LUMBERMENOnline.com’s Latest Industry News & Articles

Abneyco Equipment LLC of Chelsea, Alabama is pleased to unveil their new website, designed and hosted by LumbermenOnline.com, the sister company of LUMBERMEN'S Equipment Digest. The new website allows customers to easily and quickly find equipment through drill-down search fields or to simply browse Abneyco's updated inventory. However, as shown on their custom services page, Abneyco is much more than used equipment. They offer a long line of services focused on getting your mill started and/or continuing smooth operation. Find out more by using the simple, no obligation "Contact Form" to see what Abneyco can do for you. Abneyco has been helping customers find used sawmill, pallet, and woodworking machinery as well as providing other services; Engineering/Design, Machine Installation, Repo/Storage and Salvage/Recycling since 1989. Whether you're looking for equipment, want a complete mill set up, need equipment removed, or any other offered service, call 706-590-3624 or visit www.Abneyco.com today!

NHLA is happy to report that NHLA member company, Emporium Hardwoods has successfully shipped to the European Union solely with the NHLA Kiln Drying Certificate. Emporium Hardwoods, a division of Rossi Group, shipped containers of hardwood lumber to the United Kingdom on January 8 with no incident. On December 18, 2013 the EU implemented the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NHLA and the USDA APHIS as the NHLA KD Certificate replaces the need for a Phytosanitary Certificate. The current list of countries that accept the NHLA KD Certificate as an equivalent to the PHYTO are as follows: Australia, Brazil, European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Vlovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom), Venezuela and Vietnam. China and Mexico are currently reviewing acceptance of the NHLA KD Certificate. Information will be released on additional country acceptance as NHLA is notified. The KD Certificate Program achieves the same goals as the APHIS PHYTO Certificate but at less cost to both APHIS and the U.S. hardwood industry. The Program involves regular inspections of subscribing hardwood facilities in the U.S. by both NHLA contracted inspectors and APHIS inspectors to ensure continuing performance to the Kiln Drying Sawn Hardwood Standard. If your company is interested in learning more about the NHLA KD Program or would like to join, contact NHLA Chief Inspector, Dana Spessert at [email protected] or by phone at 901-399-7551. Contributed by: National Hardwood Lumber Association

Stringer Industries became the owner and manufacturer of the Bark-King Debarker line in 2011. Bark-King is the longest lasting debarker head on the market today. The Bark-King offers four standard sizes; 12” dia. x 12” long x 33 teeth, 12” dia. x 15” long x 42 teeth, 15” dia. x 12” long x 33 teeth, 15” dia. x 16” long x 45 teeth to fit most popular debarkers. The carbide teeth on the Bark-King may be indexed up to 6 times before teeth require replacing, outlasting all standard rosser head designs. In addition, the Bark-King Depth Control bearing with guide shoes provides excellent control of the debarking process while saving you money by preserving wood fiber. It mounts using the same bolt holes as original bearings on most debarkers. If you're debarking operation hasn't installed the Bark-King yet, you're wasting money on wear parts and losing fiber!

CENTRAL CITY, Kentucky – For almost 40 years, Brewer Machine & Parts, LLC has accomplished many successful transformations. However, Brewer’s greatest feat has just occurred as the company pays tribute to its customers for setting a record year in 2013. Thank You for a Record Year Paul Avery, the owner and president of Brewer, said, “I want to personally thank each of our customers for the faith that they placed in our company. Whether you were one of the many repeat customers or a first timer, we know that we owe our success to you.” He continued, “I couldn’t be more proud of the Brewer team and how they supported our customer base in 2013. Production is moving orders through the plant at historic pace - meeting or exceeding deadlines. Also, our pursuit of unmatched innovation and quality assures customers receive the best business solutions and not just equipment. This is why so many customers have entrusted their investment with us.” Customer Focused Brewer’s most recent success stems from a comprehensive customer-centered growth strategy. Having a strong base of employees with many years of experience allows Brewer to offer expert insight to meet a wide variety of customer challenges. Whether you need fewer employees, cant shortage management, reduced downtime or valued business advisors, Brewer knows its success only comes after helping customers solve their problems. “Our process begins with the extraordinary experience that our company possesses,” said Avery. Brewer employs four individuals with greater than 30 years of experience, four with more than 20 years and five with over 10 years. They combine this experience with modern engineering and automation technology to drive innovation that truly solves customer headaches. Recent additions to the team have furthered the quality control department that was implemented two years ago. With a team review of control points throughout the entire production process, Brewer’s culture of continuous improvement is active on a daily basis. Customer service has been upgraded with the sole purpose of minimizing customer downtime. Significant funds have been invested into stock inventory for reducing lead-time. Additionally, technology enhancements allow Brewer’s staff to dial into customer equipment for troubleshooting. This provides the possibility of correcting problems before a traditional service call technician could be dispatched. Operations Investment Fabricating complex automated machinery unfortunately takes more than a few welders. Brewer has invested a substantial amount of money to ensure its extremely accurate manufacturing facility is available to produce the highest quality machinery while minimizing expensive labor and overhead hours. Brewer’s HD Gemini Plasma Cutter has drastically increased its capacity and quality assurance for customers. Continued investments in CNC machining technology, planning procedures, process engineering and additional floor space are being executed to sustain its growing business volume without hindering lead times. Management Changes There is nothing more effective than an owner being accessible to customers. This is why Paul Avery has focused his attention on directly supporting customers and their needs. Paul Avery stated that his involvement with hundreds of customers across the industry provides unsurpassed proficiency in solving problems for any size of operation. Avery commented that he has enjoyed travelling and meeting many customers over the past year with the goal to make their plants more efficient and profitable. He said that the greatest pleasure of his job is “selling solutions – not just saws.” “I receive great satisfaction in a customer not simply being pleased with our equipment; but sleeping better because their business has fewer headaches,” said Avery. During these travels, he found that customers really want a free consultant and not just a “sales guy.” As a result, Avery will continue this time investment allowing Brewer to witness up close- not just hear about over the phone - market demands, changing trends and custom solutions. To gain additional insight for marketplace needs, Brewer has created a product development position that enables a veteran engineer to spend technical time with mill operators. This has led to many improvements where its products can better serve customers. This technically detailed research balances Avery’s broader business view for a complete customer solution. Also, a new general manager, Paul Kirtley has been hired to facilitate the interaction between these senior employees and customers. New managerial controls and reporting systems are being implemented to assure customers and investors that production will not diminish during increased travel time. These internal processes will be lean six sigma concepts for providing quality products which maximize customer return on investments. Great pains are being taken to ensure every customer receives the best plan that is executed in the most effective manner. Upcoming Innovations One of the top issues pallet manufacturers face today is raw material supply. To help customers with this problem, Brewer has engineered a scragg saw system that is “second to none.” It has the ability to take a log and turn it into finished pallet stock with one pass through the system. Additionally, its distinctive automation program ensures every log is optimized minimizing scrap of these scarce logs. Brewer’s Scragg Saw will allow pallet stock to be processed from low-grade logs, hardwood or softwood, empowering customers to become independent of cant and cut stock suppliers. Avery stated that one other major production problem he saw visiting many plants was the need to change saw lines over many times a day. As a result, considerable product development hours have been spent on a new concept that will revolutionize gang saws according to Avery. Due to the patent process, Brewer cannot elaborate on any more details except for the fact that it will significantly reduce changeover times. Brewer is working hard to unveil the prototype at this year’s EXPO Richmond Show in May 2014. Please stop by Brewer’s booth to see how this innovative technology can transform your operation. Exciting Future Emphasizing a proactive strategic approach, Brewer’s future is brighter than ever. But even more inspiring is the belief in its customers’ futures. With the expected new pallet demands and impending product advancements, profitability should be strong for all parties involved. Avery concluded, “I believe in this industry, its producers and our company. Exciting times lie ahead as we are positioned to support customers in obtaining their security and prosperity for many years to come.” Make sure that your future is full of these opportunities and not headaches by contacting Brewer at 800-345-6516 or visiting its website at www.brewerinc.com. Courtesy of Pallet Enterprise Written by Ed Brindley, Ph.D.

The Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) has revised the dates for its 33rd Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Exposition – Expo 2015. The show will now be held June 10-12, 2015 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, with the theme: “Your Show. Your Business. Your Success”. “SFPA cooperated with the center to resolve a scheduling situation that arose, still meeting the objectives to keep the show in Building A and during June of next year,” notes Eric Gee, SFPA’s exposition director. “Interest in Expo 2015 remains very strong, with many exhibitors from the last show already planning larger exhibits spaces to showcase more equipment and products for our industry,” he adds. Plans call for a more spacious floor plan, an outdoor live demonstration area and several other refinements for the show. Exhibit sales will begin in a few months. Sponsored and conducted by SFPA since 1950, this event includes many of the biggest names in the forest products industry, displaying everything from sawmill machinery to materials handling equipment, attracting key representatives from the nation’s largest wood products manufacturers. For more information about Expo 2015, contact Eric at 504/443-4464, ext. 214, or e-mail him at [email protected]. Visit the show’s website: www.SFPAexpo.com.

Ozark Machinery Company, of West Plains, Missouri, a leading logging and sawmill equipment supply and service company has entered into an agreement with Battle Wagon Trailers of Decatur, Indiana to stock and sell their line of versatile, high quality log trailers. The Battle Wagon brand is best known for the 18” Beaver Tail Drop Deck that is three trailers in one, able to haul logs, lumber and equipment with the same trailer. This versatility reduces trucking costs, increases loaded miles and saves operators time and money. Ozark Vice-president, Jeff Barber, is quoted as saying, “we’re excited to offer Battle Wagon Trailers, the high quality and versatility fits our market area and matches with the high standards of Ozark Machinery”. Visit www.ozarkmachinery.net or call 800-766-6455.

HENDERSON, KY, January 1, 2014 – Bartlett’s Saw Service, the leading supplier of carbide saw bits for circular sawmills worldwide is now offering for retail sales the B-ITCO tooth. The B-ITCO has been on the market via distribution for approximately six months and has outperformed other brands in side by side comparisons. This high quality bit is specifically designed for cross cutting under the toughest of conditions such as; slasher saw operations in the woods, high volume log merchandising systems in mills of all sizes and high performance firewood processors, virtually anywhere there is a need for long lasting quality. Production levels now allow for customers to purchase the B-ITCO directly from Bartlett as well as increased dealer participation. To purchase or inquire about becoming a dealer call 800-566-0319.

GBN has recently installed a new addition to its family of better nailing systems, this time aimed at a market not in wood pallets, but one in the clinch nailing of wooden cable reel flanges. There has not been a machine made in the western hemisphere of this type of nailer in more than 50 years. GBN with its expertise and engineering savvy was approached and has designed what is probably the widest nailer built in North America if not the world. The “Reel Horse” is just that. A real heavy duty clinching nailer specifically built to make nailing wood cable reel flanges in a tight strong way that only a real nailing machine can do. This one is simple to operate, change sizes, maintain and reliable. Power Clinching is used making sure the nails are down and holding properly for better reels at a lower cost. The machine is solid state controlled and hydraulically powered for maximum control and speed. The nail feed system is the same that is used on the great GBN Pallet Nailers including our “Tru Driver” Compensating Nail Chucks. The drive head rides on modern Linear Bearings, a GBN Exclusive that gives a very rigid and accurate nail driving platform with a minimum of maintenance. With nailed wooden cable reels growing again in popularity, why not nail them the way demanded by buyers, with a real nailing machine and real nails. The new GBN “Reel Horse” is the economical and profit making nailer for your needs.

Tigercat has added a new model to its expanding line of mulcher carriers. The new 470 mulcher is equipped with the Tigercat FPT C87 Tier 4i 245 kW (328 hp) engine. It is narrow and agile with extremely low ground pressure, rated at 20,9 kPa (3 psi). The 470 is best suited to tough terrain and sensitive site ROW, pipeline maintenance and oil and gas exploration projects. The 470 is equipped with an efficient, high capacity cooling system with a variable speed fan and automatic reversing cycle, a dedicated attachment pump and an efficient closed loop track drive system. Inside the cab, the operator has ergonomic electronic joystick steering with CRF (counter-rotate function) for 'turning on a dime' at the touch of a button. The heavy duty steel engine enclosure and precleaner guard eliminates the requirement for a rear canopy. All structural components are designed for full time forest duty. For over two decades Tigercat has designed and built forestry equipment with increasingly complex hydraulic and electronic systems that are able to survive some of the harshest operating environments on the planet. This knowledge and experience has resulted in a line of mulchers with more reliability, higher uptime, a longer useful life and greater productivity and efficiency than competing products. About Tigercat Tigercat Industries designs and manufactures premium quality forestry and off-road equipment with manufacturing facilities in Canada and worldwide distribution. The diverse product range includes complete full-tree and cut-to-length harvesting systems, a growing line of land clearing and vegetation management equipment and specialized off-road industrial and material handling machinery.

Raj Nainani and an assisting technician are in South Africa installing a new GBN Block/Stringer Patriot.GBN has shown not only to be a valuable asset to pallet builders in the USA, but also around the world. In 2013, GBN Patriot Block/Stringer Systems have been delivered and installed in New Zealand, China and South Africa. These deliveries have supplemented domestic delivers of the Patriot, proving its ability to provide new Block Pallet Production along with New Stringer Pallet Production at a reasonable entry level as the market gets its feet wet in the USA providing Block Type Pallets. The GBN Patriot is an entry level Pallet Nailer and is being accepted as the right way to go as you learn and feel your way into Block Pallets. These are coming and those who are on the mark have chosen GBN to supply the machines. As business grows, the Patriot can be expanded to a two nailing head GBN System such as the Trailblazer or Excalibur or as one customer has done this year, left his current Patriot as is and adding another so that his product mix can be more flexible. GBN not only makes a Nailing System with the capacity of the Patriot, but a number of higher capacity systems like the Explorer, Trailblazer, Excalibur and Excalibur II.

Mandatory Hardwood Lumber and Hardwood Plywood Promotion, Research and Information Order Planned by USDA, Comments Sought November 13, 2013 – The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking comments on a proposal for a new Hardwood Lumber and Hardwood Plywood Promotion, Research and Information Order. This Order, if passed, will require that all Hardwood Manufacturers of any size either pay the “initial assessment” of $1/$1000 in sales and those with sales of less than $2 million would be required to seek an exemption. If you run a sawmill of ANY SIZE you should take the time to read and educate yourself about what the “Agricultural Marketing Service” arm of the USDA has in the works for your operation. Complete details may be viewed and commented upon at this hyperlink http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=AMS-FV-11-0074-0001 or go to www.regulations.gov and search for AMS-FV-11-0074 Please take time the time to review this plan and share your opinion and position with: Patricia A. Petrella, Marketing Specialist, Promotion and Economics Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 1406, Stop 0244, Washington, DC 20250-0244; telephone: (301) 334-2891; facsimile (301) 334-2896; or electronic mail: [email protected].

LumbermenOnline.com has been undergoing a complete redesign for the last year. The addition of content is the most recent step forward as noted by Noah Carr, VP of Operations who said today, “Our newly redesigned Press Room is an important tool allowing companies and individuals the opportunity to share important industry news, new products releases and informative and entertaining articles”. The interactive design of the new LumbermenOnline.com will allow content to be matched with equipment to further simplify the visitor’s research and make locating items of interest much faster and simpler. News may be submitted by all users of the site, but site editors will review, edit and approve all submissions prior to publishing. To submit news visit www.LumbermenOnline.com and select the Press Room.