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FEATURES
On the Cover: Micheal Essex, the owner of Post & Purlin Forest Products knows all about pivoting—he has done more than his fair share of pivoting since starting up the onestop business that does sawmilling, reman, millwork, and cabinetry, and just about anything else made of wood, in Powell River, B.C. A big part of the company’s story lies in the Post & Purlin team—company owner Micheal Essex is at bottom left, on the cover. “All our skills complement each other really well,” says Essex. “Everyone plays a vital role in this company, and they take pride in their work. I’m fortunate to have such a dedicated team.” Read all about Post & Purlin beginning on page 30 of this issue. (Cover photo and Post & Purlin Forest Products story photos by Anji Smith.)
4 Spotlight
26 Coming Up!
New logger at work— in the B.C. Legislature
There’s a new logger at work in Victoria, B.C., with former logger Ward Stamer looking to make a positive contribution to the forest industry, as a member of the Legislative Assembly—and Forestry Critic for the Conservative Party of B.C.
8 Canada’s Top Lumber Producers— Who’s the Top Gun?
A look at what’s changed, and the trends in the Canadian forest industry, with Logging and Sawmilling Journal’s annual look at Canada’s Top Lumber Producers, with consulting firm FEA.
12 In the driver’s seat— for growth
Seizing opportunities and diversification drive the growth of Saskatchewan logging contractor Brander Enterprises, and its owners, brothers Kris and Jamie Brander.
18 Cottage Country lumber alliance
The Haliburton Forest Group and longestablished Murray Bros. Lumber have joined forces in a lumber producing alliance in Ontario’s Cottage Country.
DEPARTMENTS
BC Saw Filers and Interior Logging Association conventions/shows
We look at the issues that will be discussed, and what will be featured at the upcoming Interior Logging Association AGM and convention—being held May 1 to 3, in Kamloops, B.C.—and the BC Saw Filers AGM and trade show, also in Kamloops, May 9 to 10.
30
Pivoting at Post & Purlin
B.C.’s Micheal Essex has discovered that running his new business Post & Purlin Forest Products can involve a lot of pivoting—but fortunately he’s had solid help along the way in managing those business twists and turns.
36
Finding the right iron fit for big hardwood harvesting
A fixed head Tigercat harvester set-up is proving to be just the right fit for Ontario logger Kyle Ramsay and his work of selective harvesting big hardwoods for Haliburton Forest.
39
Included in this edition of The Edge, Canada’s leading publication on research in the forest industry, is a story from the Canadian Forest Service.
46
The Last Word
Tony Kryzanowski says now is the time to negotiate a new softwood lumber trade deal with the U.S.—and President Donald Trump.
NEW LOGGER AT WORK —in the B.C. Legislature
There’s a new logger at work in Victoria, B.C., with former logger Ward Stamer looking to make a positive contribution to the forest industry, as a member of the Legislative Assembly— and Forestry Critic.
By Jim Stirling
There’s a new logger at work in Victoria.
New, that is, to the seat of British Columbia’s Legislative Assembly, but no rookie to either the political arena or get ting the job done in the forest.
Ward Stamer was a logging contractor in B.C.’s Southern Interior region for more than 40 years. He launched a second career in politics, first on the local level and now on the provincial stage. His goal in Victoria is to make a positive contribu tion to restoring B.C.’s forest industry to a sustainable status, and a major contributor to the health of the provincial economy.
The constituents of Kamloops-North Thompson elected Stamer to represent their interests in Victoria last October and his Conservative Party of B.C. took ad vantage of his experience to add Forestry Critic responsibilities to his portfolio. It’s a challenge Stamer is happy to accept.
NDP Premier David Eby was narrowly re-elected to form a new government in Victoria. Eby appointed Ravi Parmar to be his government’s new forest minister. Parmar—who has also worked briefly in the forest industry with the Ministry of Forests—is the NDP MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca on southern Vancouver Island. He also serves as deputy government house leader. This past December, the B.C. Green Party signed a cooperation and responsible government agreement with the NDP, renewable on an annual basis.
Stamer said he’ll be watching how the political liaison develops, but in the meantime he has a clear idea about approaching his forest critic responsibilities.
“As the official opposition forest critic, my job isn’t to criticize what’s happened in the past,” he told Logging and Sawmilling Journal. “Rather it is to move forward with actionable solutions, derived from discussions with all stakeholders and deliver those solutions through to the forests minister.”
Stamer said the stakeholders involved
B.C.’s Ward Stamer has swapped his seat in a piece of logging equipment for a seat in the B.C. Legislature— and is looking to hold the NDP government to task for its forest policies.
in the process include First Nations, local logging contractors and business, industry representatives, community forests and user groups throughout B.C.
“Each of those groups has a vested interest in having a healthy and sustainable forest,” he added. “A sustainable forest not only contributes billions of dollars annually to our provincial coffers, it supports tens of thousands of families from the furthest
Forestry is a challenging industry, with operational, trade, environmental and regulatory requirements constantly evolving. That’s why it helps to have an advisor who is not afraid to get their boots dirty. With deep roots in the forestry sector, our advisors deliver a fresh perspective and advice to improve and streamline your operations. Chris Duncan, CPA, CA,
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towns and villages to the Lower Mainland, a region that at times seems reluctant to accept the benefits this industry provides.”
Stamer grew up in Barriere, a small community itself, about 60 kilometres north of Kamloops. It’s where he began his long association with and appreciation of the forest industry. Blame his dad for that.
Derek Stamer had a long and successful career as a log harvesting contractor. It began in 1965 and ended 50 years later when he decided to retire from the industry. He did it through a one-day dispersal sale of more than 70 pieces of logging and ancillary equipment. At one time, Barrierebased Stamer Logging was harvesting around 400,000 cubic metres of wood annually. That’s enough volume to keep a handful of sides busy.
“We were doing all kinds of logging,” said Ward. “Everything from conventional to modified conventional and steep slope harvesting including tethered and high lead with a Madill 120 tower.”
while keeping abreast of the ever-changing government regulations.
Ward’s personal resume working for his dad began on a more humble footing. The year was 1976, recalls Ward with clarity. He was 14-years-old and when not in school, was assigned “to picking up rocks.” He obviously did his duties well. The following year he graduated to hauling chokers behind an old Cat skidder.
Now, these many years later, the view has changed with his career in public service.
“After seven years of the NDP, our forest industry in B.C. is in a crisis, not like anything I’ve experienced in more than 40 years in the forests,” he said. “It’s been a perfect storm created by bureaucracy, ideology, changing market conditions, Mother Nature and an unwillingness to work together to make the substantial changes necessary to make forestry a truly sustainable resource.”
Stamer has some ideas to help steer the NDP toward turning things around.
“The number one issue in B.C. is the uncertainty of access to fibre and the highest costs in North America. We need an examination of all these costs.”
Somehow, the senior Stamer also found the time to work with the Interior Logging Association for many years. He held various executive positions—including as president—to help government understand the harvesting sector’s issues,
He became chairman of the Barriere Improvement District and was then elected to serve on Barriere’s first council after incorporation. He was elected mayor in 2018 and acclaimed to the position in 2022 and held it until his successful bid for provincial office.
Stamer’s loggers’ ability to think on the fly should come in handy in the provincial legislature.
“The number one issue is the uncertainty of access to fibre and the highest costs in North America. We need an examination of all these costs including carbon taxes and extensive delays in cutting permits brought on by this government’s policy requiring lengthy referrals. They are choking the life out of this industry,” he charged. He noted minister Parmar has said the time for more reviews has passed. “Great. Prove it,” he challenged.
“Let’s start with the Forest Amendment Act of 2021 recommendations that discuss transfer of some forest tenure to First Nations and compensate existing licencees. Economic reconciliation with First Nations is important moving forward and certainty of supply goes with that. But first we need to reduce the length of time for cutting permits by simplifying the process and let-
Ward Stamer was a logging contractor in B.C.’s Southern Interior region for more than 40 years. He launched a second career in politics, first on the local level and now on the provincial stage. Stamer’s goal in Victoria is to make a positive contribution to restoring B.C.’s forest industry to a sustainable status, and a major contributor to the health of the provincial economy.
ting district managers have better flexibility in shortening these time frames.”
Stamer would also like to see the new forests minister take action to advance the salvage of wildfire burned timber, with reduced stumpage fees to ensure better utilization and increase reforestation, including the planting of all species of trees to help reduce future wildfire vulnerability.
“A review of B.C Timber Sales (BCTS) is necessary but it should be an all-party independent review run concurrently as BCTS expedites sales from its backlog of standing timber inventories.” recommends Stamer.
He said he will also urge the forests minister to reduce new Category 4 restrictions for a year to allow all stakeholders to adjust to fibre shortfalls. “We should accelerate our Firesmart program in interface areas and use the expertise of the forest industry and First Nations to help reduce risk and salvage valuable fibre. This industry prides itself in its determination, adaptability and willingness to make changes when needed.”
Now is definitely one of those times.
CALENDAR
April 29-30
Ontario Forest Industries Association Annual Convention, Toronto, ON 416-368-6188, www.ofia.com
May 1-3
Interior Logging Association Conf. and AGM, Kamloops, BC 250-503-2199, www.interiorlogging.org
May 9-10
British Columbia Saw Filer’s Association, Kamloops, BC www.bcsfa.ca
May 14-16
Western Red Cedar Lumber Assoc. Cedar Summit, Kelowna, BC 604-891-1262, www.realcedar.com
May 26-27
Canada North Resources Expo (CNRE), Prince George, BC 250-561-7777, www.cnre.ca
Professional Forestry Equipment
May 27-29
Maritime Lumber Bureau AGM, Halifax, NS 902-667-3889, www.mlb.ca
June 4-7
Elmia Wood https://www.elmia.se/en/wood/
June 17-19
Pellet Fuels Institute Annual Conference, White Sulphur Springs, WV 703-522-6778, www.pelletheat.org
June 22-26
2025 World Conference on Timber Engineering, Brisbane, Australia https://wcte2023.org
July 31-August 3
Squamish Days Logger Sports Festival, Squamish, BC www.squamishdays.ca
October 22-24
International Conference on Wood Adhesives, Vancouver, BC 706-443-1337, www.forestprod.org
CANADIAN LUMBER
shipments increase —slightly— in 2024
Canadian lumber shipments actually rose slightly in 2024, but they are forecast to drop in 2025, also slightly, due to tariffs, and declining fibre supply. The top three lumber producers, West Fraser, Canfor and Domtar, accounted for 33 per cent of all Canadian shipments.
By Mark Smith, Partner, Forest Economic Advisors (FEA); Research by Chari Gimenez, FEA Canada
In the preceding two years, 2022 and 2023, we saw total Canadian lumber shipments drop by a combined 3.3 billion board feet. However, in 2024 total Canadian lumber shipments increased by 2.0 per cent from 2023, whereas total U.S. shipments were lower by 1.5 per cent compared to 2023.
This was mostly driven by inventory change: in the prior two years, given
Canadian shipments had fallen over three billion board feet, the slight increase in Canadian shipments in 2024 was a rebound from the prior two years’ declines.
In our Dec 2024/Jan 2025 edition of Wood Markets Monthly, we noted that, globally, a modest recovery is anticipated in 2025, driven by easing inflation, favourable demographics and increased use of wood in construction. For the U.S., this is forecast to be a 4 per cent growth in 2025. However, for Canada the FEA forecast is a 2 per cent drop in production, due to declining fibre supply and increased duties from the U.S., its main trading partner.
Total North American lumber shipments: essentially no change
Total North American softwood lumber shipments were down by only 0.148 billion board feet in 2024 as compared to 2023 (from 57.13 billion board feet to 56.98 billion board feet), representing a small 0.3 per cent decline.
This reflects ongoing, weak demand in the market given declines in the previous years. It appears that 2024 shipments indicate that the declines since 2021 have stabilized, indicating a bottom has been reached. In 2021, total North America
1 In March 2023, Domtar acquired Resolute FP. Domtar kept the Resolute FP name intact for a period of time after the acquisition but have now fully integrated the business into Domtar. Hence the name change from last year’s Top 10 Producers survey.
shipments were 60.34 billion board feet, meaning the total loss of shipments was 3.36 billion board feet or a 5.6 per cent reduction in the ensuing three years given the slowdown precipitated by post-Covid inflationary pressures. In 2024, Canadian shipments were up 2 per cent (or 0.40 billion board feet) whereas U.S. shipments were down by 1.5 per cent, equal to a reduction of 548 million board feet.
Canada’s Top 10 Lumber Producers: shipments down by 1.4 per cent from 2023 to 2024
Canada’s Top 10 Lumber Producers saw no new entrants in 2024 with the same 10 companies present as in the 2023 Top 10, albeit with some minor change of places below the top six companies. This included Arbec moving up two places from #10 in 2023 to #8 in 2024. Both Weyerhaeuser and Dunkley Lumber dropped two places from their 2023 positions—Weyerhaeuser to #9 and Dunkley Lumber to #10.
When we look at the production of these same Top 10 companies in 2024 versus 2023, production dropped by 1.4 per cent from 13.48 billion board feet to 13.29 billion board feet. Given that total Canadian shipments rose in 2024, this
West Fraser remained Canada’s top lumber producer in 2024, with its Canadian output being up by 112 million board feet across its 12 mills. Canfor remained in second place.
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means that the top 10 companies’ share of the total Canadian output declined from 68.0 per cent in 2023 to 65.7 per cent in 2024. This has reversed a trend seen since 2021, where the top 10 companies have been steadily growing market share each year against all other companies and mills in Canada to the 68.0 per cent peak seen in 2023.
The top three Canadian producers in 2023—West Fraser, Canfor and Domtar —kept the same rankings through 2024. These top three producers accounted for 6.77 billion board feet in 2024 and 33 per cent of all Canadian lumber shipments. This remains similar to previous years, where these top three companies continue to supply about one-third of all Canadian shipments.
The top three Canadian producers in 2023—West Fraser, Canfor and Domtar —kept the same rankings through 2024. These top three producers accounted for 6.77 billion board feet of lumber production in 2024 and 33 per cent of all Canadian lumber shipments. If
West Fraser remains at top spot with its Canadian output being up by 112 million board feet (4.2 per cent) across its 12 mills. Canfor stayed second with 1.99 billion board feet, this being a drop of 198 million board feet (9.0 per cent) across its 11 mills. Domtar remained in third spot with output across 14 mills increasing by 70 million board feet (3.6 per cent). Interfor had a 2024 production of 1.68 billion board feet, an increase of 2.8 per cent over 2023 by 46 million board feet. J.D. Irving, at #5, saw its output decrease by 35 million board feet (3.2 per cent) to 1.06 billion board feet. Finally, Tolko, remaining at #6, saw production volume decrease (10.2 per cent) to 0.935 billion board feet in 2024.
IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT —FOR GROWTH
Seizing opportunities and diversification drive the growth of Saskatchewan logging contractor Brander Enterprises, and its owners, brothers Kris and Jamie Brander.
By Tony Kryzanowski
“If you’re not growing, you’re not moving ahead.”
That’s a statement that Kris and Jamie Brander, owners of the logging company Brander Enterprises in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, heard frequently from their father, Allen, as they grew up.
“So…we are always growing,” says Kris Brander.
The two brothers, now in their 40’s, not only own a logging company, but they
also have a road maintenance contract for 20 kilometres of improved bush roads, a road maintenance contract for 90 per cent of the Rural Municipality of Meadow Lake, and manage 100 commercial and residential rental properties in town, Saskatoon, Comox, B.C., and in Palm Springs, California.
Because of their diversification strategy, one might describe them as either a real estate company that logs and maintains roads, or a logging and road maintenance company that operates a real estate divi-
sion. Either way, it keeps the management team plenty busy.
While the Brander brothers focus on the logging, trucking and road maintenance side of the business, Jamie’s wife, Alana, manages their real estate holdings.
Kris jokes that when other people go on vacation, they go to relax. When he and his brother go on vacation, they look for opportunities.
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They are also extremely hands-on in their business. Their maintenance shop, where Jamie Brander takes care of their truck fleet, also has dedicated mechanics, and a machinist and a welder on staff to be able to rebuild logging and road building equipment from the ground up. They have the ability to conduct 95 per cent of the work in-house. So this allows Brander Enterprises to hold onto their logging equipment much longer, and they even build bridges instead of using culverts for use on their bush roads.
“We have processors with 35,000 to 40,000 hours on them, and feller bunchers with 15,000 to 20,000 hours on them,” says Kris. “I’ll bring a processor into our mechanical shop and we’ll strip it, including new seats and new windows. You will not find a difference between our one-year-old processor and our ten-yearold processor. We 100 per cent go through every piece of equipment every spring.”
He adds that they operate their equipment to high hours simply because of the cost of new equipment, but they typically do still purchase a few new pieces every year.
The Brander Enterprises success story is another example of what can happen when a large forest products enterprise sets down roots in small town Canada. It can change the destiny of an entire community. There is no doubt that the arrival in 2003 of the Tolko OSB mill as well as what was the Millar Western pulp mill at the time, now owned by Domtar, to the Meadow Lake area had a fundamental impact on Brander family fortunes, as well as many others in the community.
A tight Brander/Doepker trailer connection
ogging company Brander Enterprises is a highly valued partner of Doepker Industries, a leading manufacturer of premium grade semi-trailers.
Like Brander, Doepker is based in Saskatchewan, with its head office in Annaheim, and has two other locations—in Moose Jaw and Saskatoon. The company has been dedicated to manufacturing trailers for over 50 years.
“Brander Enterprises is a very special customer that we have had the pleasure of collaborating with spanning more than 20 years,” says Jason Schwindt, VicePresident of Doepker Industries.
“We admire Brander’s dedication to progress and their demand for trailers that perform exceptionally well in tough conditions—it’s a perfect fit with Doepker’s core values.”
Knowing the Brander family places a premium on reliability, durability, and ease of use while optimizing tare weights, Doepker has a logging trailer spec the company refers to as the “Brander” spec that caters to their specific needs and expertise in the industry.
“With that, our awareness that this spec will continually evolve is something we invite,” says Schwindt. “This not only
highlights our appreciation for Brander’s commitment to our brand across our production facilities, but also underscores our teamwork with a seasoned industry expert who knows what succeeds.”
Partnering with a prominent player in the field continually inspires Doepker to refine its trailers and surpass industry standards. “As we both share long-standing roots and success in Saskatchewan, our team at Doepker is very grateful to support and be supported by Brander Enterprises,” said Schwindt.
Brander Enterprises co-owner Kris Brander stands next to their Tigercat gate-style feller bunching head. They were the first to put it to use in Canada and now have three in their extensive logging fleet.
But it wasn’t all just good luck. The Brander brothers brought considerable industry experience to the table.
Their grandfather, Leigh Brander, operated a portable sawmill south of Meadow Lake for years and also operated a truck transport company that for decades delivered goods to northern communities on sketchy bush roads under the Brander Brothers name. Their father, Allen, a millwright, became part owner of NorSask Forest Products in Meadow Lake when it transitioned from a government-owned to employee-owned sawmill, a position he held for 20 years, including after the sawmill was purchased by the Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) in the mid-1990’s. After leaving NorSask, Allen Brander became part of Brander Enterprises, helping to manage the company’s phenomenal growth, and has since retired.
For Kris and Jamie, it all started when they were fresh out of high school 20 years ago in 2004, when the brothers secured a log haul contract with Tolko while they were employees at the mill. When they noticed a need for rental accommodations in town, they began thinking about becoming involved in the rental business and their real estate division was born. They started working as their own contractors to build duplexes and conducted a significant amount of the construction work on their initial properties themselves. Now they have a journeyman carpenter on staff to manage their ongoing building projects.
“Jamie and I had like five jobs on the go when we were between 18 and 20-years-old and ever since then we have been growing both the logging and real estate divisions,” says Kris. “We were the first company to deliver logs into the OSB mill. Back then, we had a couple trucks and a half share in a log loader, and we have continued to grow ever since. Even before that, on my off days during high school and university, I ran a little edger mill for NorSask Forest Products. So there is a lot of sawdust in our blood.”
About 13 years ago, Brander Enterprises expanded from strictly log transport to full-blown logging when they acquired A & A Logging. They now harvest 450,000 cubic metres annually on contract for Tolko and the Big River First Nation. About 70 per cent of their wood is hardwood shipped to the Tolko mill, but they also log softwood, consisting of about 80 per cent spruce and 20 per cent jack pine, shipped to NorSask Forest Products and the Carrier Lumber sawmill in Big River. Their hardwood averages 16” in
diameter and their softwood 14” in diameter. Both the hardwood and softwood is essentially harvested at the same time from the same mixedwood cutblocks. They target 16’ lengths with their hardwood. Their softwood lengths will vary, with the NorSask stud mill wanting 9’ and 18’ logs while Carrier Lumber will accept lengths from 9’ to 16’.
That openness to opportunity and a willingness to learn and try something new to improve operations is evident
within their logging fleet. They were the first logging contractor to put the Tigercat ‘gate-style’ feller buncher head into use in Canada. It gives Brander Enterprises an edge by allowing them to accumulate more timber in the head per grab before laying it down, thus delivering notable efficiency dividends.
“We’re able to accumulate more in the
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head in smaller timber,” says Kris. “It’s not as productive in bigger timber.”
They were also the first to put the Tigercat 568 processing head into commercial use.
The company employs over 100 workers and is one of the largest employers in Meadow Lake. Kris says that their employees are the most important part of their business, with several family members and generations working for them, and they have employees coming from all over Canada.
About half of their logging workforce lives in a modern camp which moves frequently. They move eight to ten times a year, so it is extremely mobile and it can be split up and sent to different locations as needed. They log within a 150-kilometre radius of Meadow Lake. Their logging season starts in June and continues till spring break up, about mid-March. Having the improved bush road contract helps them to determine where they will log in summer and winter. Their road building and maintenance program ensures that they are working in accessible areas, depending on the time of year, since logging in summer can be challenging in the area’s clay loam soil.
Kris Brander tries all sorts of equipment combinations to provide them with information, intelligence, and a competitive edge, including the use of a Southstar processing head attached to a John Deere carrier to complement their largely Tigercat processors for comparison purposes. Their skidder fleet consists of five John Deere 848 skidders (photo below), as well as several Tigercat units.
When they made the leap into fullblown logging, they had the advantage of already owning a log haul company, and today they own and operate 27 mainly Western Star trucks equipped with Super B Doepker trailers. They subcontract another nine trucks.
So they now have full control over the quality of their haul roads, logging, and log transport, and have the ability to move quickly to wherever their main client requires them.
“Now if there is a mess out there, we have no one but ourselves to blame,” says Kris. “We don’t depend on anyone for anything, whether it is mechanical or road access.”
Their fleet is highly tailored to match their wood profile. It features five feller bunchers consisting of two Tigercat 870 machines, two Tigercat 855 units and one Tigercat 845 which was the first unit outfitted with the gate-style head in Canada, as mentioned. This smaller feller buncher and this head was a good match for the smaller profile hardwood logs in a good chunk of their logging area. Because of its demonstrated good performance, this head style is now installed on three of their units.
“Our relationship with Tigercat, rep -
resented here by Redhead Equipment, is pretty important to us,” says Kris. “They take care of us really well and we’ve had people from Tigercat touring people from Australia and the United States through here as well.”
Their skidder fleet consists of two Tigercat 630 units, a Tigercat 623 skidder and five John Deere 848 skidders.
For processors, they have six Tigercat 855 carriers and two Tigercat 850 carriers with either 575 or 568 Tigercat processing heads. Rounding out their processing fleet are one John Deere carrier with a Southstar processing head because Kris says he wanted to try something new.
For log loaders, they have two Tigercat 865 machines, one Tigercat 875, three John Deere 2154 units and one model 2954, all equipped with Rotobec danglehead-style grapples.
“They are lighter at the end of the boom—there is basically one pin to
change a grapple out, and there are four hoses that come down to the head,” says Kris. “So we can change out a grapple in 10 minutes if we have to.”
He adds that they have also found that this grapple head requires less maintenance than a power head.
Their bush and block road building fleet consists of a Cat D3 dozer, two Cat D8T dozers, two Cat D6T dozers, two Cat D6N dozers, two John Deere 250 rock trucks, as well as John Deere 250 and 290 excavators and two Hitachi 250 excavators.
Kris says that when he shops for new equipment, operator input and comfort is at the top of his list, as well as parts availability, the company’s relationship with the dealer, fuel consumption, and—no surprise, considering their business model—purchasing something with a history of longevity and that can be rebuilt as required.
COTTAGE COUNTRY LUMBER ALLIANCE
The Haliburton Forest Group and long-established Murray Bros. Lumber have joined forces in a lumber producing alliance in Ontario’s Cottage Country.
By Tony Kryzanowski
Anew chapter has opened for Ontario’s Haliburton Forest Group and Murray Bros. Lumber Company
(MBLC), both manufacturers of hardwood and softwood lumber in the area known as Cottage Country north of Toronto and south of Algonquin Provincial Park.
In June 2024, they entered into a busi-
ness partnership. For Haliburton, which is headquartered near the community of Haliburton, Ontario, the partnership with MBLC doubles their production capacity from about 100,000 board feet per shift
In partnering with Murray Brothers Lumber, the Haliburton Forest Group has doubled its production capacity from 100,000 to 200,000 board feet per shift. Murray Brothers Lumber has over 120 employees at its sawmill with a considerable amount of manual labor employed because of the mix of both hardwood and softwood products they produce, and the amount of manual grading and sorting required as a result.
to 200,000 board feet per shift. It also diversifies their product mix which was primarily rough green hardwood lumber.
About 50 per cent of MBLC’s production from their location in Madawaska, Ontario, two hours west of Ottawa, is softwood lumber derived from white pine, red pine, hemlock and white spruce. The rest is predominantly hard maple and aspen, with an added assortment of soft maple, red oak, beech, white birch, yellow birch and basswood, all common species in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Forest. About 50 per cent of their logs are harvested from within Algonquin Provincial Park using various silviculture systems, including selection and shelterwood.
In addition to a more diverse product mix, MBLC also offers Haliburton drying and dressing capacity, as it operates nine dry kilns and four planers.
“We will be delving deeper into value-added,” says Malcolm Cockwell, Managing Director and President of the Haliburton Forest Group. “And there is a bit of a shift in product mix by way of species. We’ve been entirely hardwood focused—and now we are going to be more diversified.”
The focus for both companies going forward will be on producing high quality, value-added, finished wood products while looking for ways to maximize production potential by efficiently sharing wood resources amongst all of Haliburton’s sawmills.
“From the forest access and raw material availability side of the equation, it’s really a net positive for all the facilities that are in the group,” says Cockwell. “By integrating and working together, we’ll be able to swap logs between the facilities, and that is already happening.
“Every mill is set up differently and has different strengths and weaknesses with respect to the logs they are processing. So we are able to take a step further on that optimization path to line up the resources and send them to the right destination.”
Liam Murray, Mill Manager at MBLC, says a partnership with Haliburton was preferable because there are several family members, himself included, who are still interested in continuing within the business. But they understood the value and synergies possible, such as greater log access, in partnering with another entity active in the region, like the Haliburton Forest Group. Murray himself is the great grandson of one of the company founders.
He adds that on the management side, there are best practices and knowledge that can be shared across the group of
About 50 per cent of the Murray Brothers Lumber production from their location in Madawaska, Ontario, two hours west of Ottawa, is softwood lumber derived from white pine, red pine, hemlock and white spruce. The rest is predominantly hard maple and aspen, with an added assortment of soft maple, red oak, beech, white birch, yellow birch and basswood.
companies. Sharing resources will certainly be a big benefit, and having a wide diversity of wood products shared across a bigger group should also result in quicker and easier response to current market demands.
To some extent, this partnership represents a marriage between the old and the new. MBLC has over 120 years of history working in the forest sector in Central Ontario, while the Haliburton Group, owned by Malcolm Cockwell and his colleagues, burst onto the scene about seven years ago with their purchase of the private Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve Ltd. The purchase included a sawmill on the site. Since then, Haliburton has added
Huntsville Forest Products in Huntsville, Almaguin Forest Products in South River, Neuman Forest Products in Palmer Rapids, and now MBLC in Madawaska with the consummation of this partnership.
When they began, the company produced about 3.5 million board feet of lumber annually from the single Haliburton sawmill. Now, that volume will increase to 40 million board feet annually in just seven years.
MBLC brings considerable expertise to the partnership in producing and marketing finished wood products. Rough
Brothers Lumber has come a long way since the founders established the company in Ontario's Cottage Country 120 years ago, with several upgrades along the way to this two-line sawmill, which is a major local employer both in the sawmill and in the woods in the region.
from page 19
green material from Haliburton is already making its way to the MBLC mill. It is also continuing its long-term relationships with various logging contractors which can’t be understated, says Cockwell, as the entire region is suffering from a lack of experienced logging contractors.
“Over time, I expect that we will see quite a bit of wood moving among the facilities, both in terms of raw materials and also in terms of lumber,” says Cockwell. “The dry kiln and dressing capacity at Murray Bros. is significant. The general objective going forward is to keep the kilns working in a manner that is generating margin, and that historically is how Murray Bros. has been operated.”
The brothers Mick and Tom Murray founded M & T Lumber Company in 1902 by purchasing property and operating a number of logging camps in the vicinity of the community of Barry’s Bay. That lead to the establishment of a sawmill with a partner, but then that partnership dissolved as a consequence of the onset of the Great Depression.
Undaunted, the brothers founded Murray Bros. Lumber Company in 1929, south of Madawaska in the Cross Lake area, and moved to a permanent location with a more modern sawmill on the banks of the Madawaska River in 1951.
Earlier on, Tom Murray entered provincial politics, which resulted in him spending most of his time in that endeavor while the business carried on. Several waves of modernization occurred, resulting in the lumber manufacturing business that MBLC is today, providing employment for 120 workers in mill operations and about the same number of jobs among contractors who supply the mill.
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The MBLC sawmill consists of a large log mill and a small log mill, with the break point being about 10” in diameter. On the large log line, which was commissioned in 1972, the logs first encounter a Morbark Rosserhead debarker, leading to one of two doublecut bandmill carriages. One bandmill is a Cleereman Industries bandmill with USNR setworks. The second bandmill is from TS Manufacturing, with Silvatech
to page 22
Ontariosawmilling
from page 20
setworks. The bandmills produce either timbers or boards that progress along the green chain. The lumber is able to be diverted into a vertical band resaw provided by a company called Truway Machinery Manufacturers, headquartered in nearby Combermere, Ontario. The lumber then encounters one of two board edgers and ‘Canadian style’ trimmers, before progressing down a boardway where it is graded and manually stacked.
The small log scragg mill was constructed in 1985. There is a Morbark Rosserhead debarker and a Forano ring debarker on the front end leading to a twin scragg mill manufactured by North American Sawmills Machinery, headquartered in Killaloe, Ontario. The company also provided a horizontal resaw. The lumber is processed through two board edgers and two trimmers before being graded and manually stacked on the boardway.
Lumber destined for the dry kilns is then transported to a separate building where it is manually graded and then sent to the 14-bin or 20-bin Truway sorters. Their softwood products are dried primarily in one of four North Carolina-based, SII-brand dry kilns. The remaining five dry kilns which predominately dry their hardwood prod-
ucts were provided by Coe Manufacturing, which is now part of USNR.
Dried and sorted lumber is either shipped directly to customers or sent to one of two planer mills. Murray Bros. has been planing lumber since the 1950’s. The planer mills contain four A20 Yates planers, leading to a Truway trimmer in one planer mill or a North American Machinery trimmer in the other. Finally, the lumber is manually stacked in preparation for shipping.
One common thread that supports the marriage between Haliburton Forest Group and MBLC is that both companies have a strong commitment to sustainable forest management, considering how much logging MBLC conducts in Algonquin Park.
“I’m very proud that logging has been such a big part of the history of Algonquin Park,” says Liam Murray, a Registered Professional Forester. “I believe that it is a leader certainly in Ontario and around the world in terms of stewardship and managing for all sorts of different values.”
All of Haliburton’s private forest holdings are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. Owning and operating the recreational Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve Ltd property, as well as a number of other private forest properties throughout
Ontario, has strongly influenced how Malcolm Cockwell and his brother, Gareth, both Registered Professional Foresters, approach sustainable forest management. MBLC has also held FSC certification, an indicator of the value that the company has placed on going above and beyond government requirements when it comes to stewardship.
With its deal to partner with MBLC concluded, Haliburton Forest Group is now changing focus.
“It’s been pretty rapid growth,” says Cockwell. “Something that we will be embracing for the next while—as a group—is a transition from growth to improvement. It’s now time to concentrate on becoming more efficient by centralizing some operational functions and that also probably will entail some major capital projects in the sawmills.”
They are also in the process of ramping up their engineered biochar phase one expansion project. It is located near the village of Haliburton and is about to enter phase two of its expansion. The plant converts wood residues like wood chips and bark into very high quality biochar that can be used as a fossil fuel-based product replacement in many industrial processes.
A Cleereman carriage is the main breakdown unit on one of two production lines operating at Murray Brothers Lumber. The mill produces a variety of both hardwood and softwood products common to the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Forest. About 50 per cent of their logs are harvested from within Algonquin Provincial Park using various silviculture systems, including selection and shelterwood.
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industryevents
FRONT AND CENTRE at B.C. industry shows: trade, tariffs and timber supply
While U.S. lumber tariffs are on everyone’s minds these days, timber supply will also be a front and centre issue at the Interior Logging Association and British Columbia Saw Filer’s Association conventions and trade shows coming up in May, in Kamloops, B.C.
By Jim Stirling
ritish Columbia’s loggers seem blessed—or perhaps cursed—with a stronger than average survival instinct. Throw problems at them and they solve them. Heap on still more complications and most of them just dig a little deeper into their sources of resilience.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs upon tariffs tactics and tantrums are seen for what they are and simply reinforce the loggers’ resolve.
First, there’s a more fundamental issue for the log harvesting sector to tackle. And it will be on the minds of all the logging contractors, their suppliers, speakers and guests attending the 67th edition of the Interior Logging Association (ILA) annual general meeting and convention. The event is scheduled for the Coast Kamloops Hotel and Conference Centre May 1 to 4.
Tim Menning, the ILA’s chair, puts that key industry concern succinctly: “I would hope the government of the day lives up to their commitments to establish and deliver a sustainable volume of timber to ensure survival and stability of all B.C. communities.”
Menning is a long time log harvesting contractor who has stickhandled many crises. He began his company, Hytest Timber Ltd, in 1986 and it has been locally owned and operated in Williams Lake ever since.
This year’s ILA convention follows a familiar and appreciated format with the addition of a few new wrinkles.
Ravi Parmar, B.C.’s Minister of Forests, is scheduled to address the convention during a luncheon May 2 and the issue voiced by Menning and others associated with it are guaranteed to be discussed. The ILA’s general manager, Todd Chamberlain, added that the minister was planning to be on site for the rest of that day.
Chamberlain emphasizes the suppliers and exhibitors are critical to the success of the convention. “One of the messages that we always try and deliver to the government is while we continue to advocate for the contracting community, we are also advocating for our associate members as well,” he pointed out. “The companies represented at our trade show are a critical component of the industry. Government policies also affect the bottom line of their businesses,” he said.
“We always say you can take those 50 to 80 companies and put them in every community in British Columbia, whether it’s Smithers, Chetwynd, Cranbrook, Penticton or Campbell River, and it represents hundreds more families that are dependent upon this industry. Forestry is more than contractors and licencees—it’s also the sub-contractors and suppliers.”
The ILA recognizes there’s a vacuum of understanding and appreciation about the forest industry’s complexity and diversity. “Our goal is to raise awareness not just to government staff and politicians but also the importance and diversity of our industry and how it supports local communities in so many ways,” continued Chamberlain.
“At the ILA, we use social media to bring a more positive spin to the industry and there is more messaging with other affiliates. We also use BC Truck Logger Magazine editorial spots to raise awareness of the industry while contributing to the magazine’s content.”
Chamberlain also cited Forestry Works for BC, promoted by a larger group of as -
sociations which are trying to demonstrate the contributions and importance of the forest industry to the larger B.C. economy.
The ever popular trade show component of the ILA annual convention will be held at the Pow Wow Grounds, in Kamloops. It encompasses a range of both indoor and outdoor exhibitors.
Log harvesting contractors are a pretty handy bunch but they need a wide range of auxiliary goods and services to help them achieve maximum efficiency. Inside the grounds will be housed a wide display and range of information on a host of services loggers need to get the job done well and first time. The software of running a business, if you will.
Outside in the grounds will be the hardware; the latest models of harvesting equipment and trucks designed to work
and produce every day on the most awkward sites and under the most demanding conditions.
At both the inside and outside locations, knowledgeable people will be on hand to answer loggers’ questions.
A new dimension to the ILA program this year is a change in the popular log loading competition. The association has joined forces with Inland Truck and Equipment, the regional Tigercat dealership, to make use of its sophisticated new operator simulator machine for use at the event.
“Hopefully we can use the machine to find our next generation of loggers,” added Chamberlain. to page 28
The ever popular trade show component of the ILA annual convention will be held at the Pow Wow Grounds, in Kamloops. It encompasses a range of both indoor and outdoor exhibitors.
industryevents
One of the ways a sawmill can maintain and build its customer base in an increasingly competitive market is to produce consistently high quality sawn wood products, and doing its part to help achieve that is what the British Columbia Saw Filer’s Association (BCSFA) convention is all about.
from page 27
Other events on the agenda are the association’s second annual truck show and shine; chain saw carving from Tyler Welfing of Vernon and the silent auction.
Despite the uncertainty of the times, Chamberlain says attendance and participation is expected to be on a par with 2024’s well supported show. “In fact we have several new participants in the trade show this year.”
Chamberlain is ably supported in the ILA office by Nancy Hesketh, office administrator, and Meagan Preston, support services. Volunteers include Betty-Ann McDonald; Anne Polson; Connie Stass and Wendy Sherman.
The British Columbia Saw Filer’s Association (BCSFA) is scheduled to move into the same Coast Kamloops Hotel and Convention Centre May 9 and 10 for its annual convention. It also features a popular trade show component.
Convention organizers have packed a lot into the two-day event. The sawmilling sector has a lot on its plate right now with the tough operating conditions it faces. Finding an edge both literally and figuratively is where a sawmill’s filing room can pay dividends.
One of the ways a sawmill can maintain and build its customer base in an increasingly competitive market is to produce consistently high quality sawn wood products. Doing its part to help achieve that is what the BCFSFA convention is all about. The tone is set May 9 with technical sessions arranged for both morning and afternoon periods. Delegates will hear some of the latest in best practices and saw filing developments. More technical sessions will follow on the Saturday morning.
The trade show portion of the event is extended to both days this year. It will offer a showcase of the latest innovations in technology, products and services, outlined Matt Graves, the BCSFA’s secretary and a sawfiler at Tolko Industries’ Lavington division in the province’s Okanagan region.
The technical sessions and the trade show complement the association’s goal for its members: to encourage cooperation and education through the sharing of knowledge and resources.
Despite the clouds of uncertainty hanging above B.C.’s forest industry Graves is confident of a good turnout for the 2025 convention.
“People want to be there,” he explains simply. “In the trade show, for example, sawfilers can rub shoulders with a range of people with different perspectives they wouldn’t normally meet.”
The association encourages wide participation in its convention including sawmill managers, mechanical superintendents and other technical support people.
“We get good support for our convention from Alberta mills, “ said Graves. “West Fraser has arranged company meetings for its B.C. and Alberta people to coincide with our event.”
West Fraser has recently embarked on a company program of filing room upgrades at its selected sawmills. Last September, for example, West Fraser acquired an Iseli automatic level and tensioning system for its sawmill in Quesnel, B.C. The sophistication of that equipment represents a quantum leap from the company’s beginnings in Quesnel. An Isleli RZ1 bucking station was installed in April 2024 at Tolko’s Lakeview mill in Williams Lake. That installation was on the
heels of a similar upgrade at Graves’ mill at Lavington.
The Iseli line of equipment is represented by Thode Knife & Saw Ltd, a participant in the BCSFA trade show this year. The company expanded into B.C. in 2018 from its New Zealand home (founded in 1946), and has been on a growth tear ever since. Thode Canada opened a new manufacturing facility in Chilliwack, B.C. in 2021. The company’s latest acquisition was finalized in February 2025 with JD Saw & Supply Ltd, adding its brands like Sharp Tools and Cortex to the Thode group.
The issues facing the sawfiling sector are varied and complex. The consistently warming climate and the problems facing the industry’s supply of its traditional SPF fibre means “new” species need to be accommodated. The process requires technical adaptation, a development already underway, noted Graves. His Tolko mill at Lavington provides an example.
It has been operating separate runs for larch products to discover and accommodate the requirements for successfully processing the species. They represent different challenges in quality and control for sawfilers and bench staff in B.C.’s sawmills.
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smallsawmilling
PIVOTING
at Post & Purlin
B.C.’s Micheal Essex has discovered that running his new business Post & Purlin Forest Products can involve a lot of pivoting—but fortunately he’s had solid help along the way in managing those business twists and turns.
By Paul MacDonald
Micheal Essex, the owner of Post & Purlin Forest Products, knows all about pivoting—he has done more than his fair share of pivoting since starting up the one-stop business that does sawmilling, reman, millwork, and cabinetry, and just about anything else made of wood, in Powell River, B.C. just over two years ago.
Being able to pivot is usually one of the hallmarks of a small business—unlike larger companies, smaller businesses are able to shift on a dime, often on a nickle, if pressed. And Essex has been doing that over the last several years, along the way utilizing the skills and contacts he has developed working in the business on the mill side for 15 years.
“The vision for the business has
The sawmilling equipment set-up at Post & Purlin includes a Wood-Mizer LT40 that will cut up to 38 feet.
changed a couple of times,” he explains.
Essex started out his career in the forest industry, after stints working in construction, on the green chain of a mid-sized sawmill operation in Powell River, which is 135 kilometres—and two B.C. Ferries trips—northwest of Vancouver.
He also gained extensive sales experience in the industry, serving as the general manager of a Powell River sawmill for 13 years, overseeing both retail and wholesale operations. Prior to that, he worked in contractor sales for Rona.
But he really had the desire to run his own mill business, and did that in November 2022, setting up Post & Purlin (for the non-builders, a purlin is a horizontal beam that supports roof rafters).
Initially, Essex established the business with a partner who had property and mill equipment, with the goal of producing large timbers and tiny home build kits. However, due to shifting business conditions and the inherent challenges of partnerships, they decided to part ways amicably—marking an early pivot for the company.
Having worked in the local cabinetry industry for many years, Roberts recognized the market potential and opportunities it presented. With this insight, Essex decided to take a chance, investing in additional equipment and renovating an existing shop space to expand into custom millwork and cabinetry.
“We wanted to be a business that is unique—there are not a lot of companies doing what we are doing, offering that one-stop shop,” says Essex.
It takes a strong management team to keep the operation running smoothly, notes Essex. “With Chris overseeing production, Keith Chisolm managing yard logistics, Jenny Garden handling office operations, and our two production workers, Mickey and Lelin, driving the manufacturing process, the team creates a solid foundation,” he says. This setup allows Essex to focus on sales and marketing to grow the business.
“All our skills complement each other really well,” says Essex. “Everyone plays a vital role in this company, and they take pride in their work. I’m fortunate to have such a dedicated team.”
And that team delivers on a variety of jobs.
“Custom is the big thing about this business—it’s not the idea of building a
Shortly after, Chris Roberts, a seasoned professional with extensive experience as a sawyer and cabinet maker, joined Post & Purlin. The business leveraged Roberts’ skill set, shifting focus toward the valueadded side of wood products, with millwork and cabinetry becoming key areas of emphasis. to page 32
Post & Purlin’s Chris Roberts working an Alaskan sawmill set up (above) on the Powell River mill site. While they also source logs from First Nations and privately, many of the logs they are running at the Post & Purlin operation come from the Powell River Community Forest.
Powell River Community Forest supplies logs to local sawmillers, supports the town
The Powell River Community Forest is the source of a lot of the logs consumed by Post & Purlin.
And each year, the town of Powell River, on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast, gets a pretty good financial dividend courtesy of its community forest operations.
In 2024, the Powell River Community Forest presented a record cheque of more than $6.2 million to the City of Powell River, as its 2023 dividend. The record amount was made possible due to a larger than usual harvest, and a good timber market.
The town of 22,000 has been getting dividends, via its Community Forest Reserve Fund, for the last 16 years, each of them representing the profits from the Powell River Community Forest (PRCF). And the town has been putting the
money to good use, funding everything from the Powell River library to scholarships for local students studying resource management.
And along the way, the PRCF puts back into the Powell River community business-wise, using the services of everyone from logging and roadbuilding contractors to local log scalers—and supplying local mill operations like Post & Purlin, with logs. One of PRCF’s goals is to provide opportunities for local contractors, mill owners and value added manufacturers.
It’s all made possible by a Community Forest Agreement the town made with the province 16 years ago. For those not familiar with the term, a Community Forest Agreement (CFA) is an area-based forest tenure issued by the B.C. Ministry of Forests that allows harvesting of timber
on provincial forest lands. The intent with CFAs was to provide communities with the opportunity to have more control over how their local forests are managed, and to directly receive benefits from forest development occurring in their area.
The Powell River Community Forest covers about 7,100 hectares of forest area, and has a sustainable AAC of 35,000 cubic metres per year. Powell River Community Forest Ltd. was set up by the town to hold the CFA on behalf of the entire community. While it is a for-profit company, 100 per cent of its profits are returned to the community.
The PRCF is overseen by a nine-person volunteer board of directors, many of them with forest industry backgrounds.
smallsawmilling
from page 31
bunch of cabinets and having them in stock,” he explained. “It’s more someone coming to us with an idea for kitchen cabinets, or that they would like some
timbers to do a nice entryway to their house, or a table. We can offer it all.
“Like any new business, it’s been a struggle, but it’s happening, and we are even getting some programs together on the wholesale side,” says Essex.
A big piece of iron that Post & Purlin has—and whose use they want to ramp up—is a custom-made gantry mill. The gantry mill is a double-blade system, featuring a 48” main blade and a 30” edger, allowing it to cut dimensional material up to 22” x 18” in a single pass.
While the cabinet side of the business of late has not been busy, they are looking to ramp that up, and Essex and Roberts see an opportunity. “There are not a lot of people doing high end cabinetry in the town and the region,” says Essex.
While people in the area are going to go to the local building supply store for commodity wood products, he wants them to think of Post & Purlin as their goto specialty wood products place.
And they have received recognition in the community. In 2023, the company was selected as a runner up for New Business of the Year by the Powell River Chamber of Commerce.
Over time, Post & Purlin has steadily expanded and improved its equipment setup. In the sawmill operations, they’ve added an upcut saw system and an edger, while in the cabinet shop, they’ve invested in a production edge bander and upgraded the dust collection system to connect all their machinery seamlessly.
Post & Purlin is well-equipped to handle any project, boasting tools like a stroke sander, a 14’ x 5’ CNC machine, a 36” drum sander, a 28” planer, and even a five-head Leadermac five-head molder—just a few examples of the many resources at their disposal.
Last year, they also completed a major task: improving the layout of both shops to optimize equipment placement and create an efficient workflow.
Essex notes the operation can do a lot of custom cutting, with its vertical resaw, Leadermac moulder and a kiln.
“Pretty much anything someone needs, we can handle—from kiln-drying raw material in our large onsite kiln to producing stock profiles or creating custom profiles with our moulder. Essentially, we can take a log and turn it into whatever you need,” says Essex.
Their milling equipment set-up includes a Wood-Mizer LT40 that will cut up to 38 feet, a three-phase Wood-Mizer edger and upcut saw. Essex notes they have done some big cuts on logs, such as free-of-heart 12 by 12s, 28-feet long and bigger.
But he wants to go bigger—and has the equipment in the yard to do that, once it’s set up. Post & Purlin has a gantry mill that was custom made on the Sunshine Coast. The mill is a double-blade system similar to a Mobile Dimension or Mighty Mite. It features a 48” main blade and a 30” edger, allowing it to cut dimensional material up to 22” x 18” in a single pass. Rolling logs on the frame enables cuts of up to 4’ x 4’+ dimensions. Generally, this
machine targets specific timbers, with side wood cut into large cants for resawing. They had it set up to cut up to 85 feet, and early this year, they were re-working the yard layout to find a new, better spot for this great piece of iron. “I’ve looked around a bit, and when we are done, this will be one of the largest diameter and longest cutting mill set-ups in Western Canada.”
It’s a significant project that will produce large timbers, which Essex notes might require some market development. Potential markets could include bridge timbers or projects requiring oversized materials, such as those often used by First Nations. “We had the opportunity to supply custom roof decking and ceiling material for a museum built by the Tla’amin Nation in Powell River,” says Essex. “In the future, we’ll be able to offer the larger diameter and longer timbers required for projects like that. It would be a great fit, especially since we often source timber from First Nations lands.”
Essex has plenty of praise for the WoodMizer equipment they are working with, though he noted he would have preferred a dual post system vs. the single post system on the LT-40. “But Wood-Mizers are great equipment—they have the best service and turnaround time for parts.”
In terms of an overall business plan, the company received a good amount of assistance from Community Futures Powell River.
Community Futures Powell River is a not-for-profit organization providing business financing and support to small and medium-sized enterprises in the region, with a focus on building a diverse local economy and local job creation. “Community Futures has been great, helping us out wherever they can,” says Essex.
The community support continues, in terms of log supply. While they also source logs from First Nations and privately, many of the logs they are running at the Post & Purlin operation come from the Powell River Community Forest (see sidebar story on page 31).
“They’ve been great at supplying us logs,” says Essex, who recently bought two truckloads from the community forest.
“We don’t need a lot of wood,” he adds. “If we’re cutting full time, 2 to 3 loads of logs should do us for a month.
“And we don’t want a lot of wood sitting around that we are not going to use soon,” he added.
Post & Purlin tries to schedule their log supply around work activities—if they are doing a lot of milling, they’ll have a good
supply of logs, and if they are doing more cabinet work, they will have a smaller supply of logs in the yard. They try to stick to one or the other, as much as possible, to achieve efficiencies, “rather than going back and forth a lot”, says Essex.
Like all the sawmill operations in Powell River, Post & Purlin faces the challenge of what to do with some of their residual wood.
It used to be burned at the power boiler at the Paper Excellence Canada Catalyst Paper mill in Powell River, but that was closed in 2021.
That left local sawmillers stuck, says Essex.
“In the cabinet shop, the guys will bag it up, and label the bag with what we are running, cedar or whatever, and then sell it off to local people who want it for animal bedding. So it’s relatively easy to sell what comes out of the molder.”
They bundle larger pieces for firewood, and sell sideboards in bundles as well.
smallsawmilling
An aerial view of part of the gantry mill. Post & Purlin’s Micheal Essex believes it will be one of the largest diameter and longest cutting mill set-ups in Western Canada.
But the residual wood that comes from the sawmill at Post & Purlin, and the other mills in the area, now has to find a new home.
Essex explains that he is actively seeking solutions to manage wood waste but notes the challenges of being in a small, remote town. “Living in a place that relies on B.C. Ferries for transportation makes it expensive to move materials anywhere outside the local area,” he says.
Essex added that he is also working on a possible bio-char operation or a wood burning system that would heat their kiln, to use the waste wood. He noted that a local fellow is helping him out with that.
Essex said he is very thankful for such industry contacts. “I’ve been very lucky in finding people who know what it’s like to do a start-up business from scratch.” These folks have been there, and done that, and know how tough it is to get a business going, and keep it going, especially in the first few years.
A lot of the contacts are from the time Essex has been in the business, such as local trucking company, Texada Transport. And others are new, such as Paul Beltgens, of Jemico Enterprises and Paulcan Enterprises in Ladysmith, on Vancouver Island, who is helping Essex with some dust solutions, as is sawmill veteran Ken Day, who has built mills worldwide, and been instrumental in sharing his expertise. Additionally, a local retired electrical engineer from the pulp mill has been helping diagnose and resolve electrical issues onsite. “He’s played a big part in getting our CNC operational after persistent fault code issues that no one else could figure out,” Essex shares.
The help of such people involved in the industry, and Community Futures Powell River, have been central to all the pivots Post & Purlin has made, says Essex.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for these people.
“It’s been such a big part of the support that I’ve got—where we are now and how we’ve got there has been tough and I’ve learned a ton of stuff you can’t learn in business school.”
While they are open to taking on a variety of projects, Essex emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus as a small business.
“What I’ve learned is that we started with big ideas and a desire to do too many things,” Essex explains. “What we’ve had to decide, though, is to concentrate on the custom side of the business, keeping it at a more modest
scale—something the crew feels comfortable managing.
“For me, a big part of it is having a good team with our crew, and everyone communicating. It’s like a little family, and I like to think of it as a nice place to come to work—that’s a big deal for me.”
What’s next for Post & Purlin? Coming up is a dedicated YouTube channel, for information and marketing purposes, showing what they can produce, and how they produce it.
“We’ll be getting a couple of GoPro cameras and creating as much content as we can, and then working with someone local who will edit it and package it for YouTube.
“I thought it was a cool concept,” says Essex. “The world seems like it is all about social media these days and there is just something satisfying about watching lumber being milled”
FINDING THE RIGHT IRON FIT
for big hardwood harvesting
A fixed head Tigercat harvester set-up is proving to be just the right fit for Ontario logger Kyle Ramsay and his work of selective harvesting big hardwoods for Haliburton Forest.
By George Fullerton
Ontario logging contractor Kyle Ramsay developed an affinity for forest harvesting through his family’s excavation business.
“I grew up in the excavation business, and in the winter we would fire up our John Deere 440 cable skidders and head to the woods,” shared Ramsay, explaining his background in forest harvesting.
In 2020, he established Kyle Ramsay Quality Excavation and Logging, and soon added a John Deere 540 cable skidder. He began taking winter contracts harvesting hardwoods for the Haliburton Forest Wildlife Reserve.
When the offer came from Haliburton to become a full time harvesting contractor, Ramsay upped his game, buying a feller buncher and an excavator-mounted grapple saw. “The buncher felling operation required chainsaw operators on the ground topping the trees which were skidded with a John Deere 648H grapple skidder to the wood yards,” explained Ramsay.
The Haliburton Forest is situated 300 kilometres north of Toronto, and is managed for ecological and recreational values, along with commercial forestry objectives.
Their forest management strategy is to space tree crowns to encourage growth of the highest quality trees, maintain spe -
cies diversity, maintain a healthy forest with natural resistance to climate change and forest pests, protect wildlife habitat and maintain a positive social license with the community and stakeholders.
The Haliburton Forest supports forest research with a number of universities and colleges.
Forest management is by single tree selection and group selection practices and harvests are guided by tree marking, with re-entry schedule on a 20-year rotation.
The Haliburton Forest also offers land management services to private woodlot owners in the region.
For details on the Haliburton Forest Group and long-established Murray Bros.
Lumber joining forces in a lumber producing alliance in Ontario’s Cottage Country, please see page 18 of this issue. With the alliance with Murray Bros, and the acquisition of several other mill operations in recent years, volume for the Haliburton Forest Group is now 40 million board feet annually.
Ramsay found that increasing episodes of wet weather were impacting his operation’s profitability, and resulting in muddy skid trails and wood yards. His operation was witnessing periods of shutdown because of wet conditions, to the point he began to seriously look for harvest system options.
Cut-to-length operations in his region, generally, are based on feller-buncher followed by a dangle head processor, with forwarders to match the buncher production. Ramsay was concerned about this multiple machine approach to CTL, in part because of the difficulty to find qualified and inspired workers.
He studied the option of a single dangle head harvester matched to a single forwarder, but realized the large hardwood in selection harvest would overtask run-of-the-mill dangle heads. He was also concerned about risking damage to the harvest head, specifically to saw bar chains when reaching through undergrowth and cutting the heavy hardwoods.
Additionally, with the selection harvest method, the operation has to be very cautious not to injure the residual crop trees, and dangle heads have little control of felling as soon as a tree is severed.
In time, Ramsay became aware of the Tigercat 822E harvester, equipped with a fixed mounted Tigercat 570 harvesting head, designed for hardwood harvesting in Michigan. After some study and viewing videos of the equipment, Ramsay was convinced the setup would meet his needs and went on to contact his Tigercat dealer, Wajax, to discuss availability.
Ramsay was disappointed to hear that the entire manufacturing run of the 822/570 fixed head had been sold to U.S. customers.
However, a short time following his initial inquiry, Ramsay received a call from Wajax that one of the U.S. orders had been cancelled, and a machine was available, and sitting at the Tigercat factory in Brantford, Ontario.
Within days Ramsay and his wife were off to Brantford to see the factory and the harvester with the fixed head.
The Ramsay’s toured the factory and met personally with the designers and engineer.
Ontariologging
Shortly after the Tigercat harvester/Tigercat 570 harvesting head combo was delivered to Kyle Ramsay, they spent a few days doing final setup and training, but Ramsay said he was immediately impressed with the ability of the head to securely grapple on trees, and the ability of the 36-inch saw (3/4-inch pitch chain) to cut through big hardwoods, and to directionally fell the trees.
“We were impressed with the attention that Tigercat gave us, and also impressed with the design and work quality that Tigercat puts into manufacturing their products,” he says.
“We made the deal on the harvester and it was delivered in July 2023. We spent a few days doing final setup and training, but I was immediately impressed with the ability of the head to securely grapple on trees, and the ability of the 36-inch saw (3/4-inch pitch chain) to cut through big hardwoods, and to directionally fell the trees.
“The wrist function is similar to working a buncher head wrist rotation, but the stem feeding, length measuring, delimbing and buck functions presented a pretty big learning curve for me. During that initial learning curve, I became more convinced this machine was ideal for selection harvesting big hardwoods for Haliburton.”
The Tigercat 822E comes with a lot of features which make it an ideal heavy duty unit for selection and partial cut application, and at the same time a venerable machine in final felling applications.
The 822E has a seven-foot tail swing radius, shipping weight of 28 tonnes, with more than 280 horsepower, tight tuck boom geometry, and four separate hydraulic pumps. The 822E also sports ER boom technology which provides single
plane boom movement with one joystick, and allows less than conventional oil demand, less demand on pump and cooling systems and improved fuel efficiency.
The Tigercat 570 fixed harvesting head is a combination of the reputable 570 dangle head, minus the dangle and combined with the Tigercat 340-degree wrist, which has served in feller buncher applications.
The wrist technology allows the harvester head to rotate to securely grapple leaning or twisted stems and control the felling.
According to Tigercat, the wrist-fitted head was developed as a response to customers looking for a high level of control when falling high value hardwoods and in other select-cut applications. The fixed head wrist allows a high degree of control and dexterity for delimbing and topping and processing lengths, particularly in larger (heavier) trees and hardwoods. The added control also reduces incidence of breakage and damage to crop trees left in the residual stand.
The wrist has a proven high torque, three motor 340-degree rotation system as the buncher application, which allows the head to more easily align to the tree for the felling cut.
Ontariologging
from page 37
The fixed wrist head has fore-aft tilting by way of the boom tilt linkage, providing even greater positive control to position harvested trees.
The three knife arms and the two feed wheel arms on the 570 head are fully independent and have full proportional pressure control, which allows the knives and wheels to more easily follow the curves and taper of a tree without excessive friction or undue loading. Full manual operator control of all arm functions is always available to give the operator maximum control for all harvesting situations.
The fixed wrist 570 head comes with a topping saw, which is only an option on the dangle 570.
Ramsay rounded out his harvester team with a 17 tonne forwarder, a John Deere 2510.
Ramsay held onto his feller buncher, and it starts new harvest blocks by cutting out the main harvest trails, and clearing infected beech stands.
“My forwarder operator comes with buncher experience, so on arrival at a new block, for the first day, he operates the buncher to cut the main trails. The harvester is the next to arrive at the block and I get a day’s harvesting in before the forwarder starts working. The new harvester generates enough logs to keep the forwarder fully occupied.”
Operating the harvester, Ramsay makes a concerted effort to mat the trails, and explained that the strategy results in minimal rutting.
The Tigercat 822E (at work in the distance, above) comes with a lot of features which make it an ideal heavy duty unit for selection and partial cut application, and at the same time a venerable machine in final felling applications. The 822E has a seven-foot tail swing radius, shipping weight of 28 tonnes, with more than 280 horsepower, tight tuck boom geometry, and four separate hydraulic pumps.
“With the new Tigercat harvester, we are witnessing minimal damage occurring to the residual crop trees. Our wood is piled along the main truck road, so self loader trucks can load directly from the road,” he explained.
“We are also seeing greater volume produced compared to the buncher topper skidder operation, because we can produce more merchantable wood from the tops.
“Our operation is significantly safer with no chainsaw operators on the ground,” he added. “We are just a team of two and we are highly motivated to operate a safe and very productive operation.
“I was impressed with how well built the Tigercat head was compared to competitors and all the thought that was put into the head,” concluded Ramsay.
“We had a couple of little issues in the beginning, being the first one in Canada with this configuration, but with the great service from Wajax and Tigercat, we were never down for too long. We are at over 800 hours now and the equipment has been almost flawless. We have been into big wood with the machine and I haven’t grabbed a tree yet that it hasn’t cut in one pass—it also feeds big wood very well. It’s definitely a learning curve with it being a fixed head, but for what we are doing with it, the head works great.”
Ramsay figures they are gaining 35 to 40 per cent more product because they are able to generate more merchantable wood from the tops, compared to their previous setup.
“This equipment setup is producing extremely well for us, and we continue to learn something about the machine, and operating it, everyday. I am certainly convinced that cut-to-length forestry is the future for operations such as what we work in.”
Technology development and applied research supporting forest and afforestation production and sustainability
BY TONY KRYZANOWSKI
The Canadian Forest Service (CFS) has historically integrated—with great success—its science research with ongoing technology development and advanced forest and afforestation production and management system practices in co-operation with its research, development, forest industry practitioner, landowner, and stakeholder partners.
This relationship has developed and evolved through an adaptive process where forest managers and regulators identify key issues, which are collaboratively addressed through the adoption of newly developed or developing practices, technologies, and silviculture systems, and which are applicable to Canadian conditions.
Some of these issues include improving upon regeneration efficiency which originated from Canada’s backlog reforestation challenges that occurred in the late-1980’s, advanced treatment adoption, novel applications, and innovative diversification of tools and techniques.
Other issues that CFS and its partners have addressed over the past 30 years include increasing tree/piece size, sustainable fibre supply, ecosystem management mimicking natural disturbance, mixedwood understorey protection, and climate change adaptation and mitigation, while also pursuing habitat enrichment and biodiversity.
Site preparation, vegetation management, tree seedling propagation including genetics and handling systems, partial harvest systems including pattern and integrated practices, as well as afforestation of fast-growing species, clones, and species mixtures have been deployed to complement forest areas in close proximity to final forest commercial users as well as to address local environmental, social and economic values.
Silviculture tools have been developed, demonstrated, field-tested and applied in head-to-head trials to make the research and development a reality. This work was conducted in co-operation with Canada’s primary landowners, provincial governments, forest managers, industry practitioners and other end users, resulting in relevant, protected and eco-bio-efficient values.
The Technology Development Unit, Canadian Wood Fibre Centre, and the Forest Practices Innovation Group of the CFS have led the charge since the mid1980's, with the establishment of a significant network of research and development sites from Ontario, across the Prairie provinces, into the Northwest Territories, and into northwestern British Columbia, focused on operational deployment.
These applied field trials have become legacy sites which have longstanding infrastructure establishment characteristics, have local stakeholder vested interest and protection, and have withstood the test of time, having been established as far back as the early to mid-1980’s—and are used for tours and demonstrations to transfer technology advancement to practitioners and forest managers.
Site preparation was among the earliest developed practices, first by introducing technologies from other parts of the world, adapting them to Canadian conditions and then enhancing their use, with vegetation manipulation and tree planting to shrink rotations and expand or increase forest production. Diversity of species types as well as stock types were all part of this development and evolution. CFS and its partners played a significant role in this evolution as we advanced into the 21st century.
More recently, silviculture practices have become more consistent and have been enhanced to an increased efficiency due to onsite consumption, in other
words, maximizing utilization of tree species and tree size, as well as diversifying product types with the development of such novel products as LVL, OSB, and CLT, waste use in commercial mills, and commercial biomass recovery. This biomass often comes from opportunity sources, those being forest slash, noncommercial species, and fibre from highrisk fire sites that require some form of treatment.
Additionally, on the purpose-grown front—represented by fast-growing species which are specifically grown over short rotations—it has been shown that they can be manipulated so that they have very precise and finite fibre characteristics for use in paper products and solid, liquid or gaseous forms of renewable energy.
This brings us to current times as it relates to ongoing development.
Today, many of Canada’s silviculture practices and forest application developments are focused on increasing the size, scale and scope of Canada’s forest types, which includes species diversification for maintaining and enhancing the environmental values and health of forest stands as well as fire and insect stand protection and resilience. This includes reduction of monocultures and/or multi-entries into monocultures that advance production, fibre size and age class diversification, resulting in final product diversity.
For more information about past and ongoing CFS applied research and development initiatives, contact Derek Sidders, Program Co-ordinator and Advisor, Forest Practices Technology and Development, Canadian Forest Service, at derek.sidders@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.
TECHUPDATE
By Tony Kryzanowski
Leveling Feller Bunchers
Weiler Forestry
Weiler Forestry have been busy growing their product offering including a new full tail swing, flat bottom and leveling feller buncher and harvester platform.
The company says that the new 700 Series is industry leading in all the key performance criteria important for extreme logging operations including swing, lift capacity, tractive effort, tilting range and overall multi-functioning.
Running a C9.3B Cat engine rated at 375 hp, the B768 and H768 are described as having unmatched performance capability. The optimized hydraulic system consists of eight dedicated pumps, and was designed specifically to maximize efficiency in feller buncher applications. Closed loop drive and closed loop swing offer excellent multi-functioning capability and facilitate smooth, efficient and fluid machine operation, says the company.
Weiler also offers a reduced tail swing B458A machine. Now at 330 hp, this machine has updated travel and multi-functioning capabilities. With the longest track frame in the industry with 11 bottom rollers, the B458A extended frame is described as a very stable mid-sized machine.
www.weilerforestry.com
Tigercat
Tigercat is a world leader in steep slope harvesting and extraction systems. For over 20 years, it has been at the forefront of steep slope innovation, with products such as six-wheel-drive rear bogie skidders, leveling shovel loggers, the 5195 directional felling head, the 180 swing yarder and the 120 winch assist.
One of the latest developments is the new LX877 feller buncher, a machine that can achieve even higher performance and productivity on steep slopes, and has enhanced leveling capabilities. Building on the highly successful LX870D platform, the LX877 re-imagines what a steep slope carrier should be, says Tigercat.
The sloping profile of the upper assembly allows for increased track clearance resulting in greater leveling capability equal to Tigercat’s near-zero tail swing LX830E. The sloping rear also results in superior cable management for winch assisted applications.
The leveling structure itself is constructed with thick steel cylinders, pins, and bushings. When combined with long track frames and wide stance carbody, the leveling system’s clever geometry optimizes balance and weight distribution, improving comfort and confidence on sloped terrain, says the company.
www.tigercat.com
Eltec
Eltec, a leading forestry harvesting equipment manufacturer in Canada, says that it has raised the bar with its latest innovation in leveling systems. Its cutting edge technology now offers quicker and smoother transitions, revolutionizing the operator experience.
At the heart of this advancement is its improved flow sharing valve system, engineered to enhance precision and responsiveness. This upgrade allows for seamless operation on even the steepest slopes, maintaining optimal operator positioning whether climbing or descending challenging terrain.
Eltec says that its proprietary leveling systems are now more responsive and self-adjusting than ever before. In combination with its heavy-duty rotation system, the tilt angle of the levelers keeps the cab horizontal, ensuring operator comfort and safety.
Designed by loggers for loggers, Eltec says that its machines continue to be the workhorses of the forestry sector and encourages loggers to experience the difference of its enhanced leveling technology—boosting productivity, reducing operator fatigue, and conquering the toughest terrains with ease.
https://eltec.tech/
John Deere
The John Deere 959M tracked feller buncher has been upgraded with new operator assistance features and durability
enhancements, reinforcing its reputation as a top performer in steep and demanding forestry environments.
A key update is the Dedicated Travel System, now standard on the 959M, which isolates travel functions from boom and swing operations, allowing for smoother, uninterrupted movement and increased efficiency.
The Return-To-Level functionality, part of the optional Slope Management System, enables operators to automatically level the rotating upper structure with a single button press, reducing workload and improving stability on uneven terrain. This pairs with the John Deere Slope Monitoring system, which displays real-time terrain slope data.
John Deere says that the 959M maintains its industry-leading leveling system, offering 26 degrees of forward tilt, 14 degrees rear tilt, and 7 degrees of side-to-side tilt. Upgraded cylinder pin joints and reinforced track frame steps further improve durability, ensuring long lasting performance in the toughest conditions.
www.johndeere.com
TimberPro
The TimberPro D-Series has leveling capabilities and has been fitted out with a new larger cab that has improved visibility, both out the front of the cab as well as the boom side.
The leveling system is capable of tilting 28 degrees to the front, 7 degrees to the rear and 24 degrees to the side.
It is also now equipped with high output LED lighting that will increase night time visibility in both the work area as well as directly under the cab to illuminate the tracks. The last major refinement of the cab is the addition of a digital climate control
system to keep the cab temperature steady and comfortable.
The Cummins L9 Performance Series Stage V engine contains an EGR-free architecture and compact Single-Module aftertreatment system.
The new L9 engine also boasts increased fuel economy and longer maintenance intervals over the previous models, that contributes to a reduced cost of operation and lower overall total cost of ownership, says the company.
www.timberpro.com
SUPPLIERNEWSLINE
KDS Windsor and Windsor Engineering achieve major milestone: 100th CDK contracted worldwide
KDS Windsor and its sister company, Windsor Engineering, have announced a major milestone in the company's legacy of innovation and service to the global forest products industry: the award of its 100th Continuous Dry Kiln (CDK) contract.
This achievement underscores KDS Windsor and Windsor Engineering's position as a world leader in drying technology, offering reliable, energy-efficient, and species-flexible kilns, says the company.
Of the 100 CDK, 53 are in the southeastern United States, a region known for its production of Southern Yellow Pine. One project has been installed in the Pacific Northwest, and the remaining 46 are distributed across Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and other global markets.
Over the years, KDS Windsor and Windsor Engineering kilns have been custom engineered to dry a wide variety of timber species, including:
• Southern Yellow Pine (SYP)
• Radiata Pine
• Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF)
• Douglas Fir
• Caribbean Pine
• Rubberwood
Its flexible kiln systems are compatible with a range of heating mediums tailored to the needs and resources of each client. Systems have been delivered with:
• Green Sawdust Gasifiers
• Dry Shavings Burners
• High-Pressure Hot Water
• Thermal Oil
• Steam (including geothermal)
• Direct Gas Firing
From large corporate sawmills to independent operations, KDS Windsor and Windsor Engineering’s CDK are said to be trusted for their performance, durability, and automation. Its proprietary DrySpec kiln control system and DryTrack moisture measurement system have become an industry benchmark for precision drying, says the company.
Looking forward, KDS Windsor and Windsor Engineering are expanding their footprint and forging new partnerships in two key strategic regions: Europe and the Pacific Northwest. With growing interest in energy efficiency and timber quality, KDS Windsor and Windsor Engineering
are poised to bring its proven technology and expertise to these critical markets.
www.kdskilns.com
USNR helps Western Forest upgrade 30-yearold Newnes tilt hoist
An aging but sturdy Newnes tilt hoist at Western Forest Products’ Nanaimo, B.C., mill has received a major upgrade thanks to the USNR Upgrades Department.
Following a full service audit, the
USNR Service Team determined exactly what needed to be upgraded and improved, to ensure the tilt hoist would keep running at peak efficiency. These upgrades included a new tilt hoist knee assembly and skate wheel rack assembly, complete with replacement parts for long-term maintenance savings.
Through close collaboration with Western Forest Products, the upgrades were approved and installed, allowing for more reliable production.
www.usnr.com
Tigercat launches 120 winch assist unit
It is now possible to assemble a fully-mechanized Tigercat steep slope harvesting system with the option for cable-assisted feller bunchers, shovel loggers, track and wheel harvesters, skidders and forwarders, as well as the 180 swing yarder.
The Tigercat 120 winch assist is fully-
By Tony Kryzanowski
integrated with all the latest generation Tigercat steep slope capable carriers, providing seamless communications and optimal hydraulic efficiency. The 120 is also designed to work without travel signal integration. The basic installation, requiring only the in-cab control unit and antennas, allows the 120 to be mated to any carrier.
The 120 sits on a full forest duty F8 undercarriage for excellent durability and mobility. The upper assembly has a sloped tail for added maneuverability on narrow mountain roads.
All machine functions are actuated with an ergonomic and intuitive remote control system. The powerful, heavy duty boom system—with choice of a bucket or other attachments—firmly anchors the machine and can take on basic road building duties. With ample below grade capability, the boom can extend over the road bank to firmly anchor the machine.
The new Tigercat 120 cable assist is the second model in Tigercat’s cable systems product line.
www.tigercat.com
Obituary — Forestry veteran Jacques Element, father of Eltec founder
Jacques Element, described as a visionary entrepreneur, beloved father, and the guiding light for his son, Patrick Element, founder of Eltec, passed away recently surrounded by family.
The son of Donat Element, he grew up working in his father’s business. Building upon his father’s success, he launched another business in the forestry sector in 1980, Les Abatteurs Jacques Element Inc, a forestry road construction company.
In 1988, he acquired Hydraulique Val d’Or. Two years later, he built his third company, Foresco Laser, which is a specialized business providing laser/plasma cutting and metal shaping service.
Technologies Element PSW Inc, the
operating business for the Eltec brand, is the latest addition to the Group of Element companies. By uniting their strengths, the family of companies known as Group Element has gone from selling, repairing and maintaining heavy equipment to manufacturing forestry equipment under their own brand.
Eltec was established by Patrick Element in 2011. He is a third generation logger who not only understood the hard work required to make a living in forestry, but also believed he could build better machines for people like him.
The family says that, “as we mourn this significant loss, the Eltec team and the entire Group Element wish to assure our partners and clients that we will continue to progress with our work, honoring Jacques’ legacy of innovation and excellence.”
They add that his impact on the forest industry and his family’s businesses will be remembered for generations to come.
www.eltec.com
DC Equipment expands Madill and Falcon presence in American market
DC Equipment, a manufacturer of logging and forestry equipment, recently announced its expanded presence through its participation in the Oregon Logging Conference.
The company showcased its Madill logging equipment for the first time in the U.S., along with its Falcon forestry equipment brand.
“Last year, we relaunched production of the Madill brand, renowned for its reliability in the logging industry, and were excited to bring a Madill 3000B log loader to this important event along with our Falcon equipment series,” said Dale Ewers, Managing Director of DC Equipment. “We now have the capacity to support North American logging contractors and customers first hand.”
Ewers noted that DC Equipment has actively listened to customer feedback over the past year, gathering insights from
owners, operators, technicians, forestry managers, industry partners and distributors on its current models and future product developments.
“Their input guided our design team to incorporate technological enhancements into our equipment as part of our commitment to continuous improvement,” he said.
The return of Madill log loaders comes with machine improvements. For example, a comprehensive review of the boom and stick has translated into increased durability and strength in key stress areas.
“We have also redesigned the cooling package to reduce vibration, generate extra capacity for warmer temperatures and provide access improvements for serviceability,” said Ewers.
With the recent acquisition of the Madill brand, DC Equipment has opened a Prince George, B.C. facility to build on the Madill legacy and recognize its heritage in British Columbia.
“By manufacturing locally, we can ensure faster delivery times and maintain the highest standards of quality and innovation that our customers have come to expect from Madill and DC Equipment,” said Ewers.
www.dcforestryequipment.com
Waratah Forestry Equipment launches forestry grapple line
Waratah Forestry Equipment has introduced a new line of forestry grapples, which the company says is designed to deliver exceptional performance and reliability across a wide range of forestry and non-forestry applications.
By focusing on productivity and versatility, the company says that the 15 new grapple models are engineered to deliver the same durability and trusted reliability as Waratah’s harvesting, processing and felling heads.
The Waratah forestry grapple line includes three model categories to cover
all types of forestry and non-forestry applications.
The C21, C26, C30, C36, C36HD, C42, C46, and C46HD models are said to be ideal for traditional forestry applications and machines, including forwarders, log loaders, shovel logging machines and bioenergy recovery.
The large C Models, C60HD, C80, and C100, use the same successful technical design as the C series, and are specifically designed for larger material handlers used in woodyards, ports and other large scale operations.
The E models, C21E4, C30E4, C42E5, and C46E4, are purpose-built for handling slash, logging residues, stumps and in bioenergy applications. These grapples offer specialized features for use with forwarders and chippers.
www.waratah.com
Komatsu introduces new TimberPro TN230D log loader
Komatsu has introduced its newest log loader, the TimberPro TN230D. The new machine was built from the ground up based on customer and distributor feedback and was carefully engineered to help improve productivity and provide additional operator benefits.
The 197 hp TN230D offers a 36’ reach and 58,224 ft/lbs of swing torque. It also features Power Max, which temporarily
increases engine horsepower and hydraulic flow to support tough forestry tasks.
The machine is built with Komatsu components and its hydraulic system, powertrain, control valve and interior components are designed and manufactured in-house to help ensure performance and quality control.
The TN230D is the first machine in its class segment to feature dual service platforms with electrically actuated platforms on the left and right sides, offering improved access for service and cleaning.
www.komatsu.com
ALPA and Ponsse celebrate in New Brunswick, with a demo—and on the ice
By George Fullerton
To mark 55 years of manufacturing cut-to-length harvesting equipment, Ponsse has decided to promote their technology through an anniversary logging tour, taking Ponsse personalities, products and technology to events across Scandinavia, Europe, North and South America, Asia, Australia and Africa.
At the end of March, the Ponsse show landed at ALPA Equipment headquarters in Balmoral, New Brunswick. ALPA is simultaneously marking 25 years as a Ponsse equipment dealer.
In the early 1970s, Armand Landry took his truck-mounted Prentice loader to Quebec for service. Following the service,
the world. ALPA Equipment is a dealer for Ponsse, Landrich, JCB, Hyundai, Fuchs and Rotobec and has 150 employees.
the Prentice dealer invited Armand to stock some Prentice parts for resale to other truckers in northern New Brunswick. The stocking of loader parts led to the establishment of ALPA Equipment Ltd. in 1976. As the business grew, additional ALPA New Brunswick sales and service centres were built in Fredericton, Edmundston and Moncton, as well as Truro, Nova Scotia. In 1998, Landry established AL Fabrication at Balmoral, which led to the development and production of the tracked Landrich harvester.
In 2000, ALPA Equipment entered an agreement with Ponsse founder Einari Vidgren to become a dealer for Atlantic Canada. ALPA is the oldest Ponsse dealer in Canada—and second oldest dealer in
It seems that whenever and wherever ALPA and Ponsse leadership have a chance to share a microphone, there always seems to be good nature prodding about which country has the best hockey team.
The Ponsse 55 - ALPA 25 event offered the opportunity to promote Ponsse technologies and ALPA service, and also presented the opportunity to settle the hockey teasing, with a friendly tournament. The Ponsse team was made up of Ponsse executives, customers and staff, and ALPA formed two teams, one consisting of customers from southern New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and the second made up of customers from northern New Brunswick and the Gaspe, Quebec, region. Mill teams included Groupe Savoie, AV Group and J. D. Irving. AV Group and Irving played the final game, with Irving taking home the gold.
The Ponsse team included: owners Juha and Jarmo Vidgren, President and CEO; Juho Nummela, U.S. Area Manager; Samuel Vidgren, Chief Sales, Marketing and Service Manager; Marko Mattila, Harvester Marketing Manager; Jan Kauhanen, Product Manager, and Area Director for Canada, Eero Lukkarinen. Ponsse customers Kalle Pitkanen and Joe Jarvinen, along with Swedish Ponsse Sales Rep Jan Forare and customers Morgan Martin and Patrik Rosen rounded out the Ponsse team.
The Anniversary/Demo event provided the opportunity to refresh sales staff on Ponsse and Landrich products. Sales staff also enjoyed a day of cab time operating (with coaching) the machines which included Ponsse Mammoth, Buffalo, Cobra/ H7, Beaver/H6, Scorpion King/H7 and the Landrich/H8.
The Ponsse management crew are always a very warm, welcoming and engaging group, and approachable.
Ponsse owner Juho Vidgren shared that Ponsse is a manufacturer which relies heavily on input from their customers to guide and drive technological innovation for Ponsse products. He underlined that
Ponsse’s Mammoth forwarder, built to meet the needs of customers for more capacity, in challenging terrain and long distances, was among the equipment pieces demonstrated at the Ponsse/ALPA celebration in New Brunswick.
Ponsse 55 was an opportunity for Ponsse management to travel to forest industry events to meet and connect with Ponsse customers to gain insight into their business and operational challenges. He said the feedback from customers provides focus to make Ponsse products serve customers even better.
To illustrate how customer relations drive change at Ponsse, Eero Lukkarinen used the example of the H8 processing head.
“We are very engaged with contractors who use the H8, and over a number of years had very focused feedback and suggestions for improvement,” explained Lukkarinen. “Through the feedback, we had been able to implement a number of changes to the H8. But after a while, the engineers were indicating, ‘yes we would like to make the change, but there are restrictions within the head to allow room to build in the improvement’. Then Ponsse came to the conclusion that in order to implement all the improvements, it was time to re-engineer the H8 and incorporate all improvements.”
On technological advancement, Lukkarinen pointed out that the Ponsse Mammoth forwarder with twenty-five tonne capacity (with a 25 per cent increase compared to 20 tonne forwarders), was built to address customers looking for more capacity for challenging terrain and
long distances. He continued that the Mammoth became the first forestry application for the continuously variable transmission manufactured by ZF, which had been proven in heavy construction equipment. The transmission has provided a 25 per cent reduction in fuel consumption, which combined with increased capacity, brings customers a double advantage.
Juho Nummela commented that the current business environment is very uneasy due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff posturing. He said the on again/off again rhetoric provides no confidence for all trading nations. He pointed out that tariff concerns impact the entire forestry value chain and extends beyond to suppliers to the industry.
Nummela said the decision to stop doing business with Russia and Belarus in 2022 due to trade restriction resulting from the Ukraine invasion saw Ponsse lose around 20 per cent of the of its business, and cause anxiety and a reduction in manufacturing. Nummela said that Ponsse business has since picked up significantly in Scandinavian countries, and they have regained a good deal of the lost business.
The Ponnse 55 Anniversary road show will attend a number of other Canadian forest industry events. www.alpaequipment.com www.ponsse.com/en/home#/
Ponsse Greasing System offers new solutions for forest machine chain lubrication
The Ponsse Greasing System is a new optional accessory for Ponsse harvester heads, designed for chainsaw lubrication.
The system feeds grease to the chainsaw from screw-in grease cartridges according to the dosing settings made through the Opti5G information system. Grease cartridges stored in a warm place ensure effective lubrication throughout the work shift, says the company.
“This is a solution that makes the workday of a forest machine operator easier, especially in cold weather,” says Toni Rajaniemi, Ponsse’s project manager. “The grease cartridges replace the fixed grease tank in the harvester head, so you no longer need to pump cold grease from an external container to the harvester head’s grease tank. The cartridge is quick and easy to replace, and the cartridges are easy to transport and can be stored in car or cabin.”
The lubrication system can hold two 400-gram screw cartridges, which last approximately 8 to16 hours, depending on the amount of sawing and dosing settings. The dosing settings can be adjusted from the Opti 5G information system according to the situation and need.
The information system notifies the operator when it is time to change the cartridge. The grease cartridge is quick to change, so the machine's downtime is very short. The grease cartridge can be refilled.
Ponsse’s product range includes grease cartridges suitable for various needs such as mineral oil-based grease or new biodegradable oil-based grease. The Ponsse Greasing System is currently available for all Ponsse H6, H7, and H8 harvester heads. The Greasing Systems can also be retrofitted.
www.ponsse.com
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Now is the time to negotiate a new softwood lumber trade deal with the U.S.—and Trump
By Tony Kryzanowski
“Thisis the beginning of a negotiation.”
Those were the words spoken by Prime Minister Mark Carney in March at the conclusion of his first phone call with American President Donald Trump.
On April 2, Canada largely escaped further tariffs—except for steel, aluminum, Canadian-made automobiles, and, yes, softwood lumber—on what President Trump called "Liberation Day," and what Ontario Premier Doug Ford more appropriately called, "Job Termination Day."
That was the moment when Trump launched a global trade war by announcing reciprocal tariffs on pretty much every country at a base rate of at least 10 per cent.
In reality, what Trump announced was the largest tax increase on American consumers ever, because the tariffs he is demanding will simply be tacked on to the price of goods shipped to America.
The “kind” announcement by Trump of tariff freedom for goods which are free trade-compliant according to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) does nothing for the Canadian softwood lumber industry because it is not part of CUSMA and has been subject to wistful tariffs and anti-dumping duties from the American Commerce Department for the past decade, being held on deposit since they are in dispute. These amount to billions of dollars.
Based on the previously announced tariff of 25 per cent duties on non-CUSMA compliant Canadian goods, plus the additional tariffs and anti-dumping duties being contemplated by the American Commerce Department going forward, the duty on Canadian softwood lumber could end up anywhere from 20 per cent to 50 per cent, as a new administrative review has been announced recently by the Commerce Department.
So when Prime Minister Carney indicates that there will be a massive renegotiation of the trade relationship between
Canada and the U.S., the Canadian forest industry should respond with: "There had better be—and softwood lumber exported to the U.S. had better be included in that negotiation with the understanding that Canada should respond with a counter-tariff on American goods entering Canada, reciprocal to the tariffs put on Canadian softwood lumber, if negotiations prove unsuccessful."
Frankly, that should have occurred 10 years ago when softwood lumber was not included in CUSMA.
What's disheartening is that those who will pay for whatever negotiated tariffs are eventually tacked onto Canadian softwood lumber will be American homebuyers. The average cost of a home today in America is about $400,000 (U.S.) and the current tariffs and anti-dumping fees being contemplated by the American administration on Canadian softwood lumber will add at least $10,000 (U.S.) to the cost of a home—but likely a lot more.
But if there is a silver lining to the current situation, it's that this is clearly the opening that the Canadian forest industry and its lobbying partner, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in the United States, have been searching for to reach a negotiated settlement on the Canadian softwood lumber trade issue.
Lately, the U.S. Lumber Coalition, which has been calling for stiff tariffs and anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber for decades, has been running around with its hair on fire, with near weekly press releases praising Trump’s verbal attacks—and fundamentally, lies—about how the U.S. doesn't need Canadian softwood lumber.
Here's a question for members of the U.S. Lumber Coalition: if the situation in Canada is so great to disadvantage you in America, why aren't you investing more in Canada to take advantage of this supposed bonanza that you purport Canadian softwood lumbers producers have with our stumpage regime? We almost
always welcome any investment from our U.S. neighbors—and certainly would, in this case.
What's clear is that the U.S. Lumber Coalition has just one goal, which is to reduce choice to builders like the members of the NAHB and increase the market share of the coalition members. Calling for stiff tariffs and anti-dumping duties are one way that they are trying to accomplish this.
Notwithstanding Trump’s false claim that Americans don't need Canadian softwood lumber, it does, with roughly between 30 to 40 per cent of that market currently served by Canadian softwood lumber producers.
That will only change marginally, and force Canadian sawmills to become even more efficient with the newest technology more quickly, regardless of the amount of tariff and anti-dumping duties put on Canadian softwood lumber. The demand is simply too great, especially with such tragic recent events as the California fires, Hurricane Helene which caused massive devastation in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, not to mention the countless tornados that annually devastate tornado alley from Texas to Virginia. Furthermore, the annual hurricane season is only three months away.
Unfortunately, there will likely be Canadian job losses and forest industry curtailments and closures in the short term while a new softwood lumber deal is negotiated. How much will likely depend on such factors as production efficiency, log transport costs, and distance to market. Undoubtedly, each company will be doing its own calculations and we will know soon enough who will survive and—who will not. But the Canadian government has promised a safety net for workers, and possibly businesses, with money collected from reciprocal tariffs, so that could blunt the blow.
