheck. In fact, we’re curtailments and reduced schedules.

20-40% depending on location, in comstill hiring. With all of us banded to“This flexible approach is designed to parison to first quarter levels. The reducgether, we will get through this.” maintain agility for further adjustments tions in production will be implemented Oregon-based Roseburg Forest (up or down) as demand warrants, and through a combination of periodic curProducts responded to an executive to minimize the impact on our employtailments and reductions in operating order issued by Gov. Kate Brown. ees,” Southern said. schedules at specific facilities.

“Gov. Brown’s order allows our inLP has reduced its 2020 capital exWeyerhaeuser Co. expected to reduce dustry to continue providing essential penditure plans by 50% to roughly $70 operating capacity by 20% for lumber, infrastructure products to the coronamillion for the year, 15% for OSB and 15-25% for engivirus response and recovery,” Rose“This is a fluid situation,” Southern neered wood products through a combiburg President and CEO Grady Muladded. “Forecasts vary widely about the nation of temporary mill curtailments bery says. “Our 2,400 team members nature and duration of the negative ecoand reduced shift postures. working in the state of Oregon— nomic impacts of this pandemic. That Weyerhaeuser intends to reduce 2020 largely in rural communities—will said, long-term housing fundamentals capital expenditures by $70-90 million.

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Adapting To Viral Times Loggers respond to historic pandemic event.

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cross the country, loggers are coping with the generational coronavirus pandemic crisis that’s overloading public health systems and having a huge impact on the nation’s economy as governments across the nation implement policies to reduce public and social interaction in an effort to slow the spread of the disease.

Deemed a historic event, the coronavirus is impacting all segments of society, including work, play, politics and religion. While logging in normal times is as “socially distant” as any occupation, loggers aren’t immune to viral impacts. Here’s how loggers around the country are adapting: ● While late winter and early spring is normally a shutdown period for his company due to spotted owl restrictions, Myles Anderson of Anderson Logging in Fort Bragg, Calif., says he’s looking at losing the whole month of April due to mill shutdowns instead of going back to work in early April as usual.

“Normal” is about to look a lot different.

“In California we’re still under a mandatory stay-at-home order,” Anderson says. “Forestry is considered an essential industry but if you have no markets, it’s really a moot point. Lumber isn’t moving due to the coronavirus.”

Meanwhile, Anderson adds, “Our employees are anxious and used to being at work.”

Another issue is getting back to work under social distancing guidelines, Anderson says, and written policies are required for cleanliness and

Health and safety poster developed by Carolina Loggers and NC Forestry associations 10

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disinfecting. “We’re making kits for our employees with hand sanitizer and masks because they will be put in positions where they can’t abide by the six-foot separation policy,” he says. “We’re getting all material and documents ready so when they do come back to work, we don’t expose them to any hazards associated with the virus.”

He adds that Anderson Logging will be checking employee temperatures when they show up for work to further reduce virus exposures.

Another issue is the usual spring safety meeting schedule that includes CPR training and other group safety meetings. “Since we can’t do classroom-type settings, we had to change the way we approach these things,” Anderson says. “It’s been a learning curve for everybody.”

One small silver lining with the overall virus impact to Anderson Logging is that the company is used to having downtime each year. “We have financial stuff in place because we’re used to being shut down a small part of the year,” Anderson says, but he quickly adds that being down at least three months from January until April is a tough hit to take.

“There are things in the air we have to prepare for,” Anderson says.

“We’ve been in this business 44 years and been through a lot of cycles.

We’re well prepared for these issues.”

He adds that as the economy reopens across the country, he hopes there’s a newfound attitude by the American people to buy more American made goods. He also believes the government stimulus programs should put the economy in position to recover strongly. (His company applied for, but hasn’t heard back from, the Payroll Protection Program.)

“What I hope as part of our economy coming back, is more elected officials in our states put money towards sourcing materials locally,” Anderson says. “That would help the timber industry substantially.” ● Operating a diverse company that also handles construction site work and portable rock crushing is one way to keep from relying too much on mills being open, says Andrew Siegmund of Siegmund Excavation & Construction, Inc. in Stayton, Ore. Other than a slight reduction in operating hours, the construction sites and portable crushing jobs have been fairly normal, he says. “On the logTIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS

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ging side, we have several 70% of production.” projects ahead of our logging Employees are practicing crews and at this time, the social distancing, Sibley says, mills are allowing us to finish with key points being scalers but we can’t start the next at mills who come into consale,” Siegmund says. tact with lots of different peoHe notes that area mills ple, and a stream of new drivhave taken shutdown days or ers coming to the job as part closed for one to two weeks at of a dispatch-contract hauling a time. “They’re taking it system. “We’re adhering to week by week, and I know all the precautions, and the they’re having trouble selling mills are as well,” he says, finished products and they adding that he hasn’t heard of can’t just continue to pile up any cases on any logging jobs finished inventory.” as of mid-April.

In response, Siegmund says “We’re listening to the he’s been lining up right-ofgovernor. This may be the way and clearing work for his way life is for the next sevlogging crews while tradieral months,” Sibley says. tional production logging Overall, the virus impact goes soft. adds up to 20-40% fewer The Oregon logger says hours for employees each morale is good with his comweek depending on mill Reducing interaction, maintaining space are easy ways to stay healthy. pany and crews. “I send an openings. Sibley notes that email out to everybody in the he’s looking into the federal company once or twice a Payroll Protection Plan, but week, updating them on what progress is slow. “It’s a we’re doing, some best mannightmare and we’re still agement practices and try to waiting on the bank.” be a calm, steady voice of reaSibley says he keeps emson,” Siegmund says. ployees updated and has had He emphasizes that his comseveral tailgate meetings pany is taking the virus seriabout the virus. “We talk ously. “It’s a serious situation. I about dealing with reduced don’t want to cause tension, hours, and we’re doing more fear or worry among my emin-house repairs on down ployees. I want to keep our em- Ward: Lots of uncertainty days to ensure machines are Anderson: Extra downtime hurts ployees’ financial best interest in tip-top shape,” he reports. at heart,” Siegmund remarks. how were doing business.”

“Employees can choose time off or “We will do everything within our He says his plan is, “to be nimble may stagger some times. Some are power to operate business as normal, and keep revenue coming in. Most of looking for alternative work, but for the but normal may look different next us experienced the 2009 downturn and most its been positive feedback from week than it does today.” learned some things that we can apply employees.” ● In Bradley, Ark., Don Allen, owner Working is already different, per exto this situation. We’ve been trying to of Don Allen Logging, says he’s taking ecutive order by the Oregon governor, make smart purchasing decisions and precautions but operations are fairly and requires a social distancing officer. reserve cash on hand.” normal for his fully mechanized crew.

Employees are reminded of six-foot Overall, Siegmund says, “I’m cauThe biggest impact he’s seen is at the distancing and are provided disinfecttiously optimistic. Ultimately, we’re mills, and that’s his biggest concern. ing wipes. They are also keeping emall in this together, and we want to be “The thing people are cautious ployees in the same machines and limsupportive of our employees, our venabout is the mills staying healthy,” he iting machine swapping and cutting dors and customers.” ● Malcolm Sibley of KS Timber says. “I live about an hour and a half down on the number of people in crew Co., Inc. in Walker, La., who’s also south of a Domtar paper mill and trucks. The designated safety officer is chairman of the Louisiana Loggers they’ve recently been laying people the point person for any virus concerns Council and represents a district near off because of schools and businesses employees might have. the Baton Rouge-New Orleans areas (closing) and supply and demand.

“As far as hours, we still work 10that are intensely infected, says the We’ve learned to live with it. Mills go hour days and 50-55-hour weeks,” mills he hauls to are still open and takdown all the time for various reasons Siegmund says. In addition to the ing wood but on a reduced a schedule. so it’s something we’ve learned to clearing work, some jobs that have “I’m on a 50% schedule today and deal with.” been subcontracted out will now be yesterday I got 65% of my regular Allen adds that even though the done in-house. There are also very production,” Sibley says. “That’s been virus is having an impact, this is one few face to face meetings. “We have a our schedule for about the past time he feels blessed to have a small lot taking place via phone or video month—somewhere between 50 and crew in a small town, and his county conference, with some new twists to Foremost Authority For Professional Loggers

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had no virus cases as of mid-April. “I live a quarter mile from the next person and go to the grocery store once a month any way,” he says. ● Export markets are a bright spot for Chad Ward and Chad Ward Enterprises in Lake Butler, Fla., who’s producing chips for a customer in Turkey who recently reaffirmed its commitment to producers. However, Ward’s local chip-n-saw log market has dropped to four days a week and 32 hours of operation.

His biggest concern is the overall construction market, and the ripple effect that slowing housing and commercial construction activity will have on mill operations. “Fifty percent of our business is the (export chip) market and chip-n-saw and that’s building products, so I’m concerned that it’ll slow down,” Ward says. “We’ll just have to switch gears and begin hauling to some of these other pulpwood markets.”

The logger says he told his employees to stay home if they feel sick and get tested if they feel like they have virus symptoms. “It’s too seri-

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ous not to take serious,” Ward emphasizes, adding that his crews are being safe, wiping down cabs when operators change, things like that.

He does say the uncertainties are wearing on employees. “Everybody is on edge. That’s a big thing. Everyone is watching this thing and nobody really knows. But there’s nothing you can do, just got to get through this thing and hope it doesn’t drag on.

We’ll bounce back if we can get over this hiccup soon.” ● Whit Magnum of Magnum Timber Co. in Magee, Miss. says, “The biggest thing is getting unloaded.”

Mills are operating reduced hours and using quotas, leading to long wait times. “It’s putting a damper on our truck drivers who are sitting seven or eight hours in line at the mills to get one load off.”

He adds that three of his usual markets have shut down, so his haul distances have roughly doubled to 120 miles on average as he seeks mills that will take wood. One break loggers recently received is the state allowed a weight waiver to now haul up to 90,000

lbs., and current low fuel prices are providing a bit of a break as well.

“We’re trying to sort our wood out and stay on top of it,” Magnum says.

“We usually run 65 to 70 loads a week; now were getting 35 to 40 loads a week. We’re also staying a little later in the day to make sure we’re ready to rock and roll the next morning to meet quotas.”

Magnum says employees are to check temperatures before they leave the house, and practice separation on the job. Sanitizing wipes are provided to keep work surfaces clean.

Drivers are wearing gloves and masks at the mills because of more interaction and touch screens to punch in their numbers.

“We’re going to give it all we can and have high hopes,” says Magnum, age 26. “We’ve seen trying times before with the weather, and if we can make it through this we’ll be able to make it through anything.”

TH Patrick Dunning and Dan Shell contributed to this report. Special thanks to Carolina Loggers Assn. for “virus fighting” photos and artwork.

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Virginia’s Busiest Man Adam Wilbourne has a farm, buys timber, runs five crews, 20 trucks and chips.

JESSICAJohnson CLARKSVILLE, Va. dam Wilbourne, 42, is no stranger to hard work. Growing up in the logging and farming community of Clarksville, Va., steps away from the beautiful Roanoke River, his father David owned and operated Triple W Logging and farmed tobacco. Triple W, now under the watchful eye of his brother, Dan, is where Adam first got his start. But, after working for the family through ups and downs over 16 years, Adam decided the market conditions were right for him to strike out on his own in 2012—and it’s been full speed ahead for Wilbourne Land & Timber ever since. Adam, his dad and brother remain close in both personal and business relationships and continue to work closely together.

Wilbourne and his wife Jennifer purchased a tobacco farm in 1999, where they still live with their three children, Austin, 17, and 13-year-old twins Kade and Kinley. The couple took advantage of the government’s buyout in 2004 leading them to soybeans. After soybeans hit record high

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prices, he took the money from a profitable year of grain farming and invested in his logging company, coupled by the credit boost he got from owning 10% of the family’s logging company, as did his brother. This was a critical piece of education Wilbourne got from his father. “Dad did it to help us build credit. So, on paper I bought a skidder in ‘03, even though I didn’t have my own logging job at that point.

My parents taught me a lot and instilled a great work ethic, which I contribute along with my strong faith and determination to my success. I was running bulldozers at 12 years old. He taught us all about work,” Wilbourne adds of the man.

Armed with his father’s passed down knowledge, Wilbourne quickly began shopping equipment, and bought one full crew with all new Caterpillar equipment from Carter Machinery, with the exception of one skidder, a John Deere, purchased from James River Equipment. “Everyone with Caterpillar helped tremendously with getting me started—Steven Hite, Donna Ashbrook, David Tulloh and John Brewer.”

Wilbourne admits he’s got some animosity about a few things when he was first starting out on his own, and it forced his hand a bit with how he would operate his company. When Wilbourne struck out on his own, he intended to cut, as Triple W had, for a timber dealer. Unfortunately, the way the crew was able to produce, he says the dealer told him after five years of working together that Wilbourne Land & Timber had outgrown the dealership. After five years, his company, which had started a second crew in January 2014, was out of timber tracts.

Allowed to finish the tracts the crews were currently cutting, Wilbourne was understandably distressed—he remembers the entire ordeal went down on a Tuesday and he and his family were leaving on a trip that Friday. “We were 25 employees, and no job. We had saved money, thankfully, Jennifer manages the money like a guard in a prison,” he remarks. “There was a timber sale on Friday. I went, I don’t have a degree in cruising or anything, but I grew up in it, so I know how to cruise a tract.

I called a bid in on the tract on the

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The company has expanded steadily and delivers a variety of products to mills large and small—plus chips to bioenergy facilities.

way to the airport and bought the tract of timber with our money.”

And that sale cracked open a new facet of logging for Wilbourne: Purchasing his own tracts. “I started moving the crews and getting them on our wood. Ended up buying another tract after calling a couple people,” he says. Within a handful of weeks, both crews were on tracts Wilbourne purchased and he was officially on his own. Shortly after he began cutting timber he purchased, his primary market, Louisiana-Pacific in Roxboro, NC, called needing more production and Wilbourne took the opportunity to increase production.

Since both crews started with brand new equipment, he was initially gun-shy to invest in trucking capacity, instead relying mainly on contract trucks for hauling. Well, after a falling out in the middle of 2014 with this contract trucker, the plucky Wilbourne decided he was going to prove he didn’t need the man to get his wood hauled—he could handle it on his own. “I had eight contract truckers, and two of my own. I went that week and bought seven late model used trucks with low miles.

It took about a month to get

Like his trucking fleet that was started six years ago and now runs 20 rigs, Wilbourne likes to keep many activities in-house.

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Secrets One of the many reasons Wilbourne sees himself as successful is because of his learned “secrets.”

Like letting a former state forester push his crews to do things the right way— the first time around. Another of his secrets was discovered in January 2017 when the chipping crew started blowing chips on the ground making large piles at the landing. By Wilbourne added a fifth crew in late 2019 to better serve more distant markets. using a John Deere 624K with rollout bucket, the chipper operator is able to blow a massive 50-70 loads of chips on the ground that are then offloaded with open top trailers.

When it is wet, chips can be put on the road to keep trucks moving in and out.

Additionally, when power plants need chips the most, but he might not be able to Jennifer, center, with 13-year-old twins Kade, left, and Kinley Adam Wilbourne, right, with oldest son Austin, 17 log, there is a massive pile ready to be everything on the road and then we handles wood buying and cruising. hauled. “It’s been snowing and we’re started trucking,” he recalls. With the Wilbourne says the best thing about hauling chips. That’s been a niche for rapid expansion of Wilbourne Land & bringing Hendrick on was his gentle us,” Wilbourne explains.

Timber’s partner company, Wilbourne encouragements to make sure everyTracts are planned so the crew is on Farms Trucking, Wilbourne’s crews thing is being done exactly as it should. heavy chip wood to make the pile first, keep 20 trucks rolling.

A former state forester, Hendrick chipping right on the side of the road As the crews continued to be propushes the crews to go above and bebefore moving back into the tract. This ductive, and handling trucking inyond at the beginning so they don’t is done so if it does get wet, the loader house proved to be worth it, Wilhave to go and fix things for two weeks can move to the roadside and just load bourne made the decision in April after cutting. “We run into a problem, trucks—keeping everything moving.

2016 to add a third crew and a chipwe do it then,” Wilbourne says.

“Everything in this business is deper after securing some contracts with In addition to harvesting timber, mand, and whoever can fill the deArchie Griffin with Corbett Timber Wilbourne and Hendrick also manage mand. That’s a secret that works,” Co., which handles the procurement timberland for others, including making Wilbourne says as to how he believes for Capital Power in Roxboro, NC use of drone technology to look for his business operates. and Mike Davis at Novec in South bugs and make maps. A subcontractor Coupled with the chip piles, the Boston, Va. handles Wilbourne’s replanting. company relies heavily on the use of Around the same time the third A fourth company crew was added drones. Instead of just walking a tract, crew was added, Wilbourne decided in fall of 2018. In the fall of 2019, they are able to fly the drone over it and that between farming (Wilbourne still Wilbourne added a fifth crew, which see a lot of things they might miss othfarms 1,000 acres of soybeans and orconsists of a contract logger, Pine erwise, like the density of the trees. The ganic corn), logging, trucking and Creek Land & Timber to better serdrone also saves a lot of time. Wilbuying timber he couldn’t do it all. So, vice markets up to 100 plus miles bourne explains that instead of having graduate forester G.T. Hendrick was north. The addition of the fifth crew to walk 1,000 yards into the middle of brought on. “He’s top notch, a really has been an asset to Wilbourne and nowhere to find the hardwood buffer, great guy. Spends my money like it is has allowed the company to expand dragging chains and tapes to figure out his.” Alongside Wilbourne, Hendrick its territory. how wide it is; instead with the drone, 16

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you fly right over it and watch it. “It just gives you so much more of a look at a tract,” Wilbourne adds.

Markets The crews work every day, and Wilbourne says he and Hendrick try to be as strategic as possible and that when tracts are purchased he knows exactly when he wants to cut them. By making use of a track hoe, dump trucks, bulldozer and other assorted pieces of construction equipment to build roads, the crews and trucks are not usually bogged down.

When all four crews are rolling wide open, Wilbourne says he sees the high 50s, 60 loads per day, including chips, with the lion’s share going to LP. Some pine pulpwood is also hauled to WestRock in Hopewell, Va. Between 40-80 loads per week of pine logs are taken to Gregory Lumber Co. in Java, Va., which he admits is a longer haul than he would like. “They are super nice guys, really down to earth.

The only negative thing, we have to haul 60 miles, but who cares. If you are appreciated I’d rather haul 60 than 15,” he emphasizes.

Other great markets for Wilbourne Land & Timber are Morgan Lumber Co. in Red Oak, Va., a local pine sawmill and Canfor New South, located in Graham, NC. While Canfor New South can sometimes be as far as 90 miles from the crews, logs are hauled there every week.

Wilbourne’s third crew primarily cuts mixed tracts, with hardwood logs hauled to Brodnax Lumber Co., owned by the Moseley family. Wilbourne adds that he has done several business deals with Brodnax, and they are great people to work with.

Iron Registry Crew One works with a ‘16 Caterpillar 559C loader; ‘18 John Deere 748L skidder, with 35 in. tires to help with ground pressure; ’16 Caterpillar 563D feller-buncher, which was one of the first D cutters made, and a ’07 Caterpillar D6N bulldozer.

Crew Two uses a ‘19 Caterpillar 559D loader; ‘19 John Deere 648L-II skidder with dual rings so it can be dualed; 2020 720G Tigercat feller-buncher and ‘07 Caterpillar D6N bulldozer.

Crew Three has a ‘14 Caterpillar 559C loader; ‘15 John Deere 648L

Wilbourne Land & Timber runs an extensive Cat equipment lineup, plus Deere, Tigercat and Peterson

skidder; ’14 John Deere 748H skidder; ’14 Peterson 4300 chipper; ’16 John Deere 624K loader; ’18 Caterpillar 563D feller-buncher and ’04 John Deere 850 bulldozer.

Crew Four operates with the equipment the company started with, including a 2012 Caterpillar 559B loader, ’12 John Deere 748H skidder; ’12 Caterpillar 563C side cut head feller-buncher, and 2020 700K John Deere bulldozer.

A 333G John Deere skid steer is used to place mats on each crew and assist in tract cleanup—the six way blade can maintain a road pretty well. Not having a dedicated dozer typically doesn’t slow the crew down, as they are designed to be paired with Crew Three. Wilbourne explains that he wanted to have two loaders, one feeding the chipper and one loading roundwood, with three skidders and two cutters falling. “You need more skidding power to keep the big chipper going,” he adds.

“We run three crews all the time.

The fourth crew is either doubled with the third crew. Or it is split cutting smaller tracts; or it is split just to help manage quota. So many mills that we deal with, especially the log mills, appreciate that because they get full.

We’re able to cut the crew down, move men around and the next week, if we need logs, I can move people back— roll logs for a couple days and go back and cut pulpwood,” Wilbourne says of his company’s flexibility.

A loyal Caterpillar man, Wilbourne has served on both the Caterpillar Cutter and Loader Councils after the C series cutter had so many problems, and therefore helped redesign the D series models. In late summer 2016, Wilbourne purchased a D series cutter and another one in spring 2018.

Carter Equipment services Caterpillar equipment, and Binky Tapscott and his crew with Forest Pro in Virginia

services Tigercat. Forestry Mutual Insurance underwrites workers’ comp.

Shop With such a sizable operation, Wilbourne’s in 40x70 house shop makes sense. Jennifer Wilbourne and an outside secretary, Belinda Moore, hired in April 2019, have office facilities adjacent to the shop where they handle all paperwork and bookkeeping for logging, trucking, farming and timber buying/land management.

In addition to religiously changing oils at 10,000 miles on the trucks, the shop handles all Virginia state inspections for the company. “It makes things simpler, and we can inspect on Saturday evenings instead of having to stop production on a Wednesday or whenever you can get an appointment,” he explains.

Wilbourne buys tires in bulk directly from manufacturers, typically keeping at least 125 at the shop at one time—a mix of Bridgestone and Michelin. Wilbourne Land & Timber’s very first employee, Jose Alarcon and Juan Delgadillo do all in woods oil changes at 250 hours. The pair handles all the machines across the entire fleet, and Wilbourne says it is a total advantage because it’s one man and doesn’t interfere with the mechanics.

They go every Saturday and handle the PM work, occasionally washing the equipment.

Additionally, Brian Keaton and Eric Middleton act as company foreman, alongside Hendrick, Alarcon and Delgadillo, helping make sure the company is operating at its best capacity.

Wilbourne very much has a do-ityourself attitude, and that carries into the maintenance of his sizable fleet, except of course warranty work. “We try to do everything we can do. I don’t TH want to sub out anything.”

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Ponsse Celebrates 50-Year Journey From entrepreneurial startup to global company with presence in 40 countries.

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ooking back on 50 years in operation, from humble beginnings to international company, Ponsse is celebrating this year as one of the world’s top manufacturers of cutto-length forest machines and its role in developing and promoting CTL logging. The company remains in the same family ownership as its founding, and its headquarters remains where the story began in Vierema, Finland.

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Beginnings Einari Vidgrén, the founder and chairman of the Board of Directors of the company, was born to a small farmer’s family in North Savo and began working at a logging site at the age of 14 in 1957. Vidgrén started forest work equipped with only a frame saw, but eventually became one of the most successful machine entrepreneurs in Finland at the age of 27 and employed 25 loggers. However, the machines used suffered from durability problems and in 1969 Vidgrén developed a load-carrying forest tractor for his own use in a local village workshop.

He named the forwarder Ponsse, after a crossbreed courser dog that roamed the village. Ponsse was first used at the logging site of a forest company Tehdaspuu, and after a year of use Tehdaspuu asked for more of the same kind of forwarders.

This feedback encouraged forest machine contractor Vidgrén to establish a forest machine plant in Vieremä.

With a one-vote majority, the municipal council decided to build an industrial plant to be leased to the machine entrepreneur Einari Vidgrén. The plant was completed at the end of 1970 and Ponsse Oy was established. The first forest machine intended for serial production was a PAZ forwarder. Difficulties and setbacks characterized the early years of the plant. Despite tight money and the difficulty of obtaining a loan, the plant developed and there was enough work for the machines as well as the staff.

A breakthrough in the evolution of forest machines took place in the 1980s. Ponsse became renowned to competitors and customers alike in a single dramatic step in 1983 when it introduced the legendary Ponsse S15 forwarder. Built partly from aluminium, the machine’s chassis made it significantly lighter than its competitors’ chassis, putting it in a class of its own for cross-terrain performance.

Another significant milestone in Ponsse’s history was reached in 1986 when the first harvester head H520 was introduced. It marked an important step in the expansion of the product family from forwarders to harvesting machines as well.

The Finnish quality was rewarded in 1994 when Ponsse became the first ISO 9001-certified forest machine manufacturer in the world. This led to

Original plant in Vierema was result of town voting to build an industrial facility.

Original crew of employees with an early model Ponsse forwarder

Today, Ponsse’s ultra-modern Vierema facilities cover more than 4 hectares.

intensified machine development work and an expansion of the plant. In the 1990s the product range expanded and Ponsse Opti, an advanced measurement and information system for forest machines, was launched on the market. Ponsse was listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange, and founded subsidiaries in Sweden, the U.S., France and the United Kingdom.

U.S. Operations In 1991, Ponsse touched down on North American soil when legendary forestry advocate Earl St. John brought the first machines to Powers, Mich. Through proven performance, word quickly spread through the forest industry that Ponsse was here to stay.

In 1995 Ponsse North America estab-

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lished a North America subsidiary Ponsse continually in Atlanta, Ga. Sensing opporturolls out new products nity and demand for CTL machinand features. ery in the Great Lakes region, the company found its way north and fully took root moving its North American headquarters to Rhinelander, Wis. in 1997.

Since setting up shop in North America, Ponsse has never stopped moving. A brand journey that first began in Michigan quickly gained ground in Wisconsin and Minnesota, then Canada, the New England States, Oregon, Washington and New York.

Today, the brand that began in a small village in Finland has now changed the forest industry landscape of North America with machines hard at work in about 35 states nationwide supported by many dealerships and service centers across the continent.

Ponsse officials note that the machines are nothing without the been modernized in terms of horsepower of the passionate men and eco-friendliness and ergonomics. Flexwomen who continue to write the next ible working methods enable the broadest product range in the markets chapter of Ponsse North America’s and reactions to changing market quarter century success story. Today, the company tips its hard hat to the needs. Soon, the 1,000th Ponsse Scorpion, the flagship of the model range, nearly 100 employees and dedicated will exit the production line. customers of Ponsse North America– The Vieremä factory has grown to some with over 20 years of service cover an area of nearly four hectares. and loyalty.

It is still based around a 300 square metre hall from where it all started 50 New Products years ago. The oldest still-operational Ponsse has continued its journey forest machine factory in Finland successfully from decade to decade forms the core of Ponsse’s production. and continent to continent. By now, The company’s values and operatPonsse has manufactured more than ing methods are based on the original 15,000 environmentally friendly CTL principles of its founder Einari forest machines and is one of the deVidgrén. The customer has always velopers and manufacturers of the been the starting point for Ponsse’s most advanced forest machine techoperations: all innovations are associnology solutions in the world. The ated with how customers value them 15,000th Ponsse was manufactured at and how they can benefit from them in the new factory opened a year ago. It their own operations. Ponsse offers its was the most significant investment in customers comprehensive harvesting the company’s history at nearly EUR solutions so that the harvesting entre40 million. preneur’s operations would be producThis significant investment in tive. Ponsse has long experience in the Ponsse’s future has proved its worth manufacturing and development of along the way towards continuous deCTL forest machines, and we continuvelopment. The amount of testing and ally support our customers, even quality control has increased considerthrough the most difficult times. ably. For example, the factory features Ponsse is committed to serving its an optical 3D scanning unit, representcustomers in all its market areas: as a ing the latest technology, to inspect all reliable, long-term partner to Ponsse forest machine structures at extreme customers, working closely with cusprecision and ensure that all structures tomers and always in their best interest. meet their quality requirements.

The Ponsse Cobra harvester and At the same time, the factory has Ponsse Bison, two new products 20

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launched, are in full serial production alongside the new Active Crane.

The Ponsse Bison Active Frame has become a revolutionary new model in forwarder markets.

Equipped with a modern Mercedes-Benz engine, a powerful loader and a strong continuously variable transmission (CVT), Bison Active Frame is a true powerhouse for the local transport of timber. The model is equipped with the Active Frame suspension system. The solution has a simple and functional structure, effectively suspending any sideways movement directed at the operator.

The fast-selling Ponsse Cobra is an adaptable all-round harvester with eight wheels and, thanks to its extensive range of equipment, it is suitable for various cutting and working methods.

Cobra’s strengths are its six-cylinder engine and hydraulic system, powered by the large 210 cm3 work pump, and its strong and tested structure. Thanks to its high-quality basic solutions, the Cobra is a dependable and fuel-efficient machine. Its accurate and easy-to-use crane, good balance and powerful six-cylinder engine make Cobra an economical solution for varying conditions.

Ponsse’s Active Crane offers a new way of controlling the loader and boosting efficiency. It is a forwarder system that the operator uses to control the grapple movement instead of individual functions, allowing the operator to concentrate efficiently on loader work. Active Crane is easily controlled using two levers, one of which controls the grapple height from the ground and the other controls the direction of movement. What is essential is that the operator does not need to control all the functions simultaneously. When the operator selects a specific spot, Active Crane automatically takes care of lifting, folding and extension movements.

From a simple frame saw held by Einari Vidgrén in the Finnish countryside to a family-owned forestry legend, Ponsse shares our continued global and North American success with the tireless and loyal family of employees and customers who continue to forge our reputation as King of the Forest and a Logger’s Best TH Friend.

This article was submitted by Ponsse.

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Wood Bioenergy Expo Report Atlanta event looks at future of wood bioenergy.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Wood bioenergy in the form of industrial pellets or boiler fuel and other products are big market concerns for many loggers, and this special report covers some of the Wood Bioenergy Conference & Expo held March 10-11 at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center in Atlanta. The event, hosted by Wood Bioenergy magazine and Georgia Research Institute, featured a diverse range of presentations, 28 speakers, 46 equipment exhibitor companies and three university exhibitors.

ATLANTA, Ga. oggers across the Southeast are hauling to pellet mills that have sprung up in the past 10+ years, and the future of mostly European markets for U.S. pellets was a big topic of the conference.

Hovering over wood bioenergy industry is the future of industrial pellets and the market dynamics in European countries as well as the large potential of Asia as a growing market for North American pellet producers.

A key driver of uncertainty is the year 2027, when the UK’s main biomass incentives that have driven much of industry’s growth could expire.

Speaker Jose Gonzalez, senior principal at AFRY (formerly Pöyry), spoke on the Dynamics of the Global Pellet Market and Impact to North American Supply.

According to Gonzalez, a big competitive edge for North America is its stability and reliability as an industrial wood pellet supplier thanks to plentiful fiber sources and excellent infrastructure for timber harvest, processing and shipping.

“North America produces 54% of global pellet supply,” Gonzalez said. “Reliability is a big plus and should be a selling point, plus there’s lots of excess biomass available.”

Gonzalez noted that 2027 is when some of the major UK support for coal-to-biomass conversions ends, and currently there’s no Producers seek to maintain Europe markets, while looking to Asia. way to tell what the

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government might do.

While he said he believed incentives wouldn’t be completely withdrawn, Gonzalez noted that with existing European market opportunities set to decrease, there could be new demand developing elsewhere. Ongoing coal phase-out in countries such as Germany, the Nordics, and Iberia may produce opportunities for future demand.

Also, while the long-term future for UK and Europe is a bit uncertain, most industry observers agree Asia is set for solid growth in pellet utilization in the near future.

There is a wide range for potential demand development, especially in Japan, Gonzalez said. Overall Japan and South Korea could combine to reach Europe’s demand levels by the mid-2020s, he added.

Suppliers across North America can offer supply stability and market experience, which Asian consumers appear to value highly. This allows North American suppliers to remain competitive, even if they are not the lowest cost.

Some North American producers, such as Enviva and Pinnacle, are already establishing contracts in Asia, Gonzalez said, noting 4.1 million tonnes of contracts from the two companies. “Asia is just getting started,” Gonzalez said, adding it’s important for industry to help foster new demand on countries that are phasing out coalfired power generation.

Future Potential Dr. William Strauss, president of wood pellet and biomass consulting group FutureMetrics, spoke on The Future of the Industrial Wood Pellet Sector. He said global wood pellet production (including industrial and heating pellets) continues to escalate, approaching 36 million metric tons through 2018, including more than 10 million in North America, and that in 2019 North America exported 8.4 million tonnes.

The biggest exporters in 2019 were the U.S., Vietnam, Canada, Russia, Latvia and Estonia. The biggest importers were the UK, South Korea, Denmark, Italy (heating pellets), Japan and Belgium. He speculates global industrial wood pellet demand will increase from 15.6 million metric tons in 2019 to 31.8 million in 2025.

Strauss noted the focus on new growth will shift increasingly to Asia.

He said he expects no more growth out of the UK come 2022 unless curTIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS

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rent policies are renewed.

In South Korea the demand for pellets is supported by Renewable Energy Certificates. But the system isn’t working properly. REC prices have dropped so producers are buying them and skipping biomass conversion.

Meanwhile in Japan, officials are seeking to increase renewable energy from 16% of total power mix in 2017 to 22%-24% by 2030. Strauss noted that under Japan’s feed-in-tariff (FIT) system, “There are hundreds of small biomass-fueled independent power projects operating or in the pipeline.”

He added that the trend is reflected in Japan’s increased monthly pellet imports, which have ranged from around 15,000 metric tons in January 2015 to almost 165,000 metric tons at the end of 2019. Japan’s annual wood pellet imports was 1.6 million metric tons in 2019, up from 500,000 in 2017.

Growth in Japan is expected to be substantial, with industrial wood pellet demand reaching 9 million metric tons in 2025. Several major power plant conversions are likely in the future, Strauss added.

Danny Dructor, executive vice president of the American Loggers Council, spoke on the Health of the Logging Ranks and Staying Ahead of Environmental Encroachment. Dructor said ALC and its members appreciate the promotion of wood for bioenergy, whether in the form of a pellet, biochar, cogeneration or biofuels, because it provides new markets.

Environmentally, he said most loggers just keep doing what they have been doing for most of their careers, practicing sustainable harvesting practices that includes caring for the land, the flora and fauna on the landscape, and taking pride in their professionalism and ability to overcome change.

He noted that environmentalists have

Loggers keep industry environmentally sound.

rangement of wood and because trucktaken well intentioned laws such as the ing costs also went up. Harvesting National Environmental Policy Act, the challenges were plentiful: the cut Endangered Species Act and the Clean down machines first had to access into Water Act and have abused them in libthe damaged stand; snapped off stems eral courtrooms and negotiated settlerequired the skidder to pick up indiments with federal agencies as a means vidual trees; sawmills would not acto paralyze the industry, especially on cept diagonal cuts at the butt or top federal lands. end; splits, knots and stresses were “We have also seen attempts by worse from Michael those such as the Dogthan less powerful wood Alliance to stymie storms; some mills operations of private took only leaning trees lands through a host of because of shake, misinformation meant to splits and loose knots. stop the wood energy Dartnell said future markets from developchallenges are numering,” Dructor said. ous: timber supply is Dructor said more than 26,500 American environseverely depleted in the Danny Dructor mental groups collected path of the storm; mills are having to truck logs total revenues of more farther. With 1.35 milthan $81 billion from lion acres severely or 2000 to 2012, according to The Giving USA Institute. catastrophically damaged in Florida and Dructor then reported 370,000 acres in Georon the results of the ALC 2019 Logger Survey, gia, reforestation contractors and seedling which received 580 renurseries will be sold sponses nationwide. He out for years and resaid nearly 35% of the quire more than a billoggers indicated they are Dr. William Strauss financially worse off than lion seedlings.

Andrew Copley, senior analyst they were a year ago and 16% are betwith Forisk Consulting, spoke on North ter off. A whopping 97% said it is virAmerican Timberland and Forest Intually impossible to replace or add new dustry Capital Investment Trends. hires to their operations, and 73% said Focusing on southern pine timberthe wages and benefits were not suffilands, Copley said the average southern cient to attract the right kind of workers yellow pine plantation accumulated 2.4 to the industry. tons of volume per acre per year in the Loggers ranked finding quality drivlate 1980s, and by 2016 that number ers, trucking rates and insurance costs had more than doubled to five tons per as the three most important impacts in acre per year. “As a whole, we are being able to move wood from the growing much more wood on an acre landing to the mill. Insurance, equipof land today than we were 30 years ment costs, trucking and labor ranked ago,” he said. “There is still room for one through four on the list of inimprovement; a well-managed SYP creased operational costs. plantation can produce six to eight tons With a choice of seven items, anper acre per year.” other question asked loggers to rank to Abundant grade supply is one of the what extent landowners or mills (or factors that has led to a massive influx the clients they work for) valued those of sawmill investment in the South. In seven items: Low logging costs scored 2019 Copley said firms in the South highest, followed by consistent procompleted 10 sawmill expansions and duction, high production, safety, envifive new sawmills began operations. ronmental quality, professionalism and This added 1.7 billion BF of capacity certification.

Devon Dartnell, director, market to the regions. Firms expect to build or analysis and research, Georgia Forexpand 21 mills in the South in the estry Commission, spoke on Hurricane next two years. Southern softwood Michael’s Impact on forest resources. sawmill capacity should approach 23 Dartnell said while typical convenbillion BF by 2024, a gain of 17% in tional logging costs are $9-$12 per TH five years. ton, Hurricane Michael logging costs Rich Donnell and Dan Shell contributed to this report. were $15-$25 per ton due to the ar-

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EquipmentWorld Husqvarna Appoints President of NA Div. Husqvarna appointed Robert McCutcheon as President of North America for Husqvarna Div., effective June 1.

Prior to joining Husqvarna North America, McCutcheon served as president and managing director of the Americas for Britax Child Safety Inc. in Fort Mill, SC. Bringing more than 23 years of experience and expertise in consumer products, he has led successful business growth initiatives through innovation, marketing and operational excellence. McCutcheon’s background includes positions with Conagra Brands, Walmart and Britax.

McCutcheon succeeds Earl Bennett, who served the company both as Legal Counsel and president of the North American division. He has been instrumental in building a strong organizational and business platform for the future growth of Husqvarna in North America.

Deere Begins Production of PPE John Deere, in collaboration with the United Auto Workers (UAW), the Iowa Dept. of Homeland Security and the Illinois ManufacturJerry Miller, an assembler ers’ Assn., at John Deere Seeding Mo- announced it line, assembles protective is producing face shields for healthprotective care workers. face shields at John Deere Seeding Group in Moline, Ill. Deere employees will initially produce 25,000 face shields to meet the immediate needs of healthcare workers in several of its U.S. manufacturing communities.

Materials and supplies are on order to produce an additional 200,000 face shields. The company is using an open-source design from the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the project and leveraging expertise, skills and innovation of its employee base.

“Our manufacturing and supply management teams, along with our production and maintenance employees, the UAW and our partners have worked tirelessly to ensure we could lend our support and protect our healthcare workers during this crisis,” said John May, CEO, Deere & Co. Deere has also launched a COVID19 innovations site to share opensource specifications for related projects, including 3D-printed clips to affix face shields to protective bump caps, found at deere.com/en/covid19/ innovations/

Demo International 2020 Is Postponed Until 2021 Due to ongoing health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s DEMO International conference and equipment show, scheduled for September 24-26 in Venosta, Que., in the Gatineau Valley Region, and the pre-show conference scheduled September 22-23 in Ottawa, has been postponed until 2021.

Organizers said dates for 2021 will be announced soon. Demo International is North America’s largest live, in-woods forestry equipment show.

New Dates Are Set For 2020 Loggers Expo The 2020 Loggers Expo scheduled for May at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, VT has been postponed until October 16-17.

The Loggers Banquet sponsored by Farm Credit will now be held on October 15 and will still be held at the Delta Hotel by Marriott in South Burlington, VT. Free on-line registration to attend the October show will open in early July 2020.

Expo Richmond Will Be Held October 9-10 The 37th East Coast Sawmill and Logging Equipment Exposition, or Expo Richmond 2020, which had been scheduled for May 1-2 at the Richmond Raceway Complex in Richmond, Va., has been rescheduled to October 9-10 in response to the global coronavirus pandemic. Attendee registration will open June 1.

Loggers-Truckers App Streamlines Log Loads Axe Timber Transportation is a new app for loggers and truckers to move loads daily. Loggers post available loads so wood moves faster to the mills. Truckers search for available loads resulting in more loaded miles. Together loggers and truckers, using this app designed specifically for the logging industry, could increase their efficiency and profits.

Recent studies show that log truck drivers spend the majority of miles unloaded. Use Axe Timber Transportation to become the exception to the rule—drive more loaded miles: ● Create more backhaul miles by scheduling loading sites and mill destinations to decrease deadheads. ● Find new loads when weather or equipment delays prevent you from hauling for your primary logger. ● Shorten your work week by getting more loads in less time and in fewer miles. ● Reduce unnecessary wear and tear on trucks by reducing unloaded miles. ● Increase your opportunities to locate loads outside your normal contacts.

Axe Timber Transportation provides loggers access to local trucking anywhere in the region. Find available trucking for your loads wherever you are logging: ● Pre-schedule trucking needs to distribute truck arrivals throughout the day, and move additional loads beyond your current trucking capacity. ● Increase opportunities to locate haulers outside normal contacts and increase loaded miles of company-owned trucks.

It takes just a few moments to post and find loads. Use the app for just $1.99 per load. Android users can download the Axe Timber Transportation App on GooglePlay. iPhone users can download the app directly from the website: www.axetimbertranspor tation.com.

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InnovationWay Tigercat Grapple Skidder The Tigercat 602 grapple skidder is ideal for high value selective logging in tight or challenging terrain. The size and agility of the 602 makes it ideal for selective felling applications. The machine can access high value timber in steep terrain, while minimizing damage to the residual stand. A fixed front axle with an oscillating center section allows the 602 to achieve a narrow overall width of 2.7 m (106").

The Tigercat FPT N45 Tier 4f engine delivers 125 kW (168 HP) at 2,200 RPM while conforming to emissions standards for North America and Europe.

Performance in tough terrain is excellent with no gear shifting required. Full tractive effort is available at any engine speed, minimizing wheel spin and improving breakout performance.

Maximum fuel efficiency is achieved by the use of Tigercat’s load sensing hydraulic system. Electronic control technology combined with Tigercat’s unique hydrostatic drive system allows the skidder to operate at variable engine rpm, automatically increasing engine speed when additional horsepower is required.

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Tigercat’s Tier 4 solution is packaged into a physically smaller engine compartment, leading to clear operator sightlines. Excellent cab ergonomics, Turnaround and the benefits that come with hydrostatic drive, along with painless maintenance routines, make the Tigercat 602 skidder a top choice among operators. Visit tigercat.com

John Deere Felling Head John Deere announces its new large-class directional felling head, the FL100. The FL100 model provides customers with a larger, more durable directional felling head solution. The robust, durable design of the new FL100 makes it ideal for steep slope, shoveling, and traditional felling applications. Featuring increased grip strength, grapple capacity and shoveling performance, the FL100’s grapple arm effectively handles both small and extra-large timber. The increased durability of the FL100 reduces potential downtime in tough conditions, while allowing excellent access to maintenance and service points.

Factory installed on the new John Deere 959ML shovel logger/directional feller, the FL100 offers the ideal solution for felling and maneuvering timber in steep slope applications. Visit johndeere.com

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HEADS UP! Mid-Atlantic L-B-L Expo

2021

April 30-May 1

Near Laurinburg, NC

DEEPER, WIDER FOOTPRINT Details As They Develop

Jack Swanner, Show Manager • 828.421.8444 SPONSORS:

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InnovationWay Komatsu 8WD Harvester

Morbark Reveals Two New Grinders

Komatsu’s new 901XC (eXtreme Conditions) 8WD harvester excels in challenging steep, rough or soft harvesting environments. The 901XC has all of the market-leading features found in Komatsu’s proven 901-6WD harvester platform, including the innovative, 3PS three-pump hydraulic system, best-in-class ergonomic cab, 4-way cab/crane leveling, and ±180° cab/crane rotation.

Komatsu’s 901XC’s exclusive “double Comfort Bogie” drive system provides excellent handling and follows the terrain more closely. The 8WD system generates 12% more tractive effort and significantly reduces rear ground pressure: 53% lower psi with tracks and 19% lower psi with tires.

The 901XC shares all the same market-leading features as the Komatsu 901, 911, 931, 931XC and 951 harvesters, including Komatsu’s innovative, 3PS three-pump hydraulic system, for higher hydraulic working flow at low engine speeds, while lowering fuel consumption.

The range of available Komatsu harvesting heads includes the S92, C93 and C124 designed to meet specific application needs. The 901XC is suited for the rugged Komatsu C124 “carry-style” head, which has four powerful motors and four heavy-duty driven feed rollers.

An automatic central lubrication system and well-placed front, rear, cab and hydraulic tank service platforms further facilitate machine serviceability. Visit komatsuna.com.

Morbark, LLC debuted the 2400X and 3000X Wood Hog horizontal grinders at this year’s CONEXPO/CONAGG show in Las Vegas. Both machines can be equipped with tracks (XT models); and the 3000X can be built as a fifth-wheel/dual-axle unit or pintle hitch/tri-axle.

One of the most important features of the 2400X and 3000X is their compact size. Their standard width (2400X: 7'6"/2.29 m; 3000X: 8'2"/2.49 m) make them within the legal transport width in any country. The models also share design features like the sloped infeed sides, which improve operator sight lines for more efficient loading of material, and easy-to-load grate systems.

The 2400X ranges in HP 188 to 203 (140.2 – 151.4 kW), while the 3000X has engine options from 350 – 577 HP (260 – 430 kW). Both the 2400X and 3000X also will be available with electric power. Both models are equipped with the Morbark Integrated Control System.

Visit morbark.com.

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Tigercat Launches LogOn Tigercat has launched LogOn, a powerful onboard information system to optimize machine performance and reduce downtime. Users can now easily access detailed machine data and diagnostics tools at the worksite, including mechanical parameters, fuel economy, performance metrics, service codes, service manuals and more.

Users can access detailed fault codes and important troubleshooting information onsite to help ensure the correct fix the first time. Users open the Tigercat Mobile App on their smartphone, select the LogOn icon, and connect to the secure Wi-Fi hotspot to enter the system.

Data is displayed with an easy-touse mobile interface. No cellular coverage is needed. An optional satellite modem allows access in the world’s most remote locations.

LogOn comes standard on all 2020 Tigercat machines. Visit tigercat.com TIMBER HARVESTING & FOREST OPERATIONS

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SelectCuts As We (ALC) See It

a 501 (c)(6) not for profit trade association representing professional timber harvesters and log truckers in 32 states. Visit amloggers.com or phone 409-625-0206.

Forestry Meets Essential Pandemic Needs NICK SMITH COVID-19 is challenging our society in many ways. Today we appreciate the men and women who are serving on the front lines of this epidemic and making personal sacrifices to provide care to those in need.

Judging by shortages of medical supplies and Smith many household items, the epidemic should give us an appreciation for the basic resources we depend on—and those who provide them.

Foresters and loggers practiced social distancing long before the pandemic response required it. But there are good reasons why the U.S. Department of Homeland Security identified the forest sector as an essential critical infrastructure workforce as the nation responds to COVID-19.

Those who harvest, manufacture and

transport wood-based products are helping ensure our medical professionals, first-responders and the rest of us have the essentials we need to weather this crisis.

These essentials include but are not limited to masks, filters, tissue, disinfecting wipes, cleaning products and latex gloves. There are also cellulose pharmaceutical fillers, wooden pallets for critical shipments and goods and building products for emergency structures and shelters.

We are all in this together. We all have a role to play, even if that is simply staying home and staying healthy to protect others. Our forests and those who work in the woods are also doing their jobs, and hopefully our society will remember our important connection to this natural resource long after our nation has recovered.

Martin Was Focused On Forestry Norman Kittell Martin, who guided Louisiana’s Roy O. Martin Lumber into cutting-edge forestry and conservation in the 1950s and 1960s, died March 10 in Kansas City. He was 93.

He attended Louisiana Tech before serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during the final year Norman K. Martin of World War II. Working alongside his brothers in the company, Norman’s first major responsibility was with the forestry division, supervising that group while also working with logging operations. He assisted the company’s land acquisitions and surveying. Norman brought modern forest management techniques and a reforestation commitment that still guides the company today.

Smith is the founder of Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that advocates for active forest management on federal forest lands. American Loggers Council is

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

May 15-16—Montana Logging Assn. annual meeting, Cooper King Convention Cneter, Butte, Mont. Call 406-7523168; visit logging.org.

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

Axe Timber

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800.799.2186

John Deere Forestry

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East Coast Sawmill Expo

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Forest Chain

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Mid-Atlantic Logging & Biomass

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Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show

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July 24-26—Georgia Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Jekyll Island Convention Center, Jekyll Island, Ga. Call 478-9928110; visit gfagrow.org.

Olofsfors

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519.754.2190

Ponsse North America

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Precision-Husky

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July—Missouri Forest Products Assn./Missouri Loggers Council annual meeting, TBD, Springfield, Mo. Call 573634-3252; visit moforest.org.

Prolenc Manufacturing

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Tigercat Industries

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Trilink Saw Chain

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Wallingford’s

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May 20—TEAM Safe Trucking Semi Annual Meeting, Omni Austin Downtown, Austin, Tex. Call 207-841-0250; visit teamsafetrucking.com.

July 16-18—West Virginia Forestry Assn. annual meeting, Cannan Valley Resort & Conference Center, Davis, W.Va. Call 681-265-5019; visit wvfa.org.

August 11-14—Virginia Forestry Assn. 2020 Forestry Summit, Hotel Madison, Harrisonburg, Va. Call 804-2788733; visit vaforestry.org.

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