May 2024 Hardwood Matters

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FRANK MILLER

LUMBER CO

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, ITS and ITSEF GMC Hardwoods, Inc.

Ray White, Lumber Services Harold White Lumber Inc.

Joe Pryor, Education Services Oaks Unlimited

Rich Solano, Convention Pike Lumber Company, Inc.

Stephanie VanDystadt, Membership & Networking DV Hardwoods, Inc.

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

DEPUTY MISSION LEADERS

Burt Craig, Membership & Networking Matson Lumber Company

Tom Coble, Market Impacts Hartzell Hardwoods, Inc.

Dennis Mann, Convention Baillie Lumber Co.

Tom Oiler, Lumber Services Cole Hardwood, Inc.

Brant Forcey, ITS and ITSEF Forcey Lumber Company

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

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

Sam Glidden, Rules GMC Hardwoods, 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

IFC DMSi Software

3 King City Forwarding USA

IBC Pike Lumber Company, Inc. 5 RossiGroup

11 Showcase Equipment, LLC

For advertising contact:

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

Brandon Musso b.musso@nhla.com or 901-399-7557

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

Ashley Johnson, Office Administrator a.johnson@nhla.com

Jens Lodholm, Database Manager j.lodholm@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

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

MEMBERSHIP

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

Brandon Musso, Member Services Advisor b.musso@nhla.com

Embrace the Benefits of Your NHLA Membership

The idea of accepting the status quo and embracing complacency is utterly unacceptable in any business. Constant review and questioning of all aspects of your business should be at the top of your mind regularly. Utilizing every investment made in your business and verifying that it is being utilized to the maximum and most efficient potential is a healthy goal. Take the same time to review your costs as you take to discuss your sales average. With this focus in mind, I challenge you to make sure all stones have been turned over and reviewed.

Association memberships and their value for your company should be no different and critically reviewed. Your NHLA membership should be no exception.

“The riskiest thing we can do is just maintain the status quo.” - Bob Iger

I imagine some of you may think this is a bold move on my behalf, encouraging you all to review your membership with the NHLA and the value associated with it! I have no pause while writing this. I do not doubt the value proposition of NHLA membership and your company! As long as you use and take advantage of your membership as designed!

There may be member benefits that you are investing in annually that you don’t know about! Tangible benefits that could return dividends to your bottom line every single month! The following are a few benefits off the top of my head.

• YIELD ANALYSIS — The purpose of these services is to enhance operations, reduce costs, and help you squeeze as much profit as possible from every single log while reducing waste.

• QUALITY CONTROL — Once yield analysis is completed, finer-tune quality control can help maximize profit and safety.

• CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS — Only the NHLA offers hardwood-specific certification programs to improve profitability, differentiate your company from the competition, and attract customers.

• IN-HOUSE GRADING EDUCATION — Custom training and education are done with your lumber and equipment, at your pace, and with your goals in mind.

Less direct and tangible, but no less important, some of your membership investment goes towards the Hardwood Federation and to the Real American Hardwood Federation.

The Federation represents our industry in Washington, DC, and has our back. While we are busy working to earn a living, the Hardwood Federation is serving our best interests in political policy. Likewise, the RAHC maximizes every dollar donated to build our hardwood industry brand, rallying against the inaccurate environmental claims of substitute products such as ceramics, vinyl, and laminate.

Finally, your NHLA membership supports the biggest networking opportunity of the year: the NHLA Annual Convention and Exhibit Showcase. This is the premier opportunity for you to meet old customers, strengthen those relationships, and meet new customers that you might only have met with your membership in NHLA.

Most of these benefits require that you change something and try something new. Engage in your investment! You are a member of the NHLA; utilize the benefits! Call and schedule your yield analysis or your plant certification today!

Do it now, or, as Warren Miller said, “If you don’t do it this year, you will be one year older when you do.” Might I also add that you will miss out on the profit you might have had every moment you wait! Plus, you are annually investing in the NHLA; make your investment worthwhile.

“Status quo, you know, is Latin for ‘the mess we’re in’”- Ronald Reagan

Please don’t disappoint Rawhide. Don’t accept the status quo. Call the NHLA. Leverage your annual investment/membership into real, measurable profit and change for your company.

Win one for the Gipper!

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. Membership in the NHLA is paramount to the success of our industry. Together, our voices will be heard.

Jon Syre NHLA Chairman | Cascade Hardwood

The RossiGroup has been helping customers navigate the global hardwoods industry for almost a century.

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We deliver a world class selection of hardwoods – including the gold standard in cherry – all sorted, milled and dried to tolerances, consistencies, and yields that were not even possible five years ago. Visit us www.rossilumber.com or call 860-632-3505

LOCKED ON TARGET: Leveraging NHLA Insights for Success

Do you know what Buck Fever is? Buck fever is the anxiousness you feel when you see a male deer (buck) and put your gun on it. Sometimes, that anxiousness makes it so you can’t steady your weapon or don’t hold the gun tight enough, so you get a scope bite. If you get it bad enough, it usually results in a missed opportunity. It does not just happen to kids; it gets adults, too. I have seen grown men miss a moose (equivalent size of a 4x8 sheet of plywood) at 200 yards or fog up their scope in anticipation of shooting a big moose they see, only to wound it and go home empty-handed. I like the exciting/anxious feeling; it gets my blood pumping and makes me feel alive. I get that same feeling moose guiding or public speaking, where I am trying to help you get a clear shot at success.

Buck fever doesn’t shut me down, as I am naturally energetic; it does the opposite, and the anxiousness calms me. I use it to clear out everything around me and focus on my target; whether that is a moose or an industry audience for my speech, it is the same. When it comes to public speaking, there are a lot of suggestions on how to view your audience, but I see you as a moose. Like a moose, you are focused on what you must do to survive, looking for food, foes, and family. I happen to be in the same place trying to get your attention long enough to deliver an important message.

This is worth mentioning because I have been traveling and speaking at a lot of industry meetings. I want each presentation to be exciting and engaging for my target audience as we try to turn hardwood markets broadside so you can take a clear shot. I try not to show the same slide twice and never read my slides. I may even dress up in a salmon-colored sports coat or my homemade buckskins.

I may come off as self-centered, but the reason is to get your attention as I deliver important messages about what we need to do. I focus your attention on NHLA’s purpose: to grow and stabilize the hardwood industry. But sometimes, in the excitement, I may say something wrong, not properly credit others, or even offend someone.

That is never my intention; it is buck fever. In my anxiousness, I don’t always come across clearly.

I love public speaking; it is my favorite part of the job but also the most taxing. I can’t be everywhere and at every meeting, so I am training the Chiefs and the rest of the NHLA staff, even board members, to give presentations on behalf of the NHLA. I hope you will listen to them, too.

There are a lot of changes coming to NHLA that will impact your business. So, we have a lot to say at different meetings. I hope you hear it. I hope you listen repeatedly and always walk away with something new. If you would like a speaker at your facility, for an event, or at a meeting, please let us know, and we will figure out how to get there. No matter who presents or the topic, you will be inspired by what the NHLA is doing for and with the rest of the hardwood industry.

As a moose guide and an executive director, I can only tell you what experience has taught me what we should do. I can show you where you must be and even call in the bull, but the shot is yours. Please always listen to the NHLA updates, and know we are trying to grow and stabilize the hardwood market for you. We all get buck fever, but if you listen to what the NHLA is doing, your clear shot at success improves, and that is one common ground we all are prone to believe.

Dallin Brooks NHLA Executive Director dallin@nhla.com | 901-377-0182

NHLA AROUND THE INDUSTRY

From exciting exhibitions to networking events, the National Hardwood Lumber Association has hit the ground running in 2024 attending Industry Events from Califorina to Indianapolis and South Carolina.

IHLA

HMA

NWPCA

SFPA

AHMI

SWHMC crawfish boil

We are excited to welcome Brandon Musso as our dedicated Member Services Advisor. Brandon is passionate about helping our members maximize the benefits of their NHLA membership. With his wealth of knowledge and enthusiastic approach, he will focus on providing personalized guidance regarding our extensive range of products and services. His customer-centric approach and deep understanding of the unique needs of our members make him a vital asset in ensuring that each member receives the necessary support to thrive in today’s competitive market. Please join us in warmly welcoming Brandon as he begins his journey at NHLA, dedicated to serving you and your company's needs. Brandon can be reached at 901-399-7557 or via email at b.musso@nhla.com.

We are also delighted to welcome Ashley Johnson in the role of Office Administrator. Ashley will play a crucial role in supporting Lumber Services and the dynamic expansion of our KD Certification Program. She will also be a primary contact for our National Inspectors and will lend her expertise to Financial Services and Convention registration, ensuring seamless operations across all facets. Ashley's lifelong passion and knowledge of the hardwood industry make her an invaluable addition to our team. We are eager to see the incredible contributions she will bring. Please extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to Ashley as she embarks on this exciting new chapter with us. Ashley can be reached at 901-399-7559 or via email at a.johnson@nhla.com.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to both Brandon and Ashley as they begin their respective roles, committed to advancing our mission and enhancing our services.

Brandon Musso has worked in supply chain and logistics channels for 20+ years working with FedEx, International Paper, McKesson, Williams Sonoma, Kuehne + Nagel, & IMC Companies.

Brandon launched his career in Memphis working for the largest intermodal drayage organization in the U.S. managing driver payroll, equipment leasing, operations, and administering all OTR driver functions. That experience ignited the drive to become a local business leader and was the foundation for several promotable experiences leading teams in Memphis, his hometown of New Orleans, Houston, Chicago, and St. Louis. His managerial and business agility working with organizations of all sizes is the perfect blend of understanding customer need and objectives.

Brandon’s experience and industry knowledge was recognized by the State of TN in sponsoring a transportation program he developed as Legislation designed to promote economic growth, job creation, and increase driver revenue by eliminating the risk of driver detention. Brandon is a graduate of Christian Brothers University where he received a BA in Business Administration, and is also involved in local community as a member of the Christian Brothers Alumni Board, the Germantown Great Hall Commission Board, previous Officer of the Memphis World Trade Club, and member of the Regional Logistics Council.

Brandon, his wife Elizabeth, their 2 children (Braxton and Sloane), and dog (Beignet) enjoy spending time together on road trips, playing all sports or anything outside, and cheering on the LSU Tigers and New Orleans Saints.

Ashley Johnson has extensive experience in the customer service industry, having worked with well-known organizations such as CVS/ Pharmacy and Dillard's for more than ten years.

Ashley is a graduate of Huntingdon College in Montgomery, AL where she played DIII softball and received a BA in Chemistry. After working as a pharmacy technician with the goal of becoming a pharmacist, Ashley had a change of heart and decided to go into retail to gain more customer service and management experience. Her career at Dillard’s quickly took off as she was promoted within her first year to Area Sales Manager and within seven months to Assistant Store Manager/ Operations Manager which landed her in Collierville, TN.

Ashley’s managerial and customer service experience along with the fact that her dad has worked in the hardwood lumber and plywood industry and cabinet hardware for almost 36 years is why NHLA is a perfect fit for her.

A fun fact about Ashley is that she was born on a lumber yard in Atlanta, Ga.

Ashley and her cat (Milo) enjoy traveling, playing sports, and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs during college football season.

NHLA Plays a Pivotal Role in the Hardwood Industry

Have you ever wondered to yourself, “If I disappeared tomorrow, what would change?” Well, In the world of hardwood lumber, a vital organization governs the standards and practices that shape the industry, the National Hardwood Lumber Association. Established over 125 years ago, the NHLA has been the bedrock of consistency, reliability, and quality assurance in the hardwood sector. However, what if this longstanding institution were to disappear? The ramifications would ripple across the hardwood landscape, forcing a fundamental reevaluation of business operations and inviting governmental intervention into the fray.

At its core, the NHLA serves as the authoritative body responsible for establishing and maintaining grading rules for North American hardwood lumber. These rules provide a universally understood language that guides buyers and sellers, ensuring transparency and fairness in transactions. Without the NHLA’s standardized grading system, the industry would plunge into chaos, with interpretations of wood quality leading to confusion, disputes, and ultimately, a loss of trust among stakeholders.

One of the most profound impacts of NHLA’s absence would be felt by businesses throughout the supply chain. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers rely on NHLA grading standards to assess the value and suitability of hardwood products. Without these benchmarks, companies would be forced to devise their own grading criteria, leading to inconsistencies in product quality and pricing. This fragmentation would disrupt established networks and necessitate costly adjustments to sourcing, production, and marketing strategies.

Additionally, the disappearance of the NHLA would create a regulatory void that government bodies would be compelled to fill. In the absence of industry-led governance, policymakers would be tasked with developing and enforcing grading regulations to maintain market integrity. Government intervention, while essential for preventing exploitation and ensuring consumer protection, could introduce bureaucratic hurdles and delays, impeding the agility and efficiency of businesses operating within the hardwood sector.

Let’s not forget how the disappearance would affect the International market. NHLA’s grading standards are internationally recognized, providing a benchmark for trade agreements and facilitating global commerce. Without NHLA’s oversight, international trade in hardwood lumber would be jeopardized, as foreign buyers may question the quality and authenticity of American hardwood products.

Collaborative efforts between industry stakeholders, including producers, suppliers, and associations, are essential to ensure continuity and uphold the integrity of hardwood grading standards. Additionally, investments in education and training programs can empower professionals to understand and adhere to quality standards, mitigating the risks associated with regulatory uncertainty.

The National Hardwood Lumber Association occupies a pivotal role in the hardwood industry, providing stability, consistency, and trust in a complex ecosystem. Its absence would precipitate a seismic shift in business practices, necessitating adaptation and inviting governmental intervention to maintain order. As custodians of this vital institution, it is industry leaders and policymakers responsibility to recognize the value of NHLA and collaborate in its preservation, ensuring the continued prosperity of the hardwood sector for generations to come.

John Hester NHLA Chief Development Officer

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

By DANA COLE, Executive Director of the Hardwood Federation

The Hardwood Federation is celebrating a big birthday this year! 2024 is our 20th year of serving as the united voice of the U.S. hardwood industry, working on the federal issues that most impact hardwood companies and employees. While it is often frustrating trying to navigate the choppy waters of Congress, it is imperative that the industry be perceived as in agreement on the key issues. The Federation team is proud that this has consistently been the case and that hardwood companies have supported our efforts by engaging in Federation activities like our annual Fly-in to D.C., hosting elected officials at your facilities, participating in electronic calls to action, and last, but certainly not least, supporting our efforts financially.

As 2024 draws closer to the November elections, we encourage everyone to be politically active. Every House seat is on the ballot and one-third of the Senate. And we cannot forget the race for the White House. Thousands of state and local elections will also be run. As we continue our rounds on Capitol Hill, we encourage each and every hardwood company owner and employee to think about how they can engage . . . at whatever level is most comfortable for you. Your story and your top concerns may vary, but I offer the

Managed forests are essential to the growth of healthy, multi-generational forests that provide the needed raw materials for wood products are 50% carbon by weight.

Hardwood Federation messaging talking points below as guidance for any potential outreach you may consider.

The U.S. hardwood industry is under siege from a never-ending barrage of federal government actions that impede the U.S. hardwood industry’s ability to manufacture sustainable, environmentally friendly building and industrial products, provide good paying jobs in rural America, and support the local, state, and federal tax base.  Examples include:

• Declining timber sales and timber harvest projects on U.S. forestlands. Pressure from environmental interests that ignore the forest health and fire prevention benefits of managed timber harvests, working in concert with frivolous lawsuits that put immediate stoppage to community coalition planned activities, put pressure on producers located near Federal Forests and have historically relied on materials from those forests to operate.

• Definitions of Old Growth and Mature Forests on federal lands that fly in the face of science-based forest management practices, lead to greater mortality of our forests, and further limit sustainable forestry practices that support forest health, the forest products industry, and local economies.

• Federal financial support of voluntary carbon markets which in the vast majority of cases do not account for the significant carbon storage value of products made from sustainable harvest and in many cases further remove potential sources of raw materials from local wood products industry companies.

• Endangered Species Act designations and actions, particularly around bats impacted by the White Nose Syndrome that curtail forest management activities . . . activities that U.S. Fish and Wildlife professionals recognize as supporting both bat and forest management.

• Competitor products that claim to look and feel like real American hardwood are in fact petroleum based

and largely imported from China. Despite U.S. hardwood’s superior environmental story, these products continue to eat into our market share as government officials, the press, and the general public are not well educated about the benefits of using real American hardwood in their home and office settings.

These actions fly in the face of science-based forest management and harvesting practices that IMPROVE forest health and the overall environment. Managed forests are essential to the growth of healthy, multi-generational forests that provide the needed raw materials for wood products are 50% carbon by weight. While standing trees store carbon until their inevitable death, carbon stored in wood products is forever. Congress needs to take action to support this unique American industry in the following ways:

• Sign on and support H.R. 6880,  the bipartisan Hardwood Products Access and Development Program, by adding your name to the list of sponsors or working with the Hardwood Federation to introduce a Senate companion bill.

• Push back on Administration and U.S. Forest Service efforts to define Old Growth and Mature Forests in a one-size-fits-all manner.  Not only is this impossible to do given the vast differences in species

and regional growth patterns, it ties the hands of professional foresters who understand the value and importance of forest management as related to forest health.

• Require clear and demonstrable requirements for including carbon accounting of wood products in any federally subsidized carbon market program implementation.

• Reform NEPA to streamline permit approval for timber harvest projects and eliminate the onslaught of frivolous lawsuits.

You may recognize some of this language from an April Call To Action asking the industry to reach out and communicate directly with their members of Congress. But for messages to be impactful, they must be repeated over and over…and over, again. These themes will also be incorporated into the Federation Fly-In to be held in late May. Think about how you can send these messages to those that represent you in Washington, D.C. Communication, constant and united, is essential . . . and you can play an important role.

For more information and talking points, check out www.hardwoodfederation.org.

1949 - 1974 - 2024

CELEBRATING Milestones of OUR MEMBERS

The National Hardwood Lumber Association stands as a beacon of tradition and excellence in the hardwood lumber industry. This month, we turn the spotlight on the remarkable contributions of our members. These members have not only shaped the fabric of our industry with their steadfast dedication and innovative practices but have also forged paths that will guide future generations.

Nestled within North Central Pennsylvania's renowned hardwood timberlands, Patterson Lumber Co., Inc. stands as a testament to enduring commitment, celebrating 75 years of continuous membership. This remarkable anniversary reflects a legacy of quality, resilience, and leadership in the forestry industry.

Equally noteworthy is the golden jubilee of membership for several other key players within the NHLA community. American Woodmark Corporation, known for its innovation in cabinet manufacturing; Corley Manufacturing, a stalwart in sawmill machinery; McDonough Manufacturing Co., which has consistently set industry standards for sawmill equipment; Sirianni Hardwoods Inc., a family-run business distinguished by its dedication to quality lumber production; and USNR, a leader in technology and manufacturing solutions for the wood products sector, all celebrate 50 years of unwavering membership.

These milestones are not just marks of time but are testaments to the commitment, innovation, and community that are hallmarks of the NHLA. As we reflect on their histories, we are inspired by their stories of growth, adaptation, and success. Join us as we honor these members, whose dedication not only strengthens our association but also propels the entire hardwood lumber industry forward.

75 YEARS AGO . . .

FDR was president

Hitler invaded Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Luxembourg

Winston Churchill was Time Magazine’s Man of the Year.

The average car cost $800.

Milk was .34 and gas .18

The Paper Mate company was founded.

Patterson Lumber Co., Inc.

This all began in 1921 with a partnership between F.L. Patterson and D.W. Frazee. These two men operated a mangle roller bobbin manufacturing facility in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. In 1924 Patterson bought out Frazee. By 1927 the original bobbin- manufacturing plant was joined by a mill in Galeton and in Friendship, New York. Even though the bobbin export decreased in the 1930s, the Wellsboro sawmill continued. In 1936 a retail building materials department was added in Wellsboro and then in 1948 the business was incorporated and Paterson Lumber Co., Inc. was formed. Now a fourth-generation, family-run sawmill, Patterson Lumber Co., Inc. employs the latest technological advancements to increase production and eliminate waste, while further increasing safety and lumber quality.

President of Patterson Lumber, Matt DeCamp, was proud of the company’s 75 years of Membership and the support they have been able to provide NHLA over the decades.

From inspiration to installation, we only ever do this the American Woodmark Way. An approach that is built on integrity and partnership –ensuring we do things the right way, not the easy way.

American Woodmark

It all started when a Long Island- based dentist, Alvin Goldhush, saw an opportunity to create cabinets for his dentistry business. He founded a compay called Raygold Industries. Raygold had a sales volumes of about $6 million and was acquired by Boise Cascade in April 1971. Four executives from Boise Cascade’s cabinet division leveraged a buyout and purchased the company. American Woodmark Corportation is formed with over 1,100 team members and had 3 manufacturing facilities. Over the years, American Woodmark developed successful relationships with two big-box retailers Home-Depot and Lowe’s. This is when they moved their corporate headquarters to Winchester, Virginia. Today, they are one of the three largest cabinetmakers in the country and are a trusted partner to their customer and communities.

USNR

USNR’s history dates to the 1850s, and since then it has brought together a multitude of designs, technologies, and talents. Starting as a small sawmill equipment vendor, USNR is now the world’s largest supplier of equipment and technologies for the wood processing industry. With hundreds of patents to its credit, USNR has continually pushed the industry forward with investment and innovation. They are best known for providing endto-end solutions for sawmills and planer mills, including log lines, curve sawing gangs, edger lines, trim-sort-stack systems, dry kilns, and the optimization and control technologies that maximize the output and performance of that equipment. Today, USNR operates four facilities in the US, three in Canada, and two in Sweden. They also maintain additional local-language sales, service, and aftermarket support centers in Norway, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Poland, and Germany.

Since 1898, the NHLA has been an important resource for setting grade standards, learning about the needs of hardwood mills, and sharing the technological advances that are being made to provide efficient solutions for hardwood mills which has contributed to great success for USNR over the last 50 years of membership between the two.

Like most, 50 years ago, mechanical equipment was the

USNR’s VAB-brand lineal grader offers an efficient application design in a small footprint that is quick and easy to install in hardwood mills. It is also offered as a hybrid unit on a rail system that intersects two production lines. At the flip of a switch, the scan frame can easily move between a planer line and hardwood line.

driver of USNRs’ business. Control systems and PLCs were the norm of early computing but as the world was progressing, so was technology. Scanning and optimization systems started to come online in the late 1980s which brough automation and efficiency to the process but it wasn’t until the 1990s that USNR started to focus on solutions specifically for the hardwood industry. Today, they are focused on providing the full solution for their customers. With mechanical systems, control systems and scanning, optimization, and grading- these were all designed for the special needs of the hardwood industry. Areas like grading, SAM (self-adjusting machines) and leading-edge HMI’s (human machine interfaces) converge has shaped a new era of wood processing technology. USNR thrives on innovation, constantly evolving to enhance efficiency, safety, and productivity. With hundreds of patents, they continue to drive the industry forward through investment and innovation and integrating cutting-edge solutions into its product lines. Technology has propelled USNR into a dynamic era, where agility, connectivity, and innovation define its business and landscape.

With all the years of membership, USNR’s take away is, thanks to the NHLA, the strength of the group outweighs the individual strengths of the members. USNR is proud to be a participating member of the NHLA.

50 YEARS AGO . . .

“Nixon Resigns.” Vice President Gerald Ford automatically becames the president.

In football, the Miami Dolphins won Super Bowl VIII. Barbara Streisand had the number one song of the year with “The Way We Were.”

In response to the 1973 energy crisis, daylight saving time commences nearly four months early in the United States.

Three US astronauts return to Earth after a 85 days in the US space station, Skylab

1st class postage raised to 10 cents from 8 cents

Sirianni Hardwoods, Inc.

Sirianni Hardwoods, Inc. is in Painted Post, New York, in the heart of the Northern Appalachian hardwood producing region. The company was founded in 1979 and is operated by the Sirianni family. They have been in the hardwood business for four generations. Sirianni Hardwoods specializes in kiln dried Red Oak and White Oak lumber and supplies prime hardwood lumber to manufacturers and distribution yards throughout North America and in the export markets.

Dow Jones index hits 570.01

Popular Electronics displays Altair 8800 computer

Corley Manufacturing Co.

AUGUST

For over 100 years, Corley has supplied rugged, up-to-date, dependable machinery to the sawmill industry and has backed it up with fast reliable service. Since 1905 they have focused their efforts exclusively serve sawmillers. By doing so, this has enabled Corley to develop sawmill machinery that is uniquely suited to the sawmillers needs. Corley carries on this tradition today with their skilled and experienced team of engineers, service technicians, sales reps, production workers and management personnel.

1889 - First McDonough

McDonough Manufacturing Co.

AUGUST

1974

McDonough Manufacturing Co. is a family-owned and operated manufacturer of custom sawmill machinery, in business since 1888. They have focused on providing durable sawmill machinery, while providing the efficiency and speed required by the modern sawmill. McDonough buys steel and all parts, fabricates, CNC and manual machines, assembles tests and paints all their own machinery. They have had their first head office in the Chippewa Valley of Wisconsin since 1888 and have also recently expanded its operations internationally with a manufacturing facility in Mactaquac, NB, Canada that opened in October of 2017 along with the acquisition of BID Canada Ltd. in early 2023.

Membership with the NHLA holds a great deal of value for McDonough as it has provided a platform to connect and collaborate with industry peers. Throughout their last 50 years of membership with the NHLA, McDonough has gained invaluable partnerships while engaging with clients, expanded their network and enhanced their knowledge base. McDonough has not only strengthened as a company throughout this milestone membership, but they have also been fueled in their growth, innovation, and success in the industry.

Technology may have changed over the last 50 years, but one thing that has remained the same since McDonough’s founding in 1888 has been their core values: honesty, integrity, and customer-centricity. The integration of technology has brought a new era of efficiency and sustainability which has reshaped the way that McDonough utilizes forest resources, which is ensuring the longevity of the industry. New-age technology has empowered McDonough to cater to the evolving needs of their customers by delivering high-quality products tailoring to their specific requests. McDonough has chosen to embrace the partnership between traditional values with technological innovation to ensure their stability but to also contribute to the resilience of the towns and regions who are dependent on sawmill operations so that the sawmill industry can continue to move forward.

Even as modern technology is revolutionizing the way McDonough conducts business, they still recognize and appreciate the amount of wisdom that the industry veterans have and share from their decades of experience. Throughout this 50-year membership, the NHLA has served as a spot for collective growth and advancement for McDonough.

Contribute Now to Build Your World

The Real American Hardwood Coalition has launched its Build Your World™ campaign in partnership with Magnolia Network. The ads are inspiring a national audience by educating them on the benefits of Real American Hardwood® products. The campaign was made possible thanks to voluntary contributions from the hardwood industry. Your continued support is critical to advance the initiative and reclaim market share for the benefit of all industry stakeholders.

Help Build Your World. Learn more about the RAHC’s promotion efforts, see a list of supporters, and make a voluntary, tax-deductible contribution at RealAmericanHardwood.com/industry or scan the QR code.

NHLA Offers Key Support and Monitoring Tools for Enhanced Efficiency and Quality

By DANA SPESSERT, Chief Inspector

Most industries have moved towards optimization technology and the hardwood industry is no exception. Over the past 40 years most of the hardwood industry has adopted many new technologies to help improve efficiency and quality in one form or another. I believe this is a positive move as long as things are kept up to date and monitored.

One of the biggest challenges is keeping all these new processes in check by monitoring the results of the manufacturing of products from this new technology. There are several ways to keep things in check and NHLA is here to help in any way we can.

One way we can help is by providing training for employees who monitor the grades that are either produced by the mill or consumed by the manufacturer.

Another way we can assist is by joining the NHLA Quality Control program, which monitors many different areas of the production process to ensure that high production rates produce a profitable product utilizing as few raw materials as possible.

NHLA’s Inspection Services team actively monitors company inspectors to oversee the accuracy of grades and the types of defects they see in the lumber. During an inspection, the NHLA National Inspector can identify certain defects caused by different processes that affect the grade and recovery.

Additionally, NHLA National Inspectors can perform tests on the following processes in the production of lumber:

• Debarker

• Dip Tank

• Edger and Trimmer

• Kiln Operation

• Log Scale

• Lumber Thicknesses

• Minimum Opening Face

• Package Appearance

• Pallet Cants

• Ripsaw

• Yard Packaging

• Yield Analysis

We can also custom design testing of other areas at your operation as necessary.

If you are interested in speaking with someone about monitoring your processes, please feel free to contact me at d.spessert@nhla.com or 901-399-7551 for more information.

DOWNLOAD THE NHLA LUMBER GRADING APP

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

JUN

June 3-July 26 Inspector Training School 206th Class

Traditional 8-week hands-on training to achieve a certificate of completion in Hardwood Lumber Inspection.

Venue: TBD

Location: Granite Falls, NC

Instructor: Benji Richards, NHLA Industry Services Sales Manager

June 10-13

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.

Host: Ohio Forestry Association

Venue: Yoder Lumber Co., Inc.

Location: Millersburg, OH

Instructor: Mark Depp, National Inspector

JUN

June 10-Aug 2 Inspector Training School 207th Class

Traditional 8-week hands-on training to achieve a certificate of completion in Hardwood Lumber Inspection.

Venue: Pennsylvania College of Technology Location: Montgomery, PA

Instructor: Roman Matyushchenko, NHLA ITS Instructor

New

June 18-21

Kiln Drying

A 3-day course focused on Kiln Drying. You will develop an understanding to dry wood for value and defect reduction. Speakers include Dr. Adam Taylor, University of Tennessee Extension, Mr. Dana Spessert, NHLA Chief Inspector; as well other industry experts. Yard personnel, kiln operators and supervisors should attend.

Venue: NHLA Headquarters Location: Memphis, TN

New

JULY

July 15-18

Construction Grades and Grading

A 3-day course on Construction Grades and Grading. This course will cover NHLA Construction Grades (Car Stock, Select Car Stock, etc.) as well as the concepts and definitions used in construction grading.

This is a MEMBERS ONLY event. Graders and Inspectors from NHLA member companies are invited to attend and learn the "how-to" of Construction Grading.

Venue: NHLA Headquarters Location: Memphis, TN

July 23-25

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.

Host: Ron Jones Hardwood Sales

Venue: Franklin Industrial Commercial Development Authority - Emerging Technology Center

Location: Franklin, PA

Instructor: Tom Byers, National Inspector

New

AUG

August 6-8

3-Day Walnut

Lumber Grading

A 3-day course focused on Walnut, a high value species with several Grading Rules exceptions. Attend and learn how to get the most value out of your walnut production.

The course is designed for experienced Hardwood Lumber Inspectors who need to have a more in-depth knowledge of Walnut lumber grading.

Venue: NHLA Headquarters Location: Memphis, TN

Instructor: Benji Richards, NHLA Industry Services Sales Manager

August 12-23

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, NHLA ITS Instructor

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.

www.hardwoodreview.com

Poplar Exports to Vietnam and KD 4/4 #2 Com Poplar Prices

Poplar demand and prices have shifted this spring, increasing some for KD 4/4 #1 and #2 Common, but declining for FAS/1F. While it hasn’t been a huge change, it has been a reversal of winter trends, when a sawmiller said he was happy with his upper-grade prices but his common-grade prices were “taking a beating.” Upper-grade Poplar prices tend to rise with seasonally stronger housing construction activity, but they have not yet risen in the early stages of the 2024 homebuilding season, even though single-family housing starts this January and February were much stronger than a year ago. Upper-grade Poplar prices also tend to be boosted by seasonally stronger shipments to China, which is primarily a #1/Btr market for Poplar. Though Poplar exports to China rose for a third consecutive month in February, coming off a 6-month stretch of low demand, December-January Poplar volumes were still historically weak. Accordingly, average reported prices for KD 4/4 FAS/1F Poplar have turned lower in Appalachia the last several weeks, and have been level in the South following slight February increases.

It appears the declining prices for KD 4/4 #2 Common Poplar in the second half of 2023 generated stronger interest from Vietnam

Avg #2 Com Price

Larger common-grade export volumes to Vietnam have sufficiently thinned producer inventories for some to reject the lowprice offers they had been accepting. Vietnam’s economy is also gaining momentum, with GDP growing 5.7% in Q1 2024, and the Vietnamese government saying its manufacturing sector will reach its targeted growth 6.0%-6.5% this year (Reuters). With prospects for significantly stronger upper-grade Poplar demand hampered, and Vietnamese demand rising, sales should continue to be relatively stronger for the common grades than for the uppers for the balance of this spring.

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 March, which is published the first week of April.

HMR Demand Index (HDI)

Board Road

Pallets

Railroad Ties

RTA Statistics

By Nate Irby, Ph.D., RTA Executive Director

The Railway Tie Association is the membership association representing the wood tie and timber industry segment. This includes all points of the supply chain: from raw material production to end-user. The marketplace for ties touts an annual production of 18-22 million ties to provide maintenance to North America’s freight and passenger rail lines. RTA promulgates tie production, inventory and purchases data to provide our industry real-world insights into the pulse (and scope) of the tie market.

Railway Supply Economic Impact Study

RTA has been capturing actual tie production and purchases data since 1987. Our association is THE source for wood tie and timber information (rta.org/ industry-statistics). Our collective databank has helped sway legislation, provides the ability to model and forecast, and helps to keep wood tie markets strong and sustainable.

Wood tie production is at the mercy of other hardwood commodity pressure, yet the annual demand for ties is known, and sustainable, especially when compared to more volatile hardwood commodities. The cadence of tie production and purchases favors correlation, with measurable deviations throughout due to adverse inventory position, seasonality effect, and other unforeseen market dynamics. The treasure trove of information RTA possesses on tie flow is impactful.

RTA portrays its data with a handful of exhibits and perspective illustrations beyond those shared in this article. Please visit rtastats.org to learn more about Qualitative data such as condition of log inventories, competing hardwood commodity health, and outlook for overall hardwood sawmill production (and more) can be found there in our various dashboard depictions. To stay up to date about tie production and association activities, we hope you will please consider joining our association to stay informed and contribute.

RTA Scenario Planner Snapshot: An Interactive Tool

Tie Production and Purchases Exhibit: 12 month rolling average, February 2023 to February 2024

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

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: Recent snowfall covered the northern half of the area with 12 -18". Everywhere is extremely muddy now and impossible to get in the woods. Crosstie receipts continue to slow due to several factors.

ATLANTIC

Virginia: Flooring lumber, Pallet material, and Poplar lumber are all slow to move. Weather has been very wet making for poor logging conditions. Tie production is slowing down.

NEW ENGLAND

New England 1: Spring breakup is stopping most inbound logs. Most mills carrying about 4-5 weeks of logs but with no inbound inventories will start to shrink. Some increases in demand and price for some grades and species of lumber. Timber mats remain in good demand for the most part.

Pennsylvania: Starting to see some improvements in demand for some products in select species.

MIDSOUTH

E Texas, NW Louisiana: With Pallet and Grade still being soft its hard to just cut ties . Hopefully the markets will improve sooner than later.

SOUTHEAST

Kentucky, Tennessee: Too many ties on the market are causing logistic issues. Over run tie yards and plants are struggling to keep up with the flow of production.

Mississippi: Crossties remain strong in both price and demand.

www.nwfa.org

EXPECTED DEMAND BY TYPE:

According to Hardwood Floors magazine’s 2024 Industry Outlook, wide plank and long boards remain at the top of consumers’ wish lists for wood floors. Both engineered and factory-finished wood flooring are expected to experience dramatic increases in demand this year.

www.ahec.org

LUMBER EXPORTS TURNING THE CORNER IN 2024

By Tripp Pryor, AHEC International Program Manager

After a slow ending to 2023, US hardwood lumber exports have started off well early in 2024. The latest available data (through February 2024), shows the strongest two month stretch for export markets since February and March of 2023. Total exports in January and February this year were 211 million board feet of lumber, which is a 28% increase from the previous two months.

Early activity across export markets, along with direct feedback from AHEC events this year, are very encouraging. Our export data goes through February, but firsthand experience at AHEC Pavilions in Bangalore, India in late February, and at Dubai Woodshow and Interzum Guangzhou in March back up this optimistic sentiment. While China is down 16% compared to Jan/Feb 2023, it just had the best two month stretch since March and April 2023, and is actually above the average trading level of 2022.

Of course, it’s naïve to read too much into the first two months of the year. There is always a seasonality to exports, and it remains to be seen if markets like China will continue to grow back at the current pace. However, other growth markets have

also picked up this year and are setting up longterm opportunities. Lumber Exports to the Middle East, India, and Oceania have all been strong early this year. Feedback from the AHEC Hardwood Pavilions in India and Dubai were extremely positive, and there are opportunities in the region, particularly in Pakistan (up 209% in ’24 vs ’23) and Saudi Arabia (up 53%) along with India, which imported 5 million board feet of US hardwood lumber in 2023, the highest trade level on record.

So far in 2024, Australia has also seen dramatic export increases from a record year last year. Last year, exports of red oak lumber to Australia tripled to 3.7 million board feet. In just the first two months of 2024, Australia has already imported as much red oak as they did in all of 2022, and total US hardwood lumber imports are up 163% so far. American red oak has become the ideal replacement for Victorian Ash, which is much more difficult to come by with the ban on Victorian and West Australian native forest harvesting that went into effect on Jan 1st.

For more information on export markets and upcoming AHEC events, please visit www.ahec.org.

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/resources/careers-center

HARDWOOD LUMBER INSPECTOR

EDGEWOOD, IA

Kendrick Forest Products is seeking a full time hardwood lumber inspector/grader. The Lumber Inspector/Grader plays a critical role in assessing the quality and grade of lumber.

HOW TO APPLY

Send your resume to: Kay Kluesner at kay@kendrickinc.com

Kendrick Forest Products

601 S Washington St, | Edgewood, IA 52042 563-928-6431

HARDWOOD LUMBER INSPECTOR

PEWAMO, MI

Devereaux Sawmill is seeking a full time hardwood lumber inspector/grader. Primary duties and responsibilities include consistent and accurate grading of surfaced and green lumber in a high production manufacturing operation. The successful candidate must be NHLA certified or equivalent experience, have the flexibility and ability to work in a team oriented, fast paced work environment with primary focus on personal and team safety behaviors.

HOW TO APPLY

Send your resume and application to: Todd Smith at Todd@devereauxsawmill.com or call 989-593-2552.

Devereaux Saw Mill Inc.

2872 N Hubbardston Rd. | Pewamo, MI 48873 989-593-2552

HARDWOOD LUMBER INSPECTOR

MOUNT VERNON, OH

Brenneman Lumber Company seeks an experienced fulltime lumber inspector at their Mt. Vernon, Ohio yard. The position will be grading both green and kiln dried lumber.

HOW TO APPLY

Send your resume and applicatio to: Charles Brenneman at charlie@brennemanlumber.com. For questions, reach out to Charles via email or by phone at 740-397-5566.

Brenneman Lumber Company PO Box 951

51 Parrott St. | Mount Vernon, OH

MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEE

PEWAMO, MI

Devereaux Sawmill is seeking a skilled and experienced Maintenance Person to join our team. As a Maintenance Person, you will be responsible for performing a variety of duties to ensure the proper functioning and upkeep of our facilities. This is a full-time position with competitive pay and opportunities for career growth.

HOW TO APPLY

Send your resume and application to: Todd Smith at Todd@devereauxsawmill.com or call 989-593-2552.

Devereaux Saw Mill Inc.

2872 N Hubbardston Rd. | Pewamo, MI 48873 989-593-2552