BC Saw Filers: Sharpening their skillsBy S.J. Trotton
Members of the BC Saw Filers’ Association (BCSFA) know that the decision on where to position the blade on any given log can be just as important, from a financial perspective, as ensuring the teeth on a saw used in a mill achieve the best results in value recovery.
That’s one of the reasons why they continue to organize an annual saw filers’ conference and trade show that is typically a heavily-attended function with dozens of industry specialists from around the province gathering in the B.C. Interior to hear about the latest industry developments.
This year’s annual event, to be held at the Coast Hotel and Convention Centre in Kamloops April 26 to 28, is looking like it will again be a success, with demand from both exhibitors for floor space and attendees who recognize the value in learning about everything from bandsaw alignment best practices to the latest developments in saw knife and precision-cutting technology.
The provincial association that runs the affair is an independent, grassroots organization which aims to encourage the wide-ranging dissemination of knowledge and resources for the benefit of all those involved in the saw filing trade.
The BC Saw Filers’ Association has identified the need for more qualified saw filers for many years and the need continues to grow, with sawmills looking to maximize production, to take advantage of very healthy lumber markets.
Attendees will once again hear about the developments in saw filing optimization, the most up-to-date trends in automation and the continuing need for more people to consider entering the saw filing trade.
“The association has identified the need for more qualified saw filers for many years and the need continues to grow” says Matt Graves, BCSFA secretary and Tolko Industries Lavington Division saw filer veteran. “With more filers continuing to retire, the aging demographic gap is more apparent than ever.”
Since 2016, the industry’s answer to combating the skilled saw filer shortage has been to hire back filers—who had already retired—on a contract basis in order to keep filing room operations running smoothly. Mill managers admit the solution is only a stop-gap measure and doesn’t begin to be a long-term answer.
For this reason, this year’s conference and trade show will highlight recruiting information about training opportunities such as the program offered at the School of Trades and Technology at Thompson Rivers University (TRU).
Located at the TRU campus in Williams Lake B.C., the saw filer apprentice program provides the knowledge and skills required to become both a provincially and inter-provincially certified tradesperson. It is the only program of its kind in Canada and the Western United States. The industry has always supported the program, recognizing how much it relies on skilled trades workers who can produce optimum results. Canfor Corporation is an example of how supportive the industry is of programs like the saw filing apprenticeship program in Williams Lake.
Last year Canfor donated a Vollmer CHC20 top and face grinder. With this donation, students were given a hands-on opportunity to learn how to operate, repair and make adjustments to this machine, which is considered to be one of the most crucial pieces of machinery used by industry saw filers. Before the equipment was donated, Canfor partnered with HMT Machine Tools Canada to rebuild the grinder. The work done by HMT will prolong the life of this equipment and ensure the learning environment suitably mimics the real-world.
This year’s B.C. Saw Filers Conference and Trade Show will take place April 26 – 28. The trade show portion of the event will run two days this year and will begin at 12 pm and end at 7 pm both Thursday the 26th and Friday the 27th, and is open to all filers, mill managers and maintenance supervisors.
“Building on the success from past years, this year’s conference once again promises to be a must-see exhibition of all the latest in technology, products and services,” Graves says. “And for this year, we are putting together a program that is bigger and better with the top names in saw filing all under one roof.”
Last year, the trade show brought together dozens of exhibitors who featured the latest innovations in filing technology, products and services. Already confirmed for this year’s event are manufacturers known throughout the industry. Popular brand names like Saw+ADD, Corbilt, KeyKnife and the newly merged Simmons Knife & Saw, Burtons Saw & Supply and BGR will be front and centre at this year’s show.
“We are expecting as many exhibitors as we had last year, if not more,” says Graves. “We’re excited to confirm these names and expect to be adding more shortly.”
In addition to the exhibits, attendees will have a chance to hear from speakers who address topics that include best practices for working safely, safety products for filing rooms and the newest trade technologies currently available.
“The speakers at this conference are always a popular attraction as they truly understand the needs of the industry and the fact our annual event is considered an important educational opportunity for all those in the industry,” maintains Graves. “For this reason, we always try to ensure we have something new to offer attendees each year.”
Following the annual general meeting, this year’s conference program will include: a talk from WorkSafeBC, a luncheon sponsored by Simonds International, an in-depth look at hand safety, an update from the Industry Training Authority (ITA) on the saw filer program, and highlights from industry leaders Precision Machinery, HMT Machine Tools and SiCam Systems.
“These conventions help with getting to know people in the industry. It’s a close-knit community which is open to helping each other out with challenges they may face at work,” says Graves.
When the trade show wraps up, a full buffet dinner and entertainment will take centre stage. Hypnotist Wayne Lee is the confirmed act for this year. A published author, performance coach and award-winning entertainer with more than 4,000 presentations to his name, Lee’s hypnotic techniques are said to “entertain, excite and mesmerize.”
Those wishing to register as an exhibitor can do so through the association by filling out the registration form at: http://bcsawfilers.com/news/. In order to streamline registration and to establish numbers for the dinner and show in advance, the association is offering pre-registration opportunities. When that process is complete, registration will open up to anyone else who may also want to attend. The association has also arranged for a block of rooms at the Coast Kamloops Hotel. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-663-1144 using group code GFC 5212 or reference BC Saw Filers.
To learn more about saw filing careers in general, visit: http://www.itabc.ca/program/saw-filer.
Andritz Iggesund Tool Canada Ltd.
www.andritz.com
Bestar LLC
www.bestar-steel.com
Canadian Forest Products
www.canfor.com
Carbide Tool Works Ltd.
carbidesawsharpening.ca
Chevron Canada Ltd.
www.chevron.ca
Cut Technologies
cuttech.com
Fuchs Lubricants
www.fuchs.com
Grache USA
www.grasche.com
HMT Machine Tools Canada
www.HMTCanada.ca
Hodgson Saw Ltd.
Industrial Autolube International
www.autolube.ca
Jayrod Consulting & Sales
www.jayrodcanada.ca
Kennametal
www.kennametal.com
Key Knife
www.keyknife.com
Logging & Sawmilling Journal
www.forestnet.com
Optimil Machinery Inc.
www.optimil.com
Peerless Saw Company
www.peerlesssaw.com
Petro-Canada Lubricants
www.lubricants.petro-canada.com
Precision Guide Machinery and Repair
www.pgmr.ca
Premier Bandwheel & Equipment Ltd
www.premierbandwheel.com
Promac Group
www.promacgroup.ca
Raptor Integration
www.raptorint.ca
Saw+Add LLC
www.saw-add.com
Simonds Int. / Burton Saw / Cut Technologie
www.burtonsaw.com
Streifel Industries Ltd.
www.streifelindustries.com
Supersaul Chemmex Inc.
www.supersaulchemmex.com
The Sharp Tool Company
www.sharptool.com
USNR
www.usnr.com
Voestalpine Precision Strip
www.voestalpine.com
Western Forest Products
Williams & White Group of Companies
www.williamsandwhite.com
YGE Equipment
www.ygeonline.com
On the Cover:
B.C. Interior logging company Wadlegger Logging and Construction Ltd. are deploying their leveling feller bunchers and the Tractionline winch-assist system to help their logging equipment work efficiently and safely up and down steep slopes. (Photo by Anthony Robinson)
New biofuel investment for Newfoundland
British-Based AEG is targeting Newfoundland for its first Canadian investment in its biofuel technology—and it is looking to re-start a business plan involving forestlands in Alberta.
Top Lumber Producers—Who's on Top?
Logging and Sawmilling Journal’s exclusive annual listing of Canada’s Top Lumber Producers, produced in co-operation with industry consultants, International WOOD MARKETS Group.
An outstanding logger...
The Canadian Woodlands Forum’s Atlantic Outstanding Logging Contractor Award has gone to veteran logging contractor Dana Day, who has been involved in forestry for more than 50 years.
Move over CLT—make room for DLT (Dowel Laminated Timber)
Mass Timber Products are a hot item these days, and B.C. is now home to a multi-million dollar production facility that is turning out a fairly new product to North America: Dowel Laminated Timber (DLT).
BC Saw Filers Convention coming up
Logging and Sawmilling Journal previews the upcoming BC Saw Filers Convention, to be held in Kamloops, B.C. April 26-28, which promises to be a great exhibition of all the latest in technology, products and services in saw filing.
Getting traction in the B.C. Interior
A Tractionline winch-assist system is meeting the multiple needs of B.C. Interior logging operation, Wadlegger Logging and Construction Ltd., including on steep slopes and tough ground conditions.
Going the distance...
Building logging road and bridges on the tough B.C. Coast requires equipment that can go the distance—and then some—and Powell River contractor Bob Marquis has found the right equipment that can take on some pretty punishing ground.
The Edge
Included in this edition of The Edge, Canada’s leading publication on research in the forest industry, are stories from the Canadian Wood Fibre Centre, Alberta Innovates, Alberta Agriculture and FPInnovations.
The Last Word
The traditional lands decision from the Supreme Court of Canada is resulting in more dialogue and accommodation, says Tony Kryzanowski.
Departments
