9 minute read
Rules Corner
Inspection Services Department Carries on With the Mission Despite Challenges
Contact us to see how we can help you!
by Chief Inspector Dana Spessert
The hardwood industry has undergone significant changes over the past two years, and NHLA is no exception. We’ve had to make some tough decisions but through it all we have managed to carry on our mission, which is to “serve NHLA Members engaged in the commerce of North American hardwood lumber by maintaining order, structure, and ethics in the changing global hardwood marketplace; providing unique member services; promoting North American hardwood lumber and advocating the interest of the hardwood community in public/private policy issues; and providing a platform for networking opportunities.”
As you are reading this, I hope you decided to join us at the NHLA Annual Convention, an event where you meet with old friends and make some new ones. The Annual Convention is one way that we help to ensure a vibrant and robust hardwood industry.
Another significant role that we embrace is maintaining the NHLA Rules and the process by which they are refreshed and updated. We hold a special meeting on a quadrennial basis and allow our members to submit Rules change proposals that go through an extensive screening process by the Rules Committee. The committee consists of 13 members representing a variety of industry segments.The Rules Committee is tasked with verifying the efficacy and impact of the proposals to ensure that we do not create conflicting Rules changes. The Rules change proposals that pass the Rules Committee process will be voted on by our Active members in November – December this year.
Throughout the ups and downs of the COVID pandemic, we have continued to deliver education to the industry. From 3-day short courses to the traditional 8-week Inspector Training School program. NHLA has created many news ways of offering education for everyone, including the ITS Online Training Program and industry specific webinar courses. The ITS Online Training Program provides hands-on training but allows some of the information to be studied from home. With the onset of the pandemic, NHLA embraced the webinar platform, offering more than 14 to date and will continue to provide those as an opportunity to learn in a short amount of time, in a streaming format wherever you may be.
We continue to meet our members’ needs through our National Inspectors located throughout the US and Canada. We are a smaller staff than in the past, yet we are still delivering the services required to meet the demand throughout North America. Our National Inspectors have become much more than the National Inspectors of the past; they are ambassadors for the industry. They have the capability of working with owners, managers, supervisors, and the employees of our membership to help everyone reach their full potential, not only in lumber inspection but in management, quality control, yield studies, and many other aspects of the lumber production.
Please contact a National Inspector or me to see how we can help you, your employees and your company. Dana Spessert at d.spessert@nhla.com or 901-399-7551.
NHLA PROVIDES EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO IMPROVE YOUR
BOTTOM LINE Register for classes at www.nhla.com/Education.
COVID-19 IMPACT:
At the time of publication, these educational courses are being offered. However, due to the unknowns of the COVID-19 pandemic please visit nhla.com for the latest information or call NHLA headquarters at 901-377-1818 to confirm that these courses are taking place.
SEPTEMBER 13-17
Intro to Hardwood Lumber Grading Intro class to gain a basic understanding of the NHLA hardwood lumber grading rules and how the rules affect the value of lumber.
Hosted by: Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen's Association Venue: Wood-Mizer, LLC Location: Indianapolis, IN
Instructor: Kevin Evilsizer, NHLA National Inspector
OCTOBER 4-6
Intro to Hardwood Lumber Grading Intro class to gain a basic understanding of the NHLA hardwood lumber grading rules and how the rules affect the value of lumber.
Venue: Northwest Hardwoods - Marion Branch Location: Marion, NC
Instructor: Mark Depp, NHLA National Inspector
OCTOBER 4-15
Inspector Training School Online Training Program MODULE 1 Two weeks of hands-on training. Venue: Northwest Hardwoods - Marion Branch Location: Marion, NC Module 2: Online study Module 3: Three weeks hands-on training and final testing at NHLA headquarters. Instructor: Mark Depp, NHLA National Inspector
NOVEMBER 29-Dec. 10
Inspector Training School Online Training Program MODULE 1 Two weeks of hands-on training. Venue: NHLA Headquarters Location: Memphis, TN Module 2: Online study Module 3: Three weeks hands-on training and final testing at NHLA headquarters. Instructor: Roman Matyushchenko, ITS Instructor
SEPTEMBER 13-Nov. 5
Inspector Training School 196th Class Traditional 8-week hands-on training to achieve the certificate of completion in Hardwood Lumber Inspection.
Venue: NHLA Headquarters Location: Memphis, TN
Instructor: Roman Matyushchenko, ITS Instructor
JANUARY 10-March 4
Inspector Training School 197th Class Traditional 8-week hands-on training to achieve the certificate of completion in Hardwood Lumber Inspection.
Venue: NHLA Headquarters Location: Memphis, TN
Instructor: Roman Matyushchenko, ITS Instructor
BE PART OF BUILDING SOMETHING BIG
Where We’ve Been
It’s no secret, the hardwood industry has been losing market share to products that look like wood, but have none of the natural benefits or authentic attributes of Real American Hardwood™ products. In order to recapture market share and improve industry stability, hardwood organizations united to form the Real American Hardwood Coalition.
Where We Are
The goal is to develop a national consumer promotion campaign on a scale that’s never been seen before. And a lot has been accomplished in a short period of time—including the completion of an extensive consumer research initiative, establishing brand guidelines, registering trademarks, and launching social media profiles.
Where We’re Going, Together
The next steps will have the largest impact on the industry and require buy-in from all industry stakeholders. The Coalition is preparing to launch a comprehensive promotion campaign—including a consumer-oriented website, in-store promotion at top big box stores, a broad media relations campaign, social media influencer partnerships, print and web advertising, and much more.
How You Can Get Involved
Moving the campaign forward and expanding its reach will take the support of the entire industry—for the benefit of the entire industry.
■ Make a voluntary contribution to help fund the consumer
promotion campaign.
■ Use the Real American Hardwood logo on your sales and marketing
communications, facilities and vehicles, products, and website.
■ Follow @RealAmericanHardwood on Instagram and Facebook, and tag #RealAmericanHardwood in your social media posts.
NHLA JOB BOARD
Here you will find our current job listings. To see more details or to post a job, visit www.nhla.com/industry-services/job-board.
BAND SAW FILER
Jim C. Hamer Co. is a business with a rich history that has been producing some of the finest quality lumber in the Appalachian region for multiple generations. We have three sawmills in West Virginia and one in Kentucky. We also have two dry kiln operations and a wood pellet plant in West Virginia. We are currently looking for an experienced band saw filer for either the Madison WV location or the Prestonsburg KY, location.
Skills & Experience Required • Experience sharpening band saws with Armstrong file room equipment.
• Ability to learn how to sharpen chipper knives and resurface guides for a gang saw.
• Ability to help repair minor maintenance breakdowns in the file room.
• The ability to communicate well with coworkers like saw filers, sawyers, mill managers, and maintenance is a must.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Salary & Benefits Salary negotiable based on experience, benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401K, paid vacation, and holidays.
How to Apply Send your resume to: pbrown@jimchamer.com
Jim C Hamer Co. Box 425 | Madison, WV 25130 (304) 369-3889 or 304-634-1664
KILN MANAGER
Missouri Walnut is looking for a Kiln Manager to oversee the steamer, kiln, and boiler operation. As the kiln manager, you are responsible for the overall performance of these 3 areas. Missouri Walnut is an industry leader in Kiln capacity with another million board feet of added capacity coming in the spring of 2022.
Skills & Experience Required Minimum of 10 years lumber experience with a minimum of 5 years of kiln operation. Experience drying Walnut and White Oak preferred.
Salary & Benefits Missouri Walnut offers a very strong compensation plan along with a great benefits package. 401K opportunities with company matching.
How to Apply Send your resume to: gmckinnis@missouriwalnutgroup.com
Missouri Walnut 11417 Oak Rd | Neosho, MO 64850 417-455-0972
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– Northwest Hardwoods
Get accurate end tallies in “One day we were backed up seconds with the TallyExpress with 12 bundles on our line. Normally, it would have taken a app. Just snap a photo and very stressful 30 minutes to get the app uses AI to measure those tallied and moved. With each board. Start to finish, TallyExpress, we did all 12 a completed end tally takes bundles in about ten minutes and 60-90 seconds. No special it was a stress-free experience.” equipment required! – Granite Hardwoods, Inc.
Easy
Not only can TallyExpress be taught in minutes, it is less physically-demanding than having to measure each board.
“Previously, end tallying was “The training is almost nothing. a huge bottle neck. We were People take pictures with their regularly paying 16 man-hours smartphones every day. It’s of overtime on Saturdays just very familiar technology. to catch up. TallyExpress has Basically, you show someone completely eliminated that extra how to use it on one bundle day of tallying because we can and they’re ready to go. It really process bundles faster during does only take a couple of the week.” minutes to train someone.” -Northwest Hardwoods – Allegheny Wood Products
Contact DMSi, your exclusive TallyExpress reseller, to start your free 30-day trial.
LEGAL LUMBERTM
THIS IS HOW WE PROTECT FORESTS AND SUPPORT COMMUNITIES.
At Tropical Forest Products we love what we do, and one way to show it is by supporting the protection of forests and the communities that depend on them. That’s why we’re pleased to introduce the Due Care Legal Lumber™ Environmental Compliance Certifi cation Program, which ensures that 100% verifi ed lumber is being delivered.
GOOD FOR THE PLANET. SAFE FOR CONSUMERS AND SUPPLIERS. THIS IS TROPICAL.
905 672-8000 855 344-4500 6200 TOMKEN ROAD MISSISSAUGA, ON L5T 1X7
