Serco Loaders has announced the launch of what the company says are its groundbreaking 8500-SR32 and 8500-SR34 series loaders.
The new loaders represent a significant step forward in the world of material handling, offering efficiency, versatility, and performance, says Serco.
The Serco 8500-SR32 and 8500-SR34 series loaders have been engineered to meet the evolving demands of the storm cleanup industry. These loaders are designed to streamline operations and improve productivity while maintaining Serco's commitment to quality, durability, and safety.
Key features of the Serco 8500-SR32 and 8500-SR34 series loaders include:
Designed by the company’s experienced engineers, and using modern tools such as finite element analysis, these double extenda boom loaders offer innovation and power, elevating customer’s capabilities.
The 8500-SR32 and 8500-SR34 series loaders further solidify the company's position as an industry leader, providing customers with tools to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance overall profitability.
"Our team at Serco Loaders is thrilled to introduce the 8500-SR32 and 8500-SR34 series loaders to the market," said Mark Shukla, Director of Sales at Serco Loaders. "These loaders exemplify our dedication to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in material handling. We believe they will revolutionize the way businesses handle materials and contribute to the success of our customers."
New Yale lift truck series more adaptableYale Materials Handling Corporation has rolled out the first lift trucks in its new Series N lineup with the introduction of counterbalanced models available in the 4000 lb to 7000 lb capacity range.
Built on a scalable platform, not only does the Yale Series N offer strong productivity, operator ergonomics and a low total cost of ownership, it allows material handling operations to option up based on their unique needs, says the company.
“Cost pressures and labour shortages are testing the ability of operations to balance profitability with productivity,” says Brad Long, Brand Manager, Yale Materials Handling Corporation. “Equipment can be part of the solution, but the one-size-fits-all forklift approach of yesteryear won’t cut it. The Series N gives warehouses and retail operations the freedom to dial the trucks to their own standards to meet the needs of their operators, application and business challenges.”
Some features on this series include operator-centric design, enhanced visibility, an innovative dynamic stability system (DSS) to provide automatic alerts and implementation of truck performance limitations in real time, and optional operator assist systems.
B.C.-based West Fraser Timber has entered into an agreement to acquire Spray Lake Sawmills (SLS) located in Cochrane, Alberta for $140 million. The transaction is anticipated to close later this year.
SLS produces treated wood products, dimensional lumber and a variety of wood residuals and bioproducts. It has an annual lumber production capacity of 155 million board feet and holds two forest management agreements with a total annual allowable cut of approximately 500,000 cubic metres.
“Spray Lake Sawmills has an experienced, dedicated group of employees who we will look to further the legacy of this proud mill,” says Ray Ferris, President and CEO of West Fraser. “With its solid safety performance, and focus on sustainability and community, the mill is an ideal fit for West Fraser.”
The acquisition enables West Fraser to grow its footprint in southern Alberta and expand its Canadian treated wood business, while providing access to a high quality timber supply, says the company.
BID Group has entered into an agreement to acquire U.S.-based Industrial Cutting Solutions.
The company says that this transaction deepens BID’s geographic and product offering in the wood processing saw and tooling segment and further expands BID’s operational lifecycle product and service offerings.
Industrial Cutting Solutions is an innovative supplier and service provider of high quality saws and critical consumable products to the wood processing industry.
Located in Buhl, Alabama, Industrial Cutting Solutions is also ideally positioned to meet growing customer demand for wood processing saw supply and service.
“We are excited to partner with the Houston family and the Industrial Cutting Solutions team. This marks another important step in growing with our valued customers’ demand for modern, high quality and innovative saw and tooling technology solutions. Together with Smith Sawmill Service and BID’s BLADE cutting tool solutions, we are pleased to continue incorporating saw and tooling technologies into our BID turnkey, wood process systems, and aftermarket support offerings,” says Dustin Norris, Vice-President, Smith Sawmill Service.
The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2023.
USNR’s new Sidewinder log turner maximizes throughput in millsUSNR’s new Sidewinder log turner is designed to accurately rotate logs and provide precise transition control with smaller gaps between logs, says the company. It’s particularly well equipped to handle large logs from the U.S. South and short, knotty logs from Canada.
When paired with the company’s advanced PGLR turn optimization and correction system, USNR says that this piece of equipment is one of the best log turning systems on the market.
The Sidewinder accommodates smaller log gaps better than other turning systems and provides accurate log rotation with a precise transition control system, according to USNR. Capable of handling logs between 3” and 24” in diameter, the Sidewinder has a turn accuracy within 4.5 degrees at 700 fpm, which USNR says is 36 per cent more accurate than other systems. It is also said to offer reduced maintenance and upkeep costs, as well as easier maintenance thanks to the open framework.
Dakin-Flathers launches long lasting bandsaw bladeThe wait is over for professional sawyers, says Dakin-Flathers, as the company has unveiled its latest innovation in timber resawing technology, the RIPPER37 QUANTUM blade.
Engineered to redefine the limits of bandsaw blades, RIPPER37 QUANTUM promises unmatched precision, efficiency, and above all, durability for resawing lumber, says the company.
Dakin-Flathers says that its RIPPER37 QUANTUM outperforms all other resaw blades, lasting twice as long as the current market leader.
It comes down to Dakin-Flathers’ patent pending and top secret manufacturing process, according to the company.
Using cutting edge materials and manufacturing techniques, RIPPER37 QUANTUM is said to be designed to withstand the most rigorous resawing applications. It is produced in aerospace-controlled temperature conditions using the world’s first gaseous phase control. The new heat treatment process results in exceptionally low levels of oxidization, producing a near perfect grain structure for exceptional longevity and cutting performance, according to the company.
RIPPER37 QUANTUM is currently available in 1” X 2 hook to cater predominantly for pallet manufacturing with multi-head sawmills, though it is suitable for many other resaw applications.
Provincially regulated commercial vehicle operators in British Columbia are now required to use electronic logging devices (ELD) to track drivers’ time behind the wheel, reducing the likelihood of driving while tired.
ELDs automatically record driving time, helping to ensure commercial drivers do not drive longer each day than regulations allow. ELDs accurately track hours of service and reduce the risk of incidents due to driver fatigue.
The requirement took effect on August 1, 2023, giving B.C. carriers six months to install ELDs across their fleets and to complete driver and dispatcher training.
This shift follows federal ELD regulations, which Transport Canada established for the inter-provincial trucking sector in 2021 and have been committed to by all provinces and territories. Enforcement of the federal regulations began on January 1.
As National Forest Week was celebrated throughout Canada, the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) took the opportunity to acknowledge distinguished individuals through its annual Awards of Excellence program.
These yearly awards celebrate the achievements, efforts, and indelible impact of the incredible professionals whose dedication to not just the industry, but their communities and Canada as a whole, serves as an inspiration to all, says the association.
FPAC’s 2023 Awards of Excellence recipients include:
Jim Carr Community Champion Award:
Senator Colin Deacon
Mayor Wendy Landry Partnership Award:
Canadian Wood Council (CWC)
Member of the Year Award:
Bonny Skene – Domtar
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Bob Fleet – Tolko Industries Ltd.
Women in Forestry Award
Kari Stuart-Smith – Canfor Corporation
Rising Star Award
Alexis Bolduc-Gagnon –
Resolute Forest Products
Skills Awards for Indigenous Youth
Makué Vollant – Member of the Atikamekw de Manawan, Technologie forestière au Cégep de Sainte-Foy (QC)
Catherine Langille – Member of the Seine River First Nation, Indigenous Environmental Science & Studies at Trent University (ON)
Indigenous Business Leadership Award
Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government Chipping (LMG Chipping) – a 100 per cent Indigenous-owned wood chipping operation.
TimberPro, a manufacturer of forestry equipment, recently completed an $8 million (U.S.) expansion project that added nearly 49,000 square feet to its facility in Shawano, Wisconsin.
The expansion will allow the company to double production capacity, enabling it to meet growing market demand for its equipment and attachments.
TimberPro was founded by Pat Crawford in 2002. The Crawfords have been involved in the forestry business in Wisconsin for more than 75 years, and in recognition of their contributions, the new expansion was dedicated to the family.
“Our facility expansion represents a significant step forward for TimberPro, and we were glad to be able to showcase our enhanced capabilities to the community,” says Doug Morris, Vice-President, Forest Machine Business Division, Komatsu. “Forestry is very important to the Wisconsin economy, and this expansion will enable us to provide more good family-supporting jobs, while also allowing us to enhance our research and development capabilities and significantly increase our production.”
The Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business (CCAB) has recognized B.C.’s Mosaic Forest Management with the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) Gold certification, making it the first and only timberland owner in Canada to achieve this standard of excellence.
CCAB’s PAR certification program is said to rigorously evaluate performance and impact in key areas important to Indigenous communities, including Leadership Actions, Employment, Business Development and Community Relationships. Supported by independent third-party verification, certification under PAR confirms Mosaic is a committed partner with policies, systems, and resources dedicated to achieving positive outcomes for Indigenous businesses and communities, says the company.
“The Progressive Aboriginal Relations Gold certification reflects our efforts over many years in contributing to economic reconciliation,” said Rob Gough, Mosaic Forest Management’s President and CEO. “Indigenous communities are our neighbours, Indigenous businesses are our partners, and Indigenous peoples are key members of the Mosaic team. Our company is committed to building a better future together.”
Husqvarna launches new top-handle T540 XP Mark III chainsaw Husqvarna is offering what it says is the next level of tree care tools with the launch of the T540 XP Mark III.
Remastered for reliability, the new T540 XP Mark III responds to the needs expressed by professionals for greater power, productivity and maneuverability with products that get the job done safely, efficiently and effectively, says the company.
The new top-handle T540 XP Mark III was redesigned following consumer feedback resulting in a lightweight, balanced, and agile chainsaw for climbing and cutting. With a high cutting capacity, the T540 XP Mark III was redeveloped to ensure maximum reliability and trusted performance over hours of use. Its lightweight ergonomic design aids operator comfort and AutoTune 3.0 technology enables simple start technology, to ensure peak performance even in the toughest of environments.
The engine power of the T540 XP Mark III is enhanced with Husqvarna’s SP21G X-CUT chain, maximizing precision and productivity.
Forestry equipment manufacturer SEPPI M. has introduced its latest innovation, the “MINIFORST cl” AMERICA Special Edition.
Tailored specifically for the U.S. and Canada markets, this cutting-edge forestry mulcher is set to redefine land clearing and vegetation management, while offering a special price, says the company.
Key features of the “MINIFORST cl AMERICA Special Edition” include:
PRT acquires Woodmere Nursery’s Alberta facilityPRT Growing Services Ltd, which produces container-grown forest seedlings, has reached an agreement with Woodmere Nursery Ltd to acquire its nursery in Fairview, Alberta.
The 134,000 sq ft nursery has steadily grown to reach an annual production capacity of over nine million forest seedlings, serving a wide range of customers in Western Canada, including forest companies, government, private woodlot owners and Indigenous communities.
PRT will now operate 20 nurseries, producing 340 million seedlings annually in Canada and the U.S. The company says that its extensive network of agricultural professionals and capacity to support customers across North America continues to position PRT as an industry leader and critical link in the forest sustainability supply chain, working together for real climate action for generations to come.
On the Cover:
The Village of Valemount, B.C., had a shrewd idea about how to expand the community’s role in the forest industry, involving getting into the sawmilling business, and using the village’s assets. That idea is now reality with the start-up of a sawmill in the community-owned Valemount Industrial Park which is being supplied with wood from the Valemount Community Forest. Read all about the new sawmill, and how the village is having its forestry vision achieved, beginning on page 28 of this issue (Cover photo courtesy of the Valemount Sawmill/Valemount Industrial Park).
In the driver’s seat …
The forest industry needs more women—and young people—in the driver’s seat of logging trucks, and there are programs out there to work on getting them in the seats of those logging truck cabs.
Canadian element to new Louisiana lumber mill
One of the largest new sawmills in North America—the $240 million (U.S.) Bienville sawmill in Louisiana—will be starting up later this year, and there’s a Canadian element to the operation, both in its construction, and ownership.
New home for harvester production
Logging equipment manufacturer A. Landry Fabrication now has a new facility for turning out their state-of-the-art Landrich 2.0 harvesters.
Building a new kiln helps build stronger customer relationships
B.C. cedar mill Gilbert Smith Forest Products recently built a new state-of the-art Nyle dry kiln that is allowing it to dry their wood in-house, and help build stronger relationships with customers.
Finding—and keeping—quality people
Richard Poindexter, President and Senior Recruiter with Search North America (SNA), on how to attract—and retain—quality talent for your wood products company.
Valemount sawmill vision
The village of Valemount, B.C., is seeing a community vision fulfilled, with the start-up of a new sawmill that is sourcing its timber from the community forest.
Sure—and safe—logging approach
Alberta’s Sureway Logging reflects sure stability—and a safe approach, including an award-winning safety record—in an ever-changing forest industry world.
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 (CWFC) and FPInnovations.
The Last Word
The past devastating forest fire season shows the urgent need for a shift in fire and forest management, towards co-existing with fire, says Jim Stirling.
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