New EWP plant does it all

oseburg Forest Products recently l\started up its first LVL, I-joist and veneer drying plant-all housed within one 500,000-sq. ft. building on a 70-acre site, creating one of the largest and most technologicallyadvanced engineered wood products operations in North America.

The plant is located in Riddle, Or., within close proximity to RFP's exist- ing plywood facilities, which will serve as a primary source of veneers for the LVL process. The new facility not only has the capacity to dry its own veneer. but also to manufacture a wide range of laminated veneer lumber for industrial, header, thick billet and flange stock for I-joists.

I-joists will be manufactured in depths ranging from 9-112" to 24" with flange widths from I1/2" to 3-112" wide, in lengths up to 66-l/2 ft.

Allyn Ford, RFP president, set the course to aggressively grow the company. EWP plant manager Dave Vculek, a veteran to EWP manufacturing, explains, "Allyn wanted to improve the vertical integration of the company's manufacturing to utilize RFP's 750,000 acres of timberland more efficiently." The plant will do just that, since its raw material recoveries reportedly will be the highest in the industry

The plant's vision-to be a preferred employer and a supplier of choice-is taken seriously by the plant's 60 employees, who were selected from over 1,500 applicants. Vculek says, "This crew is the best. I've not had the privilege to work with a better overall team in my entire 30-year manufacturing career."

Vculek adds, "Mr. Ford has afforded the plant the best available equipment in North America. The entire plant is networked."

From the production floor to the administration office, the facility is wired for control and communication. At the production level, the company has total electronic control over the machinery and the processes. All motors, valves, limit switches, and other devices, whether analog or digi-

(Please turn to page 38)

Tdmber Conseruatian lhrough Wood Preseruatian

Since 1971, the goals of Vestern Vood Preserving Co. have always been to provide top quality products and services at competitive prices to customers who share our appreciation for high standards. Our environmentally compliant, state-of-tlrc-zu't, Osmose designed treaing plant uses the latest in computer process control technolory. In this unique industry our word is our honor and our goal is to make dealing with Westem Wood Preserdng Co. a pleasurable experience.

Uncle Sam Aids Yukon Mills

Federal funds will enable at least seven Alaskan forest products companies to build new dry kilns, planers and lumber-storage facilities in an effort to open markets and advance manufacturing.

The Alaska Forest Association and Sen. Ted Stevens obtained $2 million last year for grants ranging from $53,000-$70,000, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Recipients were chosen from 38 applications based upon how many jobs might be created, how much money the companies would contribute. and how much value could be added to the products.

One of the seven companies, Icy Straits Lumber Co., Hoonah, intends to buy two small dry kilns that will hold roughly 15,000 bd. ft. Another, Rol-An-Door Enterprises, Ketchikan, plans to use an $80,000 grant to make doors, window casings and trim from Southeast Alaskan timber. Matching funds will enable the firm to buy a mill machine and a dry kiln with 12,000-bd. ft. capacity.

"We'll be able to take rough, wet lumber and dry it, then mold it into the components we need," says spokesman Uriah Rolando. "It makes it more economical."

Meanwhile, Poppert Milling, Wasilla, plans on using a $205,000 grant to expand markets in Alaska and the lower 48 states. Other companies set to receive government funding include J&J Enterprises, Willow; Valley Sawmill, Point MacKenzie; Viking Lumber, Klawock, and W.R. Jones & Son Lumber Co.. Crais.

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(Please turn to Expo Preview page 6) nce relegated to the back of the least-trafficked hall, building producrs are finally getting their due at this year's National Hardware Show & Building Products Exposition Aug. 12-14 in Chicaso.

The Hardware Show began courting building material buyers and suppliers in 1992by launching a concurrent sister show, the National Building Products Exposition & Convention. But attendance has been disappointing, due to factors such as beginning and ending the two shows on different days, temporarily moving the Expo to Navy Pier while McCormick Place was remodeled, and, later, poor positioning of building products exhibits at McCormick Place.

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Exro Paevxw is produced in mnjunctirn with lha Merchant Magazine and Euilding Ptoducts Digest lo promote the l,lalional Building Pnducts Exposition. For questions about Erpo PREvrEx, or advortising in next yea/s issue, call (949) 852-1990. Send materials to Erpo PREvrEw, ,1500 Campus Dr., Suit€ 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660; FAX 949-&52.0131, assortments.

Copyright@ 2001 by Cutler Fublhhing. Contente are fully prot€c'ted and must not be reprodjced in any manner without written pemission. The Merchant Maguine and Buiding PdutE O@est assume n0liability for materials fumished. All rights resewed.

The National Hardunrs Show & BuiHing Products Expo is an annual evenl sponsorad by lhe Amerkan Hardwarc Manufacturers Associaiion, held in tandem with Inlemalional Hardware Week. This yea/s show will be h€ld at the Mc0ormick Phco Complex, Chicago, ll., Aug. 12-14. For more inlomation about the show or lo rccoive registration lo.ms, call (888) 42S93Z/.

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