Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023 by Forestnet

Visit LSJ’s website at www.forestnet.com

January/February 2023

CONFERENCE PREVIEW!

Linda Coady takes over as head of industry group

KEEPING AN EYE

SBC CEDAR:

State-of-the-art shingle producer —and Demo host WITH THIS ISSUE...

ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF INDUSTRY INNOVATION

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BAND SAWMILLING

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FEATURES January/February 2023 Volume 54 • No. 1 Editor Paul MacDonald Contributing Editors Jim Stirling, Tony Kryzanowski George Fullerton Tech Update Editor Tony Kryzanowski Publisher/CEO Anthony Robinson • (778) 991-3500 E-Mail: arobinson@forestnet.com Associate Publisher Hannah Rayment • (778) 688-9127 E-mail: hannah@forestnet.com

On the Cover: In an exclusive story to Logging and Sawmilling Journal, we take a look at SBC Cedar, a major North American manufacturer of eastern white cedar shingles, with mills in Quebec and New Brunswick—and a lengthy family heritage stretching back generations in the cedar shingle business, in this issue. While SBC Cedar maintains a modest position in the Canadian forest industry, it is raising its profile by being the host for the Demo International forestry equipment show, in the Gatineau Region, north of Ottawa, in 2024. Please see the story beginning on page 16 (Cover photo by George Fullerton).

Social Media: Kaitlin Davidson Digital Marketing: Hannah Rayment Email: hannah@forestnet.com Subscription Enquiries (604) 990-9970 Fax: (705) 434-9052 E-mail: SubscribeLSJ@forestnet.com Design & Art Production Manager Sheila Ringdahl E-mail: artwork@forestnet.com Accounting Manager Shelina Jessa • (604) 731-1535 E-mail: accounting@forestnet.com Office P.O. Box 86670 North Vancouver, BC V7L 4L2 Phone: (604) 990-9970 Website: www.forestnet.com Subscriptions: Canada $58 a year; two years $70; three years, $85. Group accounts, six or more subscriptions, $25 per subscription per year. Outside Canada, $95 per year. Airmail $165. Single copy, Canada $6; elsewhere $10. Reproduction prohibited without permission of the publisher. ISSN 0226-7572. Back copies from 1996 onward are available through our website www.forestnet.com Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064045 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to CIRCULATION DEPT. PO Box 86670 Stn Main North Vancouver BC V7L 4L2 e-mail: SubscribeLSJ@forestnet.com POSTMASTER: Send US address changes to LSJ Publishing Ltd., PO Box 610, Edmonds, WA 98020-0610 Published January/February 2023 Printed in Canada on 20% recycled paper.

“We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada” Logging & Sawmilling Journal is a member/associate member of the following industry organizations:

4 Spotlight: Forest

Management Solutions

Nova Scotia’s Atlantic Tree Solutions is having success using Nisula wood harvesting products—such as Nisula’s 205E tree shear—thanks to the solid dependability of the company’s products, and technical dealer support.

Conference Advance Story

In a look at the upcoming Council of Forest Industries (COFI) conference—being held April 12 to 14 in Prince George—Logging and Sawmilling Journal talks with Linda Coady, the relatively new President and CEO of COFI, who has deep roots in the forest industry, having previously worked for industry icons MacMillan Bloedel and Weyerhaeuser.

16 SBC Cedar: State-of-

the-art shingle producer— and Demo host

Quebec’s SBC Cedar, has a family heritage in the industry that stretches back generations, and takes pride on continuing to deliver quality cedar shingle products—and the company will be host to the massive Demo logging equipment show in 2024.

22 Keeping an eye on

things, mill-wise

Opticom Technologies is helping forest companies stay on top of their game in terms of performance, with the latest in mill camera technology.

26 Band sawmilling

The Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick is creating economic opportunities for its band members, having purchased a local sawmill that had closed, and re-starting it with a team of mostly new workers, half of whom are from the band.

Included in this edition of The Edge, Canada’s leading publication on research in the forest industry, are stories from the Canadian Wood Fibre Centre (CWFC) and FPInnovations.

42 The Last Word

The time is right for a new model for managing B.C.’s forests. says Jim Stirling.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

DEPARTMENTS

Calendar...........................................7 Tech Update...................................32 Suppliernewsline............................38 Ad Index.........................................41 Classifieds......................................41 Subscriptions.................................41 3

spotlight

ULTIMATE

TREE TOOL

Mitch Jamieson

Atlantic Tree Solutions has introduced a Nisula 205E energy wood harvesting head to its equipment lineup, and company owner Mitch Jamieson now calls it his “ultimate tool”. By George Fullerton

itch Jamieson, owner of Atlantic Tree Solutions, based in Truro, Nova Scotia, thought he needed a grapple saw added to his arborist tool kit. It was in conversation with Jason Monk with M-C Power Equipment, also located in the Truro area, that he was introduced to the Nisula 205E energy wood harvesting head. “I had the idea to attach a grapple saw to the boom of my truck-mounted Hiab material loader,” explained Jamieson. “The loader has about 40-feet of reach and I envisioned grappling limbs on trees, functioning the saw, and controlling the severed limb or trunk section to the ground safely. “I discussed my idea with Jason at M-C Power, and he cautioned that grapple saws have a high risk of bending bars, and a high demand for hydraulic oil flow.” Monk brought Jamieson’s attention to the Nisula 205 as an alternative, and after some study, Jamieson agreed to purchase 4

the head and an order was made to the Nisula factory in Finland (please see sidebar story on Nisula Forest Oy on page 7). As the deal for the Nisula head was completed, Nisula agreed to air freight the head to Montreal and deliver it ‘just in time’ to the M-C Power booth at the 2022 Atlantic Heavy Equipment Show in Moncton this past April. Nisula energy wood harvesting heads are designed for harvesting small trees which are directed to wood energy installations, common in Europe. The heads consist of a set of two grapple/accumulating arms which close pull the tree stems against a sharp shear plate to sever them. The stems remain secure in the grapple until they are released into a pile. Nisula offers seven models of energy wood heads with capacity to handle trees from 3.5” up to 10” in diameter. The weight of the heads range from 115 lbs. to 1,300 lbs. Recommended base machine carriers range from tractors/ATVs, mini excavators on the small side to forwarders

and excavators in the twelve-tonne class. Wood biomass from harvest and thinning operations are directed to energy plants which produce steam for electric energy production and steam for heating buildings. Energy wood is also directed to bio-refineries to produce bio-fuels for transportation uses. In Europe, energy wood reduces dependence on foreign fossil fuels. Jamieson’s 205E model lands in the middle of Nisula’s model range, weighing 650 lbs. and handling up to an 8” diameter. To hang the head on the Hiab material handling loader, M-C Power fabricated an adapter plate to bolt the head to the Hiab mounting. The 205E functions by closing the grapple arms on a stem or limb, and holding the pressure on to activate a valve which tilts the head so the grapple arms

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

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spotlight from page 4 face vertically down to the ground, as in the ‘piling’ position. As the grapple arms are opened to drop stems on the pile, and the control valve held open, the head tilts back up so grapple arms are parallel to the ground and in position to grapple and shear a standing stem. The valves which function the head are adjustable so that the operator can control or limit the tilt, so that the head can be manipulated to grapple the cut horizontal limbs, and manipulate them to piles. The Nisula hooked up to the Hiab with one set of hoses for rotation of the head and a second set to operate grapple/tilt. “When we initially went to work with it, we did not have sufficient oil flow to function the grapple/tilt properly,” said Jamieson. “We could cut off a limb but often the grapple arms would lose grip power. As a construction material handler, the oil flow to the fork tilt function was low, so the operator can articulate tilt slowly and carefully, and avoid damage to the product and the property where it was landed. After a lot of trial and error, M-C Power figured it out and made modifications to the spool valve and achieved the required oil flow.” Jamieson put the Nisula to work doing tree surgery, reaching into tree crowns up to 40’ to amputate infected or damaged limbs. The Nisula is also useful as a straight grapple to load stems and limbs on trucks, to remove them from a customers’ property. In addition to the Nisula-equipped truck, Atlantic Tree Solutions’ machine fleet includes a one-ton bucket truck, an

Avant 528 mini articulated loader with grapple and mulcher head and a Sany 6-tonne excavator equipped with a Nisula 205E. The Sany is rubber tracked and will be utilized to work in tight yards to do tree work. The Nisula head went to work on Atlantic Tree Solutions work sites in June, and became a very valuable and versatile tool in the toolbox. Atlantic Tree Solution’s typical operating zone is within an hour’s travel of their base in Truro. One exception is a winter contract for tree maintenance in Metro Halifax. In September, Hurricane Fiona roared through the Maritime provinces and proceeded across the Gulf of St. Lawrence, delivering devastation to Newfoundland and Labrador. The storm caused severe damage to property and services. Downed trees and wind cut power to customers, some for more than two weeks. Atlantic Tree Solutions, like many other trees service companies, were recruited to provide emergency services in Nova Scotia. “Initially, we were focusing on clearing trees from streets to allow emergency services to get mobile and to assist electric power crews to repair service. Following that, we were directed to the emergency needs of home owners and businesses to remove trees impacting them. I expect that we will be continuing to address those emergency removals into March or April 2023,” said Jamieson. “I expect there will be lots of work in the coming few years as result of Fiona damage to trees.” In late November, the Nisula energy wood head was the tool of choice to handle a large maple tree filling a front yard and laying against a house on Queen

The Nisula head went to work on Atlantic Tree Solutions work sites in June, and quickly became a very valuable and versatile tool in their toolbox. Atlantic Tree Solutions, and the Nisula head, were put into service in Nova Scotia, following Hurricane Fiona in September. 6

Street in Truro. A significant portion of the crown was laying against the side of the house and complicating the ability to fix damage caused by Fiona. The large crown was in a precarious position and had very real potential to roll as it was limbed, jamming chainsaws, rolling on saw operators or rolling on the house, causing additional damage. With the Nisula, Jamieson carefully reached across the crown of the tree and strategically grappled and cut the limbs and placed them in a corner of the yard. The head comfortably sheared limbs up to 6” in diameter. As limbs were cut and the main stem became visible, Jamieson was able to lift and stabilize the trunk, and chainsaws were able to get in to cut off sections of the trunk. As processing continued, the Nisula was carefully maneuvered to grapple, and carefully lift large limbs off the house without any damage. “The Nisula is my ultimate tool,” said Jamieson. “It is fun to work with, it improves our efficiency, it allows workers to work more safely, and it sets us apart from other companies. The Nisula can turn a conventional three to four-hour job into a twenty-minute job. We are the first tree company east of Quebec to have a mechanized grapple tool to handle arborist work. “If we did not have the Nisula, the job on Queen Street would probably require a boom truck, and putting chainsaw operators in there to make a hundred cuts to handle the tree. Chainsaws working on downed trees offers a multitude of risks for injury—risks we would rather not take.” Jamieson commented that the success with the Nisula has been a direct result of the support he gets from M-C Power. “M-C Power has the technical expertise to build and service equipment we rely on to make our business work, and be both efficient and profitable. They are one of our most important business partners.” Nisula Forest is looking to grow its dealership network. “We are looking to expand our market territory all over North America,” says Timo Savornin, Sales and Marketing Director at Nisula Forest. “At Nisula Forest, customers come first and we always offer top notch customer service,” he says. “That’s the reason why we always choose great dealers that have a close relationship with their customers.” In addition to M-C Power in New Brunswick, its other dealers include Top Down Enterprises Inc. of Kamloops, B.C., and Équipement JYL Inc. of Chicoutimi, Quebec.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

Nisula Brothers moved from logging to producing harvesting equipment

Finnish company Nisula Forest Oy started in 1978 as a harvest contracting business owned by Seppo and Ali Nisula. The brothers built their first forwarder in 1978, and that initial venture put them on track to become designers and manufacturers of forest harvesting equipment. They built a double-grip processor in 1981 and their first single grip in 1984. In 1986, they designed and built the first HN125 crane for Ponsse, and later designed and built the H53 and H73 single grip heads for Ponsse. Around 2000, they helped develop equipment for Partek/ Valmet (prior to assimilation into Komatsu Forestry). In 2005, they began manufacturing and distributing harvester heads under the Nisula brand. Currently, they export products to 24 countries around the world. Nisula also continues to serve domestic customers modifying forwarders to be combi harvesters (harvest and forward with one machine), as well as modifying tractors and excavators to handle forest thinning/harvesting, adhering to their goal to develop cost effective and productive machines that provide low operating costs for their customers.

CALENDAR

March 12-14 NAWLA Leadership Summit, Palm Desert, CA 800-527-8258, www.nawla.org March 14-18 ConExpo-Con/Agg Las Vegas, NV 800-867-6060, www.conexpoconagg.com March 27-29 International Mass Timber Conference, Portland, OR 406-546-5977, www.masstimberconference.com April 5-6 Canadian Woodlands Forum Spring Meeting, Moncton, NB 902-897-6961, www.cwfcof.org April 12-14 Council of Forest Ind. Conv. (COFI), Prince George, BC 250-860-9663, www.cofi.org Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

industryassociations

NEW

HEAD READY TO TACKLE INDUSTRY’S CHALLENGES

Linda Coady, the relatively new President and CEO of B.C.’s Council of Forest Industries (COFI), is ready to help the industry tackle its challenges—and help it find creative solutions.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

By Jim Stirling

s planned, there has been a change in the executive at B.C.’s leading forest industry association, the Council of Forest Industries (COFI). Linda Coady is the new president and CEO, having assumed the position in July 2022 after Susan Yurkovich stepped down from the dual role. Before re-joining COFI—Coady actually began her career with the organization in 1981—she was an executive director of the Pembina Institute, a think tank focused on energy and climate issues. Coady’s career has included other positions within the forest industry at MacMillan Bloedel and Weyerhaeuser; in academia and with NGOs like the World Wildlife Federation. “While a lot has changed since I first joined COFI, one of my first observations after coming back was that there are still some similarities between then and now,” Coady told Logging and Sawmilling Journal. Coady says B.C. has always played a

leadership role in sustainable forest management, but now there’s an opportunity for “climate-smart forestry” to play a role in the global fight against Climate Change. People are beginning to understand the role that forestry can play in that regard, she adds. Indigenous participation in the forest sector is also gaining momentum, she says. “But as the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act is implemented in B.C., we’ll see strengthened shared governance and more indigenous ownership in all aspects of the sector,” said Coady. “That’s good for the sector. It’s good for B.C. And it’s good for Canada.” Coady adopts an optimistic view of COFI’s continuing relationship with First Nations. “My experience has been that relationships are always a work in progress,” she said. “Some forest companies in B.C. have established solid relationships with First Nations in B.C., but all of the companies here know that there is more work to do.” The relationships with First Nations include roles for licencees, and in joint ventures involving tenures and harvesting. As well, indigenous contractors provide supply and services to the sector including logging, road construction, fire fighting and silviculture. Coady anticipates more such partnerships developing as First Nations solidify their role in the natural resource sector. “COFI will be doing its part to enable our industry to seek more opportunities for partnership, collaboration and consensus building.” Coady notes there are flashpoint issues that face the forest industry, but they create opportunities for people to work together to find creative solutions. She cites old growth conservation as an example. Coady also notes the issue coincides with structural shifts in the forest sector and a downward swing in lumber prices. “Providing B.C. producers with more predictability around access to fibre would certainly help alleviate some of those pressures,” she notes. For years, COFI and its partners have consistently pursued a policy of encouraging the local and global use of wood products. The work is continuing. COFI was a participant in a successful recent trip to Japan as part of the first post-COVID forestry trade mission, says Coady. “It’s clear there are some exciting opportunities to deliver green building systems and

to page 10

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

industryassociations

from page 9 solutions that support a low emissions future both here at home and abroad,” she explained. Market growth and development hinges upon creating key partnerships. She cites partnerships with the B.C. and Canadian governments through B.C. Forest Innovation Investment and the Emerging Markets Opportunities Program respectively that are helping build product familiarity and the use of Canadian

wood products and construction systems as better choices for the planet. Coady suggests how COFI can help alter the ‘sunset industry’ label being applied to B.C.’s forest industry: “By participating vigorously and effectively in important discussions happening right now across B.C. with respect to the future of forestry and the need for innovation and diversification of the product mix B.C. is capable of providing locally and globally.” She says B.C.’s forest industry can continue to provide the core values people

want like healthy and resilient forests and good jobs. The world is changing but so is the forest industry, along with it, and that doesn’t mean the core values and outcomes are no longer achievable. “What it does mean, however, is that people have to be willing to work together in new and different ways to make that future happen,” she says. Details about the COFI convention in Prince George begin on page 12.

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industryassociations

COFI headed to Prince George for this year’s convention

t’s always a special occasion when the British Columbia Council of Forest Industries (COFI) comes to Prince George for its annual convention. The 2023 convention is scheduled for April 12 to14 at the city’s Civic Centre complex, and the theme this year is: Sustainability is Growing. It’s a positive, even inspiring-sounding concept which comes at a time when everyone can benefit from the perspective of a return to a more prosperous and responsible future. The theme is designed to prompt questions. How is sustainability defined within a B.C. forest industry context, for example? And how best can it be measured and managed as it develops? These types of questions are the tip of the iceberg of the issues and ideas to be presented and examined during the convention proceedings. The COFI convention will probably be the largest gathering of the year for western Canada’s leading forest industry

executives. Representatives from all levels of government and forest industry support and service suppliers will be in attendance—in other words, the key people

whose combined skills help make the forest industry tick and because of that, play a pivotal role in influencing the growth, prosperity and future of the province. The B.C. forest industry has had to weather another challenging year in 2022. Many of the influences affecting the forest industry have been beyond its control. Each passing year, the pervasive effects of a changing climate become more apparent. Russia’s act of aggression against Ukraine has galvanized western opposition and reaction. But traditional trading patterns have become more dislocated as a result. COVID meanwhile continues re-inventing itself with the threats from new variants. Within the COFI organization, 2022 was marked by other types of change. One loyal spokesperson stepped aside while an old friend returned. Susan to page 14

Continuous wood drying greatness by Valutec Sawmills around the world are discovering the benefits of Valutec’s TC continuous kilns. Like Pleasant River sawmill group that recently invested in TC kilns to their sites in Dover-Foxcroft and Moose River, ME. They are now experiencing a shorter drying process, lower energy consumption, higher quality and the intelligent drying schedule simulator that makes Valutec’s kilns the leading product on the market. Read more at www.valutec.ca

The kiln does a great job in a lot less time than we’re used to and puts out a much better product. Fred Haigis, Lumber Yard Supervisor, Moose River

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

industryassociations from page 12 Yurkovich was at COFI’s helm for seven years as the association’s president and CEO. She also served as president of the B.C. Lumber Trade Council where much work was devoted to supporting the government of Canada in its objections to U.S. claims of unfair trade practices by Canada’s softwood lumber producers. At press time, Yurkovich was continuing to liaise with the trade council. COFI’s new president and CEO is Linda Coady who assumed the dual role in July 2022. She actually started her career with COFI in 1981 and stayed with the organization until 1993 (see accompanying story on page 8). It is change and its challenges which underscore what will be discussed at COFI’s 2023 convention. Its theme is a way for COFI to help steer delegates through the maze of uncertainties lying ahead. Guest speaker confirmations and other convention details were being finalized at the Logging & Sawmilling Journal’s deadline (the latest information including registration details are available at cofi.org).

The who’s-who of experts and commentators assembled at the convention can be relied upon to provide the information and insight needed by forest industry executives during these transitional times. But there’s more. For the hundreds of delegates expected to attend, the COFI convention also represents the social highlight of the provincial forest industry’s year.

But primarily, the COFI convention represents business. Additional time for it is built into COFI’s agenda. The trade show held in conjunction with the convention each year is an example. It’s always a quick sell-out because of the cross section of decision makers attracted by COFI’s annual convention.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

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companyprofile

SBC CEDAR:

State-of-the-art shingle producer—and Demo host Quebec’s SBC Cedar has a family heritage in the industry that stretches back generations—and takes pride on continuing to deliver quality cedar shingle products with their modern manufacturing facilities. By George Fullerton

BC Cedar is a major North American manufacturer of eastern white cedar shingles and mulch, with mills in Quebec and New Brunswick. While SBC Cedar maintains a modest position in the greater Canadian forest industry, it is raising its profile by being the host for Demo International in the Gatineau Region, north of Ottawa, in 2024. SBC Cedar has its headquarters, major milling, kiln, finishing and mulch facility in St. Prosper, Quebec, just east of St. Georges-de-Beauce. SBC also operates a smaller cedar shingle mill in St. Andre, New Brunswick. Wood at both mills is supplied from both Canadian and northern Maine producers. Francis Bélanger is the vice president of sales and administration for SBC and is part of the fourth generation of the Belanger/Rancourt family to be involved in the cedar shingle business. Francis’ great

grandfather operated a shingle mill at Riviere-Bleue, Quebec. Additionally, both of his grandfathers operated shingle mills, and his father Gilles Bélanger operated a mill at St. Quentin, New Brunswick, before he moved back to the Beauce region. In 1996, Rita Rancourt, Gilles’ wife, took over the business management of the mill at St. Prosper, while Gilles concentrated on operations management. Currently Rita and Gilles, and their sons Francis, Marco and Michel, hold management positions at SBC Cedar. SBC’s products are available across North America, but their main market is the northeastern U.S. “Traditionally, SBC has not held forest land, but in the past number of years we have purchased land as part of an investment strategy,” explained Francis. “We became aware that the Canadian Woodlands Forum was seeking a property in eastern Canada to host Demo International, and we contacted CWF, and worked

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

companyprofile

SBC Cedar is very much a family operation. Currently, Gilles Bélanger and Rita Rancourt, (above, centre), and their sons Francis (left), Marco and Michel (on the right), all hold management positions at SBC Cedar. directly with Peter Robichaud, and came to an agreement to host the event. “SBC is very happy to be a partner in this major forestry event with Demo, which is the largest outdoor forestry event in North America featuring live equipment demonstrations and static displays,” Francis added. Since 1996, SBC has gone through some major changes and expansions. A large fire in May 2003 that destroyed the mill and office resulted in the completion, six months later, of its replacement: the mostly technologically advanced shingle

mill in North America, built with state-ofthe-art equipment, and a safety program second to none. In 2006, SBC moved its small production of kiln dried and factory-finished shingles to a brand new facility, on SBC’s campus. In 2007, a mulch plant was added to complete the full integration and use of 100 per cent of the raw material (cedar) on the same site. Finally, in 2015, SBC bought the Northwest Cedar shingle mill in St. Andre, New Brunswick, and invested in the technology there, to bring it to the same level as the St. Prosper mill.

Today, SBC’s 160 highly skilled employees produce hundreds of thousands of bundles of shingles and millions of bundles of shims and bags of mulch every year. Shingle manufacturing is more than 100 years old—and basically shingles are cut the same way today. Sixteen-inch blocks are loaded manually vertically into a carriage which travels horizontally to a circular saw, which slices off shingles which taper from a 3/8-inch butt. A ratchet mechanism on the carraige tips the block in the carriage on each travel, keeping the sawed face even. The sawyer manually turns the block in the carriage to saw a new face in order to get maximum recovery from each block. Each shingle is then edged on two sides by the sawyer, who then delivers the shingle to one of four slots depending on grade. The shingles drop to a specific conveyor which delivers them to a resquared and rebutted (R&R) machine or directly to packaging. Low grade shingles are also re-manufactured to produce one-and-ahalf-inch wide shims, which are used extensively for installing windows and doors. In fact, SBC Cedar is the largest North American producer of cedar shims.

to page 18 Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

companyprofile from page 17

Since the shingle industry is small and very specialized, companies who develop sawmill scanning and optimization technology have not invested in shingle production technology, as they have for lumber. Consequently, SBC Cedar relies on the hands and eyes of their employees to make quality decisions.

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The work schedule for SBC employees is ten hours a day, four days per week, Monday through Thursday. Pay rates are determined by production, but mostly by quality parameters. Eastern white cedar shingles are historically marketed in four grades; Extra A (no imperfections), Clear B (no imperfections on exposed face), 2nd clear C (sound knots), and utility/shims (various imperfections). In the last few years, SBC has decided to produce a new blended grade of Extra A and Clear B called Sidewall Select AB. Since almost all white cedar shingles are now used for siding, there is no need for the Extra A anymore (which was created for roofing use). This new grade also helps to generate wider shingles which can be installed faster, and simplifies inventory management at the dealer level. It also helps with the industry labour shortage, as it makes it easier to train new sawyers. Since the shingle industry is small and very specialized, companies who develop and market sawmill scanning and optimization technology have not invested in shingle production technology, as they have for construction grade lumber. Consequently, SBC relies on the hands and eyes of their employees to make quality decisions from log handling through to bundled shingles. SBC is making considerable investments in designing and manufacturing its own equipment and technology to keep its leadership position in the industry. For example, SBC’s R&R shingles feature superior minimum width and are graded on both faces with an unmatched squaring accuracy of 1/64’’ to parallel. Moreover, each R&R shingle has a nail line embossed in the shingle to help in installation, and an identification script relating to the machine it was produced by and the grade, to help for better quality control. Every step of the mill process is executed to meet SBC’s goal of providing the highest quality product. Factory finishing cedar shingles started about 30 years ago with all types of equipment. After a few years of research to determine the best process, SBC started its operation in 2001 with one thing in mind: providing customers with peace of mind that they are receiving quality product. This is why SBC has decided to use a dipping application, to be able to

to page 20 18 230-057_Smithco_Logging & Saw Milling Journal_r1_v1 copy.indd 1

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023 1/29/20 3:16 PM

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from page 18 put more paint where it counts: on the exposed face. Since 2001, SBC has partnered with PPG/Olympic, the leader and originator in machine paint application. During this time, SBC went from five per cent of production being factory-finished to more than 70 per cent today, the balance being sold natural. The process starts with the drying of

the shingles in a dehumidification kiln, to bring them to about 10 per cent moisture content. This allows the shingles to absorb paint (which is 100 per cent acrylic) to avoid any peeling or flaking. Each shingle is then dipped once or twice, depending on the customer’s request, with the one coat product featuring a 10-year warranty on the finish and the two-coat product having a 25-year warranty (solid color). SBC can also do semi-transparent finishes. Finally, for those who want uniform

weathered-looking shingles, SBC offers weathering agents in both hybrid (Enviro Bleach) and oil-based products. These are made using a flow coat machine. With its own lab, SBC can provide any custom colour, in addition to a suite of standard colours. Since 2007, SBC’s production line-up has included cedar mulch, a byproduct of their shingle mills. The texture of sawn cedar shingles shavings enhances mulch’s natural appearance and colour absorption. Bark, shavings and waste wood from the slashing and manufacturing process is piled, mixed and grinded inside the plant. It is then processed into consistent size and passed to a fully automated bagging system. SBC makes natural and coloured mulch (red, black, brown) with natural pigments (iron oxide and black carbon). Bags (available in 2CF (56L) and 3CF (84L) are palletized, shrink-wrapped and topped with an UV-resistant top sheet. “We build a very large inventory of mulch through the autumn and winter, and by early summer it’s all delivered,” explained Francis. “Our major markets are Eastern Canada as well as the New England and Mid-Atlantic states.” In addition to eastern white cedar shingles, SBC also purchases Western Red Cedar shingles from partner mills in British Columbia, which they market alongside their white cedar shingles on the east coast. SBC uses its expertise to offer the same great finish options on red cedar shingles. Red cedar shingles are mostly eighteen inches long with a 7/16” butt. In their efforts to provide top quality shingles and a perfect job, SBC has innovated a shingle installation tool. The SBC shingle and shake installation tool is advertised as making installation up to three times faster than conventional methods, and avoids chalk line marks and drift. There are no unnecessary nail holes in the exposed faces of the installed shingles. The tool slips under the starter or previous row of shingles and supports a ledger board. It allows for easy adjustment so rows of shingles can be incrementally adjusted to meet windows and other building features evenly. With SBC Cedar’s dedication to quality and innovation, the company has positioned itself to continue to be one of the top cedar shingle producers—and also help keep the tradition of the genuine, timeless and distinctive look of cedar shingle-style houses alive and well in both Canada and the U.S.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

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sawmilling Rugged camera systems, like those from B.C.-based Opticom Technologies, can be invaluable tools to help maintain vigilance on sawmill equipment performance and safety.

Keeping an eye on things,

MILL-WISE

Opticom Technologies is helping forest companies stay on top of their game in terms of performance, with the latest in mill camera technology. By Tony Kryzanowski

ood processing has become faster and more automated, so strategically placed cameras sending video feeds in real time to an operator in a control room is now essential for monitoring performance of machine centres, as well as safety. Spray Lakes Sawmills (SLS) a producer of value-added softwood lumber products in Cochrane, Alberta, is a firm believer in the benefits of video feeds. Throughout the years, they have

focused on consistent capital investment and upgrades to ensure they have equipped their sawmill with quality and proven technology. They operate three production lines. In 2019, they upgraded to a new 10” Optimil vertical double arbor edger (VDAE) and new Autolog trimmer optimizer on their mid-range diameter log line. A few years earlier, they installed a new Comact GradExpert, computerbased, lumber grading system in their planer mill. Their product line is highly diversified and includes dimension lumber, treated lumber and timbers, wood chips, peeled and treated fence posts, cattle bedding, bark mulches and soil blends. They understand that keeping current with the advantages that technology presents is vital to their future. Ensuring that they have high quality industrial cameras is near the top of their list of priorities—and their camera of choice is the Opticom Technologies CC02 industrial camera system. Jason Newman, electrical supervisor at

SLS, helps to put the importance of cameras in today’s wood processing environment into perspective. The production line operator in the control centre at SLS has as many as 16 monitors in front of him, with strategically positioned cameras sending video feeds in real time at various angles and in various locations to these monitors. “There can be as many as eight video feeds on one large screen,” says Newman. “The Opticom cameras feed into multiplexers that display images onto the video screens for the operator. These cameras are critical to our operation—they are our eyes on the equipment. If things go wrong, and if we don’t see what’s going wrong, things get even worse. Without them, we’d get some pretty nasty pile ups.” They have about 60 CC02 cameras installed at various strategic locations throughout the operation. These include the primary sawmill, the planer mill and the wood treatment plant, with the sawmill being the harshest environment. Typically, logs move around as they are debarked and processed, while sticks of

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

sawmilling lumber jostle to find their position on the production line, which can play havoc on camera hardware and the video feed. Suffice to say that sawmills are not exactly camera-friendly. The amount of dust and vibration along a finely-tuned processing line is among the most challenging in any industry. While many companies have tried security-style cameras, which work quite fine in some environments, the issue becomes trying to use these same cameras in an unforgiving environment—like next to a debarker, breakdown line, and even inside a dry kiln. These types of cameras simply aren’t engineered to withstand the type of beating and harsh environments that these locations present. The result is the need for frequent replacement of these cameras or missed opportunities to prevent a problem or injury before it happens because a camera feed was faulty. Surrey, B.C.-based, Opticom Technologies is no stranger to developing products for harsh environments or Canada’s forest industry, having supplied close circuit television (CCTV) products to forest companies and a variety of industries since 1973. In fact, they were part of NASA’s space shuttle program and developed varifocal lenses that could function seamlessly in space. Being located in B.C., the company understands the challenges inherent in wood processing plants. In the 1990s, it recognized an opportunity to leverage its experience and develop a camera product line specifically for harsh environments. Months of development resulted in its CC02 series camera for high vibration applications, and since then the company has installed thousands of its camera systems for forestry clients throughout Canada.

Now with a high definition video feed, cameras supplied by Opticom Technologies are giving sawmill operators a better view of the processing line. Opticom Technologies says that the secret to their camera system vs. other camera systems is their design. First, cameras are compact, and are capable of fitting into the palm of a person’s hand. Secondly, the company describes the camera’s rugged titanium housing as “virtually indestructible”, and totally impervious to dust and water, while being able to withstand temperatures from -60 degrees to +80 degrees Celsius, with no heater or blower required. Newman says that durability is certainly one aspect that they appreciate about the CC02 cameras at Spray Lakes. Some of the cameras they’ve installed have been in service for over 10 years. “We’ve used other brands, but they don’t seem to last very long. With the vibrations in the sawmill, they tend to fail fairly soon,” he says.

The cameras are also easy to install, being equipped with a universal, vibration resistant bracket, with one sawmill manager stating that they were able to install an Opticom Technologies CC02 camera over a lunch break. He added that the camera delivers amazing clarity. Newman agrees with this assessment. “They’ve got a great bracketing system that is very versatile and holds its position in high vibration,” he says. “We don’t have to go in and constantly adjust them. Once they are set, they’re set. They’re pretty bullet-proof.” Opticom Technologies has now released a new generation of CC02 cameras which it says is based on high definition analog or Transport Video Interface (TVI)

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

to page 24

sawmilling from page 23 technology, adding that these cameras are easy to integrate into existing coaxial cable systems. In terms of resolution, they deliver the equivalent of two megapixel resolution. “Typically, when we change these out, the operators are ecstatic, because there is quite a big change in what was there before and what is there now,” Newman says. “They have a nice, sharper image on the video.” According to Opticom Technologies, one benefit of this technology is that it allows customers to migrate to high definition video without having to rewire or re-learn video transmission. Opticom Technologies is also adapting its products to other advancements in communication technology. For example, it has developed products such as its CC04 series camera for IP network infrastructure. It is described as being compatible with all totally Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) compliant video management systems. This standard and technology allows IP-based security products to be able to interface with each other.

Durable Opticom Technologies cameras will fit into the palm of a hand and are said to be easy to install. The company describes the camera’s rugged titanium housing as virtually indestructible, and totally impervious to dust and water. Newman says that as their cameras from other suppliers have failed and older Opticom Technologies cameras reach the end of their service life, they are being replaced with the company’s latest

version, which also delivers the benefit of uniformity throughout the facility. It is also helpful that SLS has a local supplier in nearby Calgary: electrical equipment supplier, E.B. Horsman & Sons.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

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eastcoastsawmilling The re-opened sawmill now owned by the Tobique First Nation is providing employment opportunities in operations and management, and creating significant employment in harvesting, trucking, and delivery.

BAND sawmilling The Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick is creating economic opportunities for its band members, having purchased a local sawmill that had closed, and re-starting it with a team of mostly new workers, half of whom are from the band. By George Fullerton

he Tobique First Nation has acted on their combined ambitions to create a business and employment opportunity for their community, having moved forward with the purchase of a local sawmill which had ceased operations and was offered for sale—and re-starting the mill. The Tobique Maliseet First Nation is the largest of six Wolastoqiyik reserves in

New Brunswick. The reserve is situated at the mouth of the Tobique River, at its confluence with the St. John River, in western New Brunswick. The Tobique community is situated only a few miles up the St. John River from the Village of Perth-Andover, the home of the John W. Jammer Ltd. sawmill, which had been operating in the village’s industrial park for some 30 years. The Jammer mill was a long log mill

with its traditional log supply coming from Crown allocations, and from producers harvesting on private woodlots in western New Brunswick. The mill traditionally operated seven to eight months a year. Daily production was 8,000 to 10,000 board feet, depending on the size and quality of the log input. Annual production worked out to around a half-a-million board feet. In addition to sawing spruce-pine-fir

The position of procurement manager at the sawmill was assigned to Fred Bear (left), who will add those responsibilities to those he has as Director of Forestry for the Tobique First Nation.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

eastcoastsawmilling construction grade lumber, the mill had a reputation for producing timbers and sawing off species, including tamarack, hemlock and cedar. The mill also produced white pine D log for residential construction, siding, and cants. The Jammer mill had ceased operating in 2017, mainly because the owners were involved in other business enterprises and were unable to dedicate time to effectively manage the operation. Subsequently, it became known that the Jammer mill was for sale, and shortly after that, Fred Bear, Tobique’s Director of Forestry, was called to a meeting with Band Chief Ross Perley. Perley and Bear discussed the mill and the business opportunity it offered. Bear was tasked to meet with the mill owners, and to detail requirements to make an offer. Bear had become Director of Forestry in 2015, managing all forestry related activities of the band, including Crown harvesting and relations with the Department of Resource Energy and Development and Twin Rivers sawmill, native harvest crews, native pre-commercial thinning contracts with Acadian Timber, domestic firewood harvesting and worker training programs. Bear had attended Algonquin College in Ottawa, and had completed twin degrees in Native Studies and Small Business Management, before he became a professional logger. While finishing up his studies in 2000, Fred’s brother Allan called him and proposed that the two join forces to buy a skidder to harvest wood under Tobique Nation’s Crown allocation. First Nations in New Brunswick have been granted five per cent of the provincial Crown timber allocation. The Crown allocation is divided up to individual bands, on a per capita basis. In the early 2000s, Tobique Band members operated around 20 skidders, but that number has been lower in more recent years. Similar to other bands in New Brunswick, Tobique continues to have manual logging crews, while some of their allocation is sub-contracted to mechanical harvest contractors. Manual logging across the province has become less and less sustainable due to low wood prices, high equipment costs, as well as high worker compensation costs. In addition to his manual logging work, Bear also helped develop a pre-commercial thinning crew, made up of Tobique forestry workers, which has contracted doing thinning work with Acadian Timber, as well as power line corridor clearing for NB Power.

The Tobique Band has the largest population of all the First Nation Bands in New Brunswick, and because Crown timber allocation is based on band population, they have the largest of the First Nations Crown allocations in the province. Tobique’s Crown allocation from License 9 is administered by Twin Rivers Paper Company, with on-the-ground management carried out by Acadian Timber Corporation. The Tobique Nation’s Crown allocation

consists of 33,000 cubic metres softwood, and 8,900 cubic metres hardwood. The Jammer mill had a Rosser debarker, circular head saw, edger, trim saws, vertical resaw, chipper, and four-side Newman planer and chipper with screen. The mill’s lumber, traditionally, was marketed locally, and across the province to secondary manufacturers and retailers.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

to page 28

eastcoast east coastsawmilling sawmilling from page 27 Additionally, pulp chips are delivered to the Twin Rivers pulp mill in Edmunston, bark and residue also go to Twin Rivers in Edmunston and Plaster Rock for biomass. Sawdust gets delivered to the Flakeboard Co. MDF mill in St. Stephen. Chief Perley outlined the opportunities for employment for members of the Tobique Nation, and also to provide lumber for First Nation housing—and develop a viable business enterprise, with the Jammer mill. “The sawmill business provides Tobique with the opportunity to diversify our commercial forestry enterprise by being able to cut the wood from our Crown allocation, mill the wood in our own mill, supply the wood to the community for repairing homes and building new homes,” explained Perley. The first step toward making an offer to buy the sawmill required several meetings with the Tobique Nation, to allow band members to assess the opportunity and test if indeed it was a good, secure opportunity. “The first meeting was with our elders

which is a very important step in our culture,” said Bear. “Our elders come with a great deal of knowledge and experience, and they ask the hard questions. It was a very strenuous meeting, but we came out of it with the elders’ approval to go forward with a plan to purchase the mill. “The next two general meetings, anyone was invited from the Tobique community—

and there were no major negative concerns, save for questions about the state of the sawmill equipment.” Chief Perley added that those in attendance at the community meetings were very supportive—many individuals were looking forward to building homes with wood from their own mill. It was decided that a formal feasibility

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

eastcoastsawmilling

The mill office (above). The sawmill business provides the Tobique First Nation with the opportunity to diversify its commercial forestry enterprise by being able to cut the wood from its Crown allocation, mill the wood in its own mill, and supply the wood to the community for repairing homes and building new homes.

and business plan would be developed. FPInnovations assisted Tobique Nation in completing a feasibility plan as a step towards purchasing and operating the mill. FPI engaged industry consultants to visit and assess the mill and its equipment. The feasibility plan also considered security and quality of the wood supply, and options to diversify the product line.

The result of the feasibility study indicated that the mill was being offered at a good price, and it was a good fit for the Tobique Nation to invest in. FPInnovations contracted with New Brunswick-based Bio Applied Inc, to prepare a detailed business plan, and to guide financing and operating the mill. Chief Perley explained that the analysis and guidance provided by FPI and Bio Applied helped tremendously with the project. Their work provided a compre-

hensive road map to maintain viability and enhance profitability with the investment. Chief Perley explained that the Tobique Nation accessed their Economic Development Trust Fund, which was created through the Tobique Nation’s land claim settlement in 2016, to underwrite financing the mill purchase deal. The purchase of the sawmill was to page 30

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Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

eastcoastsawmilling from page 29

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completed in February 2018. The mill opened later in the spring with a 10week training program. Only two former Jammer employees returned to the mill crew. A team of new mill workers was hired, of which half were from the Tobique Nation. Former mill manager Norm Green hired on with the new owners, and conducted the training program for the mill crew. The success of the mill enterprise requires a talented management team. The sawmill manager hat was given to Max Bear—who is a member of the Tobique Nation—and he also fills the boots as head sawyer. Bear has eight years’ experience, having worked in many positions in the Twin Rivers sawmill at Plaster Rock, and he is also the holder of a softwood grading license. Rick Sullivan joined the management team as business manager. Sullivan has years of experience with businesses in the region. Brian Johnson was yard manager with Jammer, and with his 30 years’ experience, fit right in at his former position. The position of procurement manager was assigned to Fred Bear, who will add those responsibilities to Forestry Manager for the Tobique Nation. The mill workforce in its first year of operation was 50 per cent First Nation. At the time, no other business in the Perth-Andover region ever had as high an aboriginal worker component. “The mill provides employment opportunities in the operations and management,” said Chief Perley. “It also creates significant employment in harvesting, trucking, and delivery.” He added that the management and sales team has been working hard to sell lumber and mill residues into new markets. No sawmill operation stands still, equipment-wise, for long, and the Tobique mill is no exception to that rule. There are plans install a new Morbark debarker. The results of the mill now operating can be seen in the community. Since Tobique First Nation has owned the mill, it has supplied the band with lumber to build a number of stick frame homes. Additionally, the mill has supplied lumber to some pre-fab home builders, and they will provide additional lumber for homes for the band going forward. A number of homes have also been constructed independently by band members, with lumber from the mill. Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

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By Tony Kryzanowski

Lumber Marking Systems Samuel Systems

Samuel Coding & Labeling says that it is an industry leader in custom and off-the-shelf solutions for the wood products industry. Samuel Coding & Labeling’s systems for wood products include ink-jet grade mark systems, inkjet printers for marketing information, ink-jet stencil machines for sawmills and planer mills, ink-jet directto-board bar coding and label automatic board bar coding for retail sales, automatic package tag systems to print labels and staple them to finished packages, and product tracking by integrating printers and scanners for 2-D bar codes. The company provides a full system solution with design, fabrication, installation and ongoing support. www.samuelsystems.com

Gateway Graphics and Rubber Stamps

Gateway Graphics and Rubber Stamps Inc. specializes in manufacturing and supplying a complete line of wood marking products designed to meet the needs of the lumber, panel and wood packaging industries. The company’s marking systems use direct contact printing with rubber die and ink rolls to ensure marks are both visible and durable under all weather conditions. This time-tested and proven method for marking wood is often the least expensive option to print a mark on any wood product, says the company. The initial cost of the printers is a fraction of the cost of ink-jet or other technologies, and the operating costs and maintenance of these systems are often less as well, says the company.

Mills often have less than ideal printing conditions requiring more durable mechanical equipment. Gateway Graphics and Rubber Stamps’ printing systems are easier to maintain and repair than the newer generation of computer-assisted ink-jet printing, says the company. From rubber stamps, hammers and inks, to high-end automated printers, the company says that its quality equipment combined with its reliable customer service will keep customer marking systems working for years. www.gateway-graphics.com

International Bar Coding Systems and Consulting

Designed to automatically print and apply self-adhesive labels to wood products in real time, the International Bar Coding Systems and Consulting PA10G printer applicator is said to be fast, efficient and reliable. The company says that it offers the industry’s fastest print and apply speed, at over 300 pieces per minute. Compatible with most computer systems, IBC labelers are easy to integrate with existing production equipment or host control systems via a range of interface options including Ethernet or Wireless. IBC labeling systems are provided with an integrated controller that controls the print and apply sequence using photo-electric product sensors. Print jobs can be sent in advance to the print engine by any external controller or computer system, or optionally IBC can provide an external Operator Interface that can be used for label design and label print selection where a PC or host is either not available or not practical. www.ibcworld.net

Utility Composites

SUNDOG from Utility Composites is a state-of-the-art UHF RFID tag that is reliable and environmentally rugged, says the company. This tag enables real time inventory management, reduced inventory losses and labour hours compared to a manual or barcoding inventory system, while providing improved data accuracy for wood assets. to page 34 32

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

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techupdate from page 32 SUNDOG RFID tags produce faster and efficient multi-tag readings with high read range capability. The SUNDOG RFID tag’s external antenna has long distance and wide angle read range capabilities, a combination not generally possible with other RFID tagging solutions, says the company. Users can capture data where and when they want it in their process.

SUNDOG RFID tags will not trip metal detectors. There is no need to stop processes to address these alarms. The tags are rugged and flexible and can penetrate and stay securely attached to rough wood assets. They will not damage blades or abrasives. They can also be used to tag live trees, utility poles, pallets, logs, and lumber. The specially designed hammer or pneumatic tacker enables a quick and easy way to install the tags into dense wood. www.utilitycomposites.com

Signode

Signode’s direct-to-product lumber marking solutions for lumber deliver high-speed printing for a variety of applications within the forestry industry. Designed to accommodate variable printing requirements, Signode’s printing solutions couple high resolution quality with precise placement to streamline lumber marking for any operation. Designed for variable production environments, Signode’s printing solutions require minimal set-up for easy integration into any production line. Capable of printing variable data in different colours and sizes, including alphanumerics, logos and barcodes, Signode’s printing solutions allow for quick adjustments to changing production needs. Equipment modularity enables both face and end printing abilities. Unlike other printing methods, Signode’s printing solutions utilize the most advanced printing technology, providing better performance, simplified operation, and lower costs. Signode’s printing 34

solutions feature PLC-based systems, providing simplified operation and maintenance. They allow for fast and easy adjustment to printing messages and parameters. Plus, heavy duty fully-enclosed mechanical systems streamline maintenance. www.signode.com

Matthews Marking Products

Clearly marking wood products gives companies a competitive edge in the marketplace, and Matthews Marking Products says that its solutions are a top-notch way to help customers do that. From identifying products with large, bold images of brand to accurately printing specifications, association trademarks, mill numbers and more, the company’s comprehensive solutions help every step of the way. Matthews says that its workhorse DOD printer lineup is an industry leader, and provides customer production with reliable operation and the maximum possible uptime. Substrates and applications include: panel, plywood, engineered wood, product identification, stack wood marking, pallet marking, association trademarks, nail pattern marking, barcoding, branding and structural rating. www.matthewsmarking.com

Z-Tec

The Z-Tec Winjet II Compact is an innovative design that is rich with features on a compact scale. The smaller size allows for high quality lumber marking with more flexibility for installations with space limitation. The WinJet II Compact has many features of the full WinJet II including the hardware and software for ink printing, barcode application, and vision verfication systems. Founded in 1992, Z-Tec started off as a small software design firm and in less than 10 years developed into a full-service industrial solution provider. Over the past 19 years, Z-Tec has provided innovative products, solutions, and services to diverse customers worldwide. While Z-Tec has been rooted mainly in the lumber and forest products industry, it also applies its expertise to other industries and its systems provide the same high-quality solutions to provide efficient traceability and identification for a variety of applications. www.ztec.ca

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

THE

ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF INDUSTRY INNOVATION

A tool for understanding the impacts of climate change on B.C. forest operations

limate change is not a future problem: due to rising greenhouse gas emissions and the resulting changing climate, communities in British Columbia today are experiencing shifting and extreme temperature and precipitation patterns that are affecting their residents’ personal health, sense of security, economy, and the environment they live in. Industrial activities, including forestry operations, are not immune to these changes (source: https://retooling.ca/ climate-change/risks-and-impacts-on-bc/). To help forest contractors from B.C. understand the impact of climate changes on their operations and provide adaptation measure options, FPInnovations’ Transportation and Infrastructure group, with the support of the B.C. Ministry of Forests, has launched the Climate Vulnerability Forest Management (CVFM) tool.

Helping forestry professionals identify how climate change may affect forest operations in British Columbia

The CVFM tool shows the historical and projected trends for climate indicators identified to be most related to climate events that impact forest operations. The tool graphically highlights differences in climate indicators between regions, lists which climate indicators are linked to forest operations activities, and provides examples of adaptive changes to forest operations. The tool summarizes climate change information that is most relevant to B.C. forestry operations. Intended to inform development of climate change adaptation plans and policies, the tool has two components: A) Climate Change Maps: Historical and projection period climate change maps for six types of climate events to which forest operations are vulnerable; and B) Adaptation within Forestry: A list of the types of forest operations that are vulnerable to climate events, along with examples of various types of adaptation measures used by B.C. forest operations.

The project involved processing datasets created by Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, organizing FPInnovations-led workshops around B.C., leveraging past FPInnovations experiences in approaching climate assessments, and working with the highest-resolution climate model outputs available. FPInnovations is also able to provide members raw or processed climate model output data for other provinces and help in the identification and optimization of possible adaptations.

Using the CVFM tool for vulnerability assessments and decisions

A central part of a vulnerability assessment is stakeholder engagement. Accordingly, the CVFM tool leverages three B.C. regional workshops held in 2021 to identify important information in terms of climate events and impacts to forest operations. In this way, the CVFM tool prioritizes existing experience that may be useful to interpret future local-scale engagement. Combining information about the climate change maps presented with local knowledge of forest operation vulnerability along with possible assistance from the Adaptation in Forestry section can result in an informed vulnerability assessment. The CVFM tool results can be integrated into larger vulnerability assessments or simpler ones, based on professional judgement. Because using the CVFM tool has no defined sequence, it can support varia-

tions of vulnerability assessments which might involve: • Establishing climate events of most concern in the future for a forest operation area; • Systematically linking changes in vulnerability of forest operations activities to change indicator(s); • Combining climate event uncertainty and delta estimates with severity of consequences by multiplying the two rankings (vulnerability=delta*conseque nces) to create a prioritization matrix; • Using the data downloads of climate indicator summaries (in the appendix section) to quantify regional change; • Using certainty-level information in the climate indicator maps as a means to prioritize adaptation of one region over another; and • Drawing from trends summarized in adaptations for the three B.C. regions to identify priorities for types of adaptation.

Helping mitigate climate change

Climate change will impact B.C. regions differently, and the consideration of local and regional contexts for climate resilience planning and preparedness is crucial. The CVFM tool was designed to help B.C. forest operators in managing their activities. Its contents will be maintained and updated as climate models develop, understanding of climate science improves, and feedback from users of the tool is received. The tool is publicly available and there is no cost to use it. For more information or to access the tool, visit FPInnovations’ blog post (web.fpinnovations.ca/atool-for-understanding-climate-changeimpacts-on-british-columbia-forestoperations/). For more information, contact Matt Kurowski, research engineer in FPInnovations’ Transportation and Infrastructure group, at matt.kurowski@fpinnovations.ca.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

CWFC R&D sites show how various intensive plantation management approaches can yield predictable—and often better—outcomes orest regeneration outcomes, insofar as growth and yield and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction potential is concerned, are fairly predictable over time if a forest is left to regenerate on its own on naturally disturbed land, such as after a wildfire or if standard reforestation practices are applied as part of forest management practices, for example, by forest companies. However, as we contemplate plantation establishment going forward—to achieve a sustainable wood fibre supply, adapting to a changing climate, or perhaps through participation in the federal government’s Two Billion Tree Program—practitioners have the opportunity to consider other novel management regimes representing a range of intensity and inputs, to deliver specific and custom outcomes. The Canadian Wood Fibre Centre (CWFC) can assist in this regard whether a forest plantation is being established within the natural forest or on afforested sites where trees have not been established for several decades. CWFC manages a network of regeneration and afforestation legacy and technical development sites across Canada where various intensive management techniques and tools

have been applied, to the point where the plantations have evolved over several decades and where CWFC can show and verify outcomes. These include potential growth trajectory enhancements, growth and yield outcomes as well as maximizing GHG reduction potential. The three mixedwood boreal plantation examples shown here were established within a relatively similar time frame and site-prepared using the same technique which was systematic scalp/small mound, followed by hand planting of 40 cc container white spruce seedlings. The images from the plantation sites show three variations in present results, all established on similar initial sites, but with distinct management practices deployed post-planting. These are all boreal plains mixedwood forest sites established in the early 1980s. As noted in the captions, each treatment combination resulted in a different forest makeup, but with relatively similar volume production and related carbon budgets. Initially, the plantations established (survival and height growth) at different rates, or years post-planting, to 1.3 m height, ranging from 8 to 12 years. Naturally regenerating softwoods on this forest site would normally establish to 1.3 m in 20 to 30 years. Tending and vegetation manage-

Small mound 1982, container white spruce planted 1983 and mechanical gyro-mowing above spruce 1988; 1466 spruce stems/ha, 40 years-old, 12 years to 1.3 m height, 176 cubic metres/ha, 20/80 spruce/poplar mix.

Small mound 1982, container white spruce planted 1983 and selective brush-saw hardwood shrub and tree removal from 1.5 m from spruce 1992; 1510 spruce stems/ha, 40 years-old, 8 years to 1.3 m height, 188 cubic metres/ha, 50/50 spruce/poplar mix.

BY TONY KRYZANOWSKI

ment treatments deployed using broadcast and selective patterns were completed on different sites using chemical and mechanical methods. This influenced the remaining stand compositions, which now—at Year 40 post-planting—show different mixes of white spruce and aspen and/or poplar. The resulting stand complexes have various values depending on management objectives which could be softwood lumber, pulp, habitat diversity, risk reduction from wildfire or forest insects, GHG emission reduction or water management. These examples provide practitioners with alternative plantation management options depending on their desired outcomes, particularly as we aim for a sustainable wood fibre supply while maximizing GHG reduction potential, as well as other aspects of addressing a changing climate. Mixedwood sites of this nature have approximately 1 tonne of CO2 equivalent per cubic metre of volume in above ground tree stem biomass. Future The Edge articles will pursue this subject further. For more information about techniques used on these legacy and technical developments sites, please contact Derek Sidders at derek.sidders@nrcanrncan.gc.ca or Tim Keddy at tim.keddy @nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.

Small mound 1982, container white spruce planted 1983 and broadcast ground application of glyphosate (3L/ha) 1985; 1533 spruce stems/ha, 40 yearsold , 9 years to 1.3 m height, 192 cubic metres/ha, 90/10 spruce/poplar mix.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

SUPPLIERNEWSLINE

Waratah Forestry Equipment marks 50th anniversary

Forestry attachment manufacturer Waratah Forestry Equipment is celebrating 50 years of innovation within the forestry industry. Established in 1973 in Tokoroa, New Zealand, the company initially manufactured a delimber-feller buncher with a four-roller fixed head to meet local loggers’ heavy-duty delimbing needs. Following that innovation, a red grapple processor manufactured for the Canadian markets marked the start of the 600 series line. Today, Waratah’s full line of harvesting, processing and felling heads are used in a variety of logging applications, from cut-to-length hardwood harvesting at the stump to processing on a landing, felling on steep slopes or debarking on plantations. “We’ve had great experiences with Waratah,” says Reid Lind, owner of G.R. (Mac) Lind Logging Ltd, working in Princeton, B.C. “You know what you’re getting when you buy it. For us, it’s the industry standard.” www.waratah.com

Tigercat launches next generation harvesting head control

Tigercat says that its D7 control system combines a solid and field-proven hardware and bucking control system with a Tigercat developed head control and user interface. The system offers powerful functionality, simplicity and intuitive operator navigation, says the company. The D7 system is currently available for the Tigercat 534 harvesting head. There are two types of bucking control available for D7. 38

Priority-based bucking logic uses a list of operator-entered log specifications sizes to determine how best to process the tree. D7 Optimization level uses a valuebased logic. Using multiple layers of matrices correlating price, demand, and production limits to each log size under each tree species, the control system optimizes each processed tree to achieve the best value. These matrices are usually programmed by the timber buyer. Both Tigercat D7 Priority and Optimization levels offer StanForD Classic, StanForD 2010, and PDF production reporting based on contracts, operators, species, and product groups. The reports provide total quantity and volume, as well as per species and product group quantities and volume. Reports can be viewed on screen or exported for later analysis. D7 also sends production volume data to RemoteLog, Tigercat’s optional telematics system.

By Tony Kryzanowski certification, demonstrating its high performance for pellet roll bearings, U-joint greasing and wheel bearing lubrication, automotive and heavy-duty chassis applications, says the company. Peerless OG2 RED is said to be an ideal solution to reduce bearing failure under high heat, heavy duty, moisture laden applications in some of the toughest conditions, such as pellet mill production and pulp press roller bearings. Customers have been able to realize savings by decreasing roll bearing purchases as well as decreasing grease consumption, contributing to a lower total cost of ownership. HPM is the latest internationally recognized standard grease specification for grease and bearing manufacturers which runs in parallel to the NLGI’s GC-LB certification, a standard that Peerless OG2 RED also meets. Products that receive this new annually renewed certification are required to undertake a range of new tests that reflect the operating requirements of current pellet mill operations. https://lubricants.petro-canada.com

Serco Loaders announces new company direction

D7 can be equipped with a GPS receiver and the GeoInfo software. This provides an active navigation application using the machine’s current position on a georeferenced map. Work site maps can be viewed on the in-cab display screen, allowing the operator to easily view the site layout, track the movement of the machine, and view production information. Restricted areas can be marked with boundary alarms. www.tigercat.com

Petro-Canada lubricant ideal in high heat, heavy duty applications

Serco Loaders has gained wide acceptance and recognition in the material handling industry since 1977 by providing solutions for different industries, including forestry. Bruce Bacon, the new general manager for Serco Loaders and one of the co-founders of Genesis Attachments and Exodus Machines, now known as Exodus Global, says he knows what it takes to build a stronger company foundation. Bacon has been able to help Serco Loaders grow its business by bringing in new customers and expanding the company’s product line. Bacon says that the personal relationships that Serco Loaders has built with dealers and customers are what have helped them grow into the successful business they are today. “New products are coming,” says

Petro-Canada Lubricants' Peerless OG2 RED has received the National Lubricating Grease Institute’s (NLGI’s) new High Performance Multiuse (HPM) Core grease

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

suppliernewsline Bacon. “Product improvements are being made, including better manuals, easier ordering methods, and clearer communication. “We are not trying to change everything,” he added. “We want to keep the personal relationships and quality of everything that has been built so far. At the same time, we want to offer better, more diverse products that customers need for the future.” www.sercoloaders.com

Nokian Tyres develops long-lasting front tire for log stackers

Long service life is a key factor in making the work safe and efficient for log stackers. The Nokian Tyres HTS G2 harbor tire family has been developed for this purpose, and its excellent stability, good grip and predictable service life has been impressing users for years, says the company. Now the HTS G2 family has a new member: Nokian Tyres HTS G2 L-5S, a new tire developed for front axle use. The new Nokian Tyres HTS G2

L-5S front axle tire in the size 18.00-25 is made for long, busy working days on grinding tarmac or concrete. “The smooth, extra-deep slowwearing tread lasts up to 35 per cent longer than our previous comparable tire, depending on your location and application,” says Kimmo Kekki, Product Manager at Nokian Tyres. The whole Nokian Tyres HTS G2 series of port and terminal tires has been designed specifically for high stability and load-bearing capacity in mind and is designed specifically for front axle use. This enables even thicker tread than the previous L-4S models, resulting in a longer service life. The rubber compound that has already proven its value in previous models both wears slowly and resists puncture damage, preventing unexpected downtime, says the company. www.nokiantyres.com/heavy

John Deere introduces new felling head

John Deere’s newest forestry attachment offering—the FR27 disc saw felling head —is now standard on the John Deere 953M and 959M feller buncher models, and available as an upgrade on the 853M, 859M and 903M feller bunchers. This felling head attachment has a larger cut capacity compared to previous felling head models. Building upon the success of the FR24B, John Deere has successfully designed the durable FR27 as a solution aimed to increase productivity on the job, says the company.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

to page 40

suppliernewsline from page 39 The FR27 disc saw felling head is designed to take on a variety of timber applications, from large single stem cutting to mid-sized accumulation, and boasts an all-new design and overall rebranding from previous John Deere felling head models. In addition, this robust, high rotation felling head is said to feature excellent cut and accumulation capacity, offering top-of-the-line productivity compared to previous models. The FR27 features an impressive cutting capacity of up to 27.2” and an accumulation capacity of up to 7.5 ft, improving capability in the woods. www.johndeere.com

Groupe Lebel purchases New Brunswick sawmill

Twin Rivers Paper Company has reached an agreement to sell its softwood lumber mill in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick, to eastern Canadian lumber manufacturer, Groupe Lebel. Groupe Lebel is a longtime supplier to Twin Rivers Paper. The transaction includes a long-term supply agreement for the Plaster Rock mill to continue pro-

viding Twin Rivers Paper with byproduct chips and biomass utilized by the company’s pulp and cogeneration operations in Edmundston, New Brunswick. The transaction is expected to close early in the first quarter of 2023. “We’re committed to ensuring a smooth transition for our Plaster Rock employees, customers and suppliers,” says Tyler Rajeski, Chief Financial Officer of Twin Rivers Paper. “With Groupe Lebel’s extensive sawmill operations experience and a proven record of investing in their assets and driving operational improvements, we’re confident this transaction will positively impact mill employees, business stakeholders, and the community of Plaster Rock.” www.groupelebel.com

Two Quebec sawmills change hands

GreenFirst Forest Products (GFP) is selling its La Sarre and Béarn sawmills and its Abitibi and Témiscamingue forestry operations in Quebec to Chantiers Chibougamau Ltée, a longstanding Quebec-based and family-controlled forestry company. The sale is for approximately $90 mil-

lion, including approximately $40 million for specific working capital items. Quebecbased employees are expected to continue to be employed by Chantiers Chibougamau after the closing of the deal. GreenFirst expects to use the net proceeds from the sale to strengthen its balance sheet and continue investing in its Ontario operations. The sale of its Quebec assets is expected to close this spring. “This divestiture represents a unique opportunity to unlock shareholder value and concentrate on our operations in Ontario, where we will continue to focus and invest. This transaction is a win-win for both Chantiers Chibougamau and GreenFirst as it strengthens the alignment of each company’s primary focus and growth strategies,” says Paul Rivett, Chairman of GFP. In other news, Rick Doman retired as GFP Chief Executive Officer as of December 31st. www.gfp.com

Samuel Vidgren appointed Area Manager for Ponsse U.S. dealer network Samuel Vidgren started working as the Area Manager responsible for Ponsse’s U.S. dealer network in February.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

classified Vidgren’s task will be to strongly support and develop Ponsse´s dealer network in the U.S., so that Ponsse can offer the best customer experience in the industry to its customers now and in the future, says the company. In his new position, Vidgren will report to Jussi Hentunen, Director responsible for Ponsse’s dealer network, and he will be based in Vieremä, Finland. The development of the dealer network in the U.S. is carried out in close co-operation with Ponsse North America.

Samuli Heikola, who was previously responsible for the dealer network, will continue working for Ponsse North America as a Business Development Manager. Vidgren has worked at Ponsse in various capacities concerning sales and marketing, among other tasks. He graduated from the University of Tampa in the U.S. with an MBA, specializing in international business and management. www.ponsse.com

AD INDEX ADVERTISER PAGE Agri-Cover, Inc..........................................24 Autolog / Carbotech...............................10 BID Group...................................................11 Brandt..........................................................28 Brunette Machinery.................................. 9 Canada North Res. Expo (CNRE).........33 Council of Forest Ind. (COFI)................31 Demo International 2024.....................35 Global Log and Lumber Conf..............20 Haix Boots.................................................... 7 ILA Conference and TradeShow.........40 Inland Group............................................... 5 John Deere.................................................21 Linck.............................................................15 Microtec......................................................13 Nicholson Mfg..........................................39 Nordic Traction Group............................. 2 Olofsfors......................................................29 Opticom......................................................24 Ponsse.........................................................43 Samuel Packaging Systems.................30 Sennebogen..............................................19 SilvaCom.....................................................23 Smithco Mfg..............................................18 Stihl Limited..............................................25 Tigercat.......................................................44 Valutec.........................................................12 VK North America....................................14 Weyerhaeuser...........................................27

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

thelastword

The time is right for a new model for managing B.C.’s forests By Jim Stirling

ast a look across the horizon of the recently minted year 2023 and it looks too much like 2022 to inspire much confidence. The warming world, war, disease and their domino implications still dominate the immediate future. They are joined this year not only by the range of uncertainties which routinely confront the forest industry, but also less frequent worries. Unstable inflation rates and declining growth rates concern forecasters, along with questions about the widening gap between rich and poor. The list of familiar issues for the forest industry includes sawlog availability, rising operating costs, continuing skilled labour shortages and the faltering lumber markets in Asia along with a characteristically belligerent market in the United States. Against that backdrop, the forest industry in north-central British Columbia is hunkering down into its mid-winter routine as much as circumstances permit. But this year can be different. The timing is right for B.C.’s NDP government to start talking frankly about its intentions to the provincial forest sector. For several months, the government has been lobbing threats of major changes that would greatly influence how the industry functions in the province. The permanent withdrawal of the forest industry’s remaining access to ‘old growth’ forests in the province is one example. The threat to annex the cutting rights of some forest companies is another. The present B.C. government has the same troubling tendencies of many of its predecessors. It tends to listen to whichever self interest group is attracting the public’s attention and—in the case of the forest industry—frame its land use decision-making accordingly. But the tap root to the forest industry’s dilemmas lies within the policies guiding it. Governments, the forest industry and other groups with a vested and legitimate interest in provincial forest land use are

fighting a doomed battle. They’re trying to make a regulatory system dating back more than 100 years fit today’s economy, social expectations and government agendas which have vastly changed. One can only tinker with a clapped-out car for so long before it finally gives up the ghost entirely. The time is right for a new model for managing B.C.’s forests; one that reflects new thinking to complement the world’s new realities. For example, the provincial government, First Nations and the forest industry could work co-operatively to identify, designate and protect areas of provincial land as part of a working forest. The B.C. Council of Forest Industries (COFI) is one group to have suggested examining the approach. The general idea is to create areas in the province where forestry is the prime, though not necessarily only, land use. There could be several advantages to such an initiative. A working forest designation would provide a solid platform for industry re-organization to occur. It could also usher in a different approach to forest management. A form of working forest would likely look quite different from today’s landscapes. It would still include primary wood product manufacturers. They could be complemented with small and medium-sized operations closely aligned to available timber supplies. Access to a consistent supply of usable wood fibre is the oxygen for all sizes of wood manufacturing units. More of the working forest’s Annual Allowable Cut equivalent could end up being harvested by logging methods requiring agile, versatile equipment. The levels of consultation and co-operation required to create a working forest would also be expanded to overhaul B.C.’s Timber Supply program, if a new version is required. The potential rewards for success are considerable. The creation of a working forest could well prove a literal lifeline for

many forest industry-reliant communities throughout the B.C. Interior and on Vancouver Island. A nearby sawmill, for example, would provide community stability by attracting new families. It would also help counter the growing myth of forestry as a sunset industry in B.C. Communitybased sawmills and wood processing plants would be configured to best match present and predicted timber profiles. A working forest with more secure communities could also help sweep away some uncertainties surrounding investment in the B.C. Interior forest industry. Institutional lenders are more likely to look favourably at mill upgrades or infrastructure improvements if questions surrounding returns on investment can be mitigated. A working forest model could encourage more intensive management techniques to better suit the needs of a specific area. Remaining areas of ’old growth’ forests comprise an example, as does maintaining critical habitat for mountain caribou herds. In other words, the creation of a working forest model in B.C. could help enhance the generally high standards of forest stewardship practiced on B.C.’s forest lands. The B.C. government would benefit from the establishment of a working forest in ways beyond a better managed forest land base. It would collect stumpage fees from the forest industry, if that form of payment was extended, along with the range of other taxes applied to the forest industry in the course of conducting its business. Forestry’s working framework in B.C. might urgently require overhaul, but not everything related to it needs dramatic change. The people working at all levels within B.C.’s forest industry have always exemplified rare drive and ingenuity. They will respond with similar attitudes to capitalize on the opportunities changes like the establishment of a working forest will stimulate.

Logging & Sawmilling Journal - January/February 2023

635H SWING BOOM

Tigercat’s highest capacity skidder equipped with a versatile 210 degree swing boom improves productivity in the most challenging terrain.

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