June 2023 Hardwood Matters

HARDWOOD MATTERS

June 2023

GENERATIONAL

LEGACIES AT NHLA INSPECTOR TRAINING SCHOOL

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Jon Syre, Chairman Cascade Hardwood, LLC

Bucky Pescaglia, Vice Chairman Missouri-Pacific Lumber Co., Inc.

Jeff Wirkkala, Past Chairman 2020-2022 Hardwood Industries, Inc.

MISSION LEADERS

Sam Glidden, Unique Services GMC Hardwoods, Inc.

Ray White, Rules Harold White Lumber Inc.

Joe Pryor, Industry Advocacy & Promotion Oaks Unlimited

Rich Solano, Structure Pike Lumber Company, Inc.

Stephanie VanDystadt, Membership & Networking DV Hardwoods, Inc.

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Burt Craig, Membership & Networking Matson Lumber Company

Rob Cabral, Market Impacts Upper Canada Forest Products, Ltd.

Dennis Mann, Convention Baillie Lumber Co.

Tom Oiler, Lumber Services Cole Hardwood, Inc.

Brant Forcey, Inspector Training School Forcey Lumber Company

George Swaner, Education Services Swaner Hardwood Co., Inc.

Joe Snyder, Rules Fitzpatrick & Weller, Inc.

HARDWOOD MATTERS

THE VOICE OF THE HARDWOOD INDUSTRY

National Hardwood Lumber Association PO Box 34518 • Memphis, TN 38184-0518 901-377-1818 • 901-382-6419 (fax) info@nhla.com • www.nhla.com

THE MISSION OF NHLA

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.

ADVERTISER INDEX

NHLA STAFF

Dallin Brooks, Executive Director dallin@nhla.com

John Hester, Chief Development Officer j.hester@nhla.com

Renee Hornsby, Chief Operating Officer r.hornsby@nhla.com

Dana Spessert, Chief Inspector d.spessert@nhla.com

ACCOUNTING

Desiree Freeman, Controller d.freeman@nhla.com

Jens Lodholm, Data Administration Specialist j.lodholm@nhla.com

Amber Signaigo, Assistant Controller a.signaigo@nhla.com

INDUSTRY SERVICES

Mark Bear, National Inspector m.bear@nhla.com

Tom Byers, National Inspector t.byers@nhla.com

Mark Depp, National Inspector m.depp@nhla.com

Kevin Evilsizer, National Inspector k.evilsizer@nhla.com

Simon Larocque, National Inspector s.larocque@nha.com

Benji Richards, Industry Services Sales Manager b.richards@nhla.com

INSPECTOR TRAINING SCHOOL

Geoff Webb, Dean of the Inspector Training School g.webb@nhla.com

Roman Matyushchenko, Instructor of the Inspector Training School r.matyushchenko@nhla.com

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS

Amanda Boutwell, Marketing and Communications Manager a.boutwell@nhla.com

For advertising contact:

John Hester

j.hester@nhla.com or 901-399-7558

Vicky Simms v.simms@nhla.com or 901-399-7557

Melissa Ellis Smith, Art Director m.ellis@nhla.com

Rachel Spiers Blossman, Digital Media Specialist r.blossman@nhla.com

MEMBERSHIP

Julia Ganey, Member Relations Manager j.ganey@nhla.com

Vicky Quiñones Simms, Membership Development Manager v.simms@nhla.com

DRY KILN REPAIRS WE DO ROUTINELY:

Office: 931-668-8768

Email:

CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE

BOARD MEETING SUCCESS

The National Hardwood Lumber Association board came together for the annual spring meeting from April 30th through May 2nd in San Antonio, Texas. The board had nearly perfect attendance and the gathering was in person, with no need for video conferencing. It was fantastic to share ideas and opinions in real time and in person; it makes a big difference! It is a challenging time for all our businesses, and I am very grateful to the entire board for their sacrifice of time and money to come to the meeting. Thank you!

THE BOARD MEETING CONSISTS OF TWO SOLID DAYS OF MEETINGS.

Day one comprises the financial report and new and old Association business. Dallin provided an enthusiastic update on the state of the Association, detailing exciting news about the NHLA’s potential for earning grants, strategic plan implementation efforts, the current momentum of the RAHC, and the success of the NHLA headquarters building repairs.

On day two, the committees met, and we held a wrap-up session discussing any action items out of the individual committees.

FINANCIAL REPORT

NHLA Controller Desiree Freeman and Financial Chairman Rich Solano made a presentation to the board sharing current financials and the independent audit report reviewing last year. I am pleased to report that NHLA is in a strong financial position. The independent audit provided a clean report, and we are meeting our required cash reserve percentages. All in all, NHLA’s financial position is stable.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Committee Chairman Burt Craig and Chief Development Officer John Hester provided a summary of the membership committee activity and discussion to the group explaining that the new dues

structure was being adopted smoothly with few challenges. Burt discussed new communication methods to explain current membership value further. He also identified new opportunities to work with other NHLA committees to increase member value. Stay tuned!

CONVENTION COMMITTEE

Committee Chairman Dennis Mann and Chief Operating Officer

Renee Hornsby outlined the convention committee meeting. They explained some constraints in identifying potential convention locations where NHLA will be most successful. The Association’s need for meeting rooms and a large booth area can restrict the search process. They updated us on exciting ideas for future educational sessions and keynote speakers. No, they did not share those ideas with us, so we must all come to the convention and find out! Register for the 2023 NHLA Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase, October 4-6, in Louisville Kentucky at www.nhla.com.

ITS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Committee Chairman Brant Forcey and Chief Inspector Dana Spessert explained the committee’s ideas on adapting to the needs of the membership and adjusting the location of the Inspector Training School. Can we bring the School to the students? Yes, yes, we can! Exciting new ideas are to come!

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE

Committee Chairman George Swaner and Renee Hornsby outlined the efforts of the mar/comm committee and their success in engaging membership in webinars and social media avenues. The committee is also investigating innovative topics, such as a grading app and a newly refreshed NHLA website.

PROMOTION AND ADVOCACY COMMITTEE

Committee Chairman Rob Cabrall and John Hester updated the board on the exciting promotional efforts currently in creation. A new and engaging series of videos for the membership to use to

educate their employees on the virtues of the hardwood industry is in the pipeline. Additionally, the committee is moving quickly to collect and communicate science-based facts behind carbon credits so lawmakers can make informed decisions.

INSPECTION SERVICES COMMITTEE

Committee Chairman Tom Oilar and Dana Spessert summarized their meeting for the entire board with updates on KD certification, facility grade certification, quality control, and yield analysis. In these currently challenging markets, the services provided by NHLA inspectors are top of mind for sure.

I specifically have named all the committee chairs here in this article. Not simply to pad my word count but to highlight their service and

thank them! Rich, Burt, Dennis, Brant, George, Rob, and Tom, I greatly appreciate your dedication to NHLA; thank you.

Thank you for reading my letter—best wishes to you, your families, and your businesses.

Jon Syre NHLA Chairman | Cascade Hardwood

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"It was fantastic to share ideas and opinions in real time and in person; it makes a big difference!"

STRUCTURAL AND APPEARANCE-BASED GRADING

Change is coming, and it is time the hardwood industry changes too. I have seen the graded hardwood lumber consumption slides from HMR, AHEC, and RAHC that paint the picture of the industry’s current struggles. We are the world’s greatest producer of sawn hardwoods, we have worked hard to be sustainable and grow more hardwood than we harvest, but the consumption of graded hardwood lumber in the USA dropped from 6.5 billion board feet in 1999 to 2 billion in 2009 and remains there 14 years later, even though the GDP and economy have bounced back. The result means that an uncut 56 billion board feet of hardwood lumber has continued to grow and will continue into the foreseeable future.

Stupidity isn’t sustainability.

We would be sustainable even if we cut another 4.5 billion board feet of lumber a year. That isn’t the problem; the problem is we have watched our market go away and have done nothing to adapt. We are jeopardizing our future forests by allowing current forests to be undervalued for lumber and more valued for log exports or carbon sequestration credits. The northern, eastern, and southern forests have experienced many diseases, infestations, and rot degradation. Dutch elm disease, the emerald ash borer, birch dieback, and oak wilt, to name a few. We have fewer loggers and truckers than ever before. I have yet to meet a logger or woodlot owner who feels compensated when prices increase. They tell me, “We are the only industry that loses more money when we get more efficient.”

It’s time to relinquish the status quo and go after the next item. Maybe it’s pallets, HCLT, or structural lumber and guardrail posts. It could be flooring and cabinets. Or perhaps it’s all the above. As an industry, we must diversify, and NHLA can take the lead. Did you know that Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas all have Department of Transportation rules that specify SYP only? I am sure many other state agencies have this restriction too. Why? Because we never bothered to ask, complain, and tell them what hardwoods can do because hardwoods are worth more than softwoods.

Well, that might be true for FAS boards, but it isn’t true for the lower grades, and we have to make a lot more of them to get the FAS. We must embrace structural grades for hardwoods because hardwoods are stronger than softwoods.

We must determine why we are excluded from any option or scenario where wood is used. There are several reasons that softwood has been the standard for structural lumber.

1. Abundance:  Softwood mills are production oriented and produce more lumber in one day than most hardwood mills do in a week.

2.  Research: The softwood industry has spent much time and money on preservative treatments, fire-retardant treatments, glues, stains, LCA, EPDs, PCRs, and more to tell their story. Hardwoods can also be treated, but do we discuss it for anything other than ties?

3. Ease of Use: In most cases, softwoods are somewhat lighter and easier to work with, but some species of hardwoods are just as light and structurally strong.

4. Perception: The term “hardwood” makes people think it is hard to work with or drive a nail into. This is not true, except for Hickory and Pecan.

5. Promotion: The softwood industry has done a better job of marketing its lumber to the structural markets.

6. Products: Softwood producers give their customers exactly what they want, not what they cut with random widths, lengths, and thicknesses.

There are a lot of misconceptions, and our industry has not done a good job of dispelling them. We have an untapped market just waiting for us to sell to, but we can only do it if we do it together and adapt to what the customer wants.

Our One Common Ground should be in structural and appearance-based grading.

Dallin Brooks NHLA Executive Director dallin@nhla.com | 360-823-3898

ACCOLADES

Welcome

New Members

(March - April 2023)

ACTIVE MEMBERS

B&B Sawmill LLC, Reagan, TN

C larence Clarke, New Braunfels, TX

D & T Sawmill, LLC, Grand Junction, TN

Garber Lumber, Salem, IN

Kleppe Forest Products, Mabel, MN

Laurel County Wood Products, London, KY

ASSOCIATE MEMBER

Foltman Furniture LLC, Pittsville, WI

INSPECTOR MEMBER

Landon L. Pringle, Butler, PA

SUSTAINING MEMBERS

Kittrell Appraisals, Spring Hill, TN

Industrial Carbide Saw & Tool Corp., Louisville, KY

Showcase Equipment, LLC, Wolocottville, IN

Milestone Members

Congratulations to these companies who are celebrating significant milestone anniversaries with NHLA.

5 YEARS

FARM CREDIT MID-AMERICA Sustaining | May 2018

J. GIBSON MCILVAIN CO. Active | May 2018

JAMES RITTER LUMBER CO., INC. Active | April 2018

LA-Z-BOY DAYTON, TN Associate | April 2018

MESSERSMITH MANUFACTURING, INC.

Sustaining | April 2018

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Research | May 2018

POINT GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Sustaining | April 2018

REPUBLIC NATIONAL INDUSTRIES OF TEXAS LP Associate | May 2018

UPPER CUMBERLAND HARDWOODS INC. Active | April 2018

10 YEARS

FROEDGE MACHINE & SUPPLY CO., INC.

Sustaining | May 2013

STEPHENS HARDWOOD LLC Active | May 2013

20YEARS

TRUMBULL COUNTY HARDWOODS Active | May 2003

25 YEARS BIG VALLEY HARDWOODS Active | May 1998

TS MANUFACTURING CO. Sustaining | May 1998

50 YEARS

MAYFIELD LUMBER CO. Active | May 1973

75 YEARS

WALTERS BROTHERS LUMBER MFG., INC. Active | April 1948

USFS: Supporting the Hardwood Industry with Research and Market Development

By ANDY MARTIN, PHD, PE, F.ASCE, Assistant Director, Wood Products Research

Ihad the pleasure of representing the USDA Forest Service at the National Hardwood Lumber Association’s (NHLA’s) Open House and 125th Anniversary Celebration in April of this year. As I walked onto the NHLA campus, planned years ago by NHLA leaders and members, in the middle of suburban Memphis, I was taken aback by the beauty of the surrounding grounds and the use of wood products. The USDA Forest Service has a long history of caring for our lands and serving people. Through the Forest Products Laboratory and the Cooperative Forestry Wood Innovations program, our Agency has worked to support the hardwood industry with research and market development. This month’s column will focus on the Forest Products Laboratory, and next month’s column will focus on the market efforts in the Wood Innovations program.

The Forest Service has embarked on a critical mission to curtail the wildland fire crisis in the western landscapes through active forest management; biomass harvesting and utilization; linkages to state, private, and tribal forestry engagement; and research and development. Recently we have partnered with the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (aka the Endowment) and Resources for the Future (RFF) to conduct regional roundtables to identify critical barriers and opportunities that use biomass removed from the high fire risk landscapes. Information gathered from the regional roundtables will be consolidated with common themes addressed at the national level. The Forest Service is also working closely across business lines to develop and successfully transition technologies across the industry.

We see a growing interest in the use and development of the hardwood products industry. Enhanced durability research and studies of wood railroad ties date back to the beginning of the Forest Products Laboratory. Over the years, we have taken lessons learned from past research on wood products and evolved our research direction

and projects to support the current and future needs of the industry. Currently, the Forest Products Laboratory has several active hardwood research projects where we are working to expand the use of hardwoods for value-added engineered materials and components. For example, scientists are evaluating the durability of multiple hardwood species as trailer decking material and for use in specialized shipping pallets to support government and industry needs. Also, the life cycle assessment of hardwood lumber production as a viable means to sequester carbon is being investigated and evaluated to provide valuable data and metrics that support industry life cycle assessments and environmental product declarations. We continue to reach out and engage with organizations like NHLA to provide the best research possible to the nation and industry.

We look forward to future engagements to share what we know and learn from each other, engage in projects to develop a deeper understanding of hardwood timber resources and identify future needs for the research community and the industry we support. As I mentioned at the NHLA 125th Anniversary Celebration, I look forward to what the next 125 years have to offer!

Andy Martin, PhD, PE, F.ASCE Assistant Director, Wood Products Research

BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER

My three kids, along with every kid in this picture, have lived their entire lives on the same street of 20 houses. This year we have six graduating seniors from our street, including my son Nicholas (pictured on the far left.) Woodgate Drive is a street of family, not families. We borrow each other’s tools, park in each other’s driveways, shoot basketball on each other’s goals, and have stitched up multiple injuries (lucky for us, we also have four nurses on the street.)

As we all gathered in May to celebrate the street’s seniors, I thought about our different backgrounds. I’m from Missouri; one neighbor is from Maine, another from Vegas, and others from around the country. Now, we are all a part of this tight-knit community. It is very much like the hardwood industry, where we all work daily. The hardwood community is everywhere. There are hardwood producers, distributors, suppliers, manufacturers, and associations, all with the same goal: to grow the North American hardwood market.

Helen Keller said, “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” The hardwood industry is beginning to see results of working together through the collaborative support of the Real American

Hardwood Coalition (RAHC). Still, the industry can’t fall solely on RAHC’s shoulders. Over the next few months, you’ll hear more about the new Strategic Plan at NHLA. You’ll learn how NHLA will become the industry’s hub for collaboration with fellow associations, universities, and government agencies and how NHLA will become the leading portal of hardwood industry information for architects, designers, specifiers, and the like. You will also hear how NHLA will discover new trends, issues, and technological advancements to share with you to benefit your business and the hardwood community.

I cannot wait for you to hear more about our new Strategic Plan. This industry is a family, and NHLA looks forward to being the place that brings family together.

John Hester NHLA Chief Development Officer j.hester@nhla.com | 901-399-7558

MCRAE LUMBER

Member Since 1939

McRae Lumber, of Whitney, Ontario, is a hardwood lumber all-star. Not only is McRae Lumber a 5thgeneration family business, but they are also the oldest Canadian Member of NHLA, joining in October of 1939. McRae Lumber Company has been manufacturing high-quality hardwood products since 1885 and is committed to sustainable forestry practices that will ensure a continuing wood supply for future generations.

NHLA is proud to recognize McRae Lumber as our Member of the Month! Thank you for your 84 years of membership!

From leF t: Bob McRae, Jamie McRae, John McRae, and Cameron McRae.

HURST BOILER & WELDING CO., INC.

Serving Customers in a Family Business

NHLA membership is comprised of businesses of all types and sizes, and the one thing many of them share is humble beginnings. That is the case for Hurst Boiler & Welding Co., Inc. Clifton Eugene Hurst (Gene to his friends) was a family man, a dedicated husband, and an entrepreneur. He was a visionary in the boiler industry and had superior engineering skills. Gene had the knack of accomplishing anything he set his mind to, and he was determined to build a business that would remain strong for decades.

Gene began small. In 1967, he and his wife, Edna, had big ideas but only had a little capital, so they opened their first shop behind the family home in Thomasville, Georgia. In the 1970s, Hurst Boiler & Welding Co., Inc. relocated to Coolidge, Georgia, where

the Hurst family continues to operate to this day.

Hurst Boiler & Welding is a multi-dimensional business,

Cliff Hurst

manufacturing a full line of wood, solid waste, gas, coal, oil-fired steam and hot water boilers, and all the related equipment. They have been in business for 56 years and have grown their manufacturing facility and campus across a whopping 60 acres. What’s more, the manufacturing facility’s total size is now 314,000 square feet, allowing them to manufacture a large variety of boilers and equipment to meet the myriad of requirements and conditions of its customers worldwide. Hurst Boiler has more than 275 employees at full production capacity.

Gene’s sons, Tommy and Hayward Hurst, were trained by their father in childhood, so it isn’t surprising that they joined their parents in managing the business when they were older. Like their father, Tommy and Hayward have intelligent, mechanically talented minds. It only took them a few years to use their innovation to expand Hurst Boiler to what it is today: a complete boiler manufacturing and design company that serves a global market.

Hurst Boiler is very much a family business. Tommy Hurst serves as the President and Hayward Hurst is the Director of Field Installations. Gene’s daughter, Teri Hurst White, serves as the Corporate Affairs Secretary, and Gene’s youngest son, Jeff Hurst, is the Director of Marketing. Several of Gene’s grandchildren have also chosen to dedicate their lives to Hurst Boiler & Welding.

Cliff Hurst, son of Tommy Hurst, represents the third generation to enter the family business, and the fourth generation isn’t far behind, ranging in age from 1-21 and ready to join the Hurst Boiler team.

Cliff Hurst serves as Solid Fuel Sales Manager at Hurst Boiler, and he’s been working with the family since he was young, expressing, “I’ve worked at Hurst for my entire professional career. My first job at the company was in the seventh grade working in the warehouse over the summer, pulling components and parts. I learned the key

items that make up a boiler as I gathered and stocked new parts. I’ve worked here ever since.”

Cliff loves working in the family business and is especially fond of “meeting new people when I travel to trade shows or customer’s sites,” which Hurst Boiler frequently does as it is a complete systems provider for all boiler-related equipment, including aftermarket parts and after-the-sale service. Cliff continues, “Helping our customers overcome challenges is very rewarding. There are a lot of boilers in operation today where the manufacturer no longer exists. At Hurst Boiler, we provide service and support—even for boilers we didn’t build. We have the knowledge necessary to support older and our own products. We serve people in any scenario when they need a part or a piece. If the part isn’t available, we can make upgrades or manufacture a substitute part. We handle all things boiler – old and new equipment, replacement stoker parts, boiler emissions equipment, air handling equipment, fuel stores, and more.”

Cliff feels he is in good company as a member of NHLA, saying, “We enjoy being members of NHLA because our membership allows us to better support our customers and gives us an opportunity to meet with one another to find ways to improve operations and the industry. We especially appreciate the NHLA Annual Convention and Exhibit Showcase. When you go to the NHLA Convention, you have access to all the industry experts under one roof, so you can meet customers and suppliers in the industry (like kiln suppliers and equipment suppliers), as well as your competitors. So, it’s an excellent networking opportunity all the way around.”

To get in touch with Hurst Boiler, visit their website at www.hurstboiler.com or call (229) 346-3545.

“We enjoy being members of NHLA because our membership allows us to better support our customers and gives us an opportunity to meet with one another to find ways to improve operations and the industry. We especially appreciate the NHLA Annual Convention and Exhibit Showcase.”

Supply Chain Legislation Kicks Into High Gear

By DANA COLE, Executive Director of the Hardwood Federation

On April 19, leaders of the House Supply Chain Caucus, led by Reps. David Rouzer (R-NC), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Colin Allred (D-TX), and Angie Craig (D-MN) conducted a roundtable discussion to outline remedies for ongoing supply chain challenges. The Hardwood Federation attended the briefing along with about 50 other stakeholders—an unusually large number of participants, which underscores the fact that supply chain challenges are evident across the economy. Lawmakers focused on the Federation-supported Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking (SHIP IT) Act (H.R. 471), which includes several policy proposals to entice new truck drivers to take up driv-

ing as a career. The bill also includes a truck weight pilot program for heavier trucks to travel on the nation’s interstate highway system and may move with a broader “supply chain package” this spring.

The Federation also supports the bipartisan “Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act” (H.R. 2450), introduced by Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) on March 30. This important bill will tackle the trucker shortage by promoting apprenticeships to address recruitment challenges within a severely understaffed and rapidly aging sector. Specifically, H.R. 2450 would:

• Create a new refundable tax credit of up to $7,500 for truck drivers with a valid Class A CDL who drive at least 1,900 hours annually. This tax credit would last for two years (2023 and 2024).

• Create a new refundable tax credit of up to $10,000 for new truck drivers or individuals enrolled in a registered trucking apprenticeship. This tax credit would also last for two years.

• Allow new truck drivers to be eligible for the credit if they did not drive a commercial truck in the previous year or drive for at least 1,420 hours in the current year. They may receive a proportion of the credit if they drive less than 1,420 hours in the year but drove at least an average of 40 hours a week upon starting to drive.

Also expected to move this spring is the bipartisan Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently (LICENSE) Act which promotes flexibility in the CDL certification process. This bill is being sponsored by Reps. Darin LaHood (R-IL), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Jim Costa (D-CA), and Henry Cuellar (D-TX). In a bid to reduce collision fraud, Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Garret Graves (R-LA), and Mike Bost (R-IL) are moving the Highway Accident Fairness Act.

Also worth noting, a bipartisan group of lawmakers unveiled legislation that would authorize $755 million over three years to help alleviate the parking space shortage for truck drivers. This legislation, known as the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 2367), would authorize spending for competitive grants for projects that provide more parking for trucks and improve safety. In addition, it specifies that money disbursed under this bill must be used to create unpaid parking spots, meaning all parking under the bill must be publicly accessible and free of charge.

According to the sponsors, there is just one parking spot for every 11 trucks, forcing drivers to waste about an hour a day searching for safe parking. The co-leads in the House are Reps. Mike Bost (R-IL) and Angie Craig (D-MN). Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) are the main sponsors in the Senate on this bipartisan, bicameral bill. Trucker groups have been quick to weigh in. “When truck drivers don’t have a designated place to park, they end up parking on the side of the road, near exit ramps, or elsewhere,” said Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, endorsing the bill. “This isn’t safe for the driver, and it’s not safe for others on the road.” Lack of parking and the inherent stress in finding limited parking is yet another barrier to attracting new drivers—and keeping existing drivers—in the truck driving workforce. This bill would help break that barrier down.

The Hardwood Federation will continue to track these and other key issues vital to the industry. Thank you for your support!

Generational Legacies at NHLA Inspector Training School

By AMANDA BOUTWELL, Marketing Communications Manager

Whenthe National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) was founded in 1898, its primary goal was to establish “uniformity of inspecting hardwood lumber.” So, it makes sense that the Association’s first order of business was to form a committee to create a set of guidelines for hardwood lumber examination. The resulting NHLA Rules Book was considerably more than a simple set of regulations. The Rules acted as a foundation for hardwood ideals, which helped to stabilize the entire industry. Before the Rules were established, prices were determined willy-nilly without any standard. Once the Rules were in place, order reigned where chaos once stood.

By the 1940s, the need for qualified lumber inspectors grew so rapidly that NHLA opened a training school for grading lumber. What was meant to be a pilot program to gauge interest soon evolved into the full-fledged NHLA Inspector Training School (ITS) we know today. 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of ITS, which has seen more than 7,500 students graduate.

Students from all walks of life attend ITS, including those who are part of a generational family legacy - students with more than one

THE GENERATIONAL LEGACY OF THE HAROLD WHITE LUMBER FAMILY:

First Generation: Harold White, Class 12, 1954

Second Generation: Richard White (Harold’s son) Class 46, 1971

Second Generation: Michael White (Harold’s son) Class 61, 1977

Second Generation: Ray White Sr. (Harold’s son) Class 78, 1982

Third Generation: Ray White II (Ray Sr.’s son) Class 184, 2017

generation of graduates from ITS in their families. The trust and value that these generational legacy families have in the School is an outstanding example of how to use the School to springboard careers and grow a business.

The first day of school can be a nerve-wracking experience for some, but when Ray White II attended, he had several former graduates supporting him along the way. Ray is a part of the generational legacy of the Harold White Lumber family. When Ray walked through the front door, he followed in the well-trodden footsteps of his family before him. Not only did his father, Ray White Sr., graduate ITS, but two of his uncles and his grandfather are also among the alumni. He even attended the same class as his cousin, Sawyer White. In total, the Harold White Lumber family has six ITS graduates representing three generations.

Ray White Sr. is proud to be a part of his family’s history with NHLA Inspector Training School, saying, “My father, Harold White, was the first individual from Eastern Kentucky to attend ITS. In fact, he may have been one of the very first Kentuckians because there had only been 11 classes before him.”

Third Generation: Sawyer White (Ray White Sr.’s nephew) Class 184, 2017

White Sr. remembers his time at the School as a thrilling experience, recalling, “I was very excited because my father had spent his entire life instilling a drive to be successful in each of his kids. He believed it was paramount for his family to go through ITS to learn the Rules if they wanted to be part of the business. I felt honored and excited to have the opportunity to be able to represent the 2nd generation of family graduates. In our family, attending ITS is a rite of passage.”

Ray White, II and Sawyer White

Left: Harold White, Class 12

“. . . My fondest memories of the School are of the friendships I formed. My class had about 50 graduates, and some of my best lumber friends today are people I met during my time at the School. I love seeing them each year at the Alumni Reception at the NHLA Annual Convention.”

Harold White, Sr.

As an ITS alumni from a generational legacy family, White Sr. has repeatedly returned to the School to speak at graduation ceremonies. Most recently, he spoke at his son’s graduation in 2017, which made him smile, saying, “Every time I go back into the School building, I experience a flood of happy memories and emotions. I love seeing the history of the hardwood lumber industry every time I visit. Walking down the main hallway, you see photos of every graduating class. I always stop to look at my dad’s picture, then I look at my brothers’ pictures, then my picture and my son’s picture, and some pictures of my employees...and it feels like walking through history.”

White Sr. spoke of the value his family and fellow graduates received from going to ITS, saying, “First and foremost, the greatest value is learning the actual Rules, the understanding and the interpretation of the Rules, and applying that to a real-life practical skill. My fondest memories of the School are of the friendships I formed. My class had about 50 graduates, and some of my best lumber friends today are people I met during my time at the School. I love seeing them each year at the Alumni Reception at the NHLA Annual Convention.”

The White family legacy is likely to continue, with White Sr. saying, “The third generation of ITS graduates in the family, Ray White II

THE GENERATIONAL LEGACY OF THE SPESSERT FAMILY:

First Generation: Carl Spessert Class 29, 1962

First Generation: Rodney Spessert (Carl’s brother) Class 58, 1979

Second Generation: Dana Spessert, (Carl’s son) Class 89, 1986

Third Generation: Kyatt Spessert (Dana’s son) Class 192, 2020

and Sawyer, are still in their 20s and haven’t married yet, so their children would be the 4th generation to attend ITS. They both work in log procurement now, and the family plans to leave the company to them, so I feel really good about the possibility of a fourth generation going to the School.”

Ray White Sr., Class 78

Another generational legacy family is that of NHLA Chief Inspector Dana Spessert. Dana’s father, Carl Spessert, started the legacy for his family. In 1962, Carl graduated with the 29th Class. He used his certificate to climb up the ranks in his career and eventually opened his own business. When it came time for Carl to hire a lumber grader in 1979, he paid for his brother, Rodney Spessert, to attend ITS. Rodney graduated with the 58th Class. From the time he was a boy, Dana knew he’d attend ITS when he came of age, which was in 1986. Dana is a graduate of the 89th Class. Finally, in 2020 Dana’s son, Kyatt Spessert, continued the legacy, graduating with Class 192.

Dana vividly remembers his time at the School and recalls how it felt to drive from West Virginia to Memphis, Tennessee, “In the 80s, there was a national speed limit of 55 miles per hour on every road in the USA. It took me 16 hours to drive from home to the School. Being from West Virginia, I was accustomed to small two-lane

roadways. I remember driving into Memphis and, for the first time ever, seeing three lanes of traffic. It was jaw-dropping for me. I was only 18, so many of my experiences at ITS were new, exciting, and sometimes a little scary.”

Dana continues, “I remember the School building was only a few years old when I attended, and it still felt very new. I’d never seen a classroom with stadium seating, which was exciting. I remember finding my dad’s picture on the wall of graduates, which is where the School hangs the graduation photo of every graduating class. Today, the wall of graduates wraps around the building, but back in ‘86, it only covered about two-thirds of the first wall.”

Dana says he knew his son, Kyatt, would be a good fit for ITS because “Some people see crosscut; some people see rips. It’s the students that can see both that succeed long after attending the

“

It’s about generational mentality, I think. Current leaders in the hardwood industry now have children joining the business, and they need training. The Inspector Training School is here to teach the skill of grading lumber, which any family could turn into a legacy.”

Dana Spessert

Carl Spessert, Class 29

Kyle Spessert, Class 192 with ITS Instructor Roman Matyushchenko

Dana Spessert, Class 89

THE GENERATIONAL LEGACY OF THE RON JONES HARDWOOD FAMILY:

First Generation: Ronald Jones

Class 23, 1959

Second Generation: Steve Jones (Ronald’s son) Class 97, 1988

Third Generation: Nate Jones (Steve’s son) Class 192, 2020

Bottom Left: All three generations of Jones. (Left to right) Nate, Ron, and Steve.

School.” He saw that Kyatt had that gift and encouraged him to attend. When asked about future generations attending the School, Dana said, “You never know. Kyatt doesn’t have kids yet, but he has saidmore than once - that he enjoyed his time at ITS more than his four years of college. So, you never know.”

Being Chief Inspector, Dana has a one-of-a-kind view of the School. He saw his father graduate, he attended ITS as a student, and now, he is a leader of the School. He believes in the School and its value, saying, “It’s about generational mentality, I think. Current leaders in the hardwood industry now have children joining the business, and they need training. The Inspector Training School is here to teach the skill of grading lumber, which any family could turn into a legacy. ITS gives graduates a fundamental understanding of the value of hardwood lumber and can lead to great careers in procurement, sales, and more. Many often graduate and start their own business. The hardwood industry has been around for a long time and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.”

The Jones Family of “Ron Jones Hardwood” has their own generational legacy of Inspector Training School graduates. Ronald Jones began his family’s legacy in 1959 when he graduated with the 23rd Class. Upon graduation, Ron worked as a lumber inspector at Tri-State Hardwoods. He spent many years there, working his way up to become the company’s Vice President. In 1983, after much contemplation, Ron decided that it was time for him to manage his own company, saying, “With the encouragement of my mentors, fellow suppliers, and end-users, I established Ron Jones Hardwood Sales, Inc., which began with a small office and limited staff. The industry timing was perfect for us, and we worked very hard to build our success.”

Ronald’s son, Steve Jones, graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Marketing. Still, his father’s love of the hardwood industry rubbed off on Steve, who chose to attend ITS, graduating in 1988 with Class 97. The business came full circle in July 2008 when Ron Jones promoted Steve to the position of President of the family business.

Steve talks about his decision to attend ITS, saying, “As for me, I saw my father’s success in the industry, and I had the opportunity to meet many other lumber families. I knew

top Left: Steve Jones (far left) and Ron Jones (far right).

Steve Jones

(From left to right) Steve Jones, NHLA Instructor (Retired) Rich Hascher, and Nate Jones at Nate's graduation in 2020. Nate was part of the last class (#192) Rich taught before retirement after teaching for over 25 years.

attending the School would be the bedrock foundation for a successful career in the hardwood lumber industry. Once you graduate, you have a skill set that you can use to get a job in practically any state or country. Graduating from ITS set me up for success, just like my father before me and my son now.”

Steve’s son, Nate Jones, is the third generation of the family to graduate from ITS. Steve was honored to return to the School in the summer of 2020 to speak at Nate’s graduation (Class 192). Many family photos were taken that day, marking another generation added to the Ron Jones Hardwood family legacy.

After earning his certificate, Nate began his new career by grading kiln-dried lumber. Later, Nate transitioned into purchasing kiln-dried lumber and building domestic and export sales accounts at their sales office. Like his father, Nate is also a graduate of Pennsylvania State

“As for me, I saw my father’s success in the industry, and I had the opportunity to meet many other lumber families. I knew attending the School would be the bedrock foundation for a successful career in the hardwood lumber industry.”

University, where he holds bachelor’s degrees in international business and marketing.

Nate feels that the ITS certificate of completion program helped him to build the foundation to become more knowledgeable about hardwood lumber grades and how to defend that grade. In recent instances of selling lumber, Nate recalls being able to say with assurance, “I actually graded that load myself!” Nate continues, “The NHLA Inspector Training School gave me the knowledge to sell hardwood lumber honestly and with integrity, and for that, I couldn’t be anymore thankful.”

The NHLA Inspector Training School is integral to the progress of the hardwood lumber industry. In many ways, all graduates of ITS are part of a single family. Each graduate has their photo hanging on the walls

of the School. Steve Jones, echoing the sentiments of Dana Spessert and Ray White Sr., reminisces, “Entering the School in Memphis for the first time was a surreal experience. Seeing photos of all the past graduating classes on the wall feels like you are part of a hall of fame. Looking at all those photos is like stepping back in time. History is alive on the walls of ITS, and it is a wonderful and enriching tradition.”

WHAT IS PITH?

By DANA SPESSERT, Chief Inspector

Afew weeks ago, I was at a lumber yard grading Walnut and realized there might be a need for an article about pith and how it applies to Selects and Better.

Several boards contained full-length pith, with some boxed and others showing on one side or the other, which raises a question, to which side of the board does the pith apply?

To begin with, let’s look at the definition of pith in the NHLA Rules Book. On page 85 in the 2023 NHLA Rules Book, in the definitions section, pith is defined as “The small soft core occurring in the structural center of the log.”

In the Standard Grades, pith is limited in the following ways for some grades:

FAS

On page 14, under the heading of FAS, paragraph 56 states: “No piece shall be admitted which contains pith, boxed or showing, exceeding in the aggregate in inches in length the surface measure in feet.”

For the pith limitation for FAS, I believe it is straightforward - if the pith is boxed or showing and the grade is determined from the poor face with the reverse side sound, then the pith cannot exceed in length in inches the surface measure.

1 Common

On page 17, under the heading of No. 1 Common, paragraph 72, it states: “No piece shall be admitted which contains pith, boxed or showing, exceeding in the aggregate one-half its length.”

The pith limitation for 1 Common is straightforward; if the pith is boxed or showing and the grade is determined from the poor face with the reverse side sound, then the pith cannot exceed in length one-half the length of the piece.

F1F & Selects

Because the pith limitation is not spelled out specifically for the grades of F1F and Selects, this can cause an issue where graders wonder which side of the board the boxed pith applies due to the nature of grading from both faces for these two grades.

On the better face of F1F and Selects, because we are grading each face independently, the pith that is showing and any boxed pith would be measured for the pith limitation with the above Rule for FAS.

On the 1 Common side, the pith showing, as well as any boxed pith, would apply to that face, and the 1 Common pith limitation would apply. The bottom line is boxed pith applies to both faces.

The other question is, Does “knot pith” count for pith limitation?

The answer is no. Pith resulting from knots is not measured for the pith limitation as the definition of pith eliminates this as an option. The definition of pith states: “ . . . structural center of the log.” As you can see, the knot pith is not in the structural center of the log but in the structural center of the knot.

As always, please send your hardwood lumber grading questions to Dana Spessert at d.spessert@nhla.com or call 901-399-7551.

65th NHLA Annual Convention

NHLA PROVIDES EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO IMPROVE YOUR BOTTOM LINE

AUG

Aug. 8-10

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: Franklin Industrial Commercial Development Authority - Emerging Technology Center Location: Franklin, PA

Instructor: Tom Byers, National Inspector

Aug. 21- Sept. 1

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

SEPT

Sept. 6-8

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: NHLA Headquarters Location: Memphis, TN

Instructor: Roman Matyushchenko, ITS Instructor

Sept. 19-21

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: YMCA Bigler Location: Bigler, PA

Instructor: Tom Byers, National Inspector

SEPT

Sept. 25- Nov. 17

Inspector Training School 204th 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

OCT

Oct. 23-27

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: Wood-Mizer, LLC Location: Indianapolis, IN

Instructor: Kevin Evilsizer, National Inspector

NOV

Nov. 27-Dec. 8

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

NHLA JOB BOARD

Here you will find our current job listings. To see more details of the job or to post a job, visit www.nhla.com/industry-services/job-board.

LUMBER INSPECTOR/GRADER

PENN CHERRY

Penn Cherry, located in Mercersburg, PA, is looking for an EXPERIENCED lumber inspector for the green lumber process.

HOW TO APPLY

Send your resume to: lbonebrake@missouriwalnutgroup.com

Penn Cherry

6100 Buchanan Tr. W | Mercersburg, PA 17236 717-643-0913

KILN OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR MEHERRIN RIVER FOREST PRODUCTS

Meherrin River Forest Products is hiring a Kiln Operator Supervisor. This position is a full-time opportunity to work with a World Class Team in the Hardwood Industry. Responsibilities will include the operation and management of an air-dry yard, boiler, and kilns at our Crewe, Virginia facility. Our facility has top-of-the-line equipment and a team of people driven to high standards in our community, workplace, and products.

HOW TO APPLY

Send your resume to: hr@meherrinriver.com

Meherrin River Forest Products

2600 Hudson Way | Crewe, Virginia 23930 434-677-0046

TIMBER BUYER CHURCH & CHURCH LUMBER COMPANY, LLC

Church & Church Lumber Company, LLC, located in Wilkesboro, NC, is recruiting an experienced Head Procurement Forester to work from Piedmont to the mountains of North Carolina. We are situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with many varied cultural and recreational opportunities.

We have been a part of the forest products industry for four generations.

Church & Church Lumber Company controls all processes from timber harvesting, sawmilling, and kiln drying. We annually produce 25 million board feet of quality Appalachian hardwood and softwood lumber in a variety of species: Red Oak, White Oak, Poplar, Hickory, Maple, Ash, Cherry, White Pine, and Yellow Pine. Our products are used in furniture, millwork, cabinetry, flooring, decking, log homes, crating, and pallet material. We supply customers worldwide with quality lumber products manufactured to their specifications.

HOW TO APPLY

Send your resume to: wilma@churchandchurchlumber.com

Church and Church Lumber Company, LLC

PO Box 619 | Millers Creek, NC 14779 336-973-5700

Keynote Speaker, Eric Traupe (Former assistant director of the CIA)

HARDWOOD MARKETS MATTER

Hardwood Markets Matter, and it is important for NHLA to share market details of the entire Hardwood Industry. We appreciate the support of allied associations and publishers in gathering and sharing this important market information that can help you understand the complete hardwood industry picture.

Average Prevailing Crosstie Prices

A slower economy is reducing demand for lowgrade items. Most respondents to our spring industry survey ranked demand for pallet cants and frame stock as somewhat weak or very weak. The notable exception to the slowdown is railroad ties, for which the majority said demand was either somewhat or very strong in mid-April. Further, most expect tie demand to remain unchanged or improve over the next 3 to 6 months, despite rail traffic originating in the U.S. being down 6% yearover-year through the first week in April (American Association of Railroads).

While crosstie prices rose throughout 2021 and 2022, inventory levels at the start of 2023 were 2.6 million ties (~15%) below the 21year average. The deficit primarily resulted from the strength of grade lumber and other low-grade markets; fewer sawmills were cutting ties during that time. Despite increased tie production

since mid-2022, tie inventories have yet to catch up, and log supply issues this spring suppressed additional production increases. Research on historic trends indicates that tie prices frequently stay strong well after grade prices have fallen, providing muchneeded financial support for sawmills during down market cycles. This cycle is already bearing that out, and industry optimism suggests tie markets will remain strong for the rest of 2023.

www.hmr.com

The HMR Demand Index (HDI) is a feature in HMR Executive® that illustrates monthly trends in reported demand from 10 major domestic markets for hardwood lumber. Components of the index are color coded with various shades of blue when demand is slow, they transition to gray when demand is fair, and then to light red and deep red when demand moves from good to strong.

Index for April which is published the first week of May.

Cabinets

Residential Flrg.

Truck Trailer Flrg.

Upholst. Furniture

Wood Furniture

Moulding/Millwork

Wood Components

Board Road

Pallets

Railroad

WOOD TIE GRADING MINISERIES: FOCAL POINT = RAIL-BEARING AREA

By Nate Irby, Railway Tie Association (RTA)

Wood ties and timbers used on our nation's railroad infrastructure support freight and passenger trains and help us continue to thrive as a country. North America has over 136,000 miles of track (Source, Railway Supply Institute: www.rsiweb.org/data-technical-resources/rail-supply-economic-impact-study/) to maintain. This requires a considerable effort, and annually, wood tie and timber producers bring 18-20 million ties to the marketplace (Source, Railway Tie Association: www.rta.org/why-rta). These ties and timbers are not simply "industrial" products; they are integral pieces of architec-

ture, with strength and structural integrity at the forefront of the procurement process. Railway Tie Association is the membership group representing tie-producing entities to the end-users that run railroads. RTA helps to keep wood tie markets strong and sustainable - and has been doing so since 1919. One of our annual tenants is providing education in our premiere event called the Tie Grading Seminar. This article and the subsequent installments to follow are highlights of that prestigious educational offering, with the foundation of tie grading being the rail-bearing area (RBA.)

Mainline railroad crossties today are generally 7"x9" x 8'6" grade 5, predominately oak and hickory, “sleepers” or pieces of wood utilized to hold up rail, anchor in ballast, and have locomotives and railcars roll over the top of them. When it comes to wood tie grading, RBA is the most critical focal point of a wood tie or timber, i.e., the area just under the rail, perpendicular to the direction of the track, and upholding the highest level of a graders’ scrutiny. Hosts of defects are examined in the RBA, including but not limited to checks, holes/ knots, wane, shake, beetle infestation, decay, etc. Limitations for each are delineated in the AREMA 30 standards (Source, American Railway and Engineering Maintenance-of-way Association: www. arema.org/AREMA_MBRR/Committees/30.aspx) and covered extensively at the RTA annual Tie Grading Seminar.

We offer the annual Tie Grading Seminar in the spring and promote the event as “all-inclusive” as we have students that are tenured in tie grading simply wanting a refresher to students that are new entrants in the industry outside of operations positions (administration, sales, finance.) Beyond the technical information provided on actual tie grading, the course is a great primer for those to learn the full gamut of the wood tie and timber industry. The course also brings meaningful insights to job functions in transforming a tie from mill to track, both upstream and downstream of perhaps one’s current role, which can be invigorating and aid in potential employee promotion/empowerment simply by the exposure gained while taking the course. Please visit rta.org for more information on wood ties and timbers, the Tie Grading Seminar, and other offerings RTA provides to our industry.

WHAT

REGARDING YOUR ABOVE ANSWER, PLEASE PROVIDE CONTEXT FOR MARKET, WEATHER OR OTHER CONDITIONS.

EASTERN US

LAKE STATES

Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, N Indiana, N Illinois: Cants and pallets are still dropping - some orders being placed but then no pickup. Wide spread and prolonged flooding due to snow melt. Several mills wanting to get into the tie market that normally would not saw ties due to other markets being down.

ATLANTIC

Virginia: Markets for Pallet and flooring are still down fairly low. Mills are not producing as many ties because the side boards are too cheap. Mills and loggers are having a hard time moving clean chips and round wood.

NEW ENGLAND

New England 1: Log prices are remaining high, as mills try to keep low inventories. Pallet material is not moving. Tie production is still a top priority for most mills. timber mat demand is still fairly strong.

Pennsylvania: Pricing on some markets down. Weather has been wet for logging.

MIDSOUTH

E Texas, NW Louisiana: Pallet is holding steady but it could still improve, the woods is still wet but we're bout to get to the drying stages hopefully and finally is markets would improve so that the mill can run wide open when logs go to moving would be nice.

SOUTHEAST

Mississippi: Logging conditions are poor but should improve over the next month. Most markets are suffering except crossties which still remain in a strong position.

IS YOUR VIEW OF CROSSTIE COMPETITIVE POSITION RELATIVE TO OTHER HARDWOOD PRODUCTS?

www.nwfa.org

Expected Demand by Color and Type: According to NWFA/Hardwood Floors magazine’s 2023 Industry Outlook, trends for wood flooring products are expected to remain largely the same in 2023, including categories such as wire-brushed, reclaimed flooring, unfinished, and solid flooring. Demand for hand-scraped flooring and gray stains is expected to decrease, while demand for natural wood colors and engineered flooring is expected to increase. Similar to more-recent years, wide planks and longboards continue to be in demand.