Computerized Wood Treating

A computerized system for improved process control of wood pressure treating operations is being introduced to the wood treating industry by the Specialty Wood Chemicals Division of Koppers Company, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa.

This unique system, which is said to impart improved control, efficiency and product quality, is the first of its kind to be used in the pressure treating industry which has a history dating back to the turn of the century.

Designed and developed by Walker-Williams Lumber Co., Hatchechubbee, Al., the system has proven its effectiveness during two years of simultaneous operation of four large pressure treating cylinders. Walker-Williams recently assigned to Koppers the worldwide marketing and operating rights to the system.

The computerized treating system provides plant managers with improved flexibility and control of treating operations to reduce operating times and eliminate operator errors while optimizing processing control variables.

The system hardware and software is packaged at the Koppers facility in Conley, Ga.

One of the featured properties is that remote process control and monitoring are possible from great distances through telephone data line transmission. Development work is being pursued to transfer production data gathered from this system to computers already available for inventory and cost control.

Lumber Society Moves South

Russell H. McClain, No. 88090, Gurdon, Ark., Hoo-Hoo Club, has been named executive secretary of Hoo-Hoo International, the fraternal order of lumbermen.

He succeeded Cliff Cunningham, Norwood, Ma.,on Jan. l, 1982. International headquarters are being moved from Norwood to Gurdon.

Plans to transfer headquarters to Gurdon began with the 1978 Toronto convention. Dr. McClain, mayor of Gurdon, and Louis Cabe, whose family has been long-time leaders in Arkansas lumbering and forestry, appeared before the convention to offer a log building as new headquarters.

The building also houses a woodlands heritage museum developed by Hoo-Hoo. Since the museum was opened on April ll, 1981, hundreds of people have viewed the displays of lumbering equipment, tools, and lumbering and forestry pictures.

Plans areto publish theLog&Tally, and to center all operations of Hoo-Hoo International in Gurdon. Contributions and fund-raising activities have produced approximately $30,000 to refurbish and alter the building. The fraternity was founded in Gurdon in 1892.

(Continued from page 15) sumption and exports should reach 33 to 34 billion b.f. in 1982. That's seven to eight billion feet off normal," Roberts said. The Western lumber producing region should produce 14.4 billion b.f., while the South is expected to add 6.5 billion feet. Canada should send slightly under l0 billion to the U.S., accounting for 3l9o of total U.S. consumption. The other 2.4 billion feet will come from the California Redwood producing region, Midwest lake states and the Northeast producing regions.

"To reach these numbers, interest rates must decline, customer confidence must increase, and we need to see more innovative financing from the financial institutions," Roberts said. "Government awareness of the importance homebuilding has on the health of the entire economy will also be needed," he noted.

A well received seminar on the opportunities in the pressure treated

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