November 2021 Hardwood Matters by National Hardwood Lumber Association

TH E VOIC E O F THE HARDWOOD IN DUSTRY

H A R D W O O D M AT T E R S November 2021

T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E N AT I O N A L H A R D W O O D L U M B E R A S S O C I AT I O N S T R O N G R O O T S . G L O B A L R E A C H . | W W W. N H L A . C O M

CONTENTS November 2021 • Issue 228

WHAT'S INSIDE

ONLINE

feature

TOP POST OF THE MONTH at facebook.com/NHLAOfficial

Happy First Day of Instruction at NHLA Inspector Training School Class 196! Welcome to the hardwood industry, gentlemen!

Are You Taking Steps To Invite Innovation Into Your Company? by Bob Graham

departments 6 Education Spotlight NHLA Inspector Training School:

Are 8 Weeks Really Enough? by Roman Matyushchenko

8 Legislative Log Bipartisan Lawmakers Address

Unfair Shipping and Export Practices by Dana Cole

16 Rules Corner The Rules Voting Ballot

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Is In The Mail by Dana Spessert

reader services 4 18 20

President’s Message Educational Calendar NHLA Job Board

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H A R D W O O D M AT T E R S T H E VO I C E O F T H E H A R DWO O D I N D U ST RY 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 NH LA 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.

Breeze Dried, Inc.

IBC DMSi 3

MISSION LEADERS

Jeff Wirkkala Hardwood Industries, Inc. President

Bucky Pescaglia Missouri-Pacific Lumber Co., Inc. Unique Services

Jon Syre Cascade Hardwood, LLC Vice President

Ray White Harold White Lumber Inc. Rules

Darwin Murray McClain Forest Products Past President 2018-2020

Joe Pryor Oaks Unlimited Industry Advocacy & Promotion

NHLA STAFF Amanda Boutwell Marketing and Communications Manager Desirée Freeman Controller

ADVERTISER INDEX 9

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

IFC

Pike Lumber Company, Inc.

Tropical Forest Products

King City Forwarding USA 14 USNR

For advertising contact: John Hester, Director of Membership and Business Development at j.hester@nhla.com or 901-399-7558 or Vicky Simms, Membership Development Manager at v.simms@nhla.com or 901-399-7557

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Stephanie VanDystadt DV Hardwoods, Inc. Membership & Networking

Julia Ganey Member Relations Manager

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

John Hester Director of Membership and Business Development

Burt Craig Matson Lumber Company Membership

Renee Hornsby Director of Marketing/ Communications

Rob Cabral Upper Canada Forest Products, Ltd. Promotion & Advocacy

Jens Lodholm Data Administration Specialist Carol McElya Inspector Training School Administrator Roman Matyushchenko ITS Instructor and Associate Dean of Education Vicky Quiñones Simms Membership Development Manager Melissa Ellis Smith Graphic Designer Dana Spessert Chief Inspector

Rich Solano Pike Lumber Company, Inc. Structure

Dennis Mann Baillie Lumber Co. Convention Scott Cummings Cummings Lumber Company, Inc. Inspection Services Bruce Horner Abenaki Timber Corp. ITS/Continuing Education George Swaner Swaner Hardwood Communications & Marketing Joe Snyder Fitzpatrick & Weller, Inc. Rules

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF HARDWOOD MARKETING

ur 2021 Annual Convention is in the books. It was successful for all who were in attendance. It was comforting to me that I could travel across the country, spend a week in Florida, and return safely home. The attendance was approximately 60% of a typical convention. We missed those who weren’t in attendance but understood the multiple reasons why many chose not to attend. There were several highlights from the convention that stuck out to me. First and foremost was the chance to see so many lumbermen and women that I hadn’t seen in a couple of years. On top of that, the excitement of a strong market yielded the happiest group of attendees I had ever seen. Highlight #2 for me was the keynote speaker at our opening session. Steve Robinson, former chief marketing officer of Chick-fil-A, was one of the best speakers we have ever had. He gave us a very timely message about marketing. The fundamentals of marketing that went into the success of Chick-fil-A are sound and relatable to our marketing program, Real American Hardwoods. The last highlight for me was the presentation done by the RAHC. Solid progress is being made. I was very excited to hear about the financial support that has happened. The RAHC announced that they had reached the $500,000 threshold of contributions in 2021. It was exciting to hear about the match program in Ohio, where people put together a dollar-for-dollar matching contribution program. They raised over $100,000 in just a few short months. There was talk about Kentucky and Indiana working to make the same kind of program happen. This is so exciting. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the RAHC so far. For those of you who haven’t, go to the website realamericanhardwood.org, and contribute. Be a part of Building Something Big! I want you to take a moment and put on your imagination cap. When you say the word “hardwoods,” what pops into your mind? I think of all the great people I know in our industry. I think of how the industry has supported my family for so many years. I think of our employees who have good jobs because of hardwoods and take care of their families.

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What do you think pops into the mind of most Americans or Canadians? Today, I think it doesn’t mean much to the average consumer. The job of the RAHC is to change that. We need to replace a “blank mind” with the goodness of what hardwoods represent; of long-lasting products, children on hardwood floors, clean and warm; of cabinets and furniture that lasts for generations; feelings of good values, both for the products and the quality of life it brings. The understanding that using hardwood products is good for the environment. That forest management is good and needs to happen to protect the valuable oxygen replacing forests that are critical for the survival of humanity. “Hardwoods” can be big in the minds of consumers and desired by all. It won’t happen overnight. “Chick-fil-A” took time to develop its brand. We can do it too. We need commitments from everyone in our industry. Consider giving for several years and consider giving monthly. The RAHC needs monthly cash flow to accelerate the building of our brand. We can build something big. Something extraordinary that can help our industry to prosper like we have not seen. The best part about what we do is produce a product that really has all of the benefits mentioned above. There are no smoke and mirrors. We represent genuine value for consumers and are part of the solution for a better environment. We have the winning hand. Let’s play to win! Here is a quick takeaway for you. About 50 of our members received a free copy of Steve Robinson’s book, “Covert Cows and Chick-fil-A” at the convention. I’d recommend everyone to pick up a copy and read it. It will help you understand what is possible and build confidence that we can do the same with “hardwoods.” Best wishes for your continued health and success. May God bless you, your families, and your business now and in the future.

Jeff Wirkkala NHLA President | Hardwood Industries, Inc.

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FREE WEBINAR November 11, 2021 Time 9AM PDT / 11 AM CST / 12 AM EST VIRTUAL LUNCH AND LEARN WITH THE WOOD DOCTOR Join NHLA and Dr. Gene Wengert as he answers your questions about drying hardwood lumber.

Sponsored by

TO REGISTER: WWW.NHLA.COM/LEARN

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EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT

NHLA INSPECTOR TRAINING SCHOOL:

ARE 8 WEEKS REALLY ENOUGH? By ROMAN MATYUSHCHENKO, Inspector Training School Instructor

Class 194

HLA has officially changed the duration of its traditional hardwood lumber inspection program from 12-weeks to 8-weeks. The first class to experience the new curriculum was class #194, graduating on February 26, 2021. As of October 2021, class #195 completed the new 8-week program, and class #196 is underway.

Information about these extra-curricular activities is in our archives, and anyone interested in learning more is welcome to come to NHLA headquarters in Memphis to access the collection.

I want to address some questions and concerns from our respected alumni and hardwood industry professionals about reducing the duration of the traditional lumber inspection program to 8-weeks. In the past, students spent anywhere from 12 weeks to 6-months at the NHLA Inspector Training School studying lumber grading.

Did all those activities help the students to become more knowledgeable or experienced in grading lumber? I doubt it.

To quote some of the concerns I have received, “It is impossible to learn what you need to know to be a good inspector in just 8-weeks,” and “There was a lot to learn in the short 6-month course, and now they have shortened the course to just 8-weeks long.” Yes, in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, the class duration was about five and a half months long, and the classes had up to 70 students, which was the maximum capacity. There was even a waiting list for students. However, this was a long time ago. Since the mid-2000s, the size of the classes has dramatically reduced. Occasionally we had classes with only 6-7 students. In the Fall of 2020, amid the COVID19 pandemic, there were a record-low 4 students.

Now I have a couple of questions. Did the extra-curricular activities listed above require time and devotion from the students and staff? I guess the answer is obvious.

One more thing to consider is the cost of education. When the School was almost 6-months long, the cost of living, in general, was relatively low, making it much less expensive for sponsor companies to send their employees to the School for training. NOW, IF WE DO A QUICK CALCULATION FOR A 12-WEEK PROGRAM TODAY, WE’LL SEE THE FOLLOWING: • Housing: 12 weeks x 7 nights x $69 = $5,796 (I used the lowest available room rate of $69 (including taxes) at the Candlewood Suites, where ITS students receive discounted corporate rate.

Back when students attending the NHLA Inspector Training School stayed in Memphis for almost half a year, they had to find ways to entertain themselves being away from home. That’s why the Inspector Training School used to have a basketball team, ping pong competitions, and even The Lumber Olympics. Imagine that! The Lumber Olympics only took place once and was never held again.

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• Food: 12 weeks x 7 days x $30 = $2,520. Of course, this is the price if you can live on $30 a day. If you need more, calculate accordingly. • Tuition: $2,500 • Supplies: $125 • Travel Expenses (gas, flight, rental car): This can vary by individual, but for this case, we’ll use a modest price of $500. • Salary: If students still get paid while at School, don’t forget to add that cost into the equation. For example, using $15 an hour as entry-level pay: 12 weeks x 40 hours x $15 = $7,200. These expenses add up to $18,641. But this is just a baseline; it could end up costing much more. The lowest total cost incurred for the 12-week program was almost $20,000. By eliminating extra-curricular activities and reducing the duration of the program to 8-weeks, we can help the sponsor companies and students save money. Shortening the class duration enables the student to return to work faster to begin their “on-the-job” training and gain the work experience needed to become an asset to the company. Before scheduling the first official 8-week course, the Inspector Training School spent a great deal of time examining possible revisions to the program to ensure the best success and outcome. A 7-week beta course was held in the Summer of 2020 before officially introducing the 8-week class.Thanks to our commitment to the hardwood industry, NHLA members, and our love of the School (and all it represents), we decided changes were in order. Please allow me to explain our new 8-week program.

• Close to the end of the course, we invite our friend and colleague Adam Taylor of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to give the students lectures on drying hardwoods and species identi- fication, two fundamental aspects of the hardwood industry and something that every good lumber inspector must know. • We no longer take field trips, which allows the students to spend more time on grading. The students will experience “real-world” lumber grading upon their return to their companies.

• The students inspect lumber on the grading chain, enabling them to get a feel for flipping and grading multiple boards while moving. Students have a 100-board practice run, as well as a final exam of • The students still learn and memorize all the rules and definitions, 100 boards. as they have since the School was founded. • They still study and memorize all the species exceptions, including walnut rules. • Unlike in the past, the students don’t just sit in the classroom and memorize the rules. They can have study groups to aid in memorizing the rules, but when in class, they apply the rules.

• Lastly, students are provided with study guides and access to the Quizlet App upon registration. The Quizlet app can be downloaded to any smartphone and includes flashcard definitions/terms to study and a way to practice their math skills. This is sent via e-mail or mail to the students to give them ample time to practice and prepare for the course before the first day.

• We begin applying the grading rules and grading boards at the As I’m writing this article, we have eleven students in Class 196, end of the first week, unlike the previous program, which focused making it our largest class since 2019. To everyone concerned about on spending the first four weeks sitting and memorizing the material. the duration of the current program and those who may still be considering sending their employee(s) to the NHLA School Inspector • Students grade boards every day, beginning on the second week Training School, I would like to close with this. and continuing through the end of the course. So, they don’t have time for basketball, ping-pong competitions, or the Olympics, as Despite the shortening of the program, the curriculum still has all they spent all the time at School grading the boards. of the same things that older programs had. We just reorganized it and excluded the unnecessary elements, helping the students focus • As for the daily board runs, they learn one species at a time. on what they come here for – the Hardwood Lumber Grading Rules This helps students focus on one species and understand the while saving their sponsors time and money. We are still doing our features unique to each species, including ash, aspen, basswood, best to support the industry by preparing the new generations of beech, birch, cherry, elm, hickory, poplar, oak (red and white), hardwood lumber inspectors. As the young inspectors come to the maple (hard and soft), and walnut. industry, the industry ensures its future. W W W. N H L A .C O M

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LEGISLATIVE LOG

Bipartisan Lawmakers Address Unfair Shipping and Export Practices By DANA COLE, Executive Director Hardwood Federation

s Congress reconvenes this fall, lawmakers continue to juggle multiple priorities ranging from transportation legislation to ocean shipping reform. That said, the fate of the Biden Administration’s multitrillion-dollar “Build Back Better” plan continues to dominate the agenda. Originally projected to cost $3.5 trillion over ten years, Democratic lawmakers are attempting to move the massive package over the finish line using senate procedures, known as “budget reconciliation.” This would allow the bill to pass the upper chamber with a simple 51 vote majority. With all 50 Republican senators uniformly opposed to the measure and resistance from centrist Democratic Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), the path forward for the bill grows more uncertain by the day, even as the projected price tag begins

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to diminish to the $1.5 trillion to $2.2 trillion range. Even though the high-stakes “Build Back Better” plan dominates the headlines, a bipartisan group of House lawmakers has begun to move legislation that would protect U.S. exporters, including the hardwood industry, from unfair ocean shipping practices that hinder the movement of products to overseas markets. On August 10, Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) introduced the industry-supported “Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021” (H.R. 4996). This important bill would make long-overdue updates to the federal “Shipping Act” and institute remedies for unfair shipping practices that exacerbate global supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic. Specifically, the bill would empower the W W W. N H L A .C O M

This important bill would make long-overdue updates to the federal “Shipping Act” and institute remedies for unfair shipping practices that exacerbate global supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to prevent ocean carriers from declining export cargo if the containers can be loaded safely and within a reasonable time frame. The bill would also: • Establish reciprocal trade to promote U.S. exports as part of the FMC’s mission.

• And require ocean common carriers to report to the FMC each calendar quarter on total import/export tonnage and twenty-foot equivalent units (loaded/empty) per vessel that makes port in the United States.

The Hardwood Federation and its coalition partners, ranging from the American Farm Bureau Federation to the American Chemistry • Require ocean carriers to adhere to minimum service standards to Council, are campaigning to increase the number of bill co-sponsors to give H.R. 4996 momentum moving forward. So far, dozens of reflect best practices in the global shipping industry. House lawmakers, including Republicans and Democrats, have • Require ocean carriers or marine terminal operators to certify that signed up as co-sponsors of the bill. While the likelihood for a stand-alone vote this year remains uncertain, lawmakers could fold any late fees —known in maritime parlance as “detention and de murrage” charges—comply with federal regulations or face penalties. the legislation into other vehicles, including coast guard reauthorization legislation. On September 13, the Hardwood Federation signed • Shift the burden of proof regarding the reasonableness of “detention or demurrage” charges from the invoiced party to the ocean carrier on to a letter including more than 100 agriculture associations supporting the legislation and will continue to signal support to the or marine terminal operator. Administration and Congress. • Prohibit ocean carriers from declining opportunities for U.S. exports unreasonably, as determined by the FMC in a new, required rulemaking.

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ARE YOU TAKING STEPS TO INVITE INNOVATION INTO YOUR COMPANY? By BOB GRAHAM, CEO of Breakthrough Solutions

The future viability of your business will increasingly lie in its ability to be innovative. Most business leaders say they want to be innovative; it’s been a buzzword in MBA programs for decades. To many, being innovative suggests finding the magic recipe that will make things easier, most cost-effective, and more efficient.

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Your company’s success will increasingly be connected to your ability to consider and adopt new approaches.

ere’s the thing: Most of the innovations we might consider big stand on the shoulders of the many smaller improvements that don’t always get recognized as innovative. To land the first Apollo spaceship on the moon, NASA learned valuable lessons from its Mercury and Gemini programs and the Russian Sputnik program. Your company’s success will increasingly be connected to your ability to consider and adopt new approaches. In the 1870s, Winfield Scott Gerrish saw the challenges resulting from the standard practice of using rivers to move logs in Michigan. After seeing a steam locomotive at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, he built a seven-mile-long logging railroad that used a steam engine on steel rails for the first time. Others had used steam engines and wood rails to transport logs, but never with a steam locomotive and steel rails, according to Carl Jay Bajema’s historical research. Gerrish’s innovation enabled year-round transportation of logs of any size. Looking more closely, a significant innovation attributed to Gerrish was little more than a logical next step. Rail lines were in use, steam engines were viable, and steel rails were available. Gerri’s just put them together to create something new. Finding those next steps can be a struggle. Through the coaching and consulting work I do with leaders in various industries, including the lumber industry, I see the need for leaders to shift their thinking. To invite innovation into their companies, they need to ask these three questions whenever their company tries anything.

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WHAT WENT WELL? WHAT DIDN’T GO AS PLANNED? WHAT COULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY NEXT TIME? The power of these questions is amazing. I have uncovered great lessons from seemingly colossal failures by answering these questions. They force us to move past results to the process, the ideas, and the strategies we thought would achieve the intended result. I have found no other way to elicit this make-or-break information that fuels true innovation.

LEADERS ALSO MUST ADOPT WHAT I CALL AN INNOVATOR’S MINDSET. Here are three steps to take to cultivate a climate that invites innovation. First, leaders need to welcome change. When they want to say “we always have done it this way” or “because it works,” they need to step back and contemplate the full range of options more closely. Second, leaders need to look outside the usual challenges. Gerrish looked at the challenges of logging with an innovator’s mindset. He recognized a challenge or limitation: moving logs on Michigan rivers when they froze. Rather than say, “Oh, well,” Gerrish looked for a solution. He found something outside his knowledge, experience, and perspective. He blended that with his existing knowledge, experience, and

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True innovation comes from looking inside. It comes from not looking backward but forward. It comes from being willing to adopt the innovator’s mindset and make mistakes on your company’s pathway to success.

perspective to create a new solution. In the end, Gerrish stacked the next block on a tower of innovations in transportation and logging. We each have the same capabilities if we invite that innovator’s mind. Solutions are usually right in front of our eyes – if we look and listen for them. My wife, friends, news stories, comments at trade shows and conventions, the success of other businesses all provide me with new knowledge, experiences, and perspectives that can help me solve problems. Third, an innovator doesn’t just accept mistakes; they encourage – yes, encourage – mistakes, recognizing that no leap forward can occur without a few missteps. The best baseball players fail seven in 10 times at bat, yet if you hit .300 over many years, you could find a place in the Hall of Fame. Innovators celebrate mistakes, for they are the materials on which those building blocks toward innovation are built. Leaders must put actions behind their words. They can’t yell or complain when things go wrong (and they will, often). Instead, innovators need to take on the role of mentor. They need to help employees to feel safe to scrutinize what happened. Recognizing where something went astray is the first step toward overcoming it.

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Innovative leaders also counsel their employees toward uncovering the hidden truths – those buried gems – that can come from a new understanding of a situation or action using those three questions. Successful innovators are constantly answering these three questions to develop that new understanding. Finding those answers isn’t always easy or fun, but the juice is truly worth the squeeze. At jobs early in my career, mistakes were the source of ridicule. Bosses yelled, employees got scared for their job – and importantly, they stopped taking chances or even suggesting changes for fear that they might be setting themselves up for more criticism or being fired. Younger workers won’t tolerate that approach; they want their bosses to be mentors, not managers. And since more than half of the workforce is now millennials or Generation Z, successful companies will learn to embrace this approach. For companies that have eschewed innovation, now may be a great time to dip their feet in the water. Increasing your reliance on technology (which has far less downtime than humans), trying new sales strategies (an updated, mobile-friendly website; using social media; and putting prices in emails), or perhaps exploring how companies in similar situations (the lumber industry isn’t unique!) are succeeding can open the door to innovation in your company.

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An innovator doesn’t just accept mistakes; they encourage – yes, encourage – mistakes, recognizing that no leap forward can occur without a few missteps.

A BONUS TIP: Lumber industry veterans tend to offer the biggest roadblocks to innovation. At every NHLA convention I have attended, every NHLA workshop I conducted, and every happy hour with lumber industry leaders, someone barked, “Things will be better once they get back to the way they were.” They are too quick to blame the pandemic, politics, global issues, supply chains, “them,” you name it. The source of their problems is always external. True innovation comes from looking inside. It comes from not looking backward but forward. It comes from being willing to adopt the innovator’s mindset and make mistakes on your company’s pathway to success. Over time, the companies that will survive and thrive in the lumber industry will be those that adopt an eye and ear toward trying new things, which may spark an innovation. In the end, they have no choice. Bob Graham, CEO of Breakthrough Solutions, is a co-founder of the Renegade Success Network (RenegadeSuccessNetwork.com). The network provides leaders and small business owners with guidance, resources, and support to carve their own unique pathway to success. He can be reached at bgraham@BreakthroughSolutions.co.

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BE PART OF BUILDING SOMETHING

BIG

Where We’ve Been

It’s no secret, the hardwood industry has been losing market share to products that look like wood, but have none of the natural benefits or authentic attributes of Real American Hardwood™ products. In order to recapture market share and improve industry stability, hardwood organizations united to form the Real American Hardwood Coalition.

Where We Are

The goal is to develop a national consumer promotion campaign on a scale that’s never been seen before. And a lot has been accomplished in a short period of time—including the completion of an extensive consumer research initiative, establishing brand guidelines, registering trademarks, and launching social media profiles.

Where We’re Going, Together

The next steps will have the largest impact on the industry and require buy-in from all industry stakeholders. The Coalition is preparing to launch a comprehensive promotion campaign—including a consumer-oriented website, in-store promotion at top big box stores, a broad media relations campaign, social media influencer partnerships, print and web advertising, and much more.

How You Can Get Involved

Moving the campaign forward and expanding its reach will take the support of the entire industry—for the benefit of the entire industry.

■ Make a voluntary contribution to help fund the consumer promotion campaign.

■ Use the Real American Hardwood logo on your sales and marketing communications, facilities and vehicles, products, and website.

■ Follow @RealAmericanHardwood on Instagram and Facebook, and tag #RealAmericanHardwood in your social media posts.

Visit RealAmericanHardwood.org to learn more and get on board.

RULES CORNER

THE RULES VOTING BALLOT IS IN THE MAIL By DANA SPESSERT, Chief Inspector

efore the formation of the National Hardwood Lumber Association, the wood industry was very unorganized and fractured. The goal and purpose of NHLA were to create and maintain a consistent, meaningful way of trading hardwood lumber by creating a standard grading system. The wood industry has two distinct and separate wood types, softwood and hardwood. In the 1920s, the U.S. Commerce Secretary held a meeting of the wood products industry and made a few decisions based on the discussions about the different uses for each wood species. During these meetings, some significant decisions were made. The first decision was to develop the formation of the American Lumber Standards Committee to oversee all softwood grading. The second was the decision to allow the hardwood industry to continue to utilize the NHLA Rules, making NHLA the keeper of the Rules. The decision by the federal government to allow the hardwood industry to oversee its own Rules has been a great success. It continues to allow the hardwood industry to adjust the Rules to accommodate changes in the markets.

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One of the most important reasons to be a member of NHLA is to be involved in the Rules change process. Only members of the Association can submit Rules changes, and only an Active category member can vote to change a Rule. This year, 2021, is a Rules change voting year. A ballot will be mailed to each Active member company to be filled out with a Yes or No vote on the seven Rules changes that came out of the Rules Committee meeting. The act of voting on these Rules changes is one of the most crucial things that our members can do, and I would like to urge everyone that receives a ballot to please vote and return your ballot within the 30 days allotted for the vote. The results of the Rules vote will be announced after the voting has ended. The changes will be included in the 2023 version of the NHLA Rules Book and will go into effect on January 1, 2023. Dana Spessert at d.spessert@nhla.com or 901-399-7551.

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YOUR EDUCATION. YOUR CHOICE. November 29-December 10

MODULE 1 of the Inspector Training School ONLINE Training Program

Registration is now open for Module 1 of the NHLA Inspector Training School Online Training Program. The Online Program is a hybrid curriculum, combining face-to-face training with online learning. Our next two-week hands-on module begins November 29. This is your chance to begin the journey toward becoming an NHLA trained lumber inspector. Spend less time away from work and family but still receive your certificate and advance your career.

January 10-March 4

197th Class NHLA Inspector Training School

In just 8-weeks, you can receive a certificate and gain the knowledge and skillset to jump-start your successful career in the hardwood lumber industry as a Lumber Inspector.

NOW IS THE TIME. TAKE THE NEXT STEP. Register Today at nhla.com/applynow Learn more about these classes at www.nhla.com/education. Have questions? Call Carol McElya at 901-399-7563.

NHLA PROVIDES EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO IMPROVE YOUR BOTTOM LINE Register for classes at www.nhla.com/Education. NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER

8-10

29-Dec. 10

Intro to Hardwood Lumber Grading

Inspector Training School Online Training Program MODULE 1

Intro class to gain a basic understanding of the NHLA hardwood lumber grading rules and how the rules affect the value of lumber.

COVID-19 IMPACT:

At the time of publication, these educational courses are being offered. However, due to the unknowns of the COVID-19 pandemic please visit nhla.com for the latest information or call NHLA headquarters at 901-377-1818 to confirm that these courses are taking place.

DECEMBER

Instructor: Roman Matyushchenko, ITS Instructor

6-9

JANUARY

MARCH

10-March 4

21-April 1

Intro to Hardwood Lumber Grading

Inspector Training School 197th Class

Inspector Training School Online Training Program MODULE 1

Intro class to gain a basic understanding of the NHLA hardwood lumber grading rules and how the rules affect the value of lumber. Venue: WV Wood Technology Center Location: Elkins, WV Instructor: Mark Depp, NHLA National Inspector

2022

Venue: UT Extension Western region Location: Jackson, TN

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

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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

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

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COVID-19 IMPACT:

APRIL

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

25-27

22-Sept. 2

7-9

26-Nov. 18

Intro to Hardwood Lumber Grading

Inspector Training School Online Training Program MODULE 1

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

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Two weeks of hands-on training.

Venue: NHLA Headquarters Location: Memphis, TN Module 2: Online study Module 3: Three weeks handson training and final testing at NHLA headquarters. Instructor: Roman Matyushchenko, ITS Instructor

Inspector Training School 199th Class

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

SAWMILL MANAGER HMI HARDWOODS • Coordinate mill activities with lumber sales to ensure the total manufacturing objectives are accomplished in a timely and cost effective manner. •

Ensure the safe operation of the mill by training employees in safe practices and eliminating or controlling safety hazards. Be aware of OSHA regulations and maintain mill in accordance with all local, state, and federal rules and regulations.

• Responsible for operating expenditures, manpower, wages, and salaries of mill workers. • Establish and monitor overall plant performance for production and quality standards. Monitor sawing of lumber to ensure logs are used for their highest and best use and waste is minimized.

SAW FILER BAILLIE LUMBER CO. Baillie Lumber Co. in Smyrna, NY is looking for an experienced saw filer to join our team of skilled professionals. Our saw shop is a world-class, state-of-the-art facility that is newly equipped; including two Simonds auto-benches and an Armstrong auto-swage. This is a great opportunity for an individual to join our team as a first shift saw filer. This opening is full-time and a permanent opportunity working for us. We believe in continuous improvement for our facilities and our employees. Skills & Experience Required • Sharpening, repairing and maintaining band saws. • Maintaining saw shop equipment and facilities. • Adherence to all plant safety and environmental guidelines, policies, and procedures.

• Maintain a preventative maintenance plan focused on eliminating or reducing downtime while effectively controlling costs.

• Ability to work independently.

• Responsible for the proper use and care of all company assets.

• Capable of working efficiently/safe as well as keeping a high level of precision

• Provide leadership and training to accomplish the company goals and objectives. • Encourage and foster a sense of positive morale among the workforce. • Assess and develop talent at all levels of mill operation. • Work with a wider network of managers to coordinate and achieve overall company goals. Skills & Experience Required • 5+ years of related management work experience desired.

Salary & Benefits First Shift • Full-Time Hours • Overtime Hours and Pay • Competitive Pay Full Plan of Benefits, including 401k How to Apply Send your resume to: llandahl@baillie.com Baillie Lumber Co. E School St | Smyrna, NY 13464 716-649-2850 | www.baillie.com

• 4-year degree preferred, but not required. • Flexible, adaptable, team-orientated leader. • Proven ability to respectfully manage a diverse workforce. • Proficient in MS Excel, Word, and Outlook Salary & Benefits Competitive Pay • Full Time • Full Plan of Benefits How to Apply Send your resume to: troyal@baillie.com HMI Hardwoods 430 Division St. | Clinton, MI 49236 716-649-2850 | www.hmilumber.com

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ACCURATE

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“We put a tape measure to each board and wrote the width on the end. Overall we were 99.5% accurate to these tape measure tallies, some sites were seeing 99.8 to 99.9%.” – Northwest Hardwoods

How accurate? In the field, the “One day we were backed up difference between TallyExpress with 12 bundles on our line. and a hand tally by tape Normally, it would have taken a measure is less than 1%. It also very stressful 30 minutes to get “learns” as it’s used, making it those tallied and moved. With even more accurate TallyExpress, we did with all 12time. And the app is so easy to use,and bundles in about ten minutes get accurate measurements ityou was a stress-free experience.” –fast Granite Hardwoods, - no matter who Inc. is tallying.

“In thetraining past, you had to nothing. find “The is almost the righttake tallypictures person with who their was People detailed and patient. With smartphones every day. It’s TallyExpress, we get the same, very familiar technology. accurate results regardless of Basically, you show someone who does the work.” how to use it on one bundle and they’reLumber ready to go. It really -Brownlee Co. does only take a couple of minutes to train someone.” – Allegheny Wood Products

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