TPM Approach to Basic Equipment Care

 The Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth, recently completed a WERC-funded project (Award Number 07-DG-104) titled Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) for the Wood Products Industry.  The primary goal of the project was to encourage wood businesses to incorporate Total Productive Maintenance programs within their business operations. Customized TPM programs were developed for specific businesses, and an interactive short course on this topic was developed as well. For project details, a final report, and a PowerPoint presentation for the short course can be found by visiting click here.  For additional information, contact Brian Brashaw at 218-720-4248.

Visit the WERC training web page or WERC webcast archive 

June 7, 2011 - Charleston, WV, Kanawha County Extension Office

June 14, 2011 - Atlanta, GA (location to be announced)

Workshop topics will include researching building permits, marketing to builders and homeowners, marketing to architects, marketing to local governments, marketing to retailers, and 3-D design software.

These workshops are part of the Reinventing Hardwood Markets Project being conducted by the North Carolina State University - Wood Products Extension Program. For additional information about the project (WERC Award Number 2010-DG-084) can be found at click here.

For additional information, contact Harry Watt at 704-880-5034. 

June 3, 2011.  Dovetail Partners, Inc., and the WERC will host a free Webinar that addresses carbon storage in products made from urban trees. The Webinar will report on the results of a WERC-funded project titled Carbon Storage Factors for Urban Hardwood Forest Products (Award Number 2010-DG-110).

A primary objective of this project was to develop a way to estimate carbon sequestration for an array of urban hardwood products, including solid wood products, landscape mulch, and fuel that could be produced from trees that are routinely removed from our Nation's cities and towns because of pests, storm damage, and other reasons.

The Webinar is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Central/11:00 a.m. Eastern on June 3. Registration Information. The Webinar is free, but participants are asked to pre-register online by May 31. Registered participants will receive instructions for joining the Webinar via e-mail on June 1.

October 16-18, 2011.  The Inn - Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

This conference will bring together industry professionals, scientists, association representatives, government employees, suppliers, and customers to share knowledge and ideas. Topics will include hardwood-related issues, recent developments, and paths to the future, with a special focus on sustainability and certification.

For additional information, contact Urs Buehlmann at 540-231-9759 or click here.

The BTEC received a recent grant from the WERC (Award Number 2010-DG-150) for educational outreach. The BTEC is conducting a Webinar series on key issues related to biomass thermal opportunities. Past and future Webinars are listed.

Webinar to Address Bioenergy and Climate Policies and the Impact on Existing Forest Products Industries

June 28, 2011.  Dovetail Partners, Inc., and the WERC will host a free Webinar that addresses the impacts of bioenergy development on the forest products industry, including implications of existing and proposed policies and incentives related to climate change and bioenergy production.  The Webinar will report on the results of a WERC-funded project titled Providing Incentives for Bioenergy While Protecting Established Biomass-Based Industries (Award Number 2010-DG-109).

Dr. Jim Bowyer, the lead researcher on the project, will present the Webinar. Dr. Bowyer is director of Dovetail Partners' Responsible Materials Program and is an international expert on biomass industries and bioenergy developments.

The Webinar will discuss the impacts of policy initiatives on existing industries, including forest products manufacturers of composite panels, hardwood lumber, and paper. It will also touch on impacts on the forest harvesting sector.  Potential long-term implications of rising energy prices-whether resulting from market forces or public policy-will also be discussed.

The Webinar is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Central/2:00 p.m. Eastern on June 28, 2011. The Webinar is free, but participants are asked to pre-register by June 24.  Registered participants will receive instructions for joining the Webinar via e-mail on June 27.  Registration