President’s Report

Hello everyone,

From the President

By Will Cole

As I write this column, mud season is now behind us. Many of us are evaluating what and how we will commence with summer operations. It's no secret since the Pixelle explosion that our world has been turned upside down. The question is what are we going to do about it? I personally am getting tired of the victim mentality that's overshadowing every aspect of our culture. When Don and I started our company in 1986 it was just as easy to go behind, but the difference was you could work your way out of a mess by doing double time. That I suspect is how many of us built up our businesses. The other day I was in a conversation with a group of loggers complaining about lack of help and no youth in the industry. Why would there be? The double time to get out became the normal day. Long hours, low pay with no time to really evaluate our business model. If logging is to be a legitimate business, it needs to have comparative work opportunities for the next generation. That can only happen when a business is profitable. That means evaluating cost of operations against payment of goods. Is it that simple? Yes, the PLC has stepped up to the challenge to help our members get a real cost to operate through our cost calculation service provided free to all members. Wood markets are hungry, prices are rising, and for the first time in a long time "loggers are valuable". May I suggest to you the most money you will make this year is at the negotiating table. Know your cost going in and don't be afraid to say no if the numbers don't work. Let's work our way out of a mess but not doing double time.

See you in the woods,

Will

Welcome New Members

Francois Lessard Logging of Jackman joined the PLC as a new Contractor Member in February of 2022. The company has a professional staff of 4. To learn more, contact Francois Lessard at (207) 349-0628 or flessard87@sogetel.net.

Two Spruce LLC of Windsor joined the PLC as a new Affiliated Contractor Member in February of 2022. The company has a professional staff of 2. To learn more, contact Michael Murphy at (207) 215-2755 or twospruce1@gmail.com.

B & J Hardy Transport of Houlton joined the PLC as a new Forest Contractor in March of 2022. The company has a professional staff of 3. To learn more, contact Bill Hardy at (207) 5700079 or billyhardy79@gmail.com.

Horizon Solutions of Bangor, ME joined the PLC as a new Supporting Member in April of 2022. The company offers automation, electrical, industrial, and safety solutions to a variety of industries and has a footprint that spans across New York and New England. Additionally, the company offers services and technology to improve energy efficiency and enhance workplace safety. To learn more contact Adam Russell at 207-991-5417 or arussell@horizonsolutions.com or visit www.horizonsolutions.com. JD Scales Equipment LLC of Greenville Junction, ME joined the PLC as a new Supporting Member in April of 2022. The company specializes in used logging equipment sales, purchases, consignments, appraials, and consulting services including business development. To learn more contact John Scales at (603) 443-7313 or john@jdscalesequipment.com or visit www.jdscalesequipment.com.

UniFirst Corporation, headquartered in Wilmington, MA joined the PLC as a new Supporting Member in April of 2022. UniFirst is one of North America’s largest workwear and textile service companies, providing uniforms, protective clothing, and custom corporate image apparel programs to businesses in diverse industries. In addition to outfitting more than 2 million workers in clean uniforms each workday, UniFirst also has a hand in keeping their businesses clean, safe, and healthy through their Facility Service program, allowing the company to be a single-source solution for a variety of needs. To learn more contact Wade Taylor in Mars Hill at (207) 689-1065 or wade_taylor@unifirst.com or visit unifirst.com.

Beau Berry of Carthage joined the PLC as a new Individual Supporting Member in February of 2022. To learn more contact Beau Berry at 207-491-1280 or bdlogging11@gmail.com.