May 2021 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 May 2021

Business Leadership: Adapting to Change

pl us INFRASTRUCTURE ROLLS INTO TOWN CLOSE IS NEVER GOOD ENOUGH

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

CONTENTS May 2021 • Issue 222

WHAT'S INSIDE feature 10 Business Leadership: Adapting To Change

departments 10 8

8 Legislative Log Infrastructure Rolls Into Town

ONLINE TOP POST OF THE MONTH at facebook.com/NHLAOfficial NHLA is pleased to introduce a new home for Alumni of the NHLA Inspector Training School! The NHLA Inspector Training School Alumni Gallery is now available to everyone online at www.nhla.com/education/alumni/.

by Dana Cole

14 Rules Corner Close Is Never Good Enough

by Dana Spessert

reader services

4 6 16 18

President’s Message CEO’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.

MISSION LEADERS

Jeff Wirkkala Hardwood Industries, Inc. President

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

Jon Syre Cascade Hardwood, LLC Vice President

Ray White Harold White Lumber Inc. Rules

Darwin Murray McClain Forest Products Past President 2018-2020

Joe Pryor Oaks Unlimited Industry Advocacy & Promotion

NHLA STAFF Amanda Boutwell Marketing and Communications Manager Lorna D. Christie CEO

ADVERTISER INDEX 7 Baillie

King City

7 Continential Underwriters, Inc.

IFC

Pike Lumber Company, Inc.

Tropical Forest Products

IBC DMSi

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Julia Ganey Member Relations Manager

Burt Craig Matson Lumber Company Membership

John Hester Director of Membership and Business Development Renee Hornsby Director of Marketing/ Communications Jens Lodholm Data Administration Specialist

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Rob Cabral Upper Canada Forest Products, Ltd. Promotion & Advocacy Dennis Mann Baillie Lumber Co. Convention Scott Cummings Cummings Lumber Company, Inc. Inspection Services

Roman Matyushchenko ITS Instructor and Associate Dean of Education

Bruce Horner Abenaki Timber Corp. ITS/Continuing Education

Vicky Quiñones Simms Membership Development Manager

George Swaner Swaner Hardwood Communications & Marketing

Melissa Ellis Smith Graphic Designer Dana Spessert Chief Inspector

Stephanie VanDystadt DV Hardwoods, Inc. Membership & Networking

Desirée Freeman Controller

Carol McElya Inspector Training School Administrator

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

Rich Solano Pike Lumber Company, Inc. Structure

Joe Snyder Fitzpatrick & Weller, Inc. Rules

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NOW OPEN! Get excited and make your plans to join us in September, as we Turn the Tide with Innovation! Join us at the Palm County Convention Center in West Palm Beach Florida – September 22-24, 2021. Early Bird registration is now open. Register today at www.nhla.com.

Attend the NHLA Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase to Learn from industry experts, Network with producers, buyers, suppliers, and thought leaders, Find vendors and suppliers specific to your company’s needs, And do this all from one location, location, location!

Showcase your products and services to NHLA members and the hardwood industry at large.

Exhibit Booth sales are OPEN. Visit www.nhla.com/convention to reserve your booth today! John Hester, Director of Membership and Business Development at j.hester@nhla.com Vicky Simms, Membership Development Manager at v.simms@nhla.com W W W. N H L A .C O M

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

MARKETING IS VITAL TO LONG-TERM SUCCESS

hose of us who have been around for a while have experienced many variations of the hardwood lumber markets. Looking back, I tend to remember the bad markets more than the good ones. All of us try to understand the circumstances of markets with the desire to help us make better decisions in the future. The word I hear most about this market is “unprecedented.” The word unprecedented means “never done or known before.” It is a market like none of us have ever experienced. Many unique factors have combined to cause the current market to exist. In the big picture, it is a magnified case of supply and demand. The supply of hardwood lumber produced in 2020 was the lowest in decades. COVID-19 has made it more difficult than normal to increase production. The typical issue of the weather has been challenging in many areas. The supply chain of hardwood lumber is in tough shape. On the demand side of the equation, people staying at home has caused a deluge of home improvement projects. Many of them have used hardwood lumber in one form or another. In cities, like Portland Oregon, where the leadership is not helping businesses to succeed, an exodus is occurring from the city to the outlying areas. The housing and commercial real estate markets in the suburbs have amplified demand. In the last eight months, the hardwood market has risen on average about 40%, and the market is still under-supplied. This increasing market will continue for at least a few more months. What will stop the continued increase of hardwood lumber pricing? Increased lumber production and or a reduction in demand is the answer. Most likely, it will be a combination of both factors. When you think big picture, hardwood lumber is worth more than we have been getting from the market over the past 10 to 12 years. Supply and demand caused lumber prices to settle where they have been. Moving forward, we need to keep the demand up and have the market support the value of hardwood lumber at an increased level of profitability for our producers.

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The question is, how do we keep demand up and keep market valuation at a level that makes more sense for our industry? I think the answer lies in what the majority of our NHLA members think is our most pressing issue. Marketing! I believe the “Real American Hardwood Promotion Coalition” is vital to building a long-term market that will support our businesses in a more profitable manner. We are going to need financial support from many hardwood-related industries. By the time you read this article, the RAHPC will have most likely presented the case for what it will take to implement a meaningful, results-producing program. Think about and work on in your mind what commitment you can make to support this effort. Think about making a multi-year, long-term commitment. I believe the program’s benefits can change our industry, communities, businesses, and families for generations to come. In closing, let me give you a takeaway to think over. It is interesting to me that as each year of my life passes, I am more and more reflective of my life. Where I am on the path of my life results from a lot of decisions I did or did not make. I am becoming quite aware of that; while there are a lot of external forces that have impacted my life, there are way more choices that I can make or not to move me towards the goals I have for my life. I read this quote from a mother of a world-class athlete. “You are who you are by the choices you make.” Think about this quote. Your life is more in your control than you probably think. Best wishes for your continued health and success. May God bless you, your families, and your business in 2021.

Jeff Wirkkala, NHLA President Hardwood Industries, Inc.

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CEO'S MESSAGE

Introducing the NHLA Leadership Award

n April 2019, the NHLA Board of Managers approved the NHLA Women in Leadership Award to recognize women leaders in the hardwood lumber industry. If you were at the 2019 NHLA Convention, you would remember the moving moments when then-President Darwin Murray presented a posthumous award to Mrs. Pat Crites of Alleghany Lumber. Her husband John Crites and the entire family accepted the award in her honor. For me, it was one of the most important “feel good” moments of the conference.

bers. All NHLA members in good standing are qualified to win the ward. The award may also be presented posthumously.

After a thorough review of the award concept, the NHLA Board recently voted to expand the award criteria to include both men and women leaders. NHLA Vice President Jon Syre will serve on the NHLA Leadership Award Selection Committee.

Nominees must be actively engaged in the hardwood industry; exceptions may be made for retirees from the hardwood industry and NHLA membership.

The award will honor an industry leader who has supported NHLA and the hardwood industry through the trials and tribulations that best characterizes the nature of the hardwood industry. And after what we have all been through in the past several years, I, for one, believe it is time for a celebration of a man or woman who defines what leadership looks like for the entire hardwood industry. As you consider the man or woman you might nominate for this award, you may ask, what is a leader, what defines leadership? Leadership is a quality that is very difficult to quantify because it is hard to put on paper. Leadership is influenced by perception, like the positive mark or legacy an individual leaves behind as they move forward through their lives and careers. Leaders are innovators and iconoclasts, rebels when they need to be, negotiators and debaters. They are individuals who learn as much as they educate; great leaders are great followers all at the same time. And the one common trait all hardwood leaders have is an ongoing commitment to NHLA and our industry. It is time to celebrate their contributions with a nomination acknowledging their contributions. SO HOW DOES IT WORK? The NHLA Leadership Award will be presented on a bi-annual basis to recognize a male or female NHLA member for their significant and ongoing contributions and leadership to NHLA and its mem-

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A nominee must be an NHLA member for 20 years or more prior to being nominated. He or she must demonstrate ongoing contributions and dedication to serving the industry and consistent recognition of his/her role as a collaborative industry leader. He or she should be a proven innovator with a consistent track record of supporting NHLA and the hardwood industry.

TO NOMINATE To nominate an individual, you must present an outline of the honoree’s contributions and describe the positive impact of his or her actions on NHLA and the hardwood industry. You should provide references/support from a minimum of two NHLA members in good standing. Individuals nominating others may add information as they deem necessary. Once nominated, the President of the NHLA Board will appoint an Award selection committee that includes representatives from all segments of NHLA membership and chaired by the Board Vice President. The Committee will be made up of representatives from all member segments who are charged with the responsibility of reviewing nominees and submitting one finalist for the award. Individuals serving on the Selection Committee who are nominated for an award must recuse themselves from Committee deliberations. In 2021, the award will be presented at NHLA Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase in West Palm Beach, Florida. For more information or to ask questions, please email l.christie@ nhla.com.

Lorna D. Christie, NHLA CEO l.christie@nhla.com W W W. N H L A .C O M

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M AY 2 0 2 1 H A R D W O O D M AT T E R S |

LEGISLATIVE LOG

INFRASTRUCTURE ROLLS INTO TOWN

By DANA COLE, Executive Director Hardwood Federation

s March merged into April, the Biden Administration unveiled a $2.25 trillion infrastructure package titled the American Jobs Plan. The plan is a broadly focused proposal to infuse funds into our nation’s transportation pathways—namely highways, bridges, ports, mass transit, and other foundational elements of the nation’s economy. The proposal was coupled with a measure titled the Made in America Tax Plan that seeks to raise over $2 trillion in the next 15 years to help pay for investments envisioned under the American Jobs Plan.

repair roads and bridges across the country. Out of this amount, $115 billion is dedicated to modernizing bridges, highways, roads, and main streets needing critical repair. The proposal also specifies that funds be used to modernize 20,000 miles of highways and fix the most economically significant large bridges in need of reconstruction. Also, 10,000 smaller bridges would be targeted for repair, including those that provide critical connections to rural and tribal communities. The measure would also spend $17 billion on improving inland waterways, coastal ports, land ports of entry, and ferries.

All that has been made available so far is a 25-page summary document that describes at a high level all of the proposals that the Administration would like to see included in comprehensive infrastructure legislation to be considered by Congress in the coming months. On the infrastructure front, Biden’s plan targets $621 billion to

The American Jobs Plan also includes provisions to assist the manufacturing sector, including one that dedicates $52 billion to support existing capital access programs, particularly those that fund rural manufacturing and clean energy. Another $50 billion is set aside to create a new Department of Commerce office dedicated to domestic

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industrial capacity. The measure also authorizes a financing program to bolster debt and equity investments in the manufacturing sector, specifically those that increase supply chain resiliency. To promote building projects and jobs in the construction sector, the plan authorizes $20 billion in new federal tax credits to spur the construction and rehabilitation of 500,000 homes for low- and middle-income homebuyers. In the workforce space, the American Jobs Plan dedicates $48 billion to bolster American workforce development infrastructure and worker protection. This includes registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, creating one to two million new registered apprenticeships slots, and strengthening the pipeline for more women and people of color to access these opportunities through successful pre-apprenticeship programs such as the Women in Apprenticeships in Non-Traditional Occupations. The piece that has been getting the most attention since last week’s rollout is in the tax area. A number of revenue raisers are included in the measure that affects the business community. You will recall that the corporate tax rate was lowered in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) to 21 percent. Biden’s plan would raise that rate to 28 percent. The proposal is silent on the treatment of S-corporations and other pass-through entities that are popular in our sector. TCJA also lowered the effective tax rates for businesses in this category. We expect that a tax increase on businesses utilizing these tax structures will be on the table as negotiations commence. Other tax provisions include those that would: • Amend the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) regime to increase the global minimum tax to 21 percent on a country-bycountry basis while also eliminating the rule allowing exemption on the first 10 percent of foreign investments. • Seek a global agreement on minimum taxation while denying deductions for payments made to a corporation based in a country that does not adopt the agreement. W W W. N H L A .C O M

• Prevent U.S. corporations from inverting or claiming tax-havens. Under current law, U.S. corporations can acquire or merge with a foreign company to minimize U.S. taxes by claiming to be a foreign company, even though their places of management and operations are within the U.S. • Impose a minimum tax on large corporations’ book income. Proposes a 15 percent minimum tax on the income corporations use to report their profits to investors (book income). The TCJA repealed the alternative minimum tax for corporations. Democrats intend to target companies that reported large net profits while paying little or no federal income tax. • Eliminate tax preferences for fossil fuels, such as the existing tax deduction for costs associated with domestic oil and gas drilling. • Increase funding for the Internal Revenue Service to increase tax collection enforcement, namely through audits of corporations. The legislative process of assembling this package in Congress began in mid-April when the House and Senate returned from their Easter recess. The action will be focused in the near term in the House, where committees of jurisdiction over portions of this plan will begin drafting legislation to achieve the goals of the measure. Speaker Pelosi has announced that she would like a floor vote on an infrastructure/ climate bill by July 4. The reception among Republican Members of Congress, and some moderate Democrats, to these two measures, has been cool. The revenue raisers on the business community have attracted opposition from lawmakers, as well as businesses and trade associations representing various industrial sectors across the economy. A private sector, multi-industry coalition has already been formed and funded with $50 million to wage a media campaign against the proposal’s tax increases. The Hardwood Federation will monitor developments closely and engage in the process as appropriate to protect the interests of hardwood forest product manufacturers and our supply chain. M AY 2 0 2 1 H A R D W O O D M AT T E R S |

Business Leadership: Adapting to Change As we work our way through new challenges presented to us by COVID-19, it’s important to remember that strong, consistent leadership is the key to your business’s survival. Of course, we hope things will get better, but as the old adage says, “hope is not a strategy.” We cannot simply hope for things to improve; we have to actively make them better. And making them better means starting at the top—with business leaders.

he COVID-19 environment we live in today is constantly changing. If you want to be a good leader and have success in 2021, there are three key strategies you should be incorporating. 1. Take the initiative to change and adapt. Things that worked several years ago may not work today. 2. Be mindful of what your employees are facing and the challenges they are working to overcome. 3. Always look for ways to improve teamwork. It is crucial for leaders to adapt and take the initiative to make

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changes needed for success. Leaders that will survive 2021 are those looking for unique opportunities that are now available because of the pandemic. Leaders cannot wait for things to magically return to normal because COVID has permanently changed our world. There is no “returning to normal.” Today, leaders must anticipate changes, get out of reactionary mode and start actively pursuing growth. Many leaders in the hardwood industry discovered innovative solutions to the challenges COVID-19 caused. For example, some companies shifted their focus to a work-from-home strategy. At the same time, other businesses expanded their mills so employees could maintain social distancing - a move that is still paying off even after the height of COVID. W W W. N H L A .C O M

Another strategy to consider is employee appreciation. The most effective leaders show appreciation for what their employees are going through. COVID-19 has permanently affected the lives of people across the globe.

understand and appreciate the effort of their team members, they are showing they care about their team members as much as they care about the outcomes they are producing. Research shows that an individual is 12 times more likely to be engaged when they trust their leader, and trust is built when leaders show they genuinely care about their team members.”

It took time to adapt to things like working from home, online learning, and caring for their loved ones. Of course, you appreciate their work. But do you appreciate the extra effort it has taken to maintain the level of work expected of them? This core “Whether you are speaking to your principle will separate the extraoremployees, your customers, or your dinary leaders from the rest and will ensure that you and your team suppliers, it is important to let them know can give your best work no matter you are sensitive to their needs. It makes how the world changes.

“

Showing appreciation for your employees has a valuable sideeffect: employee retention. According to a recent NHLA survey, 81 percent of member companies struggle with a lack of qualified candidates to hire. Keep in mind that happy employees stay with you, unhappy employees leave, and positive word-of-mouth in the industry is valuable. People want to work for leaders who acknowledge them.

them feel comfortable, which is important

Effective leaders show appreciabecause if they are not comfortable, they tion for what their employees are will not perform. And at the end of the day, going through in good times, so it’s especially important to show we are busier now than we have ever been appreciation during a crisis, or in Rob Cabral with UCS Forbefore. We continue to grow and thrive. this case, a pandemic. Today’s most est Group had been focused on And it’s all because of our employees productive teams are led by people employee relationships long before who endeavored to recognize the the pandemic arrived. In 2020 he knowing we value them.” extra effort, time, and energy that told NHLA that the key to good — Rob Cabral, UCS Forest Group their team gave to continue business leadership is to “Forget about despite what was happening in the yourself. Focus on relationships. world. The leaders who genuinely As situations change rapidly, focus care about their people are the ones that get the most on solving challenges one by one. Try to be the calm voice of reaout of their team because they build trust. son.” Today, Rob continues to promote this style of leadership, saying, “Whether you are speaking to your employees, your customers, According to Forbes Magazine, “Recognizing effort matters as or your suppliers, it is important to let them know you are sensitive much as recognizing outcomes when it comes to building a highly to their needs. It makes them feel comfortable, which is important engaged, high-performing team. When leaders take time to both because if they are not comfortable, they will not perform. And at

”

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“As our company, our employees, and their families see the end of the pandemic in the near future, we can reflect on how we worked together to weather the past year. Listening to each other’s needs and showing compassion for each other in these challenging times has created a stronger team environment that has helped maintain and enhance creative thinking and encouraged leadership from employees that in the past have been reluctant to show their skills. We feel we are a stronger team having weathered the past year together.”

”

— Jon Syre, Cascade Hardwood LLC

the end of the day, we are busier now than we have ever been before. We continue to grow and thrive. And it’s all because of our employees knowing we value them.” Jon Syre, with Cascade Hardwood LLC, understands the importance of letting your team know they are valued. A year ago, Syre told NHLA, “Compassion is so important right now. Compassion for the families that make up the employees at Cascade and others in the community. We have identified what our employee’s needs are individually and done everything we can for them. This shows our crew that we are here to help. It also builds friendships and loyalty through the crew and enforces the peer pressure between employees not to take advantage of the situation. This is a delicate situation for many families. Financially and emotionally, families are stressed and frightened. Showing compassion and leadership helps to calm some of the stress. Work can be a steady and calm place as we undergo new changes in everyday life. We are trying to be a place that provides employees with some regularity and echoes of stability from the past.”

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Cascade Hardwood’s compassion strategy continues to pay off, with Jon saying, “As our company, our employees, and their families see the end of the pandemic in the near future, we can reflect on how we worked together to weather the past year. Listening to each other’s needs and showing compassion for each other in these challenging times has created a stronger team environment that has helped maintain and enhance creative thinking and encouraged leadership from employees that in the past have been reluctant to show their skills. We feel we are a stronger team having weathered the past year together.” One of two things happens during a crisis. Either your team is driven to give its very best and excel, or your team will become more

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Today, leaders must anticipate changes, get out of reactionary mode and start actively pursuing growth.

distant and disengaged. Teams that already had a strong foundation of trust and respect did the best during the pandemic—teamwork matters. If your team cannot operate at its best and deliver outstanding results during good times, it is doubtful that it will do well during difficult times. Leaders who didn’t focus on teamwork until their teams were forced to are seeing the repercussions today in the form of increased employee burnout, frustration, and reduced productivity. The good news is that if your team didn’t have that foundation pre-COVID, it is not too late to start building it. Ask your team if there are things you can do to work better as a team, then work together to incorporate those things into your leadership strategy. Despite the fact that COVID was one of the most challenging obstacles businesses have faced in a long time, it also provided an opportunity to prepare leaders and their teams for the future. Leaders learned to embrace change – whether they wanted to or not. Now, as we settle into Spring of 2021, we all have new skills we may have never learned otherwise. For example, the outstanding leaders of 2021 have learned to focus on the task at hand and not the obstacles surrounding them. It’s reminiscent of how racecar drivers are trained to focus on the road rather than the wall around the track when they take turns. If they focus on

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the road, they will follow the road. If they focus on the wall, they are more likely to hit the wall. As a leader, you probably know dozens of things that can go wrong with a project. But by investing your energy in the final goal instead of the obstacles, you are more likely to complete the project successfully. Strong leaders understand this mindset, and, in turn, their teams understand it as well. Because of COVID-19, the workplace has been forever altered. A genuine relationship with your team can be far more powerful than any technology we implement, and strategical changing your leadership approach is essential to a successful 2021 and beyond.

Sources: https://hbr.org/2020/06/what-ma-looks-like-during-the-pandemic www.entrepreneur.com/article/363405 www.forbes.com/sites/nicolebendaly/2021/01/03/three-things-themost-effective-leaders-will-do-in-2021/ www.smartbrief.com/original/2021/01/what-2021-requires-leaders

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RULES CORNER

Close Is Never Good Enough

s NHLA Chief Inspector, I am lucky to have the opportunity to meet and speak with so many people in the hardwood industry. As you can imagine, meeting so many different people allows me to hear many differing opinions and understand various ways of doing things, especially when it comes to hardwood lumber inspection. Something I hear often and something I find troubling is, “if the board is a unit or two short, I put it in there anyway.” This statement may not sound like a bad idea on the surface, but let’s compare it to a paycheck. Your check is “only $20 less than it should be”, or how about buying gasoline at a convenience store, “it’s almost a gallon.” I could give countless examples of how shorting anything in life is a bad idea, but I think these examples have proven my point.

we have a team of National Inspectors in different areas of the US and Canada, whose sole purpose is to be ready and available to assist our industry. NHLA has developed programs to monitor grade accuracy and observe many other areas of the lumber manufacturing process to help your company achieve the best possible products and ROI. Let me ask you, are you taking advantage of all these assets that are sitting at your disposal? If not, why? Contact me today; I would love to hear your challenges and help you find a way to overcome them and have your industry thrive! I can be reached at d.spessert@nhla. com or 901-399-7551.

The NHLA Rules were put into place to provide a measurement for the volume and quality of each and every piece of hardwood lumber that is produced. The hardwood inspector’s job is not to decide what is acceptable. Their job is to determine if it meets the minimum requirements to be in that grade. Too often, in today’s world, we accept “close enough” or “nobody cares” when in fact, the vast majority of people that I have met in this industry do care, and they expect everyone else to care and do their jobs correctly. So, this brings me to the point of this article, a good Hardwood Lumber Inspector may be enough to get by, be close enough, but a great Hardwood Lumber Inspector will make your company more reputable and, at the end of the day, will make you more money. To be a great Hardwood Lumber Inspector, you need to have the education necessary to achieve greatness. NHLA has the tools necessary to help anyone that needs or wants to move their company to the next level. Since 1948, NHLA Inspector Training School has been teaching the hardwood lumber grading rules;

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(Above) Inspector Training School Class 190 (Left) National Inspector Kevin Evilsizer

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LET THE INDUSTRY SERVICES TEAM HELP YOU.

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE NHLA FACILITY GRADE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM!

Cory Christen with NHLA’s Kevin Evilsizer.

”

Kendrick Forest Products is a member of the National Hardwood Lumber Association’s (NHLA) Facility Grade Certification Program. This is a voluntary quality assurance program where our lumber is re-inspected by the NHLA National Inspector 2-3 times per year to ensure we are representing the lumber properly. It is with a great deal of pride that I can inform you Cory Christen passed his test with flying colors. He was well within what the NHLA allows. Great job, Cory! This certification gives us a competitive advantage when selling in the marketplace as new customers know that we honor the NHLA grades and system. Most mills are not certified. In fact, Kendrick is the only mill in Iowa with this designation and one of only two in the American Walnut Manufacturers Association. Kevin and the NHLA have been a great resource for continuing to build into our team. We look forward to Kevin coming back in the summer.”

— Greg Blomberg, General Manager at Kendrick Forest Products

CONTACT NHLA CHIEF INSPECTOR TODAY! Call 901-399-7551 or Email d.spessert@nhla.com

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

14-17

14-August 6

Intro to Hardwood Lumber Grading

Inspector Training School 195th Class

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

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

Venue: Yoder Lumber Co., Inc. Millersburg, OH Instructor: Mark Depp, NHLA National Inspector

16-27

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

30-Sept. 1

13-17

Inspector Training School Online Training Program MODULE 1

Intro to Hardwood Lumber Grading

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.

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

Venue: NHLA Headquarters Memphis, TN

Venue: Wood-Mizer, LLC Indianapolis, IN

Instructor: Roman Matyushchenko, ITS Instructor

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Instructor: Roman Matyushchenko, ITS Instructor

JUNE

Traditional 8-week hands-on training to achieve the certificate of completion in Hardwood Lumber Inspection. Venue: NHLA Headquarters Memphis, TN Instructor: Roman Matyushchenko, ITS Instructor

Instructor: Kevin Evilsizer, NHLA National Inspector

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COVID-19 IMPACT:

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

13-Nov. 5

4-6

4-15

Inspector Training School 196th Class

Intro to Hardwood Lumber Grading

Inspector Training School Online Training Program MODULE 1

29-Dec. 10

Traditional 8-week hands-on training to achieve the certificate of completion in Hardwood Lumber Inspection. Venue: NHLA Headquarters Memphis, TN Instructor: Roman Matyushchenko, ITS Instructor

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Intro class to gain a basic understanding of the NHLA hardwood lumber grading rules and how the rules affect the value of lumber. Venue: Northwest Hardwoods - Marion Branch Marion, NC Instructor: Mark Depp, NHLA National Inspector

Two weeks of hands-on training.

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

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. Instructor: Roman Matyushchenko, ITS Instructor

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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. HARDWOOD LUMBER INSPECTOR QUALITY HARDWOODS Quality Hardwoods is seeking to hire a Hardwood Lumber Inspector for a high production band sawmill.

Salary & Benefits Benefits include health/dental insurance, 401k with a company match, vacation and holiday time, and a competitive wage. This is a full-time, permanent position.

Skills & Experience Required Must be a self-motivated graduate of Inspector Training School.

How to Apply Send your resume to: amanda@qualityhardwoodsinc.com

Salary & Benefits Permanent Employment, competitive wage, benefits, vacation time, and a 401k.

Quality Hardwoods, Inc 396 Main St. | Sunfield, MI 48890 517-566-8061 | www.qualityhardwoodsinc.com

How to Apply Send your resume to: info@qualityhardwoodsinc.com

HARDWOOD LUMBER INSPECTOR HARTZELL HARDWOODS Hartzell Hardwoods in Piqua, OH is seeking a hardwood lumber inspector whose basic function would be to inspect incoming and outgoing lumber according to NHLA rules at the assigned grading deck. The grading deck sits on the Lumber Handling Machine.

Quality Hardwoods 396 Main St PO Box 38 | Sunfield, MI 48890 517-566-8061 | www.qualityhardwoodsinc.com HARDWOOD LUMBER INSPECTORS NEMROC INC. NEMROC is seeking hardwood lumber inspectors to work at its two locations in Alpena and Hillman, Michigan. Skills & Experience Required Candidates must be NHLA certified and/or have equivalent experience inspecting both green and KD lumber. Salary & Benefits Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications. Benefits include paid vacation, sick and personal leave, medical insurance, a tax-deferred annuity plan, longevity bonus, and profit-sharing.

Responsibilities and Duties: • Visually inspects lumber according to species, grade, and dimension. • Uses NHLA lumber grading rules to inspect lumber while sitting on an automated grading deck. • This position operates and controls the Lumber Handling Machine from the grading deck platform. • Must be able to operate a grade console and board turner. • May be required to do their own sorting setups before starting another run per sorting specifications. (e.g., vendors, kilns, etc).

How to Apply Send your resume to: joed@nemroc.com

• Corrects any skews and situations that stop the lumber line from running. This may require getting off the grading deck and cor recting the problem within their area.

NEMROC INC. 800 Bolton St. | Alpena, MI 49707 989-356-6141 | www.nemroc.com

• All inspectors may be required to switch off with another lumber inspector. Lumber inspectors are required to work in another as signed position when they are not grading lumber.

BAND SAW FILER QUALITY HARDWOODS, INC. Quality Hardwoods, Inc. is seeking a Band Saw Filer in Sunfield, MI. Duties would include sharpening and repairing band head rig saws, band resaws, carbide-tipped circle saws, chipper knives, and dressing guide blocks.

• Grades and tallies lumber at certain workstations to obtain sur face measure and grade of the boards. Single boards are measured and tallied by making a dot on the tally sheet under the correct column.

Skills & Experience Required Experience in sharpening and repairing band head rig saws, band resaws, carbide-tipped circle saws, chipper knives, and dressing guide blocks.

• Determines total board footage by adding and multiplying tally columns.

• Reports tallies to Team Leader or Supervisor who reports to the Lumber Office.

• During downtimes, other functions will be required. (e.g. clean-up, maintenance, stacking, etc.)

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

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. Skills & Experience Required • Previous experience in grading walnut lumber along with other hardwood species is desired • NHLA schooling is preferred but not mandatory. • Long periods of sitting on the grading deck. • Occasionally turns boards weighing between 5 lbs. to over 60 lbs. using lumber grading rulers.

• May determine cuts to be made to obtain the highest market able value from material. • May scale board footage, using a calibrated scale on lumber ruler, and record results Skills & Experience Required • NHLA certified or equivalent experience • Possess the ability to accurately apply NHLA rules

• Familiar with lumber grading rules, calculator, tally book, pencil, lumber crayon stick, grade console, and board turner is plus

• Minimum of one (1) year experience grading kiln dried domestic lumber - this is not an entry-level position

Salary & Benefits • $23-$25 per hour, based on experience • $2,500 relocation bonus • Paid time off • Great healthcare benefits and much more!!

• Experience and ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with a focus on safety and quality

How to Apply Send your resume to: larling@hartzell.com Hartzell Hardwoods 1025 S. Roosevelt Ave. | Piqua, Ohio 45356 937-615-1924 HARDWOOD LUMBER INSPECTOR TURMAN SAWILL Turman Sawmill is seeking a hardwood lumber inspector to accurately inspect lumber by NHLA rules on a production line. Skills & Experience Required NHLA certified or equivalent experience| Salary & Benefits Salary depending on experience. Health/Dental insurance available. Paid vacation and holidays. How to Apply Send your resume to: jeremya@theturmangroup.com

Salary & Benefits Salary is based on experience. Benefits include but not limited to, Health insurance, 401K, vacation, and clothing reimbursement. How to Apply Send your resume to: saraschneider@midwesthardwood.com Midwest Hardwood Corporation 9540 83rd Ave. | NorthMaple Grove, MN 55369 608-768-4735 | www.midwesthardwood.com YARD MANAGER/KILN OPERATOR NEW LEAF LUMBER COMPANY, LLC New Leaf Lumber Company is seeking a Yard Manager/Kiln Operator. Daily tasks include managing a small crew of laborers, pulling custom orders, forklift operation of loading and unloading trucks and kilns, maintaining kilns, and communicating with the office manager. Skills & Experience Required • Forklift experience required. • Will train for kiln operator position as needed. • Good attitude and punctuality are paramount. • Attention to detail and ability to focus necessary.

Turman Sawmill 555 Expansion Dr. | Hillsville, Virginia 24343 276 730-0471 | www.theturmangroup.com

Salary & Benefits Salary based upon experience and qualifications. We offer a small, familyowned business with health insurance, vacation time, and a matched 401K program. We are fun, inclusive, and focused on quality over quantity.

HARDWOOD LUMBER INSPECTOR MIDWEST HARDWOOD CORPORATION Midwest Hardwood Corp. is seeking a hardwood lumber inspector to inspect dry and/or green hardwood lumber according to NHLA Guidelines.

How to Apply Send your resume to: meghan@newleaflumber.com

Responsibilities and Duties: • Marks lumber to indicate grade processing instructions, using a marker. W W W. N H L A .C O M

New Leaf Lumber Company, LLC 1104 Old Concord Rd. | Henniker, NH 03242 603-428-3553 | www.newleaflumber.com

M AY 2 0 2 1 H A R D W O O D M AT T E R S |

DISCOVER

ER ANSW

CONNECTION EXPERTISE

YOU’RE WANTING TO MAKE YOUR BUSINESS BETTER. NHLA HAS THE ANSWER. NEED TO FIND A NEW VENDOR FOR A SERVICE OR PRODUCT? Connections to industry specific companies through networking events, online membership directory and a virtual exhibit hall.

WANT TO DISCOVER WAYS TO MAKE YOUR BUSINESS MORE PROFITABLE? Programs and expertise designed to identify areas of change that can lead to more money in your pocket.

HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT PROCESSES OR BEST PRACTICES? Relevant and industry-specific education and training available in a variety of formats.

NHLA is your connection for ideas, answers and one-on-one professional advice. Give us a call today and let us help you make your business better! www.nhla.com

John Hester, Director of Membership and Business Development at 901-399-7558 or email j.hester@nhla.com.

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 80+ 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

Contact DMSi, your exclusive TallyExpress reseller, to start your free 30-day trial.

(402) 996-2710 | tallyexpress.com

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May 2021 Hardwood Matters

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