New Publication: Manufacturing and Marketing Eastern Hardwood Lumber Produced by Thin Kerf Band Mills

Dan Cassens, Professor of Wood Products in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University, recently completed this book using a WERC-sponsored grant (Award Number 2006-DG-305). This publication will be a great resource for both beginners and experienced portable band mill operators. The 376-page book includes 16 chapters:

1. Why Thin Kerf Band Mills?
2. Eastern Hardwood Resource
3. Wood Quality and Characteristics
4. Hardwood Lumber Pricing and Grading
5. Softwood Grading
6. Log and Tree Scaling Techniques
7. Forest Service Hardwood Log Grades, Tree Grades, and Yields
8. Hardwood Logs and Trees for Fine Face Veneer
9. Bucking, Sawing, Edging, and Trimming Techniques
10. Wood Residues and Potential Markets
11. Wood Moisture and Drying
12. Insect Damage to Trees, Lumber, and Finished Products
13. Stain in Logs, Lumber, and Finished Products
14. Structure of the Hardwood Lumber Industry
15. Trends in Marketing Wood Products
16. Sales Techniques

Click here to view this pub online. For additional information, contact Dan Cassens at 765-494-3644.

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Wood Education and Resource Center Rough Mill is Available for Leasing

WERC is now accepting applications for leasing its 42,000-square-foot rough mill and 10,000-square-foot wood shop. In-place machinery is optional for leasing. The facility is located ¼ mile off I-77 near Princeton, WV. Applications will be received through July 12, 2012. Contact Steve Milauskas at 304-487-1510. The prospectus can be viewed here.

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To join the Webcast, connect to this Web link.

For telephone audio, call toll-free at 888-858-2144. Participant code: 7578516.

View past Webcasts here. For additional information, contact Ed Cesa at 304-285-1530.

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3. Attention Wood Pallet and Packaging Manufacturers

The Appalachian Hardwood Center at West Virginia University is carrying out a WERC-funded project titled Preparing for the Implementation of a Mandatory Phytosanitation Treatment for All Wood Packaging Material (WPM) in the U.S. The project began in July 2010. However, following a public comment period regarding the potential regulation of domestic wood packaging materials, and after conducting an extensive risk assessment, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) concluded that regulations were simply not feasible right now. Details are in the May 2011 APHIS document, "Risk Assessment for the Movement of Domestic Wood Packaging Material within the United States." In the document, APHIS presented some suggested strategies that the industry could voluntarily carry out to reduce the spread of invasive species and thereby reduce the likelihood of regulation in the future.

Because of the APHIS ruling, this project changed to an education and outreach effort about the suggested strategies and other best management practices included in the APHIS risk assessment. Input is currently being sought from wood packaging material companies on what best management practices will help reduce the spread of invasive species via wood packaging material.

If you are interested in participating or want additional information, contact Jeff Slahor at 304-293-9423 or go here.

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Visit the WERC training Web page or WERC Webcast archive

Urban Wood Utilization Workshop II

Friday, June 29, 2012

Location: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Training Center, Washington, DC

This event will highlight the progress of the "Community Woodlands Alliance: National Capital Demonstration Program on Urban Waste Wood Recovery and Utilization Project." Local, regional, and nationally recognized experts working in urban wood utilization will also make presentations. For additional information, click here or contact Brian LeCouteur at 202-962-3393.

Educational Webinars and Workshops on Local Wood Products Marketing

Noon EDT on July 26 and August 16, 2012

North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension is presenting this Webinar series as part of a WERC-funded project. The goal: help wood products manufacturers that use U.S. hardwoods to make value-added wood products expand their sales, profitability, and employment.

The two remaining Webinars will discuss how to expand the production and sale of locally made wood products. The Webinars have interactive PowerPoint slideshows and opportunities for speakers and attendees to interact via a microphone or through real-time text messages. For more information, click here or contact Harry Watt at 704-880-5034.

Leadership Conference for Promoting Locally Made U.S. Wood Products

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Location:  WERC Facility, Princeton, WV

This networking and educational event will lay the foundation for a local wood movement to promote the use of U.S. hardwoods by U.S. manufacturers. Information: contact Harry Watt at 704-880-5034 or click here. Sponsors include North Carolina State University, Woodshop News, and WERC.

In addition to the workshops and Webinars listed above, new YouTube videos are being loaded here. There are currently about 15 videos, and 20 are in the process of being loaded. These videos each run about a minute and cover equipment, tooling, software, abrasives, and adhesives, among others. Check them out!
 

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

North American Thermally-Modified Wood Standards Development Forum

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Location:  WERC Facility, Princeton, WV

This forum will provide knowledge of thermally-modified wood technology; review and analyze European standards for thermally-modified timber; develop a plan to create North American standards; and address industrial development issues of thermally-modified wood from Europe, Canada, and the United States. Sponsors include the Natural Resources Research Institute, University of MN - Duluth; Lakehead University Wood Science Testing Facility; and WERC.

For additional information, click here, or contact Pat Donahue at 218-720-2705.

Update on the Housing Market

From Urs Buehlmann, Virginia Tech Department of Wood Science and Forest Products, and Delton Alderman, U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station.

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Update on Wood Markets

North American Forest Sector Outlook Study: 2006 - 2030

Published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the Food and Agricultural Organization.  View the report here.

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This publication provides a broad overview of forests in the 20-state region that is bounded by Maine, Maryland, Missouri, and Minnesota. It was authored by nine people from across the region and is accompanied by a Web site that describes current resource conditions, unique forest characteristics, and the challenges faced by this tier of States. The pub's findings highlight the complexities facing those making today's forest management, policy, and investment decisions that in turn, will prepare and shape the region for a sustainable future.

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Hardwood Checkoff Program

The Hardwood Checkoff is an initiative led by a group of U.S. hardwood industry leaders who have developed a Commodity Checkoff program for the hardwood industry. Checkoff programs are industry-funded research and promotions programs tailored to a specific commodity. For additional details, click here.

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