FROEDGE COMPLETES PROJECT AT HASSELL & HUGHES

Collinwood TN – September 20, 2013 - Froedge Machine has completed installation of a new transfer, trim saw, and green chain upgrade for Hassell & Hughes Lumber Company in their Collinwood, Tennessee mill. Designed and installed by Froedge, the system consists of a declined lugged transfer which moves lumber and cants from the second story mill to ground level, an unscrambler with even-end rolls, an overhead bypass conveyor for railroad ties, a dealer deck infeed to a Froedge-rebuilt HMC multi-saw trimmer, and declined outfeed to a 50 foot-long green chain.

David Hollis, Plant Manager at Hassell & Hughes commented that they were not only pleased with the equipment from Froedge, but were happy with the installation process itself. “We have rarely experienced an installation crew that was so organized, hard-working and self-motivated. They cooperated very well with our own staff, and we were able to work very well together to complete the project quickly and efficiently.”

The new system starts at a single output point from the two headrig sawmill. Boards and pallet cants from the mill go through the transfer/unscrambler and onto the trim saw, while railroad ties are directed over the unscrambler and directly across to the board dealer. All finished goods move out of the trim saw onto the green chain for sorting and stacking.

“Hassell & Hughes has been a valued customer for many years”, said Tom Froedge, Vice President of Froedge Machine. “We understand how labor costs and downtime can negatively affect profitability, so it was important for us to provide a system that exactly met the project goals.”

The updated mill output was designed to give Hassell & Hughes the option to increase production and easily add more automation in the future if required.

Froedge Machine & Supply has been in business for over 50 years, and specializes in automated material handling machinery, grade mark readers, and software for the lumber and woodworking industries. The company also performs specialty industrial repairs, custom CNC machining and fabrication, and operates a full service industrial parts and supply house. Learn more at www.froedge.com and www.lumberhandling.com.