June 2020 Hardwood Matters by National Hardwood Lumber Association

TH E VOIC E O F THE HARDWOOD IN DUSTRY

H A R D W O O D M AT T E R S June 2020

LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO SUSTAIN BUSINESS T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E N AT I O N A L H A R D W O O D L U M B E R A S S O C I AT I O N S T R O N G R O O T S . G L O B A L R E A C H . | W W W. N H L A . C O M

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CONTENTS June 2020 • Issue 212

WHAT'S INSIDE feature 10 Leveraging Technology To Sustain Business

10 8

departments

ONLINE TOP POST OF THE MONTH at facebook.com/NHLAOfficial The forest products industry has been deemed an "essential critical infrastructure workforce in the nation's response to the coronavirus pandemic." Learn more about what this means for you: http://ow.ly/wLF050yTzRf

6 Inside NHLA 8 Legislative Log Advocacy in the Time of Covid-19

by Dana Cole

16 Rules Corner Technology Combined with

Knowledge Equals Maximum ROI by Chief Dana Spessert

17 Industry Insight Did You Know That Airflow Can Affect

reader services 4 18 20

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the Readings in Your Kiln? by Henco Viljoen

President’s Message Educational Calendar Job Board

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H A R D W O O D M AT T E R S T H E VO I C E O F T H E H A R DWO O D I N D U ST RY

National Hardwood Lumber Association PO Box 34518 • Memphis, TN 38184-0518 901-377-1818 • 901-382-6419 (fax) info@nhla.com • www.nhla.com

THE MISSION OF NH LA To serve NHLA Members engaged in the commerce of North American hardwood lumber by: maintaining order, structure and ethics in the changing global hardwood marketplace; providing unique member services; promoting North American hardwood lumber and advocating the interest of the hardwood community in public/private policy issues; and providing a platform for networking opportunities.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

MISSION LEADERS

Darwin Murray McClain Forest Products President

Bucky Pescaglia Missouri-Pacific Lumber Co., Inc. Unique Services

Jeff Wirkkala Hardwood Industries, Inc. Vice President

Ray White Harold White Lumber Inc. Rules

Brent Stief Huron Forest Products, Inc. Past President 2016-2018

Joe Pryor Oaks Unlimited Industry Advocacy & Promotion

NHLA STAFF Lorna D. Christie CEO l.christie@nhla.com Amanda Boutwell Marketing and Communications Manager a.boutwell@nhla.com

ADVERTISER INDEX IBC DMSi 5 Forestry Systems, Inc.

IFC Pike Lumber Company, Inc.

7 King City/Northway Forwarding

3 RossiGroup Wood-Mizer, LLC

For advertising contact: John Hester, Director of Membership and Business Development at j.hester@nhla.com or 901-399-7558 or Vicky Simms, Membership Development Manager at v.simms@nhla.com or 901-399-7557

Renee Hornsby Director of Marketing/ Communications r.hornsby@nhla.com Melissa Ellis Smith Graphic Designer m.ellis@nhla.com

■■■ Desirée Freeman Controller Julia Ganey Member Relations Manager John Hester Director of Membership and Business Development Jens Lodholm Data Administration Specialist Carol McElya Inspector Training School Administrator Roman Matyushchenko Associate Dean of Education

Jon Syre Cascade Hardwood, LLC Structure David Mayfield Mayfield Lumber Co. Membership & Networking COMMITTEE CHAIRS Stephanie VanDystadt DV Hardwoods, Inc. Membership Rob Cabral Upper Canada Forest Products, Ltd. Promotion & Advocacy Dennis Mann Baillie Lumber Co. Convention Scott Cummings Cummings Lumber Company, Inc. Inspection Services Bruce Horner Abenaki Timber Corp. ITS/Continuing Education Brin Langmuir Falcon Lumber Ltd. Communications & Marketing Joe Snyder Fitzpatrick & Weller, Inc. Rules

Vicky Quiñones Simms Membership Development Manager Dana Spessert Chief Inspector

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See the forest through the trees The RossiGroup has been helping customers navigate the global hardwoods industry for almost a century. We have raised the bar with our new state-of-the-art Emporium Mill and kiln facilities, our long-term supply agreements, and our uniquely personal brand of customer service. We deliver a world class selection of hardwoods â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including the gold standard in cherry â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all sorted, milled and dried to tolerances, consistencies, and yields that were not even possible five years ago.

Visit us www.rossilumber.com or call 860-632-3505

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

REVISED NHLA BUDGET FOR THE REMAINING YEAR

s an industry, we have suffered from a downturn in markets as a result of look-a-like replacement products, a trade war, and now a Coronavirus pandemic. Like the rest of the industry, these issues have caused NHLA to make difficult decisions over the past several weeks.

The Coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of the in-person 2020 spring Board of Managers meeting. In response, the NHLA staff went to work and coordinated our first virtual committee meetings via Zoom. During these meetings, Lorna and staff presented necessary expense cuts and a revised 2020 budget and plan. The revised budget was approved unanimously by the Board of Managers. It should be noted, that the necessary expense management decisions were made through carefully reviewing member value and member needs combined with revenue restraints. Rest assured that the NHLA staff is committed to maintaining the highest standards of service to our members despite the necessary budget cuts. The Executive Committee and staff will be reviewing the budget on a regular basis to ensure that we maintain tight standards on the use of our members’ money. We recognize that future budget cuts may be necessary, and we are prepared to do so to protect our ability to service NHLA members in the future.

COVID-19 situation. Should unexpected changes need to be made, you’ll be made aware immediately. You can register with confidence knowing, if we are unable to host the event due to COVID-19, registration refunds will be issued. Register online and book hotel rooms at https://www.nhla.com/ nhla-convention/registration/ We are fortunate to have each and every NHLA member company and we appreciate your participation. I would like to also say, “Thank you” to the Board of Managers for their service to this Association and the NHLA staff who support us. I pray you, your families, and employees remain safe, healthy, and virus free. Best Regards,

Darwin Murray, NHLA President McClain Forest Products dmurray@mcclainforestproducts.com

Even though the main topics of committee agendas were focused on cost savings initiatives, the committees continued to identify new cost-effective value opportunities for our members and continue to search for solutions to industry challenges. As of today, we fully expect the 2020 NHLA Annual Convention to take place September 23-25, and everything is continuing to come together as planned. I encourage you to register NOW and take advantage of the Early Bird discount price on registration fees. The NHLA staff and leadership are constantly monitoring the

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INSIDE NHLA

NHLA Buyer's Guide is back! We are happy to announce, NEW for 2020, the NHLA printed Buyer's Guide is back! The Guide is a membership directory that lists all NHLA members and provides contact by company name and type of service for easy reference, along with products produced and types of services offered. For your company’s listing to be effective, it needs to be correct and current. Please take the time to review your company information via the NHLA website. The deadline to correct the information is June 30, 2020. Any corrections made after that date may not be included in the 2020 Buyer's Guide. To correct or update your company information, please do the following: Updating Your Organization's Products 1. Login with your email and password at: https://members.nhla.com/eweb. 2. On the 'My Profile' page, scroll down to the 'Organizations You Manage' section and click on the name of your organization. NOTE: If your organization is not listed, you may not be linked to

your company, or your assigned role may not allow you to view/edit organization information. If this occurs, contact us for assistance at nhlaadmin@nhla.com. 3. On the Organization Information page, scroll down to the 'Organization Products' section. 4. To edit or delete an existing product in the list, click 'Edit' to the right side of the item. 5. To add a new product, click '+ Add a Product' at the right of the section title. Should you need any assistance during this process please contact Jens Lodholm at 901-399-7561 or email nhlaadmin@nhla.com.

Any company interested in advertising in the 2020 Buyer's Guide should contact John Hester at 901-399-7558 or by email at j.hester@nhla.com or Vicky Simms at 901-399-7557 or by email at v.simms@nhla.com.

REGISTRATION IS

NOW OPEN

FOR THE 12-WEEK NHLA INSPECTOR TRAINING SCHOOL September 1-November 20 Memphis, TN

“Many people think they know the Rules, but they don’t actually know what the book says. Learning the Rules at the NHLA Inspector Training School has helped our sawmill identify mistakes that were costing us $130,000 to $180,000 a year depending on species.” — Grant Dorris, ITS Class 188, Volner Sawmill, Inc.

NHLA . . . WHERE HARDWOOD LUMBER INSPECTORS ARE MADE! To register call 901-399-7563 or visit nhla.com/education/ 6

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LEGISLATIVE LOG

ADVOCACY IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 by DANA COLE, Executive Director Hardwood Federation

he spread of the COVID-19 virus has dramatically impacted our preconceived notions of family, work, recreation, government and indeed our entire economy. As I write this in early May, how and when we move to restart the economy following such a devastating health crisis is still very unclear. However, what is clear is that we are certainly heading towards a new normal.

The Hardwood Federation has been closely tracking developments related to legislation addressing the COVID-19 crisis and will continue to do so. Our most recent focus has been on the implementation of the various relief programs that have been enacted, and looking forward to any future measures that may be introduced. While we spearhead and drive advocacy efforts directly related to hardwoods, when we face a challenge as all-encompassing as the

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COVID-19 virus: we must double down on coordination with all our allies from the wood products industry to maximize our impact and positive outcomes. Work around travel restrictions and locked down office buildings, we must explore new ways to communicate and keep our message top of mind with federal policy makers. Since coming to the Hardwood Federation, I have been active in a group of DC-based forest products association executives who have met regularly to discuss issues of common interest and identify ways to work together. This group includes all sectors of the wood products industry: associations that represent the landowners that supply our raw materials, foresters that help us manage the land and companies that make and transport finished products. Participating groups include the American Forest and Paper Association, the American W W W. N H L A .C O M

Forest Foundation, the National Alliance of Forest Owners, the American Wood Council, the National Association of State Foresters, the Forest Resource Association, the Federal Forest Resource Coalition, and several others. The COVID-19 crisis has illuminated the need for the group to work even more closely together. Since the early stages of the emerging crisis, I have joined my peer executives on regular web-based meetings. We have identified key areas of common interest we can pursue with Congress, and created joint communication pieces explaining the value and importance of the industry to the U.S. economy, its recovery from the COVID crisis and the need to maintain and expand domestic and international markets for U.S. wood products. Additional measures include promoting the need to support the financial survival of mills, the industry’s ability to retain employees, and the safety measures that already exist as well as those that are needed to continue wood product operations. We are also signing letters, individually and as a group, to Congress and the Administration that advocate for action that would support the hardwood industry including continued recognition of the entire wood products supply chain as an essential component of fighting the COVID-19 virus.

frequent, but the use of web-based video conferencing is quickly becoming the preferred method of communicating in Washington, D.C. At first, I was concerned that this would limit opportunities to present hardwood priorities and concerns, but so far, that has not been a problem. In fact, because these virtual gatherings are usually carefully moderated and kept on a strict schedule, everyone gets a chance to speak and the side bar conversations and diversions from the topic at hand are much less likely to happen. While politics will always be best one-on-one, there appears to be benefits of embracing some new options. The Hardwood Federation is thinking about ways we can make these opportunities available to more members of the industry. The Federation will continue to pursue and advocate for legislation that addresses our priority issues. Continuing to work with our allies in Washington and exploring new and powerful ways to communicate to ensure that our message is heard are two important steps. A third essential step is our commitment to continue to communicate with our member associations, including NHLA, and to make sure they have the information they need to communicate with their members. Thank you for your support during these extraordinary times. We will continue our efforts so the industry will emerge and thrive in the world after COVID.

Meetings with Congress and the Administration have also continued, although they are no longer in-person. Conference calls are

Count on Wood-Mizer’s INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT

to efficiently process hardwoods into profits.

844.339.7815

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LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO SUSTAIN BUSINESS

rom employee furloughs and layoffs to disrupted supply chains, there isn’t a corner of the hardwood industry that has been immune to the effects of COVID-19. The industry has been through many trials and tribulations over the last century, and faced each one head-on, adapting to changing circumstances to continue operations. Today, as we face a global pandemic that has changed the very fabric of our society, the hardwood industry is once again adjusting to new ways of doing business. Thankfully, we live in an age where technology is available to overcome the new challenges we face and we can continue to conduct business. Technology has made us more connected than we’ve ever been before. The pandemic pushed quick-thinking leaders to have office employees work from home - something many thought would never be possible for their business. Telecommuting has been proven effective. So, is this the new normal? Melissa Bradley, Professor of Impact Investing at Georgetown University, was quoted by the Aspen Institute saying, “Our interconnectedness is here to stay. I believe the work-from-home phenomenon will continue for three reasons. First, it reduces overhead for many companies. Second, it will be hard to ramp the former culture back up again if this lasts longer than six months. Finally, it was a trending concept before the virus.” The use of software like Skype, GoToMeeting, and cloud file-sharing services has allowed many office and sales personnel throughout the hardwood industry to work from home. A recent NHLA Survey found that a majority of hardwood businesses have embraced the technology that allows their staff to work remotely, with the most popular being the video conferencing software, Zoom, followed by Facetime, and Microsoft Teams. Furthermore, the forced plunge into the world of telecommuting has been a positive experience for most businesses, with 58% of industry companies saying they will likely continue using this newfound communication technology with their staff after the pandemic is over.

“We have software integrators, engineering staff, and sales staff that are all able to perform regular duties from remote locations. The use of programs such as TeamViewer, Zoom, VPNs, and Skype allows us to stay efficient and keep production flowing.” — Bob Pope, with SII Dry Kilns

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Results of the NHLA Technology Survey

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“There is only one way to survive and thrive when faced with circumstances out of our control, and for which we are unprepared: Adapt.” — Charles F Glassman NHLA member Bob Pope, with SII Dry Kilns, is a believer in telecommuting, saying, “We have software integrators, engineering staff, and sales staff that are all able to perform regular duties from remote locations. The use of programs such as TeamViewer, Zoom, VPNs, and Skype allows us to stay efficient and keep production flowing. The ability to transfer files for review and oversight allows us to verify that the work performed is accurate and on time. All of these things allow our team to stay focused on our number one goal – to help and support our customers.” Imagine if a sawmill operator from 1918 – the height of the Spanish Flu – were to see what a sawmill looks like today. He would likely be awed at the efficiency of today’s mills, thanks mainly to automation. The number of lasers, computers, scanners, and sensors would amaze him. He might be shocked that the mill could run with so few people, allowing social distancing to keep employees safe. Bob continued, “For a number of years now, all of our kiln control systems have come preinstalled with remote accessing software. This has allowed our customers to control and monitor their kilns from anywhere in the world. It has also allowed SII technicians to perform troubleshooting and installation of software updates remotely. So, in normal times what once might have been considered a luxury for kiln operators and mill managers has now made working remotely more of a necessity and a reality.” Claus Staalner with WoodEye – an NHLA member that manufactures scanners for inspecting and measuring defects in wood - is proud of his company’s contribution to automation, explaining, “Technology and automation help both small and large producers. W W W. N H L A .C O M

TECHNOLOGY TO THE RESCUE IN OHIO

here is an issue that Ohio’s Appalachian hardwoods industry has faced for decades: a disjointed supply chain of loggers, craftsmen, and manufacturers that lacked the visibility needed to reach their maximum level of success. It was technology that provided a solution. The Appalachian Partnership, Inc. (API) is a business-led nonprofit organization that provides programs and resources that help companies to improve their operations and meet their workforce needs. The Appalachian Partnership received an SBA Regional Innovation Cluster Grant in September of 2015 and hired a Wood Manufacturing Specialist, Frank Roberts, in December of the same year. Frank brings decades of experience with him as he travels throughout Appalachian, Ohio, explaining what API has to offer. Technical consultation, quality control, needs assessment, production modeling, and other services were available to businesses of all sizes, from six employees to 150, at no cost. The professional services of Frank and his associates, Craig Albright and Patrick Bolton, helped many of Ohio’s hardwood businesses become more efficient, productive, and profitable. For all the successful projects the API team accomplished through individualized consultation, there was still something missing. Huge leaps in technology and automation have transformed large sawmills into marvels of efficiency, accuracy, and production. Automation has seen dramatic changes in every step of the manufacturing and production process throughout the industry. “We realized the way the industry interacts in the state, across the country, and around the world hadn’t kept up with this automation technology,” Frank said. And just like that, OhioWoodProducts.com was born. Designed to be Ohio’s foremost wood products resource, OhioWoodProducts. com is a single hub where distinct sectors of the hardwood industry can easily connect. At the heart of the website is the Ohio Wood Products Directory, which is used to help companies develop value-stream mapping strategies and to find new outlets for their products and services. The directory has three main functions: utilize accurate GIS mapping to see where companies are located geographically; provide a detailed profile page to market each company and offer the opportunity to be more visible in Ohio’s $26 billion hardwood industry. Through technology, the website creates an opportunity for businesses of all sizes to increase their national and international visibility and exposure. The API team also sees a time in the not-too-distant future when the effort could expand beyond Ohio. “Other states are seeing what a powerful tool this is,” Frank said. “We now have the technology to build directories, databases, and search engines more easily and affordably than before.” He envisions the Appalachian regions from Pennsylvania to Georgia, benefiting from a similar platform. “When the economy rebounds, as it inevitably will, technology will help members of the hardwood community to be highly visible and readily accessible.”

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Employees at SII Dry Kilns monitor the progress of their kilns through the use of custom software. High efficiencies, reliable processing results, and production/process controls should always be held in the highest regard. In a time of a pandemic, having such tools in place allows for a much smoother pass-through.” The hardwood industry plays a vital part in the supply chain for hundreds of end-products, including many items that are essential during this pandemic: testing swabs, face masks, packaging, pallets, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and more. So, it’s critical that businesses keep in touch with their customers. An easy way to stay connected is through the use of social and digital media. Bob Pope understands the importance of social and digital options, saying, “During this time, we have used several different methods to stay in constant contact with our existing and potential customers - Facetime, Skype, Zoom and good ole fashioned conference calls. We continue to remain active in a variety of trade organizations, including the NHLA and work to support their efforts for remote training and productivity improvement.” It’s difficult to say anything about the COVID-19 pandemic was lucky. But, looking at it objectively, we are fortunate the epidemic happened in 2020 and not 2010. Ten years ago, automation technology wasn’t anywhere near as effective as it is today. We didn’t have the remote-working options we have now, and the Internet speeds of 2010 could never handle the strain that our technological advances demand today.

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As the author Charles F Glassman once said, “There is only one way to survive and thrive when faced with circumstances out of our control, and for which we are unprepared: Adapt.” Fortunately, the hardwood industry has been adapting to challenges since its inception and will continue doing so during this pandemic, and any other crisis to come.

SOURCES: NHLA Technology Survey, May 2020 https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/04/04/big-techs-covid-19opportunity https://news.microsoft.com/covid-19-response/ https://www.manobyte.com/growth-strategy/leveraging-technology-forcovid-19-remote-working https://www.bellevuereporter.com/news/eastsiders-utilize-technology-tokeep-things-running-during-covid-19-outbreak/ (https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/how-covid-19-is-changingglobal-business/)

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TRANSLATING OUR KNOWLEDGE INTO RESULTS FOR YOUR BUSINESS . . . THE NHLA INSPECTION SERVICES TEAM OF EXPERTS The NHLA Inspection Services team is working and available to help you overcome any issues or problems you may be having. Reach out to your area inspector to arrange a consultation by phone or an in-person visit. We Are Here to Help You!

CANADA

n n n n n

Dana Spessert Chief Inspector 901-399-7551 d.spessert@nhla.com

Mark Bear Tom Byers Mark Depp Kevin Evilsizer Simon Larocque

Mark Bear Tom Byers Mark Depp Kevin Evilsizer Territory: USA - Southern Region Territory: USA - Northern Region Territory: USA - Mid-Atlantic Region Territory: USA South East and South Central North Central and North East East and South East Midwest & Western Regions 205-295-8018 814-431-5699 814-246-4941 North Central, Midwest, West and m.bear@nhla.com t.byers@nhla.com m.depp@nhla.com International 417-260-5416 k.evilsizer@nhla.com

Simon Larocque Territory: Canada 819-712-1640 s.larocque@nhla.com

RULES CORNER

Technology Combined with Knowledge Equals Maximum ROI with Chief Inspector Dana Spessert

ith the invention of modern technology, some repetitive, manual labor jobs were replaced by machines. Over time, the need has shifted from workers needing to physically move material by hand to more efficiently utilizing machines that are precise and consistent. The use of machines can make the production of any product more efficient and accurate, including the manufacturing of hardwood lumber from logs. Workers are now utilized as machine operators who oversee the functionality of the machine to ensure that the process is done correctly and that the correct results are achieved. The NHLA Inspector Training School has been educating the hardwood industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lumber inspectors since 1948, to help sawmills accurately count their money before sending the lumber to market. For more than two decades, we have seen a sharp decline in attendance at the Inspector Training School, and the trend seems to be continuing. More and more companies are utilizing machine-assisted lumber inspection for hardwoods, applying varying technologies from high-resolution cameras to x-ray equipment.

personnel in a production environment, the best way to make sure the machines are operating at peak performance is to have employees who know and understand the products and their value. NHLA has programs to measure and test your machines on a regular basis. Evaluating your machines on a regular and on-going schedule will keep you informed as to the ROI on the investments you have made. To maintain the structure and order of the hardwood industry, companies must continue to support the training of NHLA hardwood lumber grading rules. The rules have and always will be the key factor in the global marketplace of our beautiful and plentiful supply of North American hardwoods. NHLA has the programs and staff to help your company make the most of your return on your equipment and your personnel. Contact me today and let us help your company be as profitable as possible. Dana Spessert, 901-399-7551 or email d.spessert@nhla.com

I believe that this technology shows promise. But it should be noted that the work of hardwood lumber inspection is riddled with nuances that are challenging for even the most sophisticated machines to overcome. The varying colors, knots, splits, checks, burls and other wood characteristics are a challenge for the best lumber inspector. It requires a great deal of experience to fully understand the impact that these natural characteristics have on the lumber grades. As the industry becomes increasingly more mechanized, there needs to be a more proactive approach to monitoring the processes with better-educated employees to keep things in check. As we all know, if a machine is working correctly, there is nothing better, but when it gets out of calibration, things can go wrong very quickly, and the output can be devastating to the bottom line. NHLA has been working diligently to provide more educational opportunities and to be more proactive to the demands of new systems and technology that are used today. Having myself educated

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INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Did you know that airflow can AFFECT the readings in your kiln? by Henco Viljoen, Dry Kiln Specialist at Nyle Dry Kilns

hen conducting an experiment on the effect of airflow speed over the wet bulb recently, I came across some interesting findings.

EXPERIMENT: I installed three wet bulbs and one dry bulb inside an insulated drying chamber 3' deep x 7' wide x 6' high. All of the wet bulbs were set up at precisely Âž" above the water level. I then installed fans to simulate airflow over two of the wet bulbs. The first wet bulb (#1) had 500fpm airflow over it, the second wet bulb (#2) had 200fpm, and the third wet bulb (#3) had zero fpm. The chamber was heated to 160oF, at which time the chamber's circulating fans and heater were turned off. The dry and wet bulb temperatures were measured and logged until the dry bulb temperature reached 100oF.

Test station wet bulb fan

Ensuring constant airflow over a wet bulb in both Fans Forward and Reverse directions.

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FINDINGS: It was interesting to see that at 160oF dry bulb, the wet bulb with zero airflow (#3) showed an average of 6oF higher than wet bulb #2 (200fpm), and 9oF higher than wet bulb #1 (500fpm). The difference decreased the lower the dry bulb dropped being 3oF for wet bulb #2 and 4.5oF

for wet bulb #1 when the dry bulb got down to 100oF. I can only conclude that the higher the temperature inside your drying chamber, the more crucial adequate airflow over the wet bulb becomes. How will this affect how the kiln runs? If the airflow is too low, a higher wet bulb reading will force vents open or more open if vents modulate. So the EMC / RH reading calculated based on perceived dry & wet bulb readings will be higher than actual . . . meaning conditions are harsher than what you think it is. In a kiln equipped with fans that reverse direction every few hours (with only one wet bulb), results are often high airflow over the wet bulb in one direction, and low airflow in the other. To put in terms of control elements: more venting in one direction than the other! The net result: uneven drying, more energy usage, longer drying times, longer conditioning times, and more drying defects. CONCLUSION: ensure that your wet bulb has at least 200-250fpm constant airflow over it at all times, or make use of more than one wet bulb.

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NHLA PROVIDES EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO IMPROVE YOUR BOTTOM LINE Register for classes at www.nhla.com/Education. JULY

JULY

27-29

27-31

Intro to Hardwood Lumber Grading

Intro class to gain a basic understanding of the NHLA hardwood lumber grading rules and how the rules affect the value of lumber.

Venue: Franklin Industrial Commercial Development Authority - Emerging Technology Center Franklin, PA

Venue: Rowan County Courthouse Morehead, KY

Instructor: Tom Byers, NHLA National Inspector

AUGUST

10-21 Inspector Training School Online Training Program MODULE 1 Two weeks of hands-on training.

Venue: NHLA Headquarters Memphis, TN Module 2: Online study Module 3: Three weeks handson training and final testing at NHLA headquarters.

AUGUST

17-20

24-26

Intro to Hardwood Lumber Grading

Intro class to gain a basic understanding of the NHLA hardwood lumber grading rules and how the rules affect the value of lumber.

Venue: Yoder Lumber Company, Inc. Millersburg, OH

Venue: Northwest Hardwoods - Marion Branch Marion, NC

Instructor: Mark Depp, NHLA National Inspector

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Instructor: Mark Depp, NHLA National Inspector

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COVID-19 IMPACT:

At the time of publication, these educational courses are being offered. However, due to the unknowns of the COVID-19 pandemic please visit nhla.com for the latest information or call NHLA headquarters at 901-377-1818 to confirm that these courses are taking place.

AUGUST

24-Sept. 4 Inspector Training School Online Training Program MODULE 1 Two weeks of hands-on training.

Venue: Northwest Hardwoods - Marion Branch Marion, NC Instructor: Mark Depp, NHLA National Inspector Module 2: Online study Module 3: Three weeks handson training and final testing at NHLA headquarters.

SEPTEMBER

1-Nov. 20 Inspector Training School 193rd Class

Traditional 12-week hands-on training to achieve the certificate of completion in Hardwood Lumber Inspection. Venue: NHLA Headquarters Memphis, TN

SEPTEMBER

14-17

14-18

Intro to Hardwood Lumber Grading

Intro class to gain a basic understanding of the NHLA hardwood lumber grading rules and how the rules affect the value of lumber.

Venue: WV Wood Technology Center Elkins, WV

Venue: Wood-Mizer, LLC Indianapolis, IN

Instructor: Mark Depp, NHLA National Inspector

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SEPTEMBER

Instructor: Kevin Evilsizer, NHLA National Inspector

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NHLA JOB BOARD Here you will find our current job listings. To see more details or to post a job, visit www.nhla.com/industry-services/job-board.

LUMBER INSPECTOR Church and Church Lumber Company is seeking a NHLA trained lumber inspector. Primary duties and responsibilities include consistent and accurate grading of hardwood green lumber. The individual must be highly dependable. Skills & Experience Required NHLA Certified Salary & Benefits Excellent pay. Retirement Plan. Insurance Paid. Vacation. Great work environment. How to Apply Please send resume and application to office@churchandchurchlumber.com. Church and Church Lumber Company 863 New Browns Ford Road | Wilkesboro, North Carolina Phone: 336-973-5700 | www.northcarolinalumber.com LUMBER INSPECTOR Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods is looking for a Lumber Inspector to work in Huntland, TN. Please call for additional information. Skills & Experience Required NHLA Inspector Training School Graduate. Salary & Benefits Benefits Package Includes: - Health Insurance - Dental Insurance - Vision Insurance - Employer Paid and Voluntary Life Insurance and AD&D - Voluntary Long Term Disability - Voluntary Short Term Disability - 401K with Employer Match â&#x20AC;&#x201C; PTO How to Apply Please send resume and application to abbie@thompsonappalachian.com.

LUMBER INSPECTOR Collins Company is seeking a lumber inspector. This is an hourly, nonexempt position reporting to the Operation Supervisor. Graders will rotate work load between sawmill, green line, and shipping dry line as assigned by supervisor. May be required at times to sub as grader in other areas of the business. Other Duties include: Accept and follow instruction from the supervisor. Read and understand service and technical manuals. Advise the supervisor/ lead of mechanical problems. Make minor repairs as needed in the grading area including but limited to Trimmer, lug chains, saw belts and cylinders. Ability to stand for 8-10 hours per day, 5 to 6 days a week. Coordinate with the pulline and leadman to maintain required production rates. Follow all company, state, and federal safety rules to perform job duties. Work cooperatively with other employees. Be able to grade with 95% accuracy at the production rate assigned by the supervisor. Must be a team player. Work cooperatively with NHLA Regional Lumber Inspector when on site. EEO Employer M/V/D Skills & Experience Required NHLA Inspector Training School Graduate preferred. (or the equivalent training and experience.) Ability to comprehend and apply grading rules for soft maple, hard maple, ash, cherry, red oak, and birch Salary & Benefits Excellent pay. Medical, dental, vision and 401k How to Apply Please send resume and application to rcunnington@collinsco.com. Collins Company 95 Hardwood Drive | Kane, PA 16735 Phone: 502-826-5223 | www.collinsco.com

Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods, Inc. 100 Harless Drive | Huntland, TN 37345 Phone: 931-469-7272 | www.thompsonappalachian.com

J U N E 2 0 2 0 H A R D W O O D M AT T E R S

W W W. N H L A .C O M

ACCURATE

End Tally with Accurate ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

After extensive testing TallyExpress proves to be within 1% of a perfect tally. The app “learns” as it’s used, which makes it even more accurate over time.

Fast

Start to finish – completed end tally takes 60-90 seconds.

Easy

Not only can TallyExpress be taught in minutes, it is less physically-demanding than having to measure each board.

Live in 70+ Locations

“We put a tape measure to each board and wrote the width on the end. Overall we were 99.5% accurate to these tape measure tallies, some sites were seeing 99.8 to 99.9%.” – Northwest Hardwoods

How accurate? In the field, the “One day we were backed up difference between TallyExpress with 12 bundles on our line. and a hand tally by tape Normally, it would have taken a measure is less than 1%. It also very stressful 30 minutes to get “learns” as it’s used, making it those tallied and moved. With even more accurate TallyExpress, we did with all 12time. And the app is so easy to use,and bundles in about ten minutes get accurate measurements ityou was a stress-free experience.” –fast Granite Hardwoods, - no matter who Inc. is tallying.

“In thetraining past, you had to nothing. find “The is almost the right tally person who was People take pictures with their detailed and patient. With smartphones every day. It’s TallyExpress, we get the same, very familiar technology. accurate results regardless of Basically, you show someone who does the work.” how to use it on one bundle and they’reLumber ready to go. It really -Brownlee Co. does only take a couple of minutes to train someone.” – Allegheny Wood Products

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EARLY BIRD NOW OPEN

Your Hardwood Community Is Waiting For You. Registration is NOW OPEN for the 123rd NHLA Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase. Get Early Bird pricing when you book by June 13. Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email that contains access to the NHLA Room Block at The Galt House Hotel. As always, NHLA remains your trusted partner all year long – so please know that you can register for the NHLA Annual Convention with confidence. NHLA staff and leadership are closely monitoring the situation. Currently the Annual Convention will proceed as planned. Should unexpected changes need to be made, you’ll be made aware immediately. If we are unable to host the event due to COVID-19, we have you covered and refunds will be issued. We can’t wait to see you in September!

June 2020 Hardwood Matters

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